Update May 6, 2007 – I have included link to the story, “The Order,” for download.

Here is the video that propelled me into setting up a hosted blog. In the clip, I share a story I wrote during my senior year of high school. I posted this video to YouTube in December 2006. Enjoy!

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License

• Share your feelings about the video.
• Why did the students create the video?
• How could this video help other students?
• What kind of video could we create in English 9 to help students next year?

I discovered this video while visiting one of my favorite blogs. Did you know that next September’s kindergarteners will be the class of 2020? Wow!

You will be attending your 10th class reunion! Awesome!

A couple of ideas expressed in the video seem possible. I chuckled regarding some of Mr. Fisch’s ideas surrounding Google and Microsoft buying companies like Dell, Apple and Ford.

This video will definitely get a conversation started about the future of education. What do you think?

View the video on Mr. Fisch’s blog, then return here to post your comments.

While searching for examples of English teachers using blogs in the classroom, I discovered Smith’s 9th Grade Blog. I like some of the ideas proposed. She offeres her students an opportunity to write for an authentic audience on a national stage.

Read some of the ideas on the blog. Return to our blog and write your comments or write your comments in your journal. Would you like to create something for a national audience? Why?

DIRECTIONS:

• All journal entries must be written in a spiral, clothbound, or composition notebook.
• All entries must be dated
• If you posted an entry online, you must write in your journal notebook: “entry posted online
• Loose paper or binders will not be accepted

ENTRIES

9/15  How do encouragement, active listening and class standards of behavior make life at St Georges a good experience?

9/20  What is your opinion of the way Richard’s mother is raising her son in the excerpt from Black Boy? What would you have done? Why?

9/25  Write about a time you had to overcome fear. Were you as successful as the narrator in the Black Boy excerpt?

9/27 Conflicting Conflicts

Which type of conflict is worst to endure: man vs. man, man vs. nature, or man vs. self? Do you need to be a stronger person for some types of conflict? Please make sure to give specifics to justify your response; a sentence is not a response-remember?
If you posted this entry online, please write in your journal notebook: “entry posted online”

10/3 Homework Reflection
Answer these five questions:
1. What is the purpose of homework?
2. Do you think homework meets this purpose?
3. Why do you do your homework when you do it?
4. What keeps you from doing your homework?
5. If you could change homework, how would you change it? (Getting rid of it is not an option, sorry)
If you posted this entry online, please write in your journal notebook: “entry posted online”

10/6  Behavior Journal
Using the Behavior Rubric, please rate your own behavior for the past week on each category

10/13 – Behavior Journal
Using the Behavior Rubric, please rate your own behavior for the past week on each category

10/19/06  Behavior Journal
Choose a category to work on to improve.
Tell where you are with behavior, now.
Talk about your plan to improve.

10/23/06  Cell Phone Debate I Pro
Is banning cell phone use during the school day a realistic method to ensure students are not distracted from learning?
Give your reasons in support of the current school policy.
If you posted this entry online, please write in your journal notebook: “entry posted online”

10/26/06 – Cell Phone Debate II  Con
Is banning cell phone use during the school day a realistic method to ensure students are not distracted from learning?
Give your reasons against the current school policy.
If you posted this entry online, please write in your journal notebook: “entry posted online

Thank you for your comments during our first debate. Now, you will take the opposite position.
Read the article in USA Today and share your thoughts on the following issue:

• Is banning cell phone use during the school day a realistic method to ensure students are not distracted from learning?
• Give your reasons against the current policy at our school.

• Is banning cell phone use during the school day a realistic method to ensure students are not distracted from learning?
  Give your reasons in support of the current policy at our school.

Answer these five questions:

1. What is the purpose of homework?
2. Do you think homework meets this purpose?
3. Why do you do your homework when you do it?
4. What keeps you from doing your homework?
5. If you could change homework, how would you change it? (Getting rid of it is not an option, sorry)