Write a Little Letter

The following post is for juniors only.

Wolff expresses frustration at the limits of his self-identity as a boy. In other words, he as a man can in no way help himself as a boy; history cannot be rewritten. He writes:

“But the man can give no help to the boy,
not in this matter nor in those that follow" (Wolff 27).

Imagine what it would be like if you COULD go back and help your childhood self. What do you wish you knew then that you know now?

Write a letter to your 10-year-old self. You can offer advice, warnings, reassurances – whatever you think would have been helpful to you as a 10-year-old.

Your letter should be written in first person. It should be detailed and thorough. It needs to be multiple paragraphs and well organized. Employ correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. If have any questions, don't hesitate to ask a teacher.

Who Are You?

This post is for juniors only.

In a thoughtful, thorough essay, answer the following question:

Who are you?

Remember, this is your first opportunity to demonstrate who you are as a person and who you are as a student - so do your best!  Use specific details, correct grammar, and correct spelling. Your essay must be multiple paragraphs. You must write for the entire period. You may wish to use some of the following questions to shape or guide your response:

• What have you done?
• Where have you been?
• What are you goals?
• What mistakes have you made?
• What do you like?
• What do you not like?
• How do you spend your time?
• What drives you?
• What makes you different?

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask one of the instructors. Good luck, and have fun.

Freshmen - Welcome to Period 8

The following blog entry is for period 8 students only...

Welcome to freshmen English. We're going to be using this blog quite a bit throughout the year, so just to be sure we all know how to use it, please respond to the following quesion:

What is your favorite cartoon - either now or when you were a kid, and why?

1. Click on 'comments' below.
2. Post your comment. (Try cutting and pasting from word if you like.)
3. Click on 'Name/URL' and type in your name.
4. Click on 'post comment'.

For future reference - Your responses to blog entries needs to be thoughtful and thorough. And yes, grammar and spelling count (even though this is the internet). And yes, you can earn extra credit on these. All you need to do is - after you've posted your own comment - read the comments of others and post a thoughtful reply to someone else's comment.

Here is one of my favorite cartoons:

There used to be this old cartoon about a kid who had adventures with his scientist father called "Johnny Quest." I love this show for the 1960's visual asthetic and for the strange mix of creepiness, adventure, and humor.

Freshmen - Welcome to Period 4

The following blog entry is for period 4 students only...

Welcome to freshmen English. We're going to be using this blog quite a bit throughout the year, so just to be sure we all know how to use it, please respond to the following quesion:

What is your favorite movie of all time, and why? 

1. Click on 'comments' below.
2. Post your comment. (Try cutting and pasting from word if you like.)
3. Click on 'Name/URL' and type in your name.
4. Click on 'post comment'. 

For future reference - Your responses to blog entries needs to be thoughtful and thorough. And yes, grammar and spelling count (even though this is the internet). And yes, you can earn extra credit on these. All you need to do is - after you've posted your own comment - read the comments of others and post a thoughtful reply to someone else's comment.

I've got a few favorite movies myself, and they include...

...for its man vs. naure manliness...

...for its man vs. man insanity...

and last but not least...

...for the letter Ben Chapman wrote to my son. (Remind me to tell you the story some time.)

Juniors - Welcome to Period 7

The following blog entry is for period 7 students only...

Welcome to freshmen English. We're going to be using this blog quite a bit throughout the year, so just to be sure we all know how to use it, please respond to the following quesion:

What is your favorite music, and why?

1. Click on 'comments' below.
2. Post your comment. (Try cutting and pasting from word if you like.)
3. Click on 'Name/URL' and type in your name.
4. Click on 'post comment'.

For future reference - Your responses to blog entries needs to be thoughtful and thorough. And yes, grammar and spelling count (even though this is the internet). And yes, you can earn extra credit on these. All you need to do is - after you've posted your own comment - read the comments of others and post a thoughtful reply to someone else's comment.

Ask me next time you see me to play you my absolute favorite, all-time song. Until then, here's something to tide you over...


Spiderbait - Black Betty
Uploaded by iori_killer. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

I like it because the guy drives around town on his drums, fueled on unleaded rock & roll.

Juniors - Welcome to Period 3

The following blog entry is for period 3 students only...

Welcome to junior English. We're going to be using this blog quite a bit throughout the year, so just to be sure we all know how to use it, please respond to the following quesion:

What is your favorite cartoon - either now or when you were a kid, and why?

1. Click on 'comments' below.
2. Post your comment. (Try cutting and pasting from word if you like.)
3. Click on 'Name/URL' and type in your name.
4. Click on 'post comment'.

For future reference - Your responses to blog entries needs to be thoughtful and thorough. And yes, grammar and spelling count (even though this is the internet). And yes, you can earn extra credit on these. All you need to do is - after you've posted your own comment - read the comments of others and post a thoughtful reply to someone else's comment.

Here is one of my favorite cartoons:

There used to be this old cartoon about a kid who had adventures with his scientist father called "Johnny Quest." I love this show for the 1960's visual asthetic and for the strange mix of creepiness, adventure, and humor.

Juniors - Welcome to Period 1

The following blog entry is for period 1 students only...

Welcome to Junior English. We're going to be using this blog quite a bit throughout the year, so just to be sure we all know how to use it, please respond to the following quesion:

What is your favorite movie of all time, and why? 

1. Click on 'comments' below.
2. Post your comment. (Try cutting and pasting from word if you like.)
3. Click on 'Name/URL' and type in your name.
4. Click on 'post comment'. 

For future reference - Your responses to blog entries needs to be thoughtful and thorough. And yes, grammar and spelling count (even though this is the internet). And yes, you can earn extra credit on these. All you need to do is - after you've posted your own comment - read the comments of others and post a thoughtful reply to someone else's comment.

I've got a few favorite movies myself, and they include...

...for its man vs. naure manliness...

...for its man vs. man insanity...

and last but not least...

...for the letter Ben Chapman wrote to my son. (Remind me to tell you the story some time.)