Reading and Thinking

I want you guys to read and think this weekend (I know - it takes a lot). Think about how what is going on in the novel fits together. We will be writing essays about the novel, so I need you guys to have some thoughts about what to write about when the time comes. We will be doing a practice essay this week, so prepare yourselves.

Make sure you have finished the novel by Tuesday! Also - report to the computer lab on Monday (Burak - you are responsible for getting everyone there).

AFTER POST: Reminder "NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY!" - have as much fun as you can!

PHOTOS

I need those photos! Please bring them in on Monday.

What do you guys think having photos in digital form vs. having photos in print form does for memories?

Auteur

Please tell me I didn't butcher the french word for author...is that it in the title?

Anyways -- if you were an author, what would your first book be about? It can be fiction or non-fiction and about anything you think you would write about. How many chapters would it have? What would it explore?

I would want to write a book about education analyzing the way kids learn and teaching teachers more effective ways of engaging students in learning. I would also want to write a book about my sister-in-law's experiences with breast cancer or my sister's experience with infertility and then giving birth to a premature baby. I also have dreams of writing about travel, but sometimes travel writing can get boring, so I am not sure about this one.

Memories... (you know this song too...I know you do)

Do you guys remember what you have learned about essay writing? What are some of the tips that you have gotten and retained or remembered over the years?

What are some things that make sense about essay writing and what are some things that you think you just don't get? (You need to be a humble learner for this one, so take off your coolness cloak and admit you don't know everything - okay?)

Essays? Really?

We have been told to teach you guys how to write an essay and that it will be the next Exam you take. My first question is WHY?

Why in the world do we have to write an essay? And why in the world does it have to be about The Giver?

Well, we don't and it doesn't, but we are going to write one and it will be about The Giver.

Click here for a web site about how essay writing came about and why in school we usually write about literature when we write about an essay in English class.

What I Like About YOU! (come on...you know the song)

What are some things you do that you do not have to be told to do -- for instance, things you like to do and do not mind accomplishing?

Individualism

What does the term mean in your own life?