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COVID-9TEEN Edition: Creativity

3/30/2020

 
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History is being made and you are living directly in its footpath. In fact, you are the historians of this time. How will you conduct yourselves? As a clue, this 9-week series has been created for you to share your experiences during the COVID-19, Coronavirus Pandemic. It is not only responsible but imperative that you document this history as it is happening so that, later, you can not only reflect on it but hopefully, learn, teach and evolve from it.
 
Through creative partnerships, selected short stories, blog posts, images, audio and videos will be published on #WhenTeensWrite, an online teen library. And in collaboration with ART | library deco, an online digital art library, all your submissions will be archived in their online repository in 2021.
 
Over the next nine weeks, you will write about the different effects that the COVID-19 virus is having on you, your family, your neighbors, teachers, friends and people around the world. Each week, you will tackle a different category to gauge the mindsets of other teens and how you are coping. The following is Week 2.
 
The world is living in a very challenging time. How did we get here? Why did we get here? Here means that families are being forced to eat together. Couples are being forced to spend time together. Individuals are being forced to think differently about how we do things: shop, interact, socialize, worship. Businesses are being forced to rethink how they service their customers. It is as if  that the Universe, or an energy higher than ourselves, is sending a profound message that the world needs to slow down and rethink or recognize what is really important. It took a potentially deadly virus to do it.
 
And slow down, we have. COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that's wreaking all kind of havoc around the world. It is stirring turmoil economically, spiritually, socially, emotionally, mentally, familially, romantically, academically, technologically, nutritionally and medically, as fast as it's being spread.
 
You are going to discuss these collections of turmoil so that the world can know out what you think. Of all generations, I believe that the Gen Zers, you, are the most effected because this will go down as one of the most impactful occurrences in your history.


For Week 2, we will write about creativity. As people grow bored, restless or even inspired, ideas are springing up all around. It kind of reminds me about Black history I've read where out of a need derived an invention. Now, fast-forward more than 100 years, out of necessity, people are getting inventive. Singers/musicians are doing social media concerts, DJ's are streaming live, cosmetologists are doing how-to videos to help the masses groom their hair and fitness gurus are doing live workout sessions.

Read this post in its entirety. Consider it, then comment intelligently, academically, respectfully and with fidelity on the following prompt: 
What other ways will people use their creativity to become innovators, and once we are clear of this crisis, how do you think the world will be changed by these innovations?
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.


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. 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 Friday, April 3, 2020 11:59 p.m. CST​​

COVID-9TEEN Edition: Social Distancing

3/22/2020

 
Picture
History is being made and you are living directly in its footpath. In fact, you are the historians of this time. How will you conduct yourselves? As a clue, this 9-week series has been created for you to share your experiences during the COVID-19, Coronavirus Pandemic. It is not only responsible but imperative that you document this history as it is happening so that, later, you can not only reflect on it but hopefully, learn, teach and evolve from it.

Through creative partnerships, selected short stories, blog posts, images, audio and videos will be published on #WhenTeensWrite, an online teen library. And in collaboration with ART | library deco, an online digital art library, all your submissions will be archived in their online repository in 2021. 

Over the next nine weeks, you will write about the different effects that the COVID-19 virus is having on you, your family, your neighbors, teachers, friends and people around the world. Each week, you will tackle a different category to gauge the mindsets of other teens and how you are coping. The following is Week 1.

The world is living in a very challenging time. How did we get here? Why did we get here? Here means that families are being forced to eat together. Couples are being forced to spend time together. Individuals are being forced to think differently about how we do things: shop, interact, socialize, worship. Businesses are being forced to rethink how they service their customers. It is as if  that the Universe, or an energy higher than ourselves, is sending a profound message that the world needs to slow down and rethink or recognize what is really important. It took a potentially deadly virus to do it.

And slow down, we have. COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that's wreaking all kind of havoc around the world. It is stirring turmoil economically, spiritually, socially, emotionally, mentally, familially, romantically, academically, technologically, nutritionally and medically, as fast as it's being spread.

You are going to discuss these collections of turmoil so that the world can know out what you think. Of all generations, I believe that the Gen Zers, you, are the most effected because this will go down as one of the most impactful occurrences in your history.

This week, Week 1, I want to start with social distancing. Social distancing means keeping your distance from other human beings: no physical connectivity, no social gatherings, no touching, and keeping yourself isolated in case others are infected with COVID-19. It is now the new normal, the new world in which we live.

