MixedInk

PromCon 2025

3/31/2025

Did you go to prom? Upload your BEST one-shot photo—just ONE, HERE, so choose wisely! (It can be you alone or with someone else or others.) Didn’t go? No worries—you get to be the judge!

Here’s how it works:

If you attended prom, submit ONE photo.
If you did not attend prom, you will vote next week by writing ATE in all caps under your favorite ONE photo.
The photo with the most likes wins a prize!

CAUTION: No comments, no comparisons, no negativity—just pick the pic that stands out to you! Let’s keep it fun, kind, and all love. Ready? Let’s go!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. INCLUDE: Last Name, First Initial, AND Class Block. You do not have to include an email address or a website.

2. Upload image. Click the word, "HERE" above to upload your image. When the file folder opens, in the top left corner, click "New," then click "File Upload, then upload your photo and you're done. It will close at midnight on SUNDAY.

REMINDERS

**Set a weekly alarm or calendar timer. Whatever you do to remember other important events, I'd do the same for this assignment.

**Don't wait until the last minute. Telling me that you didn't do the assignment on Friday because you broke your leg, for example, on Thursday will not do anything for you when you've had a week. Be responsible and accountable.

**How to post. Click in the top right hand corner or the lower left hand corner where it says Comments to access the discussion board. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to post a Reply. After, choose comments from at least two students from any class and Reply to what they wrote.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you use profanity, you will not receive credit for the work. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.

Due Sun., April 6, 11:59 p.m. CST

March 11th, 2025

3/11/2025

Life has a way of teaching us things we never expected to learn—sometimes the hard way, sometimes in moments of quiet realization. The most useful lessons aren’t always about school, careers, or money. Sometimes, they’re about resilience, boundaries, or even knowing when to let go. Maybe you’ve learned that failure isn’t the opposite of success but a necessary part of it. Maybe you’ve discovered that protecting your peace is more valuable than winning an argument. Or perhaps you’ve realized that life isn’t about finding yourself but creating who you want to be.

Whatever it is, your experiences have shaped your wisdom and ther have been lessons that you carry with you that you know will matter the most in the long run.

Let's Write! What have you learned in life that you feel will be the most useful?

INSTRUCTIONS

1. INCLUDE: Last Name, First Initial, AND Class Block. You do not have to include an email address or a website.

2. Respond to the post. Read the entire post, including watching any videos or reading any articles attached. Do not post vague or ambiguous commentary. Your post should have depth, be thoughtful, and provide specific, meaningful insight. Make sure it addresses the topic and encourages reflection, discussion, or a connection.

3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student in any class. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.

4. Language. Do NOT use profanity. Vague or repeated responses will not be accepted in your post or replies.

5. Disrespectful comments will not be accepted and will result in a zero whether you do the assignment or not.

REMINDERS

**Set a weekly alarm or calendar timer. Whatever you do to remember other important events, I'd do the same for this assignment.

**Don't wait until the last minute. Telling me that you didn't do the assignment on Friday because you broke your leg, for example, on Thursday will not do anything for you when you've had a week. Be responsible and accountable.

**How to post. Click in the top right hand corner or the lower left hand corner where it says Comments to access the discussion board. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to post a Reply. After, choose comments from at least two students from any class and Reply to what they wrote.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you use profanity, you will not receive credit for the work. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.

Due Fri., March 14, 11:59 p.m. CST

Love, Lies, and Lost

3/4/2025

Candace is a high school senior. Her life was going great. Then, she met Raul. They started dating. They got serious. Too serious for her parents' liking. Before Raul, Candace had decided to go to college. She knew her major, what school she wanted to attend, and every day, she applied for five scholarships a day. By the time she met Raul, she had acumulated $100,000 in scholarship money.

Soon though, Raul started demanding more of her time and she got off track. They started spending too much time at each others' homes and going out. Eventually, Candace stopped applying for scholarships altogether and started missing scholarship deadlines. Her grades, once all 90s, started slipping.

Her parents noticed the shift—missed curfews, unfinished assignments, and a growing distance between them and their daughter. They warned her about Raul, about how love shouldn’t make her lose herself, but Candace didn’t want to hear it. She was in love. But, the more she accommodated Raul, the more obsessive he became. When her parents gave her an ultimatim, Raul wasn’t happy about it and started questioning her commitment, making her feel guilty for wanting more than just him.

Candace was faced with a dilemma: fight to reclaim the life she planned for herself or risk losing it all for a relationship that may not last.

One day, when Raul was at her house, he fell asleep in Candace's room. Candace's mom sent her to the store. While she was gone, Candace's mom went through Raul's phone. She discovered he was cheating and sharing intimate photos with another girl at their school who was in one of Candace's classes. She told Candace, who was devastated.

Let's Write! Explain whether mom was wrong for going through Raul's phone and saving her daughter an extended amount of hurt, pain, and embarrassment.

Girls Run the World!

