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Mother May I?

3/31/2016

 
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"I'll always love my mama. She's my favorite girl...you only get one."
​~The Intruders

In celebration of National Women's History Month, I'd like to honor my mother for her strength, courage, consistence, unwavering love, intelligence, never disappointing, always there for me, and especially, for her influence over my life. Whatever I became and however I got here, she is THE person who shaped and molded me into everything I am.

Mother, may I talk to you? You don't have to say a word. Just listen:


Since I was a little girl, I've always loved libraries! The books, the tables, the quiet, the smells, the library cards, the severe sound the stamp made on the card at checkout..even the librarians were included in the conglomeration of the most amazing nouns I've ever known! I'm so grateful to my mom for introducing me to libraries and books. If I had to guess, she started reading to me as I snuggled in her womb.

As I grew up, my mom read to me until I learned to read, then I had to read to her. Sometimes, we'd be in the same room on the opposite ends of the couch, reading. The silence didn't matter to me. What did matter was, I was with her, she was with me, we were with our books and magazines and newspapers. I did the same for and with my children because I wanted to be like my mom.

My mom always made sure I had my own library at home. As an adult, every home I've had housed a library or library area in honor of her. I'll never forget my first book club--the Dr. Seuss Book Club--where the company sent a red or blue book holder and your first book. My mom even made sure I had my very own magazine subscription to "Highlights!" And, I felt so grown up when she gave me my very own library card! To date, our trips to the library together, or being in her library with her, remain some of my best times with my mom.

She introduced me to R.I.F. (Reading Is Fundamental), Book Fairs, and in my neighborhood, the book mobile was better than the ice cream truck! These events with my mom introduced me to some of my favorite tomes (at least that's how they appeared to me): Encyclopedia Brown, Amelia Bedelia, The Berenstain Bears and so many more.

Then, as a teenager, I'll never forget when my mom gave me the V.C. Andrews collection. They were my windows to the world of exploration, imagination, fantasies and definitely possibilities. They were her signal to me that I was growing up.

Although my mom is SO much more to me than the woman who gave me books and read to and with me, our souls are connected by books, reading and our love of both. Since reading is her favorite thing, and she shared that gift with me, it's my clue that through this gesture, she shared an important part of herself with me--her heart. I'll safe keep it and treasure it for my entire life. In honor of National Women's History Month, I celebrate, love and trust YOU Mommy!


Instructions: Use the starter, "Mother may I talk to you? You don't have to say a word. Just listen:" Then, write a tribute or open letter to your mother or other special woman in your life.

INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

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.

Due: Fri., April 1, 2016 11:59 p.m. CST
​​

It's All B.S. (Bias Synapes)

3/25/2016

 
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Instructions: Defend or challenge the following assertion: Since different cultures have different moral codes, there is no objective "truth" in morality. Right and wrong are only matters of opinion and opinions vary from culture to culture.

INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

Respond in no more than 10 sentences and no less than five. You must also reply to a classmate's post. You cannot post identical comments on different classmates' posts. Posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will not earn you a passing grade. Make sure your posts address the reply 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.

Due: Fri., March. 25, 2016 11:59 p.m. CST
​​

All About the Money

3/12/2016

 
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"Lack of money is no obstacle. Lack of an idea is an obstacle."

Instructions: To what extent is your economic disadvantage part of your identity?

INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

Respond in no more than 10 sentences and no less than five. You must also reply to a classmate's post. You cannot post identical comments on different classmates' posts. Posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will not earn you a passing grade. Make sure your posts address the reply 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.

Due: Fri., March 11, 2016 11:59 p.m. CST
​​

Why Am I Here Again?

3/2/2016

 
The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why! ~Mark Twain
Instructions: Look at the TEDTalk video above. Of the three kinds of Multipotentialite Super Powers that Emilie Wapnick describes, which one fits you. With your new discovery, describe a moment when you think you realized your deeper purpose.

INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

Respond in no more than 10 sentences and no less than five. (Please be mindful of the sentence limit of your response. If your response is too lengthy, it may not be graded. Although answering correctly is important, part of showing skill and mastery is also following directions.)

You must also reply to a classmate's post. You cannot post identical comments on different classmates' posts. Posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will not earn you a passing grade. Make sure your posts address the reply 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.

Due: Fri., March. 4, 2016 11:59 p.m. CST

    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. 

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

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