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?