2/24/2025

For centuries, power and leadership have largely been shaped by men. Some argue that this has led to cycles of war, inequality, and imbalance, while others believe the issue isn’t gender but the way power itself is structured. As the world evolves, more women are stepping into leadership, bringing new perspectives, solutions, and ways of thinking.

Let's Write! The image above says, "The future is female." Is it? Why or why not? If not, for centuries, different men have been in power, yet the results have remained the same, so what would change if we continue being (mis)lead by men?

Masterpiece or Mess?

2/18/2025

Graffiti covers everything from train cars to alley walls, from political messages to intricate murals. Some call it vandalism—an illegal defacement of public and private property. Others see it as an art form—raw, unfiltered expression that gives a voice to the unheard.

One artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat's, rise to fame began on the streets of New York City, where he first made his mark as SAMO, a graffiti tag he used to spray cryptic, thought-provoking messages on buildings in the late 1970s. His raw, poetic style caught the attention of the art world, and by the early 1980s, he transitioned from street art to painting on canvas.

Jean-Michel Basquiat died on August 12, 1988, at the age of 27 from a heroin overdose in his New York City studio. Despite his meteoric rise in the art world, he struggled with addiction, a battle that ultimately cut his groundbreaking career short.

Jean-Michel Basquiat's net worth at the time of his death in 1988 was estimated to be around $10 million. Since then, the value of his artwork has skyrocketed. In 2017, his painting "Untitled" (1982) sold for $110.5 million, setting a record for an American artist. In 2022, his estate generated $439.6 million in sales, ranking him just behind Pablo Picasso in art sales. His work, blending graffiti with social commentary on race, wealth, and power, catapulted him into the fine art scene, making him one of the most influential artists of his time.

Let's Write! What do you think? Was Basquiat an artistic martyr or a scribbling saint? Should graffiti be considered art or vandalism? Does it beautify a space or destroy it? Who gets to decide what’s classy or trashy?

DEI or DIE

1/28/2025

Image: OKA Blog

Retailers across the U.S. are cutting DEI initiatives due to political pressure, with Target and Walmart being two of the biggest names. Target’s decision was especially surprising since they had just promoted their commitment to diversity before the election.

A few weeks ago, influencer and entrepreneur Tabitha Brown urged people not to boycott Target entirely. Instead, she encouraged them to shop there but only buy from Black-owned brands. Her concern? A full boycott could hurt small Black-owned businesses that rely on Target to reach more customers.

But some of her followers disagreed, calling her stance selfish. They argue that corporations like Target and Walmart still profit from consumers of color, making selective shopping ineffective. Others believe boycotts work best when they completely disrupt the system—just like the Montgomery Bus Boycott during the Civil Rights Movement. Their actions weren’t about finding convenient middle grounds; they were about collective, often uncomfortable disruption to demand change. A bold, unified stand can force companies to change, but it often comes at a cost.

It's hard for some to know the right move. Consumers have to consider whether the short-term sacrifices of a boycott outweigh the potential long-term gains. And if change requires disruption, how do consumers make the Targets, Walmarts, and Amazons of the world feel the pressure without giving in to convenience?

Notes to help inform your opinions:

What is DEI?

Diversity is embracing the differences everyone brings to the table, whether those are someone’s race, age, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability or other aspects of social identity.
Equity is treating everyone fairly and providing equal opportunities.
Inclusion is respecting everyone’s voice and creating a culture in which people from all backgrounds feel encouraged to express their ideas and perspectives.

Let’s Write!: Thoughts?

Art, Politics, and the Cost of Complicity Ignite a Cultural Firestorm

1/26/2025

In 2016, Snoop Dogg made headlines for his criticism of Donald Trump, including his Instagram video where he smoked to an anti-Trump protest song and said, “We ain’t voting for your punk ass.” In another video on January 10, 2017, he threatened to “roast the f—k” out of any “Uncle Tom” who performed at Trump’s inauguration. Later that year, Snoop sparked controversy by pointing a toy gun at a Trump impersonator in a music video.

It gets worse. In 2019, during the federal government shutdown, Snoop posted online, “All you people for the federal government that not getting paid right now, ain’t no f—kin’ way in the world y’all could vote for Donald Trump when he come back up again.” He also said, “If y’all do vote for him, y’all some stupid m*fks.” He also said this about the "Make America Great Again" slogan. “Certain people feel like we should make America ‘great again,’ but that time they’re referring to always takes me back to separation.”
Fast-forward to 2025.

The "Trump s**t talker” and mogul shocked fans by performing at Trump’s Crypto Ball before the inauguration. He was joined by Rick Ross, Soulja Boy, and Nelly. His gesture sparked outrage. “This is culturally embarrassing and disrespectful asf,” wrote one of his fans. Another wrote, “Not a check in the world worth selling my soul to the Devil.”

Surprisingly—or not—a growing list of Black and Latino celebrities (mainly men) have shown support for Trump. This list includes Waka Flocka Flame, Antonio Brown, Mike Tyson, hockey’s Evander Kane, Rod Wave, Kodak Black, Fivio Foreign, and Anuel AA, leaving many fans questioning the cultural and political shift among high-profile figures in entertainment.

