Blog # 8 -- Merry Christmas!!!

Well, students --

The first semester is almost history!  It's been an interesting year so far, and I've really enjoyed getting to know you all!  I look forward to second semester, but not until after a nice Christmas break!

I wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season!  I hope you enjoy your time off, and have a great Christmas!

I have it on good authority that Santa just may read this blog!  So here's your chance! 

What is on your Christmas list?  What is the thing you want most for Christmas?  What are you most looking forward to during the holidays?  Do you have a special trip planned, or are friends and family coming to visit? What are your favorite family traditions of Christmas? 

Please respond in three to four sentences for 3 bonus points!  Responses will be due by Friday, 12/19!  Merry Christmas! 

Blog # 7 -- How 'bout those RESEARCH PAPERS!!!

It is hard to believe, but your research papers are almost finished!  I am very proud of the hard work and effort that most students have put into this very time-consuming and important project!  From what I have seen, these papers are well researched and well written.  I look forward to reading all of them over the next several weeks!

I hope that you feel a sense of accomplishment with the completion of this major task.  If you worked hard and diligently on the paper, you have every reason to be proud of your work.  If you did not do your best work, you really need to stop and consider why.  You will have innumerable tasks before you in your future, and you need to truly create good habit in making sure you accomplish them!

For three extra credit points, please respond to these questions:

1.  Did you enjoy researching your paper topic?  Why or why not?

2.  Did you feel that our process was clear and easy to understand?

3.  What did you like about the project?

4.  What would you change about the project, if you were the teacher?  (Not having a research paper is NOT an option btw!)

Your response should be stated in 3 to 4 complete sentences!  Responses are due by Friday, 12/12.

Have a good day!

Mrs. S

Blog # 6 -- Why Is It SOOOO Dark Outside?

In case you are wondering, it is not just your imagination!  It really IS dark outside earlier these days!  Do you know why?

We have recently diverted from Daylight saving time (DST).  This is also knows as summer time, and it is the practice of advancing clocks during the late spring and summer months by one hour so that the sunlight is extended a bit during the early evening hours.  Typically, users of DST adjust the clocks forward in the spring and adjust them backwards again in the autumn.  You may have heard the saying -- "Spring forward and fall back!"  This is an easy way to remember which way to set your clock at the various season!  So, we are now in standard, regular or normal time, and that is why our daylight hours are darker!

DST was originally used for farmers and other agricultural business to have the premium daylight hours needed for harvesting crops.  Today, most of us just usually enjoy the long, lazy days of summer without really thinking of the reason those days seem to last a little longer.

In Nashville, the normal sunset for this time of year can be as early as 5PM.  It is pitch dark by 6PM, and we actually feel like we should be ready for bed by 7PM!  So what do you think??

Do you like DST or normal time?  Why?
Do you think there just be a standard time year round?  Why or why not?
Have you ever really thought about it?
Do you really even care?
Does it matter?


Respond in 3 or 4 sentences for 3 extra credit points!  Happy writing!  

Blog #5 -- Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Well, the baseball season is almost over!  It has quickly drawn to a close, but not before the top two teams struggle it out to be named as the top team of the year!  Tonight begins the 2014 MLB World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals! Will you be watching??

The Sweet family is a baseball family, and we LOVE the game!  Mr. Sweet is in California this week, which even adds to the excitement!  (Not that he is pulling for the Giants AT ALL!  He likes the Royals!)  

Will you be cheering on the Giants or the Royals?  Do you even like baseball, or could you care less?  What team do you WISH had made it to the series? 

For three extra credit points, please create a blog response.  In three to four sentences, answer the questions above!  Use creativity and proper English, spelling and punctuation in your answers.  Blog will close at midnight on 10/31/2014 (HALLOWEEN!) 

Blog Post #4 -- Fall, Festivities and Fun

Students, it is hard to believe that the first quarter of 8th grade is almost over!  Our fall break is less than two weeks away! 

With the coming of October this week, we are entering into MY FAVORITE SEASON!  I love the colors of fall -- fully ablaze with oranges, yellows, reds and browns!  Fall brings on football too!  Go, Vols! Go, Titans!  Although both could be doing a bit better, in my opinion!  Sitting by a bonfire is one of my favorite activities of fall!  Roasting marshmallows and just enjoying the new cool, crispness in the air is my idea of relaxation! 

