Due Wednesday, 22. May 2013
Okay, you've talked about what you don' want, where you don't want to go, what you want to keep, what you want to change....This is it, your last post. I know this makes you melancholic, but bear up. Soon you will be in uni with a TON of writing to do, so you will only miss it for a short while.
Your final TASOK English Blog is..drumroll, please: Where are you heading: what country, city, school. What is your intended major, if you have an idea yet. I'm really looking forward to everyone writing this post. It's the most exciting part of teaching seniors. Happy blogging.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
Post #30 Sage Advice
Due Wednesday, 15. May 2013
You have almost made it. Just two more weeks left in your high school careers. Take a moment to reflect over the last 4 years. What words of wisdom, advice or just cheers do you want to send to the class of 2014? or maybe it's advice for the class of 2017? Be specific on the who and elaborate on your what. What is it you have learned that you want those who follow you to know?
You have almost made it. Just two more weeks left in your high school careers. Take a moment to reflect over the last 4 years. What words of wisdom, advice or just cheers do you want to send to the class of 2014? or maybe it's advice for the class of 2017? Be specific on the who and elaborate on your what. What is it you have learned that you want those who follow you to know?
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Post #29 Senior Will?
Due Wednesday, 8 May 2013
I don't know if you have an official time to do this publicly, if you do, then this should just be cut and paste for you; otherwise, take a minute and share with each other what you want your underclassmen to remember about you. These can be light, academic, or heartfelt. What do you bequeath to the rising seniors of 2014? Your detailed Comp Gov notes? Your seat on Mr. G's couch? Your ability to smile at everyone on Monday mornings? Remember, whatever you bequeath, others will remember you for....
I don't know if you have an official time to do this publicly, if you do, then this should just be cut and paste for you; otherwise, take a minute and share with each other what you want your underclassmen to remember about you. These can be light, academic, or heartfelt. What do you bequeath to the rising seniors of 2014? Your detailed Comp Gov notes? Your seat on Mr. G's couch? Your ability to smile at everyone on Monday mornings? Remember, whatever you bequeath, others will remember you for....
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Post # 28 What Do You Do To Hold On?
Due Wednesday, May 1
Okay seniors, you are really in the heat of the home stretch now. You can not only see, but feel and taste the light at the end of your mandatory schooling years.... It's sort of like "heartbreak hill," a really steep 3/4 mile long hill in the last mile of the Boston Marathon. It's really hard to keep plugging away, stay focused on the tasks at hand, and finish with the same energy you started with, but if you give up now, all those plans for celebration, all those college acceptances, everything, will vanish. So, how do you remain focused? What are your tricks to keep you "eyes on the prize?"
Okay seniors, you are really in the heat of the home stretch now. You can not only see, but feel and taste the light at the end of your mandatory schooling years.... It's sort of like "heartbreak hill," a really steep 3/4 mile long hill in the last mile of the Boston Marathon. It's really hard to keep plugging away, stay focused on the tasks at hand, and finish with the same energy you started with, but if you give up now, all those plans for celebration, all those college acceptances, everything, will vanish. So, how do you remain focused? What are your tricks to keep you "eyes on the prize?"
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Post # 27 Where Would You Like to Travel Now?
Due Wednesday, 24. April 2013
You have all travelled to many places in your short time in this world, some of you more than others. For those of you who have travelled A LOT this will be harder than for the rest of you. Where do you most want to travel to now that you have NOT travelled to before? Remember, now you are adults, and will not have to take your parents with you (even if they pay for the trip, live in fantasyland now). Then after you tell us where, share a bit of the why (yes, Alina, it's okay to want to sample the food there as long as you know what some of the food you want to sample is called and/or made from.)
You have all travelled to many places in your short time in this world, some of you more than others. For those of you who have travelled A LOT this will be harder than for the rest of you. Where do you most want to travel to now that you have NOT travelled to before? Remember, now you are adults, and will not have to take your parents with you (even if they pay for the trip, live in fantasyland now). Then after you tell us where, share a bit of the why (yes, Alina, it's okay to want to sample the food there as long as you know what some of the food you want to sample is called and/or made from.)