Are they not aware or do they just not care about the systemtic oppression that is being imposed on Blacks and Latinos like mass incarceration, mass deportation, voter suppression, the threats to education? Are they only concerned about those with money and advancing their wealth even further?

Let's Write!: Are Black and Latino artists, especially men, “sellouts" who only care money over their people? Or is it every person for themelves in the fight to survive racial, social, financial, and educational oppression?

You Can Do Whatever You Like...

1/21/2025

Photo: Courtesy of the Law Offices of Seth P. Chazin.

Donald Trump, despite having 34 felonious counts of falsifying business records, being held liable for sexual assault, and saying on national television when he was 60 years old that if then, 24-year old Ivanka, wasn't his daughter, he'd be dating her, has assumed the role of President of the United States. On his first day in office, he pardoned 1,500 other felons. Yet, his administration advocates for the mass deportation of immigrants with criminal records and rap and business mogul, Sean "Diddy" Combs, sits in jail with sexual assault allegations looming.

What does this say about accountability and justice? What does this say about consequences for those in power versus mainstream society? Does this set a precedent that people can act without facing repercussions? And how does this shape our perception of fairness and the future of justice in America?

Let's Write!: Do you think there should be different standards of consequences for people in power compared to others? How does this impact your view of fairness in society?

It's Your Fault; No, Yours!

1/14/2025

153 Comments

Teachers pour an immense amount of time, energy, and creativity into crafting lessons that are not only informative but also engaging and meaningful. Behind every worksheet, presentation, or group activity lies hours of planning, research, and thought to ensure that the material connects with students and meets educational standards. Yet, it can often feel like this effort goes unnoticed or unappreciated, especially when students disengage, complain about the workload, or question the relevance of what they're learning.

Most students blame teachers for assigning too much homework, making lessons "boring," or not understanding their personal challenges. They often feel that teachers are out of touch with the pressures they face, such as balancing school, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, or personal issues. This blame can create a disconnect, with students viewing teachers as the source of their frustration rather than allies in their learning journey.

Let's Write!: Whose responsibility is it to make learning engaging and how can students and teachers work together toward a more collaborative classroom environment?

153 Comments

Disconnect to Reconnect

1/8/2025

The increase in cell phone addiction among youth has become a pressing concern, especially in schools. Many students struggle to focus on academics when their devices constantly buzz with notifications. Instead of academics, students engage in a never-ending stream of entertainment and social connection. This addiction isn’t just about the technology—it’s about the dopamine hit they receive every time they interact with their screens, making it difficult for them to disengage.

To address this issue, some schools have implemented policies requiring students to lock up their phones during class hours. While these measures may seem extreme, they highlight a growing recognition of the need to create boundaries around technology. Removing the temptation allows students to reconnect with their education and peers in more meaningful ways and promote deeper focus and engagement.

Let's Write!: Comment on the following: John D. Horn should lock up phones and other devices like smart watches and glasses during school hours.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. INCLUDE: Last Name, First Initial, AND Class Block. You do not have to include an email address or a website.

2. Respond to the post. Read the entire post, including watching any videos or reading any articles attached. Do not post vague or ambiguous commentary. Your post should have depth, be thoughtful, and provide specific, meaningful insight. Make sure it addresses the topic and encourages reflection, discussion, or a connection.

3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student in any class. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.

4. Language. Do NOT use profanity. Vague or repeated responses will not be accepted in your post or replies.

5. Disrespectful comments will not be accepted and will result in a zero whether you do the assignment or not.

REMINDERS

**Set a weekly alarm or calendar timer. Whatever you do to remember other important events, I'd do the same for this assignment.

**Don't wait until the last minute. Telling me that you didn't do the assignment on Friday because you broke your leg, for example, on Thursday will not do anything for you when you've had a week. Be responsible and accountable.

**How to post. Click in the top right hand corner or the lower left hand corner where it says Comments to access the discussion board. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to post a Reply. After, choose comments from at least two students from any class and Reply to what they wrote.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you use profanity, you will not receive credit for the work. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.

Due Fri., January 10, 11:59 p.m. CST

Health Insurance Kills?

12/10/2024

According to the New York Post, Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was tragically shot and killed on December 4, 2024, outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel in Manhattan. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and has been charged with second-degree murder. Authorities discovered a manifesto in Mangione's possession, criticizing the healthcare industry and indicating that he viewed the attack as a "symbolic takedown" of what he perceived as a "parasitic" system.

According to the New York Post, Luigi Mangione, the suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson killing, was an ivy league grad with a grudge against the healthcare industry.

Now, according to CNN, the "UnitedHealth Group’s market value has tumbled by about $45 billion since the fatal shooting last week of the CEO of its insurance unit."

Let's Write! Look at the image. Analyze it. Think. Then, respond.

Dear OLD Dad...

12/2/2024

Marco Grob/Variety/Penske Media via Getty.

