Blog Archives

Slaves to Connectivity

2/27/2019

What is connectivity (the Internet, social media, computers) doing to our society? What is it doing to you?

Read the commentary above, then comment intelligently, academically and with fidelity. If you would like to submit a topic for discussion, submit it here.

1. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

2. Respond in no more than 10 sentences and no less than five.

3. You MUST respond to at least TWO other posts from any student. 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.
Be sure to--

Be clear about your position
Provide specific support for your argument
Use rhetorical devices and other grammar elements
Write EPIC Content-Engaging, Powerful, Informative, Creative

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school or your parents 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. It's all or nothing.

Due: Fri., Mar. 1, 2019 11:59 p.m. CST

Are You Enough?

2/22/2019

As a teacher, I am both excited and concerned about my students leaving for college, a career, the military or to pursue entrepreneurial goals. Each day, I watch and listen to them go on about their lives, futures, goals and fears.

I get excited because I know that they have no idea what this world has in store for them. Some think they do because they have watched family members and friends succeed and fail. But my excitement comes from them not realizing that the world is their oyster. And, when they realize that, it will be like rebirth all over again. Once they figure out that whatever they want to do, they absolutely can, they will be ecstatic!

I'm am so ready for them to meet people from all walks of life and backgrounds who will in some way or another influence their decisions to "do" or "not do." I'm ready for them to figure out that their path is their own and no matter what someone else's path is, it will unequivocally not be theirs! I'm ready to see the states and countries they'll live in or visit. I'm ready to see the careers they'll forge for themselves. I'm ready to see their families and communities they will build.

But I'm also concerned. The closer it gets to May, the greater my concern becomes because I don't think they are ready. I don't think many of them have the fortitude or belief in their own abilities to take life on, face-to-face, and tackle it with all they have. So far, I have seen them too caught up with looks, trends, social media, and music to know whether they fully understand that life is about to happen and how it is about to happen.

I'm disturbed because of the people they choose as role models to follow. Like Cardi B: boys say she's a freak and a bad influence on women, but girls say she's a powerful influence to women because she raps about no water in jail, brags about money and builds confidence by being brave enough to pop her p***y in church. Is she not concerned that one day, her daughter is going to grow up and see her mother's behavior and what she truly represents? Is money more important than self-respect and integrity?

Then there's Jesse Smollett. When did we not become enough? When did we become so thirsty for attention that we are willing to jeopardize the integrity of a culture, sub-culture, race, or gender to get more attention when you're already enough?

When did Black girls become so culturally conditioned that they believe they are absolutely grotesque without wigs, weaves and perms? Of course this group does not include girls who just like to switch things up sometimes and will rock their natural hair. This is for the girls who go broke getting fake hair, nails and accessories to seek the approval of their peers.

When did Latino girls and boys become so embarrassed by their heritage that they reject their native languages and customs in order to be American enough, even those who were born here.

When did Black boys become so lost that they believe selling drugs, making music and playing ball is the only option they're qualified to achieve? Not that the last two options are bad options, but do they know that there's more and they are worthy of those options?

But either way, May is coming. Fast. And I just cannot stop wondering, will they know they are enough?

Read the commentary above, then comment intelligently, academically and with fidelity. If you would like to submit a topic for discussion, submit it here.

1. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

2. Respond in no more than 10 sentences and no less than five.

3. You MUST respond to at least TWO other posts from any student. 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.
Be sure to--

Be clear about your position
Provide specific support for your argument
Use rhetorical devices and other grammar elements
Write EPIC Content-Engaging, Powerful, Informative, Creative

Is it Enough?

2/13/2019

Is belief in yourself all you really need to succeed? I hear a lot of people say you need money, time, the right environment, school or situation. Some go so far as to note they need better parenting and upbringing to succeed.

Nevertheless, quotes like the one above, lifestyle experts, business pros and motivational gurus all say that all you need is to believe in yourself. But what does that mean? I'm sure there are a lot of people who believe in themselves in this world who are still sick, stuck, and broke, and can't figure out how to either get out of their situation or make a more positive one happen.

Where does talent, skill and acumen fit into the equation? Wouldn't you need some of that in addition to belief in order to reach success? Albert Einstein said, "Genius is 1% talent and 99% percent hard work." If that is true, then isn't hard work more important than merely believing in yourself?

Read the commentary above, then comment intelligently, academically and with fidelity.

1. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

2. Respond in no more than 10 sentences and no less than five.

3. You MUST respond to at least TWO other posts from any student. 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.
Be sure to--

Be clear about your position
Provide specific support for your argument
Use rhetorical devices and other grammar elements
Write EPIC Content-Engaging, Powerful, Informative, Creative

Smoke Screens & Mirrors or Real Life?

2/8/2019

Generation Z is overflowing with young people who thrive on a sense of worthlessness and low self-esteem. Or, so it seems. Whether it’s in the self-deprecating memes or self-degrading comments, it seems that most iGeners are depressed and the reasons are clear.

There is this unspoken rule that you must be successful by the age of 25. So if you don't have your life together by that age, when will you? A habit that contributes to the self-decaying self-worth is comparing achievements and success to other Gen Zers or always wondering, Why haven’t I thought of the next million dollar idea yet? Why can’t I draw as good as “her”? How come my rank is so low compared to that of my friends?

Gen Zers fixate on the achievements of others and the notion that they are incapable of holding remarkable qualities. However, this sense of self-deprecation, if left uncontrolled, can have negative consequences. For instance, belittling others successes to feel better, or overestimating the value of high school class ranks can be damaging to someone’s self-esteem. The focus should not be on the success of others. Instead, it should be on the progress made over time.

Most of my high school career, I was an anxiety ball contemplating suicide because I thought I wasn’t good enough. I didn’t even think I was going to make it to my 16th birthday, let alone graduation. Now that I am in my senior year, I know that I am good enough. After experiencing that kind of pain, I realize that I am strong and resilient, and can make it through anything life throws at me.

Nevertheless, there is still a concern for my future. I often hear that success equates happiness, “when you reach your goals you will feel fulfilled!” This kind of ideology is ever-present in my life. In the novel “Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock” by Matthew Quick, the protagonist questions this kind of thinking. This same thinking jump-started my anxiety for what awaits for me in the future. What if I reach my goals and I am unhappy or unsatisfied?

YouTuber, Elle Mills, had a mental breakdown in May, 2018 because although she had reached her career goal, she felt unhappy. So, with that, if success isn't the pathway to happiness then what is?
—Contributed by D.T., LHS High School Senior

Be clear about your position
Provide specific support for your argument
Use rhetorical devices and other grammar elements
Write EPIC Content-Engaging, Powerful, Informative, Creative

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