Technology

In the world of Teaching, articles about new ways to use technology in the classroom are everywhere. Every teaching blog, newsletter, magazine and seminar covers new uses of technology. Teachers are constantly told that you, students of the 21st century, use technology every day, are tech-saavy, and need to be taught WITH technology because that is how you learn best. We are also told that, in order to prepare you for the modern workforce, we need to teach you HOW to use new technology effectively.

Respond to that idea. What do you think about it? Do you think that teachers could be more effective if they used technology tools (think podcasts, web videos, online discussion forums, electronic assignment submission, tech-related project assignments)? Are modern students technologically inclined? What about being a student in Utah? Do you think that being in Utah keeps you a little behind-the-times as far as technology learning is concerned? Would YOU do better if more multi-media was used in your classrooms to teach and present, and for you to demonstrate your learning and communicate?

NBTT- Teachers you get along with

Since we're reading Nothing But The Truth, which involves a boy who doesn't get along with a teacher, I want you to consider teacher-student relationships you've had in the past. Have you had teachers that you just got along with whether or not you did well in their class? Have you had teachers whose personality just didn't mesh with yours? Without naming names, expound upon these ideas and thoughtfully consider how personality differences or similarities have affected you in your classes.

Love is in the Air

Think Fast! What's your favorite thing? Write an impromptu love letter or poem to your favorite thing. (You should write for the whole 10 minutes...)

Ode to Jimmy Choo Shoes

Your pointy toes, your spiky heels,
your beautiful shine just makes me squeal,
...

Honesty

How important is honesty to you? Is it more important than kindness? Share a story of a time you or someone you know was not honest and it caused problems or was 'too honest' and it caused problems.

It's the End of the World As We Know It.

The world is ending. There are natural disasters happening everywhere. You know that soon you will be stranded in your house with only the food left in your cupboards. You make a mad dash to the grocery store but everyone there is in such chaos that you know you'll only have time to grab one item before escaping with your life. What item of food do you grab?

Describe what the food is, how long you'll wait to eat it, what it will feel like to know you're eating it for the last time. Will you share with your family? Will you hide it away until there's nothing else left? Will you eat it a little at a time or gobble it all at once? Describe every aspect of enjoying this last savory morsel of food.

Super Power

Imagine that you have a superpower. The Power of Persuasion. You can convince anyone of anything. How would you use that power? What would you try to get, do, change? Would you use it for good? Or evil? Describe what the Power of Persuasion is.

Book Review

Write a review of the last good book you've read. You should include:

1 paragraph summary- what's the story about?

1 paragraph review- what did you like about the book? What could have been better?

Your review: how many stars would you give it?

Create a Character

Pick three letters from the alphabet. For example, A, J, and L. Then, for each letter, pick a name, a location, and a job. This is your new character. Write a couple paragraphs about them.

For example: Arthur is a Lycanthropologist in Jamaica. He is 15. His parents are vampires vacationing in Jamaica (because it has a great nightlife). He is secretly fascinating with werewolves, who are supposed to be his sworn enemies. While in Jamaica he uncovers a.... and so on.

Ultimate Winter Break

Describe your ideal Winter Break. Where would you go? What would you do? Money is not an obstacle. If you could do anything you wanted, what would that be?

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?