Al Pacino, a renowned actor who played Michael Corleone in the famous, The Godfather series, became a father for the fourth time at 83-years old. As an octogenarian, he is one of the oldest father's on record and he is single and has never been married.

He and his girlfriend, Noor Alfallah, welcomed their son, Roman, in June 2023. They are no longer together. Pacino's children range from 16 months to 34 years old: Julie Marie (34) with acting coach, Jan Tarrant, twins Anton James and Olivia Rose (23) with actress Beverly D'Angelo, and Roman (16 months) with producer, Noor Alfallah. He did not have children with Diane Keaton, Jill Clayburgh, Tuesday Weld, Marthe Keller, Veruschka von Lehndorff, Kathleen Quinlan, Lyndall Hobbs, Penelope Ann Miller, or with Argentine actress Lucila Polak, with whom he dated for 10 years from 2008 to 2018.

Let's Write!: Considering Al Pacino's experience of fatherhood at different stages of his life, how do you think the age of a parent influences their parenting style and the experiences of their children? Also, discuss the benefits and challenges that are associated with significant age differences between parents and their children.

Church School?

11/18/2024

Angela Piazza/USA TODAY NETWORK

The Texas Education Board is to vote on Bible-infused lessons in public schools. This means that a new curriculum would focus on Christianity more than other religions. A kindergarten lesson on the Golden Rule, for example, would teach about Jesus and his Sermon on the Mount.

While some may see this as a way to instill moral values, others might argue that it risks alienating students and families who follow different faiths or no faith at all. This does raise questions about the role of religion in public education and how schools can represent diverse beliefs while remaining inclusive for all students.

Let's Write!: What do you think about a law that requires teachers teach religion?

How Your Life Stacks Up

11/11/2024

Image: Casey Zhang for The New York Times

As you examine this arrangement of foods, think about what it might represent or communicate about society, culture, or even personal choices. Consider how each element, from the ingredients to the way they’re stacked, could symbolize something larger.

The combination invites us to question our relationship with foods that often fill our plates in the name of convenience as a society and as individuals. This image says a lot about our culture when food is more about speed and survival than health and quality.

These foods, while accessible and affordable, are stripped of the natural vibrancy of fresh produce, representing how our priorities might lean toward the fast and easy rather than the sustainable and wholesome. This towering, mismatched meal reflects a culture that prioritizes instant gratification over thoughtful choices—a prompt to reconsider what we consume, why we consume it, and the impact those choices have on our lives and well-being.

Let's Write! Look closely at the eclectic mix of foods, then write about how this strange stack of ingredients could symbolize something about our society, habits, or values. Include what message you think this image could convey about consumer culture or our relationship with food.

Navigating Post-Election Emotions

11/7/2024

The election is over, and a lot of people are feeling nervous, anxious, sad, or even elated about the results. These emotions can feel heavy and complex, and it’s natural to be overwhelmed. If you're elated with the results, you have a right to express that without feeling embarrassed or anxious. However, boasting in a cruel way is also untoward. But remember: you have a right to feel how you feel. Your thoughts, feelings, and emotions are valid.

It’s easy to question ourselves in moments of uncertainty, especially when big changes impact everyone. But your emotions aren’t “right” or “wrong”—they’re real and reflect what matters to you. Whether you feel anxious, disappointed, or even hopeful, allow yourself to sit with those feelings without judgment. They’re a reminder that you care deeply, that you’re processing, and that you’re human. Embrace them, and let them guide you forward, helping you stay connected and strong, even in challenging times.

Let's Write: Reflect on the outcome of the recent election and the emotions it has stirred in people around you. Think about your own hopes and concerns about what lies ahead. How do you think this moment might impact you, your school, your community, and especially your future, especially reflecting on the nature of voting.

TikTok is Driving Me Insane!

10/21/2024

A teenager looks at a smartphone with the TikTok logo displayed. Hannes P. Albert/dpa/picture alliance/Getty Images

Teens today are navigating a social media landscape that is both empowering and overwhelming. On one hand, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube offer a stage for creative expression, connection, and even activism. Teens can find their voice, build communities, shape conversations about social justice, climate change, and other pressing global issues, and share their perspectives with the world in ways that were b just a decade ago.

But with that freedom also comes pressure—the pressure to conform, to be "liked, loved, followed, or subscribed to" and to curate a life that fits into a filtered version of reality. Social media often serves as both a mirror and a magnifying glass for self-esteem, where one viral post can boost confidence, but one misstep can bring a wave of criticism or bullying.

According to the above news article, "About 43% of high school students who use social media frequently said that they felt persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, compared with 32% of those who used social media less often. They were also more likely to say they’ve been bullied, both at school and online, and to have seriously considered suicide."

If that many teens are negatively affected by their use of social media, why won't they just put the phones down! When I was in high school, cable television used to shut down at midnight. Today, there should be a way for the "social media gods" to "turn off" social media at a certain hour to protect the mental health of teens since they don't have the notion to get off of it on their own. Or, social media should be banned all together. Thoughts?

