Day 21

Good job to those who did presentations today. I remind all the rest that tomorrow is the only other day I am going to do these presentations so you must be prepared for all sections even if one of the people are not in attendance.

Please respond to the following:

Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.
Miriam Beard

Day 20

I hope you have been working hard on your projects as this is a 100 point assignment. I hope, even more, that you are learning something about your country and not just putting information together. When you present, I will be looking at whether you know the information versus just reading from your PowerPoint. Also, as this is a group assignment, you should be aware of what your other group members are doing thus, if I ask a question about their work you should be able to answer.

Today, please give me thoughts about the following:

What does stand and be counted mean to you? You may use a personal experience to explain.

Day 19

I feel that we had a good week. Discussion on China as well as watching "Vantage Point" to have a greater understanding of how things can be different if seen through a different eye. I hope you are doing well with the project and remind you that you will be presenting on Tuesday and Wednesday with one more work day on Monday.

Please respond to the following:

Define popularity & how this concept affects your life.

Have a great weekend and those attending Homecoming Dance enjoy!

Day 18

I hope you will enjoy your cultural webquest. I think you will find it interesting to hear about all these other places that we think we know about but really do not. Please take time and concern with this project as it is 100 points (and if you do it right, they should be easy points).

Please respond to the following:

“When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.” Annonymous

Day 17

Hope you enjoyed the movie and understand why and how it relates to literature. Tell me about a book you have read and how it would have turned out different if the vantage point was through another character. Please make it a book you have read in the last year.

Day 16

In dealing with perspective, please comment on the following quote:

"They say that time changes things, but actually, you have to change them yourself."
Andy Warhol

Day 15

Hope you had a good weekend and a good Monday. Today we began watching "Vantage Point" in order to understand how different things can look based on who is telling the story. Give me an example of something in your life that you have viewed one way but that someone else in the situation with you might view another way.

Day 14

Good week class. We had some decent information given about a few more countries and I really enjoyed our discussion after "Bald Soprano" on the absurdity of life. Next week, we will think about the perspective of how a story is told by reading another story and looking at the movie "Vantage Point." Make sure you have your outlines by Monday and have a great weekend.

I went to Challenge Day on Tuesday which always gets me thinking about Lakeland High School. Please tell me after 2 years walking these halls, your opinion of our school. What are some of the positives? What are areas that you think the school could be doing better?

Day 13

Hope all is well this afternoon. Please relect on the following quote:

Do not protect yourself by a fence, but rather by your friends.
Czech Proverb

Day 12

Today we discussed the country of Russia and the basic repression they feel in their society. As today was Constitution Day, discuss for me the advantages of being an American living under a Constitution which has remained the same for nearly 240 years. Also, tell me about your dreams for your America over your lifetime.

Day 11

It is funny that I really do miss being in the classroom on days when I am out. I really enjoyed and was honored to be at Challenge Day today. It always amazes me the great students we have at Lakeland High School. Yet, we have a ways to go to make our school comfortable for everyone. What do you value about our school? What are things that you think Lakeland does well? What are areas where it could improve? Lastly, what could you do to promote positive values within the school?

Day 10

Welcome back from the weekend. I hope that you did not get too wet out there. Today we discussed the idea of existentialism or the absurdity of life. In life, we see many absurd events or ideas. Name something you would consider absurd and why. Also, talk about the metaphor that Ionesco was discussing in regards to the story. Is his metaphor accurate? Why or why not?

Day 9

I hope you have had a good week. Based on the posting thus far, it seems that people are understanding why we are looking at different cultures. I like that people are thinking about which cultures they find most interesting. Also, I like that people are becoming aware of how little we know about these other cultures even though we think we do. Sad that much of what we know is so slanted by the media or stereotypical. Now, you have been empowered with the knowledge.

For today, ponder the following quote and then give me your thoughts:

"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened." Terry Pratchett

Day 8

Today we discussed Greece and how important their heritage is to them. This is something that we have seen in Nigeria and Mexico as well. Tell me what you know about your heritage and what role it plays in family traditions.

Day 7

Today we discussed the country of Greece. Again, it seems as if we know very little about this country. Isn't it interesting that a country that had been around since early times and has influenced many of our ways of thinking we know little about. I wonder if people in other places think they know about America but really know very little as well.

With that said, please reflect on the following quote:

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." Abraham Lincoln

Day 6

Today we discussed the country of Nigeria and how it appears to be different than we originally thought. One of the most unique issues in Nigerian families is the respect issue they have for their parents. How do you think you respect your parents and why do you or don't you show them respect? Also, comment on how you would feel if your parents had control over who you dated and when you started dating.

Remember to read the story and complete the questions. Have a great night and see you tomorrow.

Day 5

As we discussed our first culture, Mexico, it is clear that our perceptions may not have been our realities. This is a very tight knit culture with traditions that go back many centuries. This is why we may think some of their ways are strange, such as Tita having to remain unmarried to take care of her mother, but to them they are not so odd. Continue keeping an open mind as we delve into more cultures.

For today's blog, please respond to the following quote and how it relates to you:
"The question is not whether we will die, but how will we live." Joan Borysenko

Day 4- TGIF

Today we began our cultural discussion on Mexico. Yesterday, we came up with things we knew about Mexico and today we discussed true things about Mexico. Isn't it interesting when some of the stereotypes you think of are found to be wrong? To realize the wealth of Mexican culture and how strong their people truly are is amazing based on what we think we know from the news.

Why do you think it is important to learn about other cultures? What surprised you about the Mexican culture the most after reading? What is one thing you are going to do for yourself this weekend to honor making it through the first week of school (appropriate)?

Day 3

Today's discussion of the "Cannabilism" article was interesting. It is amazing that people your age live such a different life. In regards to that, discuss the things you take for granted in your life and why you think that happens. How has our culture created this sense of entitlement which was seen in the article but in a much more negative sense?

Day 2

Today we began looking at the idea of cultures. We discussed the definition of cultures and then read an article about a specific culture which is very different than ours. Remember that we often view culture as where we live but that is not true. Each area of the world and of our nation has it's own unique cultural aspect.

Today, please discuss what you consider to be unique to your culture. This could be your own religious culture, culture of your family, culture of friends or school. Think before you start writing about how your culture defines who you are as a person and add in a response to that as well.

Truly the First Day of Class

I enjoyed meeting you all this morning and am looking forward to a great semester of learning from and with each other.

Today, I would like you to think about the following quote and give your response in at least 7 sentences. Truly what does this quote mean to you and how does it apply to your life.

"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely." Karen Kaiser Clark