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Post # 26: Favorite Class?
Due: 17. April 2013
Hey all, I know you are all constantly taking stock of many things right now: days till graduation, # hours left in school, how many friendly get togethers you can squeeze in before grad...the list is endless. I'm going to give you a chance to look backward for a while. Looking back at your time at TASOK, choose one class that stands out as your favorite. Maybe it was the subject, the teacher, the book, the people in the class with you. Choose one class as your favorite and briefly explain why: you learned a lot, you were stretched to your max, you cruised the whole time, you laughed every time it met, you loved the teacher's wardrobe and dazzling smile or his brilliance and heart, you got to make food and eat it...whatever it may be, please share the wonderfull-ness of it.
Hey all, I know you are all constantly taking stock of many things right now: days till graduation, # hours left in school, how many friendly get togethers you can squeeze in before grad...the list is endless. I'm going to give you a chance to look backward for a while. Looking back at your time at TASOK, choose one class that stands out as your favorite. Maybe it was the subject, the teacher, the book, the people in the class with you. Choose one class as your favorite and briefly explain why: you learned a lot, you were stretched to your max, you cruised the whole time, you laughed every time it met, you loved the teacher's wardrobe and dazzling smile or his brilliance and heart, you got to make food and eat it...whatever it may be, please share the wonderfull-ness of it.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Post # 25 Graduation Plans?
Due: Wednesday, 10. April 2013
With only 8 weeks left before you will be high school graduates, you must be busy with graduation plans. Where I come from, every graduate's family hosts a HUGE (they spend upwards of several thousand dollars each) party for them. So, in a class of 40, there are, by this time of year, 40 invitations for pretty much every person on the island - smiling faces looking out from xeroxed-off invitations pinned up in every business, classroom, living room, - even at the post office notice board. Families and friends and teachers are all busy making money leis and gearing up for fresh ones (the average graduate cannot see if they wear all the leis they are given). I have no idea what your customs are here, but I'd like to.What are you special plans for post ceremony? A HUGE family party with everyone you've ever known? Dinner with you parents? A night at home caressing the new computer you received to take to college with you? Going to sleep early so you can get up early the next day to look for summer work?
With only 8 weeks left before you will be high school graduates, you must be busy with graduation plans. Where I come from, every graduate's family hosts a HUGE (they spend upwards of several thousand dollars each) party for them. So, in a class of 40, there are, by this time of year, 40 invitations for pretty much every person on the island - smiling faces looking out from xeroxed-off invitations pinned up in every business, classroom, living room, - even at the post office notice board. Families and friends and teachers are all busy making money leis and gearing up for fresh ones (the average graduate cannot see if they wear all the leis they are given). I have no idea what your customs are here, but I'd like to.What are you special plans for post ceremony? A HUGE family party with everyone you've ever known? Dinner with you parents? A night at home caressing the new computer you received to take to college with you? Going to sleep early so you can get up early the next day to look for summer work?
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Post # 24 Frankenstein Thoughts
Due Wednesday, 27. March 2013
We haven't had much time to talk about the novel in class, so before we get to it next Friday, take a moment here to think about the themes ideas. Discuss anything that pops into your head: it may be a question, it may be a comment. Be as specific as you can be, but do stick to word count.
We haven't had much time to talk about the novel in class, so before we get to it next Friday, take a moment here to think about the themes ideas. Discuss anything that pops into your head: it may be a question, it may be a comment. Be as specific as you can be, but do stick to word count.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Post # 22 Biggest Fear
Due Wednesday, March 13, 2013
You are all filled with anticipation for next year and the wonders it will bring you: getting out from under direct parental control, having a bigger social circle, faster Internet, and standing on the threshold of adulthood. All exciting stuff. Mostly good stuff. Now look at what makes you nervous. Is it making new friends, fear that your chosen school will not live up to expectations, succeeding academically, not getting on the tennis team, your roommate, not being able to get Congolese food, taking public transport or doing your own laundry?