Assignment. Read and respond to the above. Click the image to read the article.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. INCLUDE: Last Name, First Initial, AND Class Block. You do not have to include an email address or a website.

2. Respond to the post. Read the entire post, including watching any videos or reading any articles attached. Do not post vague or ambiguous commentary. Your post should have depth, be thoughtful, and provide specific, meaningful insight. Make sure it addresses the topic and encourages reflection, discussion, or a connection.

3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student in any class. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.

4. Language. Do NOT use profanity. Vague or repeated responses will not be accepted in your post or replies.

5. Disrespectful comments will not be accepted and will result in a zero whether you do the assignment or not.

REMINDERS

**Set a weekly alarm or calendar timer. Whatever you do to remember other important events, I'd do the same for this assignment.

**Don't wait until the last minute. Telling me that you didn't do the assignment on Friday because you broke your leg, for example, on Thursday will not do anything for you when you've had a week. Be responsible and accountable.

**How to post. Click in the top right hand corner or the lower left hand corner where it says Comments to access the discussion board. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to post a Reply. After, choose comments from at least two students from any class and Reply to what they wrote.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you use profanity, you will not receive credit for the work. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.

Due Fri., October 25, 11:59 p.m. CST

Soft Students vs Demanding Schools

10/7/2024

Instructions. Click the image to read the article in its entirety. Then, first, do you agree with the teacher? Next, answer the question posed by the headline. In your post, mention something that stood out in the article that supports your answer. BE MINDFUL OF THE ADJUSTED DEADLINE.

**Vague responses will not be accepted in your post or replies.
**Disrespectful comments will not be accepted and will result in a zero whether you do the assignment or not.

1. Respond to the post. Do not post vague or ambiguous commentary. Your post should have depth, be thoughtful, and provide specific, meaningful insight. Make sure it addresses the topic and encourages reflection, discussion, or a connection.

2. INCLUDE: Last Name, First Initial, AND Class Block. You do not have to include an email address or a website.

3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student in any class. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.

4. Language. Do NOT use profanity.

5. Set a weekly alarm or calendar timer. Whatever you do to remember other important events, I'd do the same for this assignment.

6. Don't wait until the last minute. Telling me that you didn't do the assignment on Friday because you broke your leg, for example, on Thursday will not do anything for you when you've had a week. Be responsible and accountable.

7. How to post. Click in the top right hand corner or the lower left hand corner where it says Comments to access the discussion board. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to post a Reply. After, choose comments from at least two students from any class and Reply to what they wrote.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you use profanity, you will not receive credit for the work. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.

Due Thurs., October 10, 11:59 p.m. CST

September 22nd, 2024

9/22/2024

Instructions. Tell his story in EXACTLY nine (9) words. No more. No less. Over or under = zero.

**Vague responses will not be accepted in your post or replies.
**Disrespectful comments will not be accepted and will result in a zero whether you do the assignment or not.

1. Respond to the post. Do not post vague or ambiguous commentary. Your post should have depth, be thoughtful, and provide specific, meaningful insight. Make sure it addresses the topic and encourages reflection, discussion, or a connection.

2. INCLUDE: Last Name, First Initial, AND Class Block. You do not have to include an email address or a website.

3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student in any class. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.

4. Language. Do NOT use profanity.

5. Set a weekly alarm or calendar timer. Whatever you do to remember other important events, I'd do the same for this assignment.

6. Don't wait until the last minute. Telling me that you didn't do the assignment on Friday because you broke your leg, for example, on Thursday will not do anything for you when you've had a week. Be responsible and accountable.

7. How to post. Click in the top right hand corner or the lower left hand corner where it says Comments to access the discussion board. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to post a Reply. After, choose comments from at least two students from any class and Reply to what they wrote.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you use profanity, you will not receive credit for the work. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.

Due Fri., September 27, 11:59 p.m. CST

Rest, Black Swan

9/16/2024

Ballerina and humanitarian, Michaela DePrince, passed away on September 10th at age 29. Her mother, Elaine DePrince, died during a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery on September 11th. Michaela died before Elaine, however Elaine did not know of Michaela’s passing at the time of her procedure. As unbelievable as it may seem...the only way we can make sense of the senseless is that Elaine, who had already lost three children many years ago, was by the grace of God spared the pain of experiencing the loss of a fourth child.

What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful. Grieving two family members who died within a 24-hour period is tragic and devastating. We continue to ask for privacy and appreciate you directing anyone sharing incorrect information and speculation to this post.

The above is an Instagram post from Michaela's official IG because since there is little information about how/why she died, the public has begun forming their own opinions and exaggerations.

Instructions: Respond to the following 2-part question: Does the release of details surrounding a celebrity's death contribute to greater public awareness of important issues, or does it fuel sensationalism, and how might the public's demand for transparency in a celebrity's death conflict with the grieving process of their family and friends?

