Day 17

Please give me your own personal definition of ambition. Based on the discussion today discuss whether you see yourself as willing to do anything to meet your ambition or ambitious but cautious. Explain the one you choose. Lastly, give an example in your life where your ambition caused a positive or negative outcome.

Day 16

Remember that rough drafts will be do on Friday. Some of you never even gave me the work and argument which is a problem.

For this evening, we shall do a current event. Remember that the connection to you, the community and the world is more important than the brief summary. NO CITE, NO POINTS.

Day 15

So, first let me rant a little bit. It amazes me that a group of juniors in high school can behave in immature ways and then never take responsibility for their own actions. While this truly does not apply to everyone, each person in a setting has some level of responsibility to that setting. We, as teachers, waste time telling people to go to the correct seat, be quiet during a test, ask for your make up work after absences or arrange to take a missed test or quiz in a reasonable amount of time.

This comes down to the conversation we had at the beginning of the semester about taking responsibility for your education. This is both the work that needs to be done and the attitude behind it. The sooner you learn this the easier it will be and the less jerky we will seem. Do not blame us for getting aggrivated when we respond to the behaviors exhibited or the lack of support we get from others.

Now for fun, you can respond to the following and indicate the responsibility to the students and the teachers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_bvT-DGcWw

Day 14

Today you will watch the following video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glny4jSciVI

This is a video remake from 25 years ago which can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne7fPpxAnuM

What is the purpose of these type of videos from our friends in Hollywood? Is it appropriate that these people get involved in political statements? Why or why not? Also, why did it take 25 years to remake this video as we have had many shattering events in the last 25 years? What is it about the earthquake in Haiti or famine in Africa that gets to us? Lastly, does this type of video get you to want to be more invested in these causes? Why or why not?

Day 13

Today's topic is friendship. Personally, I think that nothing is more important that friendship. Please look at this quote and then listen to the cheesy song and tell me what they have in common, what you look for in a friend and the importance of friendship to you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq0llrCYtCQ

"Never refuse any advance of friendship, for if nine out of ten bring you nothing, one alone may repay you."
Madame de Tencin

Day 12

For this evening, listen to this song and tell me what you think they are saying and how the topic effects you or your community. May also be a bit cheesy so if there is a song you would like people to reflect on that is appropriate then write it on a piece of paper and maybe it will end up here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZtiJN6yiik

Day 11

Please watch and listen to the following video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcSDli-Byn8

Once you have, discuss how you measure a year in your life. What do you base this measurement on? What do you think the message of this song is?

Day 10

Today we shall do a current event. You know the rules so do not forget to summarize and give your reaction/response and do not forget to cite.

Day 9

Please respond to the following quote:

"Inside myself is a place where I live all alone and that's where you renew your springs that never dry up."
Pearl Buck

Make sure you have some kind of personal connection to your response.

Day 8

THIS BLOG IS A MUST!!

Overall, I thought that today went really well. The U of M staff were very impressed with how well you listened and worked during your time in the library. It seemed that some of you truly used your time wisely. Do not worry if you did not find as much information as you had hoped as we will discuss this tomorrow.

As for the ride home, you must truly begin to think about how your behaviors not only effect you but the people you are around. It is embarrasing for Mr. Pouliot and I to have to be talked to by the bus driver because you cannot sit in a seat for 45 minutes. Yes, they did not give me accurate information on the busses but that is life and if you could adapt on the way to Ann Arbor you could adapt on the way home. For people to be yelling at each other is absolutely rediculous and sad. Also, the fact that people could not wait to get off the bus by the appropriate door but open the emergency door is also disrespectful to the bus driver and to us. I should not have to hear from my bosses as to why our students cannot behave at an age appropriate level on a bus and then put into question whether or not we can go on future field trips. Writing things on windows in words and pictures is just not acceptable behavior nor is it funny in the wrong context. I expect more from each and everyone of you.

Some of you will say, "It was not me." That is the same thing the Germans and others said during World War 2when they looked the other way at the murder of 13 million innocent people. Those of you who sit by as people put things on windows that you know is not right at that time but do nothing are also responsible even if it is passive responsibility. It is time to begin thinking about who you are as an individual and how you want to be perceived not only by your peers but by others as well.

For this evening, contemplate the above with the following quote:

"How often I have found that we grow to maturity not by doing what we like, but by doing what we should. How true it is that not every 'should' is a compulsion, and not every 'like' is a high morality and true freedom."
Karl Rahner

Day 7

So, I hope you will take the opportunity to re-do the personal narrative. Think about what I said when making your changes and hopefully you will get an A. In case it snows, remember that we will meet by the doors of the cafeteria after first hour on Thursday. Remember to bring paper and pen.

For this evening, we shall be doing some current eventing (yes a new verb). Remember, as always, short summary with effect. No more than two people per event this evening. NO CITE, NO POINTS

Day 6

"Worry a little bit every day and in a lifetime you will lose a couple of years. If something is wrong, fix it if you can. But train yourself not to worry. Worry never fixes anything."
Mary Hemingway

Besides saying what you think this means, tell me about a time when worrying made a situation worse but fixing a situation made you feel better.

Day 5

First, I know that going over all this research paper stuff is not so exciting but it must be done and it will insure that you have the opportunity to do well. I hope you are looking forward to the field trip and if you have not brought the money and the consent please do so on Monday.

There was as request for a free blog this evening so I am granting the request but, for the blog, I want you to discuss an issue that is bothering you and how you could resolve the issue. You pick the issue and resolution but keep to the idea.

Have a great weekend.

Day 4

You have been talking about the things at Lakeland that you would change based on your Declaration. While we know that there are always areas that need improvement, there must be areas of strength as well. Discuss the top five areas that you think Lakeland does well and how they impact you positively.

Day 3

You are having a dinner party and can invite any 5 people to attend. Who would you invite and why? What is the significance of choosing these people.

For example, one of my people would be Will Smith. I would choose him because I would love to discuss how he went from recording artist to tv star to movie star and how it has effected his life. I would also choose FDR. He was president during a very difficult time and I have always been fascinated by his successes during his presidency. I think I could learn a great deal about the world from him. I would also have my grandfather because I have learned a great deal from him and have great respect for him and would want to share this with him. (I would add 2 more people). Overall, I would want to surround myself with a variety of people who would enhance what I think and how I act.

Day 2

Today we shall do the first current event for the semester. As always no sports or entertainment unless it relates to a larger societal issue. Please remember to give a brief summary and then connect to you, the community or the world.

Semester 2, Term 4, Day 1

Welcome back. I promise you an exciting semester that will challenge you and push you to become more independent and self-assured as students.

For this evening, please discuss your goals for this semester and especially this cardmarking. It could be specifically for this class or it could be for all your classes. How will you attain those goals? How will you reward yourself if your goals are obtained and what kind of consequences if they are not obtained? Do not write what you think I want to hear but what you are truly thinking.