Find one thing that keeps rearing it's ugly head every time you think about the wonders that lay before you and discuss it - in brief.
You are all filled with anticipation for next year and the wonders it will bring you: getting out from under direct parental control, having a bigger social circle, faster Internet, and standing on the threshold of adulthood. All exciting stuff. Mostly good stuff. Now look at what makes you nervous. Is it making new friends, fear that your chosen school will not live up to expectations, succeeding academically, not getting on the tennis team, your roommate, not being able to get Congolese food, taking public transport or doing your own laundry?
Find one thing that keeps rearing it's ugly head every time you think about the wonders that lay before you and discuss it - in brief.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Post # 21: Try Something New
Due Wednesday, 27. February 2013
Okay, I tried this a few weeks ago and got different answers than I intended. Good feedback for me: bad prompt, try again with different words; see if they understand what you mean. So here goes. My question is this: You are all planning to attend college or university next year. Most universities offer an amazing number of activities for you to become involved with in addition to your classes and studies. They encourage you to "try something new, something you have never considered before."
Last time I asked this, most of you wrote about secret passions that you already have experience in. This time take a quick look at the student life or student activities section on one of your uni choice websites. Or even read the list of majors/departments. What one thing that you've never thought about before jumps out at you and makes you think "hmm. That sounds interesting, maybe I'll try it."
I looked at my undergraduate university and found these things in a cursory perusal: Redlands Investment Fund (club of students interested in learning about stocks and other investments), African Drumming Ensemble, Camping SoCal ( camping trips run through the student activities office - all equipment provided), study abroad program in Australia or England (I'd like to be able to enjoy everything about the country, so English is a bonus), taking a class in life drawing, cleaning the R on the mountain (a trip to literally clean up the Ron the mountain - pulling weeds, etc. so it show up more.) Choose ONE idea from one of your schools and briefly explain why it appeals to you.
Okay, I tried this a few weeks ago and got different answers than I intended. Good feedback for me: bad prompt, try again with different words; see if they understand what you mean. So here goes. My question is this: You are all planning to attend college or university next year. Most universities offer an amazing number of activities for you to become involved with in addition to your classes and studies. They encourage you to "try something new, something you have never considered before."
Last time I asked this, most of you wrote about secret passions that you already have experience in. This time take a quick look at the student life or student activities section on one of your uni choice websites. Or even read the list of majors/departments. What one thing that you've never thought about before jumps out at you and makes you think "hmm. That sounds interesting, maybe I'll try it."
I looked at my undergraduate university and found these things in a cursory perusal: Redlands Investment Fund (club of students interested in learning about stocks and other investments), African Drumming Ensemble, Camping SoCal ( camping trips run through the student activities office - all equipment provided), study abroad program in Australia or England (I'd like to be able to enjoy everything about the country, so English is a bonus), taking a class in life drawing, cleaning the R on the mountain (a trip to literally clean up the Ron the mountain - pulling weeds, etc. so it show up more.) Choose ONE idea from one of your schools and briefly explain why it appeals to you.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Post # 20: Biggest Anticipation?
Due Wednesday, 13. February 2013
So, you've looked at what you want to leave, what you want to keep, what you want to try and what you do not want to study. In all this mix and all the mixed feelings, there is the glimmer of light in setting off on a new adventure. What is the most exciting thing about yours? What are you most looking forward to to about this major life change?
So, you've looked at what you want to leave, what you want to keep, what you want to try and what you do not want to study. In all this mix and all the mixed feelings, there is the glimmer of light in setting off on a new adventure. What is the most exciting thing about yours? What are you most looking forward to to about this major life change?
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Blog Post #19 Where are You From?
