Nov. 18

If you were to die at age 30, what would you need to accomplish in order to feel that you lived a full life?

(Remember to write a focused, organized and WELL-DEVELOPED paragraph. or two. )

Hiding something

Sometimes because of pride or ego or a mistaken idea, one person may not confide in another or tell them the whole truth. Have you ever been in a situation in which you didn’t want the other person to know something about you? You had something you wanted to keep secret? How did you act? Did the other person realize you were hiding something? How did your behavior change the way they acted toward you?

Spooky!

Describe your best or worst Halloween costume ever. Use lots of details and explain why it was so awesome or lame.

Edgar Allan Poe

It seems like reading Edgar Allan Poe stories around Halloween is a rite of passage for students in English classes. He wrote poems such as "The Raven" and "Annabel Lee" and stories like "The Tell-Tale Heart", "The Black Cat", "The Fall of the House of Usher", "The Cask of Amontillado", "The Masque of the Red Death", "The Pit and the Pendulum", etc.
If you have read Poe stories before, which ones have you read and what do you remember of them? Did you like them? How scary/creepy were they? Share your memories of you or teachers reading the works of Edgar Allan Poe.
If you have not read Poe or don't remember, describe to me what you expect from a classic horror writer? What kinds of stories do you think we'll be reading? Have you ever read scary stories?

Blog Topic Sept. 28/29

9th grade:

"How do you keep making the lights go on and off?" your pet might wonder.
Write about you doing something in your house...from a pet's point of view.

Blog Topic Sept. 25

Have you ever studied a skunk's eyes? Write about some item you find beauty in that many others might not.

Blog Topic Sept. 23/24

Have you ever known a secret that you thought you should tell? Did you tell? If you've never experienced this, what do you think it would be like to know a secret that you think is dangerous?

Blog Topic

Sept. 22/23
8th Grade only:
Write about a family vacation. It can be the best, the worst, the funniest... make sure you describe what happened and make your readers feel like they were there with you.

Blog Topic Sept. 16/17

Journal Time!

Write a journal from the perspective of Romeo, Juliet, Friar Laurence or Nurse. It should take place after the end of Act II when Romeo and Juliet have been secretly married. Remember, you ARE this person writing what they would be thinking and feeling at this time. 3 PARAGRAPHS!

Sept. 14/15

9th grade:
Do you believe in Fate? Are there certain things in life that, once set in motion, are inevitable; things that cannot be stopped once they are started? The story of Romeo and Juliet implies that the path of their love and what happens to them is part of Fate's plan. Do you think this is possible?

Blog Topic Sept. 9/10

9th grade:
(Do not copy/paste this into your blog. Just put the name of the character you choose at the top)

You will write a journal entry from one of the main character's point of view. You may choose to write as Romeo, Benvolio, or Juliet. You will write as if you are this person who sat down at their journal AT THIS POINT IN THE STORY. Ideas for posting are below.

Romeo: he is sick of his family's fighting, he is in love with Rosaline who will not love him back, his friend and cousin Benvolio is trying to get him to fall in love with someone else and stop pining for Rosaline. They have plans to attend the Capulet party tonight.

Benvolio: he tries to keep the peace but everyone still fights and he doesn't like it, he is trying to help his friend and cousin Romeo who is sick with love for Rosaline, he is going to distract Romeo by taking him to the Capulet party tonight.

Juliet: is young and excited for her parents' party tonight, she has just been asked by her mother if she will consider marrying Paris. She is willing to get to know Paris better and consider the option. She has never really met Romeo yet.

8th grade:
Write to me about your experiences with reading stories as a child. Did your parents read to you? What kinds of things did you read? Nursery rhymes? Adventure stories? Fairy tales? Bedtime stories? Did you have a favorite story when you were little? If you didn't read as a child, do you think that has affected you in any way? Do you have a favorite story now? Do you think it is important for children to be read to?

Blog Topic, Sept. 4 and 8

9th grade:

Define true love. Do you believe it exists?

(Hint: have you ever seen it? give an example. Why do you believe/not believe in it?)

8th grade:
Tell me about the best book you've ever read. Give me a little of the plot, but spend most of your time telling my why you liked it and what specifically made it good. (If you don't have a favorite book, then do this for the book you are currently reading.)

Blog Topic, Sept. 2/3

8th AND 9th grade:
If you had one superpower, what would it be and why? (Hint: describe exactly what your power would be, why you would want that one, what you would use your power for, etc. Would you be good or evil? Would you use it just for fun or for a good cause?)

Blog Topic:

8/31-9/1:

9th Grade: What comes to your mind when you hear the words, "Now we're going to read Shakespeare!" Do you cringe in fear? Do you giggle with glee? What past experiences have you had with Shakespeare to make you react the way you do?

8th Grade: What is an important tradition in your family? Do you have any special ways to celebrate holidays, important events, etc?

Your First Post

Here is my sample blog. I'll be updating this with fun thoughts about the classroom later on, so check back. I'll link this to SchoolFusion so that you can find this blog easily. :) Have fun with your own but remember to follow the rules!

Mrs. Pullman