The aroma of fresh apples, spicy cloves and juicy pumpkins fill our home during the fall!  Scarecrows, jack-o-lanterns, twinkling lights, and fall leaves are scattered throughout, creating a autumn harvest of fun for the family!   Yummy cider and harvest cakes warm our tummies during the next few weeks!  Trick - or - treaters will squeal with delight at all the goodies they get at the SWEET home!  Not just one or two pieces, but a sugar feast awaits all the little ghosts and goblins who dare to come to our front door! 

Thanksgiving is on its way, and that means the Christmas holidays are also close, at hand!  So, can you tell I LOVE AUTUMN!!! 

What are some of your favorite fall activities?  Do you have family traditions that involve a trip to the mountains?  Do you like NFL?  What is YOUR team?  What's your favorite autumn food? 

Fill me in on your fall favorites!  Three to four sentences posted by October 11th will add a SWEET 3 points extra credit to your grade!

Happy fall, ya'll!

Blog Post #3 -- Purpose!

It's hard to believe that we are in the middle of the fifth week of school!  Time certainly flies when you are having fun!  The year is off to a great start, and I feel so blessed to be your English teacher! 

As we have discussed, our spiritual emphasis theme this year is PURPOSE!  We've talked about this in class, and we've written about it in our journals.  The Biblical text for this theme comes from Romans 8:28 -- And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

We ALL have a purpose in life.  Sometimes we may have challenges in really understanding what that purpose may be.  At times, it seems that our purposes may change.  Sometimes we may really wonder WHAT IS MY PURPOSE?  DO I REALLY EVEN HAVE ONE? 

Please respond to this blog by summarizing your thoughts about the following:

• Do you feel that YOU have a purpose in life.  If so, what is it?  If not, why?

• What do YOU think that scripture means?  Can you apply it in your everyday life?  How?

• Have your ever questioned God's purpose for you?  How did you handle that?  

Your response should be three to four sentences for 3 extra credit points!   All responses should be posted by Friday, 9/26!  (If there are any glitches with posting, please see me!  You should be able to post once site directs you to set up a temporary blogger profile.  Your blogger profile should be your first name with your last initial -- ie.  CharlieB.)  

Blog #2 -- Social Media

Hello, 8th graders!  I hope you have had a restful weekend, and you are ready for your summer reading tests this week!

This blog post deals with "Social Media".  It seems that social media rules out lives!  From Twitter to Instagram to Snap-Chat to Facebook, we tend to communicate with one another 24/7!  We also constantly watch Vimeo, Vines, and YouTube!  It just never ends!

What are your thoughts about social media?  Are you involved in it?  If so, what sites?  If not, why?

Do you think communicating via social media is a good thing?  

Do you think people can actually become addicted to social media sites?  

What are some of the dangers of social media and teenagers?  (or adults?)  

Do you think social media can be used for good?  For bad?

In order to get 5 extra bonus points you need to respond in a full 5 - 8 sentence summary paragraph, responding to the above questions! (Responses with incorrect format will not receive the bonus points!) 

Blog entries should be posted no later that September 3rd! 

Blog #1 -- Welcome to 8th Grade!

Welcome to the 8th grade!  This will be an exciting year as you prepare for high school!  We have a lot of work to do, but also a lot of fun along the way!

Blogging is a relatively new idea! We will use this blog as a means of communication between us as students, classmates and teacher!  This will give us a better chance to get to know one another too!  You will need to check the blog often because there will be extra credit opportunities on here, and these will be very time sensitive! 

When responding to the blog, please let me know who you are.  If you don't want to "follow" the blog, simply state your first name, with last initial and class, along with your response.   For example, if your name is Charlie Brown, and you have my class 3rd period, you would simply respond something like this:

Charlie B. (3) Mrs. Sweet -- I totally agree with your point of view!  I really enjoyed learning this information!  It was awesome! 

or

Charlie B. (3) Mrs. Sweet, I really don't agree with your opinion of the book.  I feel like the author is really trying to . . . 

Get it?  Each blog entry comment will give you "1" extra credit point that will be calculated into your total points for the 9 week grading period.  You may NOT comment more than once per extra credit opportunity for actual extra credit!  You are welcome to comment as much as you'd like though!   As well, comments should be positive, helpful and appropriate. 

Okay -- here is your first extra credit assignment:

What is blogging?
Do you write or read blogs on a regular basis?  If so, which one(s)?
Why or why not?

All responses should be posted by August 22nd!