Due Wednesday, 6. February 2013
Inspired by Rita's Common Application essay, this post asks you a question you will undoubtedly be asked when you arrive at university and being to meet new people. Here is your chance to prep for that moment. You meet your new room mate and what do you say? Most people say something like "Hi, I'm Kimo Kapuana and I'm from the Big Island." I'm curious, most of you have lived in several different countries, speak two, three, or seven different languages and have more than one passport. So, do tell, how do you answer "Where are you from?"
Inspired by Rita's Common Application essay, this post asks you a question you will undoubtedly be asked when you arrive at university and being to meet new people. Here is your chance to prep for that moment. You meet your new room mate and what do you say? Most people say something like "Hi, I'm Kimo Kapuana and I'm from the Big Island." I'm curious, most of you have lived in several different countries, speak two, three, or seven different languages and have more than one passport. So, do tell, how do you answer "Where are you from?"
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Post #18 Open a New Window
Due Wednesday, 30. January 2013
"Open a new window, open a new door. Travel a new highway, that's never been tried before, before you find you're a dull fellow, punching the same clock, walking the same tightrope as everyone on the block." So begins a song from the Broadway musical Mame. When you begin a new chapter in your life next year, you have looked at what you want to keep, what you want to leave, and what you most assuredly DO NOT want to try. Now tell me what one new thing you DO WANT to try. Maybe you want to major in Physics and plan to spend 90 hours each week in an underground lab. Hey, if that floats your boat, great. Yay, you. But I want you to toss brand new ideas around here: this Physics major might never have played sports before, but has always wondered "what does Salman do out on that golf course for hours at a time? Salman is a fun guy, golf must be fun, I'd like to try it." Colleges have TONS of activities, clubs, trips, sports, - you name it - just for your testing. What's your secret passion?
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Post #17 - Knowing what you don't want
Due Wednesday, 23 January.
Thomas Edison was working on his idea for an electric light bulb, when he was queried by a NY Times reporter about the seemingly incredible difficulties associate with his work rebutted, “I have not failed 700 times. I’ve succeeded in proving 700 ways how not to build a lightbulb.”
My question for you is this: what have you decided NOT to major in at university and why have you eliminated this (or these - but no more than 2, please) subject?
Thomas Edison was working on his idea for an electric light bulb, when he was queried by a NY Times reporter about the seemingly incredible difficulties associate with his work rebutted, “I have not failed 700 times. I’ve succeeded in proving 700 ways how not to build a lightbulb.”
My question for you is this: what have you decided NOT to major in at university and why have you eliminated this (or these - but no more than 2, please) subject?
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Post # 16 What to Leave Behind
Due: Wednesday, 16. January
You have struggled to decide what to take with you as you move into the world on your own. Now I want you to look the other way. What is the one thing you are the most ready to give up. It may be something at home, school, or the city. It may be physical. It may be metaphysical. What ONE thing are you looking forward to leaving behind you as you cross that stage and take your future in your hand?
You have struggled to decide what to take with you as you move into the world on your own. Now I want you to look the other way. What is the one thing you are the most ready to give up. It may be something at home, school, or the city. It may be physical. It may be metaphysical. What ONE thing are you looking forward to leaving behind you as you cross that stage and take your future in your hand?
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Post # 15: Resolved to Remain the Same
Due 9. January 2013
2013 will be packed full of major life changes for all of you: graduation, leaving home, starting college, meeting new people, living in a different country where you will be surrounded (most of you) with English both inside and outside of school. Exciting stuff. Scary stuff. There's an old saying "the more things change, the more they remain the same." Choose one thing in your 2013 year and explain how and/or why you will strive to have it remain the same.
2013 will be packed full of major life changes for all of you: graduation, leaving home, starting college, meeting new people, living in a different country where you will be surrounded (most of you) with English both inside and outside of school. Exciting stuff. Scary stuff. There's an old saying "the more things change, the more they remain the same." Choose one thing in your 2013 year and explain how and/or why you will strive to have it remain the same.
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