L: Lemons. We’ve all heard the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Think about a time you took a bad situation (a lemon!) and made the best of it. What caused the problem? How did you handle it? What was the “sweet” outcome?
K: Kindergarten. So long ago. But you probably remember more about it than you realize! Read an excerpt from Robert Fulgham’s “All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” Then discuss what you learned in kindergarten that has helped you the most in life so far.
J: Juggling! You may be one of the talented few who can actually “juggle.” You know–keeping three or more balls, apples, bowling pins, etc. in the air at the same time.For the rest of us, though, our juggling is more symbolic. And we all do juggling of some sort. Today, write about the things you have to juggle each day. In other words, what are the things you deal with every day? What roles or jobs or tasks do you have to arrange in any given week? This discussion may be about “things,” but it may also be about people, ideas, or obstacles you face. Just make it an accurate picture of the things you have to “deal with.” This exercise might just make you proud of the fact you’ve made it this far. It may also make you more aware of the things you need to think about as you approach each day!
HI: ”Hi.” The first word exchanged between two people. Recall the day you met someone who has changed the last 4 years of your life. Describe your first meeting and his or her effect on “your world.”
G: GrowthHow have you grown over the last few years? Physically, mentally, socially, spiritually? Describe that growth–you might include who or what inspired it, nurtured it, still feeds it. What effect will this growth have on the next phase of your life?
F: Friendship. Making friends, losing friends, bonding with friends. Friendships undoubtedly affect how you perceive the whole “high school experience.” Choose a friend, or a group of friends, to write about. You may write generally about your friendships and their value, but include specific examples.
E: ”E” is for my “elife.” Describe your electronic world. What gadgets accompany you everywhere? How much time and energy do you spend online or playing video games? Document how “wired” your world is . . .
D: Decisions. Write about a decision you made that was a difficult one. Maybe a good decision that shaped your high school experience (or just your life in general). Or write about a “bad” decision you made. Maybe one you would change if you could.
You could also write about a decision that you’ve made and you’re not sure whether it was a “good” one or a “bad” one yet.
It’s your last semester. You want it to pass quickly. You’re counting down.
I do understand.
BUT, about 20 weeks have to go by before you get there. That’s a lot of time to wish away. So we’ll keep working in class, and I’ll keep assigning homework . . .
And we’ll think about the past, the present, and the future. More precisely, we’ll WRITE about the past, the present, and the future.
Every Friday, you’ll have an assignment. Some will be specific. Some will be more general. For all, make your entry detailed. Remember the guidelines for description–use your senses. Tell a good story!
Here’s the first one, for January 11, 2008
ABC: the beginning; the starting place. What do you remember about your first day or your first year of high school? (the building, the crowds, a class, a friend, a teacher, a competition, a sports event?)
Hamlet! It’s long. It can be a bit complicated. Here’s your reading guide.Hamlet Reading Guide
