Breeding Violence

Read the following ( 2 ) articles about the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. Offer your insightful reflection on the wave of violence that seems to be becoming a sickening trend in our current society. Offer solutions and insights with regards to gun control, mental illness, the role of parents and educators, the media, etc. How do we prevent future violence from occurring? http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/12/17/poll-sandy-hook-shooting-a-sign-of-big-societal-problems/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/16/i-am-adam-lanzas-mother-mental-illness-conversation_n_2311009.html

Holiday Memory

Every holiday season, I often find myself thinking back to my childhood memories of Christmas. My mother died two days after Christmas (30 years ago), and sometimes it feels like it was yesterday. Unfortunately, my most vivid Christmas was a tragic moment in my life that I will never forget.....presents that remained under my tree for months and so much more that will be forever etched in my memory. Please share your most memorable holiday tradition or memory. Explain its significance to you.

"We Wish You a Generic Holiday & a Happy New Year"!

1. Read the following article about the latest controversy regarding the holiday season. Write a thoughtful response below. http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/providence/providence-tree-feud-to-be-brought-to-light?hpt=us_bn4 2. More and more we hear greetings this time of year expressed as "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas." Because of that, we hear more and more dissatisfaction in private conversation over the use of this politically correct, generic greeting. Are we becoming too polically correct in today's society? Read the following article and write a thoughtful response. http://theintermountain.com/page/content.detail/id/539318/Can-we-be-politically-correct-an---.html

In America

What defines you? Maybe it’s the shade of your skin, the place you grew up, the accent in your words, the make up of your family, the gender you were born with, the relationships you choose to have or your generation? Explain your in-depth view of the ever-changing American identity. .

Give Thanks!!!

It's that time of year when we all give thanks! Please write a list of 5 things you are MOST thankful for this year and offer a brief reason why. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Shakespeare Palooza

If you are attending either the 3:30 or 7:00 pm poerformance of A Midsummer Night's Dream on November 20th, see me to sign your ticket. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_aWC3DdLdY&feature=plcp

Newsworthy

Please find an online article of a current news story that you feel is worth sharing with your peers. Post the link for your classmates with a brief summary of the article's contents and then write a thoughtful response to the article.

Armageddon It!

After being plunged into darkness (without heat) for 10 days after Hurricane Sandy, cut off from all communication with the outside world (no facebook, cell phone or television), standing in obscenely long gas lines (4 hours long), and spending each day worrying about basic survival (food, heat, water, shelter, etc), I have found myself: a. counting my blessings and being thankful for the little things b. disgusted by the behavior of so many people (looting, cutting gas lines, siphening gas from others' gas tanks, fighting/using guns to intimidate others for their own gain) c. pondering the idea of what our future will be like in terms of energy, food and many other shortages d. do normal civilized people have the ability to be savages when basic needs are taken away e. overwhelmed by how generous people can be and how people can come together after a true human disater (Also, witnessed after 9/11) f. weeping tears of joy when I was plunged back into the 21st Century and could get a glimpse of CNN instead of listening to my transistor radio for electoral vote collection regarding the presidential election g. realizing how lucky I am to have a wonderful family filled with love, a roof over my head, a job I truly enjoy, and my health! Please write a thoughtful response about your experiences before, during and after this natural disaster called Hurricane Sandy. How has it influenced you personally or others around you? Discuss some of your observations about human nature. What do you think our future holds? What crucial things should we learn from this event? How is our society better or worse off going forward?

America's New Addiction

Why are Americans so obsessed with reality television? What does this say about our culture? Explain the causes of this obsession and what are some of the long term effects. Read the following ( 2 ) articles and write a thoughtful response. http://web.mit.edu/renakatz/www/cultureshock/essays/essay4.html http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/09/12/here-comes-honey-boo-boo-blows-up.html

Is Social Networking getting too political?

Most of had people tell us that at family gatherings and at parties you shouldn't bring up the topics politics or religion. It seems that the saying also applies to social networks or at least as far as politics are concerned. It has been a growing trend this Presidential election that expressing your political view on either Facebook or twitter can run the risk of losing friends and followers.Is social networking getting too political? Write a thoughtful response.

Violence Against Activism

Please read the following article and write a thoughtful response. http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/11/world/asia/pakistan-teen-activist-attack/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

Money Changes Everything

When every dollar counts, parents are having to say no…when all they've ever said is yes. Has your outlook/habits with regards to money changed in this country's economic decline? In this troubling economic time, is it important for parents to discuss their finances with their children? Should children know how much money their parents make? How has the recent decline in the economy affected your outlook on your future? job prospects?

Generation Me

Your generation has been often been called "Generation Me." Does your generation have a sense of material entitlement? Read the following article from Newsweek and reflect on the author's discussion of narcissism. Do you agree/disagree? Explain why. Please offer a detailed response. http://www.newsweek.com/id/194640

Bully Intervention

Watch the following video clip about a mother who recently stepped in to protect her son from a boy who had been bullying him. Write a thoughtful reflection on the story, and its impact on the issue of bullying. Should parents have the right to step in to protect their children? http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c2#/video/bestoftv/2012/09/20/mom-fights-bully.wjxt

The Power of Words

In today's society, many people often speak without thinking about how their words can affect others. Explain whether or not using religious, gay, or racial slurs is ever acceptable. How do we determine if using these words crosses the line and becomes offensive? Why are there so many people who still believe their freedom of speech is more important than being sensitive to others in terms of their ethnicity, race, religion, or sexuality?

Social Networking Dangers

Do colleges have the right to look at the social-networking sites of applicants? Why or why not? How careful are you about what you post on Facebook, Myspace or Twitter? See Wall Street Journal Article below http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122170459104151023.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

SOPA

Imagine a world without free knowledge. Is it the online apocalypse? Not so much. Google, Wikipedia, Boing Boing and others have gone dark, along with thousands of others, who are protesting two anti-piracy bills that are up for debate in the U.S. Congress.

Read the following article and write a thoughtful response.
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/18/sopa-internet-blackout/?hpt=hp_bn6

Is BMI ever TMI?

Do you think that schools weighing children and supplying the information to parents is a solution to the problem of childhood obesity?

Read the following article below and write a thoughtful response.

http://schoolsofthought.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/12/is-bmi-ever-tmi/?hpt=hp_bn1

Newsworthy

Please find an online article of a current news story that you feel is worth sharing with your peers.

Post the link for your classmates with a brief summary of the article's contents and then write a thoughtful response to the article.