Monday, January 31, 2011

Locked In


Imagine you went shopping by yourself to Walmart. You had your headphones on and you were checking out the new games. When all of a sudden you looked around and the store was closed. NO ONE was there it was locked up for the night and you had no cell phone.


1. What would you do if you got locked in a Walmart overnight? Explain your feelings

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Locked In


Today I want you to imagine being locked in overnight at a store. You were there by yourself. You have your headphones on listening to your music, and suddenly the lights went out. You have no phone You are now all alone!
1. What will you do? You just realized you got locked in Target it is 10:00 at night, and no one will be back till morning? Explain

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Manners Matter




Think of a time you saw someone in school show good manners. Did you feel happy and comfortable? I feel that when students are polite with each other good things happen. Manners are important everywhere you go; shopping, home, school, your neighborhood. Manners are needed for us to live in peace.
1. Tell me a time you witnessed good manners here at school and what you saw? How did you feel?

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Manners


We all know when we hear and see people with manners, those people are usually nice people to be around. Manners matter in every situation. When you are at home, at school or anywhere in public. I always smile when I hear a student be polite to one another. It makes me feel more comfortable when people show respect and are friendly. Think of time today when you saw someone showing good manners. How did you feel?
1. I witnessed a student showing good manners when ...

Monday, January 24, 2011

Older People


In Japan they actually have a national holiday called "Honor Old People" or Respect for the Aged Day.
Write about an old person you know personally.
1. This has to be someone you look up to and respect.It could be a friend, relative, neighbor, someone else you know. Tell us why this person deserves to be honored.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Big Game




On Sunday the BEARS will play the Packers for a huge game to determine the NFC championship. Many families are sports fans. Many families do not root for the same team. Whoever wins on Sunday goes to the Super Bowl 2011 Game.
1. Will you watch the football on Sunday? If not, do you know someone who will watch the game? Today predict the score and why you think that team will win.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Bears vs Packers


This Sunday is a huge rival football game here in Chicago. Whoever wins this game will go to the Super Bowl. Chicago Bears have not won a super bowl since 1985. There has been many stories about the BEARS and Packers and who will become the NFC champions.

1. Will you watch the football game on Sunday? If you will not watch the game do you know anyone who will? What is your prediction of the final score?

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Dangerous Weather


We all know this weather can be harmful for people without any heat in their homes. Today think about the animals that are outside. Pets should not be left out for long periods of time, because like humans, pets can get frostbite.What if animals could talk ?
1. Pretend today that your own pet (or any outside animal) could talk . Tell me what they would ask you in this kind of weather?

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Too Dangerous


Today is Evil Knievel's birthday. He was a famous daredevil motorcycle stunt performer. His career lasted for 16 years and he has broke more than 60 bones. Knievel and has had 14 operations to put steel rods in his body.Think of dangerous things.

My example: I think jumping off cliffs into the water is really dangerous but looks really fun. I got all the way to the top of the hill once, but couldn't do it. I was too afraid.
1. Write of something you know of or could do that is dangerous. Do you think you will ever try it? Why or why not?

Friday, January 14, 2011

MLK I have a Dream


Monday we are off school for a national holiday, Martin Luther King's birthday. Dr. King's dream was to live in a peaceful nation where people got along with respect. In 1968, MLK was assassinated at the young age of 39. MLK wanted people to be judged by their character and not the color of their skin. He was a very well respected man of peace.

1. In your own words what does it mean to have equal rights?

Thursday, January 13, 2011

MLK I have a Dream


We will be off school this Monday as a national holiday in honor of Martin Luther King's birthday. In 1968, at the young age of 39,Dr. King was assassinated. Dr. King's dream is for people to judged by the content of their character not the color of their skin. He wanted and dreamed of a peaceful nation.
1. Dr. King believed in equal rights. Explain today what it means to have equal rights?

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

A NEW NO SCHOOL DAY


Many districts are trying to have less days off of school. Today think of a special day off we should have. Example: you think all students should have their birthday off?

1. Make up a holiday that you would not have school? what would you call that special day? how are you going to convince the board that you need that day off?

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

New Holiday 1/11/11


Students are always looking for a reason to take a day off school, and a celebration is a great reason. Today think about a new reason to take off school.

Example: I think a great new holiday would be a Special Unique Date for that school year such as 7/7/07 and today is 1/11/11. That would be a fun unique day to have off school.
1.What holiday could you invent to get a day off school?

Monday, January 10, 2011

Vote


Today is the inauguration of our Governor of Illinois, Mr. Patrick Quinn. He will take the oath of office and give his inaugural speech today. Also, on this day in 1919, women were given the right to vote. This was an important day in history that women were given the same rights as men. Today think about elections and voting.
1. Will you vote when you are old enough? What is so important about voting?

Friday, January 7, 2011

Elvis Presley


Elvis was born on Jan. 8, 1935 in Mississippi. Elvis became one of the most famous singers of all time. He has sold over a billion records. Still the most known musical artist of all time. He also served in the United States Army.Elvis sang pop, rock, country, and gospel music. He was also known for his outfits on stage and the way he could dance.

1. Who are the most popular singers or groups to you today? Do they wear anything distinctive with their clothing and list a song they sing?

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Peter Pan


Peter Pan was the first Disney Character to fly and have extreme special effects. The character claims how "he won't grow up, no he never never will." Today I want you to think about the perfect age.
1. If you could stay one age in your life forever, what age would it be and why?

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Peter Pan


Peter Pan was a Disney character that always said, "I won't grow up, no I never never will." Peter Pan was the first character that could fly in the movies. It was also the first Disney movie that had many many special effects.


1. If you could remain a kid, at what age would you stay at forever if you had the chance?

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Healthy 2011


Welcome back to school and hello 2011! We have 5 more Writing Lab classes this quarter. You need to work hard these next 2 weeks to improve your scores. Today I want you to think about something about you that needs to change. Were you lazy over our break? Did you watch too much TV? Were you rude to your family?


1. Give 3 ways your family could be healthier in 2011. What 3 things could you do differently to have a healthy lifestyle this year?

Monday, January 3, 2011

Welcome Back to 2011


Hello 2011 and Welcome back! I hope you are all well rested and ready to finish our quarter. We have 2 weeks left of the second quarter. January is Have a Healthy Family month. Today I want you to think about how you can be more healthy.

1. What are 3 healthy activities you and your family could do to have a healthier lifestyle in 2011?

Welcome to Dirksen Junior High's Literacy Lab. You will be expected to post on blog every day you are in class. Please remember that your blog can be viewed by not only myself, but your classmates. Everything here should be school appropriate.