Read this post in its entirety. Consider it, then comment intelligently, academically, respectfully and with fidelity on the following prompt:
Post your honest thoughts about the impact that social distancing is having on the world. 

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.


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. 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 Friday, March 27, 2020 11:59 p.m. CST​​

Struggle. Stay. Slay.

3/8/2020

 
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This is an old post. It didn't make the cut when Weebly's system shut down some weeks ago. So, although it's not a new story, I want to get your opinions on it. Here you are:

Another star dimmed. Another bright light, extinguished. Former NBA player, Andre Emmett, was was shot and killed in Old East Dallas early last Monday morning. His homicide  almost mirrors that of slain rapper, Nipsey Hussle. You know the M.O.: Struggled growing up. Made it. Stayed in the hood. Slayed in the hood.

It seems almost inevitable that jealousy, rage, hate, pity and other cousins of these vile feelings will no doubt claim the life of a neighborhood superstar; those who want to stay and do good for, by and in their same old neighborhoods. But is that possible? Can you stay in your same "hood" once you reach a certain status and expect to be treated with the same equalness that you did when you were a nobody? Hussle and Emmett are not the only two. There are countless others who tried to have the same friends, the same home, hang about in the same areas. Unfortunately, it cost them and their families the ultimate price: their lives.
Read the blog post above in its entirety. Consider it, then comment intelligently, academically and with fidelity. Post your honest thoughts about whether a person can become famous and still remain true and loyal to their old neighborhood. 

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.


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. 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 Friday, March 13, 2020 11:59 p.m. CST​​​

If you would like to submit a topic for discussion, submit it here.

Child Care...

3/4/2020

8 Comments

 
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When it comes to matters of the heart in relationships, sometimes people get it all wrong. And that's okay because it's how we learn, right? A lesson bought is a lesson taught.

But, the narrative hits a little different when you add children to the mix. Taking your love hits out on the kids is not only the wrong way to handle your break up, it's hurtful, harmful and heart-piercing to the child. It makes the child thinks they have to choose a side..choose one parent to love over the other. And that, is wrong on so many levels.

It's the first spark that leads to the emotional fire that the child will have to endure their entire life. It can evoke mommy issues, daddy hate or life-long feelings of abandonment within the child. They hear mommy attacking the integrity of daddy and experience daddy distancing himself from the child because he can't deal with mommy's stunts. Typical baby momma/baby daddy drama.

Not too long ago on social media, a mother was upset with her baby-daddy because he gave their daughter a beauty day experience and got her hair braided. To prove her anger, the mother humiliated the child by cutting her hair off on the sidewalk of her apartments. The year before, the mother smashed her birthday cake in front of the child because the daddy bought it.

This time, singer, Lyfe Jennings, ranted on social media because actress, Eva Marcille, changed the last name of her daughter to the surname of her new husband, a man who is not the child's father. According to an article in rolling out, Lyfe was outraged.


“I think this is so wack. Changing ya daughter’s last name from her father’s to someone else’s. Especially when the father tries to see her,” he said, according to The Shade Room’s Instagram page. “The daughter don’t have anything to do with their beef. And what kind of man allows this????? S— pissed me off. I expected better out of Eva. S— personal to me. I’ve been there.”

The same article said rapper/actor Lil Scrappy put in his two cents as well.

“Yeah that’s wack af if the dad wants to b in her life I understand moving on but changing ya kid name is like writing her history over and her not knowing where she comes from , she’s black and needs to get it together.”

Well, there always has to be one somebody who flows the opposite of the stream. rolling out noted that an Instagram user had a different feel than Lyfe and Lil Scrappy. He said, “It got changed to the name putting in the most work.” 
​

Is that the way things work? Erase a child's past because another person is "doing?"
Instructions: Read the commentary above. Once you've assessed the situation from many sides, respond to the following: "Should custodial parents change the last name of their child(ren) to their new partner's last name when they marry?"

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

2. Your reply must be written in complete sentences.


3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student.

4. Make sure you reply with fidelity. Provide details about what you think.

5. No identical comments on different posts (i.e., "I agree" or "I disagree" or "I like your story."). Such comments will earn you a zero.

6. To post your reply, click on the word "Comment" in the top right hand corner or bottom left hand corner.


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. 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 Friday, March 6, 2020 11:59 p.m. CST​​​

If you would like to submit a topic for discussion, submit it here.
8 Comments

    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...


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    • 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

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