Remembering It All

It seems like yesterday to me. My wife and I had just arrived back in the states the night before from France. I was preparing to make a trip in the Chicago and while preparing, the news hit. I was in complete shock and the first thought that came to my mind was, we can't go home.

What's In The News Today

As we begin the official year in the "Creative Lab" I want to see how you are able to respond to certain stimulus. Please peruse the above video and comment based on your thoughts about any 2 particular topics discussed.

End of The Year Awards

Please fill out the following survey to vote for your classmates for one of the three "SPECIAL" awards.

How Media Persuades

My mom would always tell me that I couldn't do two things at once...at least do them both well. Check out this video for some proof. Watch the following video to see how media can use emotion to persuade you to think a certain way. After viewing the video, I want you to think about the serious of the add campaign that AT&T has launched. As a kid, do you think that you can be an influence to stop this dangerous trend of texting while driving? The answer should be a resounding yes, you have a voice in this matter because all of you ride in the car with someone who has answered a text while driving, picked up the phone to dial a number while pulling out on the highway. You have been a witness to it all and that gives you power to speak up. Your assignment today is to write a persuasive letter to the Channel 8 News in Dallas to support your effort to get the word out about the dangers of texting and driving. Use pages 240-242 of the Write Source books on the desk to help you construct a great letter. Use the example and instructions as a guideline to making your letter effective. Address Your letter to Ron Corning at WFAA Channel 8, 606 Young St Dallas, TX 75202 After you construct your letter, Use the drawing paper to create a campaign add to state your message. Pretend this add will be on one of the billboards that everyone can see while driving on I-20 or I-635.

And The Smittie Goes To...

Wow, the end of the year is approaching so quickly! I can hardly believe that we entering our last six-week period. As we prepare for the final stages of such a wonderful year, I want to start considering some categories and those who would fit those categories for our end of the year awards. A list of award categories have been compiled already. Click the link to go to the list to view the options.(Smittie Awards) Consider who you feel best fits that category and try to fit everyone in the class in a least one of those choices. On a separate piece of paper, fill out the list. Voting will not be open until April 27, but I want you to be ready to vote by completing your list now.

Too Close To Home...

The above video shows some of the recent tornado events in our area. As grateful as we are for not having our lives disrupted, we still need to reflect on what has happened. Many homes were lost, memories gone, dreams and desires gone in a moment. However, the rebuilding process must begin immediately. As a blog post, write a pursuasive blog entry to get the surrounding communities to gather to help the families that have lost everything. Title your post: Rebuilding Our Land Starts With You. Happy blogging.

Blub, Blub, Blub...

Wow, your Eco-columns look fantastic. You are witnessing the dependency that living organisms have on one another with a real-life example. However, I wonder what the fish may be thinking swimming around the elodea all day, tangling up in the roots of the duckweed. Well, why don't you tell me what the fish is thinking.

Create a blog post using the perspective voice of your mosquito fish. Give a detailed account a the day and the life of one of fish. Imagine the sites and sounds you may experience, the smells, the emotions, the textures...all those sensory details that can bring your fish voice to life should be included. Don't skip out on your use of adjectives. Let your reader truly relate to what it feels like to live within your Eco-column.

What's Happening In the News Today

March 5 - In Monday's edition of CNN Student News, we report on the impact of severe weather, and we examine a legal settlement related to the largest oil spill in U.S. history. Plus, we consider how the U.S. economy could impact which presidential candidate some African-American voters support. We also share the results of Russia's presidential election, and we mark the start of the world's most famous dogsled race.

1. What's really cool about today's Student News is the fact that Mrs. McReynolds is currently in Alaska and had the chance to witness the start of the Iditarod. What decisions do you think she had to make in order to prepare for her trip and while she is adjusting to the differences in the Alaskan environment? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.

2. Compassion is a vital attribute to have embedded in ones personality. Do you have any compassion for those families that lost everything in the recent tornadoes to hit this country. Pretend you are a candidate for President of the United States and write a letter to the families expressing your thoughts about the recent events. This is going to be a new post titled: My Sympathies To You. Make sure you reference what has happened based on what you learned from the Student News and provide some sort of solution to their problem. Have fun!

Decision Making

Today we will discuss decisions and decision-making. All of us make many decisions everyday. Since I woke up this morning, I have made numerous decisions; turning off the alarm and getting out of bed, what to eat for breakfast, what to wear to school, which route I would drive to school. , etc. Later on, I will list my decisions in categories. Prior to that, you will give an account of all the decisions that you make in one day. Create a blog post titled: Decisions I Make In A Day and use a conversational tone to tell us about all the decision-making you participate in throughout a regular day (school day).

Afterwards, go to the following Google Doc link (Decision Making) to then categorize your decisions on a pre-made chart. I have already listed my decisions so please follow my example.

Hello Mr. President

As you know, we have attempted to study the US Presidents in this election year by getting to know a little something about the men in our history who helped shape our country. Each week you have been given an assignment to learn the order of our Presidents. So, to see what you know, follow this link to see if you can name the Presidents 12-22 in order.

US Presidents Quiz #2

Good Luck!

Interview With Mr. Sol

Leave a comment stating what you learned from the interview along with what you thought about it.

Go West Smittie's K.I.D.S.

Check out this video that provides more explanation for our study of the westward movement of the United States. As you learn more about this time in our history, can you imagine yourself living back then? Tell me what you think your life would be like during "Manifest Destiny". (Leave a comment below.)

If You Were President, Would the World Be Any Different?

As the Republican Primaries continue and the heated debates on who will win the nomination for the right to run against President Obama, our attention to the matter is much needed. Now I know you don't vote, but you still have a voice. Especially as you learn more about the three branches of government, you are beginning to understand how vital it is to have someone in the Executive branch that will represent our country the best.

Today's CNN Student News, while concentrating on several stories, takes a look at what it takes to run for the U.S. Presidency. Watch the video and see if you are up for being the President in the future. After watching the video, leave a comment telling us what would be the first thing you would change if you were to become the President of the United States.