INSTRUCTIONS:

**Vague responses will not be accepted in your post or replies.
**Disrespectful comments will not be accepted and will result in a zero whether you do the assignment or not.

1. Respond to the post. Do not post vague or ambiguous commentary. Your post should have depth, be thoughtful, and provide specific, meaningful insight. Make sure it addresses the topic and encourages reflection, discussion, or a connection.

2. INCLUDE: Last Name, First Initial, AND Class Block. You do not have to include an email address or a website.

3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student in any class. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.

4. Language. Do NOT use profanity.

5. Set a weekly alarm or calendar timer. Whatever you do to remember other important events, I'd do the same for this assignment.

6. Don't wait until the last minute. Telling me that you didn't do the assignment on Friday because you broke your leg, for example, on Thursday will not do anything for you when you've had a week. Be responsible and accountable.

7. How to post. Click in the top right hand corner or the lower left hand corner where it says Comments to access the discussion board. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to post a Reply. After, choose comments from at least two students from any class and Reply to what they wrote.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you use profanity, you will not receive credit for the work. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.

Due Fri., September 20, 11:59 p.m. CST

Adulting: Not As Advertised

9/11/2024

Colt Gray killed four people, two adults and two classmates, at his school this month with an AR-15-style rifle a weapon often linked to mass shootings and heavily debated for its civilian use. His father had bought the weapon for him as a gift, despite the ongoing controversy about minors having access to such powerful firearms. The AR-15, widely criticized for its destructive capability in a short amount of time, has become a symbol of the national gun control debate, particularly in relation to school shootings. He now faces four counts of felony murder.

Gray’s father, Colin Gray, also has been arrested in connection to the shootings. Last year, the authorities visited his home about threats they received from then, 13 year-old Colt. In this video, his father said everything was good. Today, Colin Gray is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. If convicted, he could spend up to 180 years in prison.

Unlike other mass school shooters, Colt Gray was not killed by police. He lived to tell his story. Since the shooting, the spotlight has been on Colt Gray’s family environment.

According to CNN, Gray's parents recently went through a bitter separation and custody dispute. They called police on each other, the family was evicted from at least one home, and Gray’s mother was arrested on suspicion of keying her husband’s car and drug possession according to police records.

Gray’s mother and maternal grandfather have accused Gray’s father of being verbally abusive toward his family for years.

“He was just a good kid, but he lived in an environment that was hostile,” said Gray's maternal grandfather. “His dad beat up on him, I mean, I’m not talking about physical, but screaming and hollering, and he did the same thing to my daughter.”

As the saying goes, "there's two sides to every story: his, hers, and the truth." And those stories differ drastically when it comes to a matter of public opinion.

In the Los Angeles Times, the headline reads: "The teen arrested in Georgia school shooting is not an adult, and shouldn’t be treated like one." The article reports that, "Minors have less moral and emotional capacity, and logically should be subject to a different level of criminal culpability and punishment. It would be positively medieval to treat a criminally charged child the same as an adult."

Critics in the comments disagree and note that "he was old enough to know right from wrong" and that "he should... get life in prison." One commentor noted, "The kid was treated as an adult when he was given a weapon of war. The four people he killed will get no second chances."

This situation underscores a larger societal debate about whether teenagers like Colt, who commit horrific crimes, should be judged by adult standards. Some argue that 16 is old enough to understand the consequences of your actions, while others believe that circumstances like an unstable family life can cloud a teenager’s judgment and make them less culpable.

Some critics are even pointing fingers at the NRA and certain gun owners, saying, "There's a cavalier attitude among some gun owners who believe the 2nd Amendment is sacrosanct and they are single-issue voters."

The culture surrounding firearms and minors in America is has always been scrutinized. Many believe that a lack of gun control, combined with a glorification of weapons like the AR-15 in music and books, and on television, social media, film, and video games play a significant role in tragedies like this.

But still, according to CNN, the grandfather said he had never seen Colt Gray show any signs of anger, but that his turbulent family life affected, and probably triggered the teenager.

This is a three-part question. Read and respond to them all, the respond to at least two other students across any class:

1. How do societal factors like family dynamics, environment, and race shape perceptions of guilt, responsibility, and consequences?

2. Should parents be held responsible when their children commit violent crimes?

3. Why do you think the grandfather is mentioning the things he said?

INSTRUCTIONS:

**Vague responses will not be accepted in your post or replies.
**Disrespectful comments will not be accepted and will result in a zero whether you do the assignment or not.

1. Respond to the post. Do not post vague or ambiguous commentary. Your post should have depth, be thoughtful, and provide specific, meaningful insight. Make sure it addresses the topic and encourages reflection, discussion, or a connection.

2. INCLUDE: Last Name, First Initial, AND Class Block.

3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student in any class. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.

4. Language. Do NOT use profanity.

5. Set a weekly alarm or calendar timer. Whatever you do to remember other important events, I'd do the same for this assignment.

