Blog 9: What will you miss and remember?

Hi students,

This is the final (ungraded) blog.
:( This is very sad, indeed!

Please write responses to the following questions:

1. What will you miss and remember most about each student in this class? You can write a list, if you'd like.

2. What was the funniest, happiest or weirdest thing that happened to you in Writing and Grammar, Level 5 class (if anything)?

3. Do you have any words of wisdom, advice or last comments you would like to write?

I've truly enjoyed teaching each of you this semester!  You are fantastic!

Certainly, I will miss and remember each of you for so many reasons.

My wish for each of you is to feel peace in your mind, love in your heart, and joy throughout all your life!

I look forward to reading your responses!

:) Heather

Blog 8: Giving Names

Hello students!

For this week's blog, I'd like you write 1-2 paragraphs about Giving Names in your country!

• What is the custom or tradition of giving names in your country? Think about who usually names babies, what names are often given, as well as when and how names are given and why naming babies is important (or not).
• Who named you, and what does your name mean (in English and in your language)?
• What are some customary names for boys and girls? What are some unusual names for boys and girls?
• Does your country have nicknames? If so, why? What does your nickname mean (in English and in your language), and why were you given a nickname?
• Have names changed in your country over time? Were some names more popular 100 years ago than today? What names are the most popular in your country today?
• What will you name (or have you already named) your children and why?
• If you could give yourself a new different name, what would it be and why?

I look forward to reading your responses! Remember to comment on at least two other students' posts.

:) Heather

Blog 7: Causes and Effects

Hello students,

For Blog #7, I would like you to write one or two paragraphs about one of the following (please choose):

1. What are some of the causes and/or effects of having a "happy" or "joyous" life?
2. What are some of the causes and/or effects of being a successful student (or a successful professional)?
3. What are some of the causes and/or effects of having a successful and happy family life?

A cause is "a person, event, condition, or reason that is responsible for an action or result."
An effect is "a result brought about by a cause or an agent."
--Super Teacher Worksheets at http://www.superteacherworksheets.com

I look forward to hearing your opinions or research!

This post will be graded on Monday, July 11th.

:) Heather

Blog 6: Time Capsules

Hello students!

Do you know what a "time capsule" is? It's a kind of sealed container with "important" artifacts or things inside. People usually put things inside of the capsule that they think are important for future people to find in order to learn about life in the past.

For example: You fill a time capsule with important artifacts from today's world, and then you bury it in the ground. In 1000 years, someone finds it and looks inside. What would the things inside of the capsule "say" or "tell" that person about you, your country, or life on earth at that time when the capsule was buried in 2011?

So, your assignment for Blog #6 is to describe what you would put into a time capsule so that people opening the capsule 1000 years from now could understand life in 2011. Include 6 (or more) items that you think would be the most important to include in the time capsule. Explain why you think each item is important. Remember, you want the future people to have a really good understanding about either your life, your country, or the world in 2011.

Have fun! I am really looking forward to reading about your time capsules!

Heather

Blog 5: Fable, Folktale, Legend, Fairy Tale or Myth

For Blog #5, I would like you to tell me a story (fable, folktale, legend, fairytale or myth) from your culture, using your own words. Please tell me if (and how) the story has affected children or adults in your country; Does the story teach children important cultural or moral values? If so, what does it teach? In addition, please use quoted speech in your story!

*It is written in Wikipedia that a "fable is a succinct fictional story, in prose or verse, that features animals, mythical creatures, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature which are anthropomorphized (given humanmoral lesson (a "moral"), which may at the end be expressed explicitly in a pithy maxim" and that American Folklore "covers the same broad categories as the folklore of other nations. It encompasses myths, jokes, riddles, legends, cautionary tales, and many other forms of storytelling." 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fable 
and 
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folklore_of_the_United_States

I can't wait to read your interesting stories!

;) Heather

Blog 4: Argue Your Point!

This week, please write a paragraph to argue for or against one of the following topics (choose one): 

1. When people go on diets, they usually gain weight instead of lose weight.
2. Smoking should not be allowed on The University of Montana campus.
3. All children should go to school for at least ten hours a day, six days a week.

I look forward to hearing your arguments! Don't forget to agree or disagree with your classmates.

Good luck!

Heather

Blog 3: Unusual Experiences

Hello students!

This week, I would like you to tell me about an interesting, surprising, embarrassing, funny, or scary experience you have had this past year. It can be an experience you had before or after coming to America.

Use as many details as you can, so that the other students in class and clearly "see" your experience by reading your words.

I look forward to hearing about your unusual experiences! You have one week to make an initial post and one week to comment on two other students' stories (Blog 3 will be graded on June 13th).

Have fun!