1. 12/2/11: Christmas Ban After reading the Star – Telegram article, what are your initial thoughts on the Fort Worth school district’s ban on students not being allowed to exchange gifts or personal holiday messages? Do you think the school district has gone too far or do you think they are correct in their ban of this nature? Please explain your answer. Do you think the Eagle-Mt. Saginaw school district should follow suit and impose this type of ban? Why or why not? Please explain your answer.

2. Journal: 11/28/11: Testing In a half page journal entry, please address the following questions: In your opinion, why do you believe the state of Texas has established assessments for your core content classes? Please explain your answers. In your opinion, do you believe such assessments are a necessity for each of your core content classes? Please explain why or why not. What are you curious to learn about the EOC/STAAR assessment? Be specific.

3. Journal: 11/29: EOC Evaluation, Understanding, and Opinions In a half page journal entry, please address the following questions: Yesterday you learned quite a bit of information about the EOC assessment.  How do you feel about what you learned? Explain why you feel this way.  What do you still not understand about the EOC assessment? Please write out the questions you have.  Due to the information that was presented yesterday, what is your understanding of the differences between the TAKS assessment and the EOC assessment? Be specific.

4. Remembering Pearl Harbor 12/7/11 In a half page journal entry, please answer the following questions: Why is it important for us to remember events like Pearl Harbor? Based upon you knowledge of Pearl Harbor, what is your opinion of this event? What are your feelings about Pearl Harbor?

5. What I am thankful for Please make a list of 5 things you are thankful for. Please write 2 to 3 sentences explaining why are you are thankful for each thing listed.

6. Journal: What I wanted Journal: (Please write this on the board) “In a half page journal entry, please write about a time in your life where you did not get what you wanted and it ended up turning out for the best. Please give me specific details about what you wanted, why you wanted it, why you did not get it, and how it turned out for the best.” Please give them 10 minutes to complete this journal.

7. Journal: Inheritance Journal: (Please write this on the board) “In a half page journal entry, please address the following prompt: Imagine you were left (given) a school when a relative passed away. The only stipulations in the will in order for you to gain the profits of this inheritance were that you could not close it and you must run it. What kind of school would it be? What would the curriculum be like? What age group would it service? What would your exact role be in the school? Please be very descriptive and specific.” Please give them 10 minutes to complete this journal.

8. Review of Night Imagine you work for Publisher’s Weekly as a reporter that does reviews for books. This week your assignment is to give a review over the novel, Night. Based on what you have read thus far, please give a clear, specific review of the novel. You should include: The intended audience of the book, and constructive comments about the strength as well as weaknesses of the book. You should also give it a star rating (1 through 5). One star equals poorly written and five stars equal very well written. Please remember your journal entry must be a half page in length, at least.

9. Father/Son Relationship What is the father/son relationship between Elie and his dad? How has the relationship between Elie and his dad changed through the course of the novel?

10. Journal 11/15: Foreshadowing “[Rabbi Eliahou’s son] had felt that his father was growing weak, he had believed that the end was near and had sought this separation in order to get rid of the burden, to free himself from an encumbrance which could lessen his own chances of survival. I had done well to forget that. And I was glad that Rabbi Eliahou should continue to look for his beloved son. And, in spite of myself, a prayer rose in my heart, to that God in whom I no longer believed. My God, Lord of the Universe, give me strength never to do what Rabbi Eliahou’s son has done.” What is Elie saying in this quote specifically? (2 to 3 sentences) What is this quote foreshadowing? (2 to 3 sentences) What is your feelings and thoughts on what the Rabbi’s son has done? (3 to 4 sentences)

11. Last Lecture After viewing Randy Pausch video, would you do the same thing as he did and what would your last lecture be about?

12. Role Model Writing Situation: Most students have a person they want to be like someday. Who is your role model? Directions for Writing: Before you begin writing, think about what qualities your role model has and why these are important to you. Now write an essay telling who your role model is and explaining why. Support your reasons with specific examples and details.