6. Don't wait until the last minute. Telling me that you didn't do the assignment on Friday because you broke your leg, for example, on Thursday will not do anything for you when you've had a week. Be responsible and accountable.

7. How to post. Click in the top right hand corner or the lower left hand corner where it says Comments to access the discussion board. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to post a Reply. After, choose comments from at least two students from any class and Reply to what they wrote.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you use profanity, you will not receive credit for the work. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.

Due Fri., September 15, 2024 11:59 p.m. CST

Officer Down...

9/1/2024

Trigger Warning: Viewer discretion is advised in the video above. CBS News Texas stopped the video before gunshots began.

Last week, police officer, Darron Burks was shot and killed by Corey Cobb-Bey in what police is calling a targeted execution. As a result, there is a need for balance and healing and an urgency to rebuild the trust between law enforcement and the community.

Click the link above to read the article and/or watch the video of the event that took place. Then, respond to the following: What impact do you think events like the recent shooting in Dallas have on the mental health of young people, and what role do you think young people in Dallas have in creating a safer environment in their neighborhoods after such a tragedy?

INSTRUCTIONS:

**Vague responses will not be accepted in your post or replies.
**Disrespectful comments will not be accepted and will result in a zero whether you do the assignment or not.

1. Respond to the post. Do not post vague or ambiguous commentary. Your post should have depth, be thoughtful, and provide specific, meaningful insight. Make sure it addresses the topic and encourages reflection, discussion, or a connection.

2. INCLUDE: Last Name, First Initial, AND Class Block.

3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student in any class. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.

4. Language. Do NOT use profanity.

5. Set a weekly alarm or calendar timer. Whatever you do to remember other important events, I'd do the same for this assignment.

6. Don't wait until the last minute. Telling me that you didn't do the assignment on Friday because you broke your leg, for example, on Thursday will not do anything for you when you've had a week. Be responsible and accountable.

7. How to post. Click in the top right hand corner or the lower left hand corner where it says Comments to access the discussion board. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to post a Reply. After, choose comments from at least two students from any class and Reply to what they wrote.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you use profanity, you will not receive credit for the work. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.

Due Fri., September 6, 2024 11:59 p.m. CST

Excuses Are Like...

8/27/2024

Respond to the following: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the commentary in the image?

NOTES:

**Vague responses will not be accepted in your post or replies.
**Disrespectful comments will not be accepted and will result in a zero whether you do the assignment or not.

1. Respond to the post. Do not post vague or ambiguous commentary. Your post should have depth, be thoughtful, and provide specific, meaningful insight. Make sure it addresses the topic and encourages reflection, discussion, or a connection.

2. INCLUDE: Last Name, First Initial, AND Class Block.

3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student in any class. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.

4. Language. Do NOT use profanity.

5. Set a weekly alarm or calendar timer. Whatever you do to remember other important events, I'd do the same for this assignment.

6. Don't wait until the last minute. Telling me that you didn't do the assignment on Friday because you broke your leg, for example, on Thursday will not do anything for you when you've had a week. Be responsible and accountable.

7. How to post. Click in the top right hand corner or the lower left hand corner where it says Comments to access the discussion board. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to post a Reply. After, choose comments from at least two students from any class and Reply to what they wrote.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you use profanity, you will not receive credit for the work. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.

Due Fri., August 30, 2024 11:59 p.m. CST

Flagrant Foul: Bully Ball Goes Off-court

8/18/2024

Photo: Getty/TikTok Composite

TikTok personality, Olivia Stabile, shared a 10-part series on TikTok about her girlfriend's birthday trip this week. It should have been an amazing birthday. Instead, it ended in the sudden breakup of her relationship with Sedona Prince, a basketball player for Texas Christian University.

At the end of the video series, Stabile read a text allegedly from Prince that said, “have an amazing life, Olivia truly I hope you find your soulmate … if you do want to post about our breakup, I will sue you and your family, my baby, until you can no longer put food on y’alls table.”

Afterward, a petition by Leah Cole on Change.org called for Prince’s removal from TCU’s basketball team. The petition reads: “Hold Sedona Prince Accountable and Remove Her from TCU Women’s Basketball Team.” The petition has over 148,000 signatures as of August 18.

Respond to the following: Talk about whether Prince should be kicked off the basketball team for her text.

NOTES:

**Vague responses will not be accepted in your post or replies.
**Disrespectful comments will not be accepted and will result in a zero whether you do the assignment or not.

1. INCLUDE: Last Name, First Initial, AND Class Block.

2. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student in any class. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.

3. Language. Do NOT use profanity.

4. Set a weekly alarm or calendar timer. Whatever you do to remember other important events, I'd do the same for this assignment.

5. Don't wait until the last minute. Telling me that you didn't do the assignment on Friday because you broke your leg, for example, on Thursday will not do anything for you when you've had a week. Be responsible and accountable.

6. How to post. Click in the top right hand corner or the lower left hand corner where it says Comments to access the discussion board. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to post a Reply. After, choose comments from at least two students from any class and Reply to what they wrote.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you use profanity, you will not receive credit for the work. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.

Due Fri., August 23, 2024 11:59 p.m. CST

Finals, Finally

5/20/2024

I cannot believe that it’s time to go already! Up to this point, I STILL can’t believe I’m a teacher. From day one I never thought teaching was for me. I was five years in before I stopped calling it my side-hustle. Until I started teaching, I had never lived my life governed by a clock. I awoke when I wanted. I rested when I wanted. I built businesses when I wanted. I lived what I loved. My life was calm. I meditated, walked and I wrote. All day. Every day.

Nevertheless, the Universe shifted this way and brought me here. To you. As your teacher, and for many, your mentor and sounding board. In the most unsuspecting ways, you’ve all changed my life professionally and personally in every way. In these few months we've had together, I've tried to give you everything I have in me as a writer and as a teacher so that you can apply it to your own life. I didn’t do it just to educate you academically, but personally, socially and mentally as well because in this life, you will need it.

Every day I question whether I accomplished all that I could. Lord knows I tried. But I don’t dwell on shortcomings. Everything in THIS life happens exactly when and how it’s supposed to so I don't need acknowledgement for my deeds. Instead, “the proof will be in the pudding.” One day, you’ll write something or read something or hear something that makes you say, “I remember my 12th grade English teacher, ms. d., taught me that” or “my 12th grade English teacher, ms. d., used to drive me CRAZY with that, twin!” (But saying "twin" at 45 years old is crazy.)

Nevertheless, this has been one of the most amazing, eye-opening experiences of my life! The lessons I’ve learned from the countless personalities I’ve connected with, have been extraordinary and heartbreaking. I would be remiss if I didn’t let each of you know that even when you didn't think I was, I was always watching. If we never said more than two words to each other, I know you. I saw you. I heard you. In some way, I helped you. I taught you lessons to ease your pain. I read you stories that lifted your hopes. I gave you grace in my gradebook when you needed a little joy. I gave you examples of real life when you needed to be humbled. It was intentional that NO student went unnoticed...in my class or in my heart.

Although it’s hard to say goodbye, it’s inevitable—we must. So, as you move forward in your lives, take these few things with you: always educate yourselves about something. Always watch or read the news as a fact-check against what you see or hear from social media. Remind yourselves of things you know. Educate yourselves on things you don’t know. Always go toward what’s challenging because that is the secret to success: discomfort. Be teachable.

To paraphrase the author, Chester Karrass, "you don’t get the life you deserve, you get the life you negotiate." What outcomes you get in your life, make no mistake about it: you choose this s**t with the choices you make, the decisions you fight against living with, or the struggles you try to avoid by taking detrimental shortcuts. I told you at the beginning of school: if you always do what you've always done, you're going to always get what you've always gotten. If you always do bad ish, life will hand you bad ish in a bowl. If you always do great ish, life will hand you great ish on a silver platter. Life is hard. But the journey along the way doesn't have to be. Do what makes sense. Always and all ways.

But no matter what you do, as I’ve done in my life, do it without abandon, without fear, without hesitation. Take risks, be the first, do something different, make a grand gesture. Question everything and keep forgiveness close. Own you. And never forget, Live What You Love! I Do! ™

—ms. d.

PS: My tag used to be: I write for the very reason I breathe. Now, it's I write for the very reason I breath, I teach to help teens succeed.

Until we meet again or not, be balanced. ‘Ase!

Guns Controlled?

5/6/2024

On April 24 at an Arlington high school, an 18-year old student was shot and killed by a 17-year old fellow student just before school got out. Earlier that month, on April 12th, a student at another high school in Dallas shot a classmate inside the classroom.

Since school started this year, there have been at least 20 school shootings. Shockingly, at least 14 were on K-12 campuses with at least nine dead.

How do we stop the violence and make schools safe for students? Some students and teachers have become activists and advocates for stricter gun laws and some teachers have quit the profession.

As of April 2024, about half the states in this country allow teachers or other school employees to carry concealed guns onto school property and inside the classroom. Also in April, the state of Tennessee joins 33 other states, becoming the 34th state to allow teachers to carry guns in schools.

Respond to the following: Explain whether teachers should be allowed to carry guns in schools and why.

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Mixed Ink

Mixed Ink is our class blog, the window into our souls. It was designed to improve students' writing, critical thinking and communication skills by giving them a platform to provide meaningful content based on their interpretation of what they see.

Although the students receive a grade based on a rubric for completing this assignment, they are not graded on complexity of thought. This is a place where students of all levels can freely, confidently and creatively express themselves and their opinions in a nonjudgmental platform. They are required to respond to and critique each other, but degradation, slander, lewdness, etc., will not be tolerated.

Bridge Builders

All subjects are vital to learning, but English is the bridge of communication. So let's build the arch, one word at a time...

Grading Rubric

Learning Objectives

Communicate effectively
Be aware of current events
Write concisely
Boost critical thinking skills
Be accountable
Follow directions
Have a voice about what goes on in the world around you