Blog #15 -- THE LAST ONE! HERE COMES SUMMER!

It's hard to believe, but we are two weeks away from summer break!  Our 8th grade year together is almost done!  I know you are all ready -- and believe it or not -- I AM READY TOO! 

For your final blog post and TEN (yes, 10!!) extra credit points (weighted as quiz points, btw!), please respond to the following question:

What ONE word best sums up your 8th grade year?  Use at least FIVE complete sentences to respond.   (Yes, I know you wrote about this in your journals, but I thought it would be fun to share!)

I hope you all have a great summer, and I know I'm going to hear GREAT things about you in high school!  (They better be only GREAT things, or I'll come find you!)

As always, write on!

Love,

Mrs. S

Blog #14 -- Military Appreciation Month

It's hard to believe that May is almost here!  The school year has flown by, and we only have a few weeks to go!  As we welcome May flowers and warmer weather, we also need to pause for a moment to say "thanks" to the men and women who serve in our military.  When we stop to think of the sacrifice that these individuals and their families make, we should really be appreciative of their sacrifices.

Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1999 to ensure the nation was given the opportunity to publicly demonstrate their appreciation for the sacrifices and successes made by our service members - past and present. Each year the president makes a proclamation, reminding Americans of the important role the U.S. Armed Forces have played in the history and development of our country.

Military personnel can be deployed (sent into an active location) for months at a time.  While this is their "job," it is much different from being a business owner, a teacher, or a police officer.  This job takes them away from their home and their loved ones for long periods of time.  There are no weekends off, and there are no "breaks" to be together with family.  This can be extremely difficult on the military personnel and the family members left behind.

In our 8th grade class, there have been several deployments of family members recently.  Blaine's mother was deployed in early April, and Reid's brother was also planning on deployment soon.
Many other individuals have friends or neighbors that have been deployed in recent weeks.

As individuals, friends and family, what are some ways that we might be a source of help or encouragement to families like this?  How could we encourage the military personnel that have been deployed to faraway places -- away from their families?  How could we help or encourage those family members here?

Explain three or four ideas that you think might be good ways to show Christian service in these areas.

Blog will be open from April 30th  - May 8th.  Your response should be a minimum of five sentences for five extra credit points.

Keep these families in your prayers!  Write on!

Blog #13 -- Spring Fever!!

Well, the verdict is in!  The doctor has spoken!  The truth is out!
Many of our 8th graders have come down with . . . SPRING FEVER!

What is it?  Is it contagious?  Is it curable?  Well, that depends.

First of all, what is it?  What are the symptoms?  Do you have any of these symptoms?
While some things associated with spring fever are harmless and fun, others may be detrimental to your health -- academic or otherwise.

"Spring fever" is defined as a feeling of restlessness and excitement felt at the beginning of spring.
Surges in energy, feelings of happiness and excitement and general restlessness are all symptoms.  Additional symptoms include: general distractibility, bad attitude, back-talking to teachers, an overall lack of interest in school, sudden loss of attention to homework, and a general urge to go have fun 24/7.   Sometimes a tendency to make poor decisions (in addition to those mentioned above) have been noted.  It has also been noted by several Goodpasture teachers and administrators that some of our students are exhibiting some of these symptoms.

Secondly, is spring fever contagious?  Definitely.  Persons should take careful consideration before following others' examples.  Don't let others lead you into things that you know are wrong.  A sure sign of a person with spring fever is becoming more of a follower than a leader.   It is fine to enjoy the fun activities of springs -- just don't overdo it!

Finally, is spring fever curable?  Yes!  Just hang on!  Continue to do your best.  Stay the course.  Just a few weeks of school left, and then your spring fever will give way to SUMMER BREAK!

Do you or someone you know have these symptoms?  If so, explain!  How can you combat this dreaded disorder for the final few weeks of school.  Be creative, (and nice!) and respond in at least five sentences for five extra credit points!

Blog will be open from Friday, April 10 - Friday, April 24th!  Write on! 

Blog #12 -- A Political Future??

Many of you are enjoying the beautiful and historic Washington D.C. this week.  I so enjoyed my trip there in 2011!  There is so much to see, it can be hard for your mind to take it all in.  I've enjoyed keeping up with you guys through various pictures posted on social media.  It looks like everyone is having a blast!  I'm so sorry that a few have been sick!  That's no fun!  Hopefully, everyone will get to enjoy the last couple of days!

One particular pic, that I think is so neat, is a group taking a "selfie" with Tennessee Senator Bob Corker.  (I found this particularly interesting since so many of you insisted on the yearbook survey that you don't do selfies!)  At any rate, Senator Corker actually posted this pic on his facebook site, and it is getting a lot of views.  Senator Corker calls you guys -- "our nation's future leaders".  How cool is that!

It's hard to believe, but this is so true.  In just a few short years, you will be out of high school (NO MORE IXL!); finishing up college; and deciding your path in life.  Some of you may end up back in Washington as a lobbyist, a senator, or even the president of the United States one day!  (If you do, you will be glad that your old 8th grade English teacher taught you how to speak and write properly!)

What about it?  Would you enjoy a career in politics?  Do you think you have what it takes to lead our city, state or nation?  What characteristics would make you successful?  Do you think a politician has an easy or difficult job?  Do you think it is important that voters choose good, moral individuals to represent them as political leaders?  Why or why not?  What would be some "pros" and "cons" of being a career politician?

Please respond to these questions in at least 5 complete sentences for FIVE extra credit points!
Responses should be completed by Friday, April 3rd at midnight.

Write on! 

Blog # 11 -- SNOW DAYS!!

Well, we finally got a snow day!  Actually, we got F'OUR of them!  Hopefully, we all enjoyed a full week off from school, and we will be ready to work hard for the next two weeks, before spring break!

I LOVE snow and cold weather!  This ice storm was so pretty!  Did you know snow storms are now actually named, like hurricanes and tropical storms?  The first snow storm to hit us was "Octavia," followed by "Pandora."  It looked like my back yard was made of crystal or glass.  I didn't leave my house for four solid days, and that was GREAT!  We sledded; rode four-wheelers; slept in late; and had fun just hanging out at home.  BTW -- back in 1975, we missed so much school due to snow, that we had to actually go longer during the week (7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.) and several eight-hour Saturdays!  We missed almost four weeks of school that winter!  Luckily, I don't think we will have to make any of our snow days up!   I'm glad we got a few days of though!  It was a blast!

Mrs. Sweet and Sadie

Mr. and Mrs. Sweet having some fun on the four-wheeler! 

So, what did you do during your "winter break"?  Did you go sledding? Sleep in late?  Could you get out of your driveway, or were you stuck?  Did you get bored?  Did you have electricity?  Did you make "snow cream"? 

Respond in at least five complete sentences for FIVE extra credit points!  All blog posts should be posted by midnight on Friday, February 27th.  This will be the last blog of this grading period!
Write on!! 

Blog #10 - Happy Valentine's Day!!

February is here, and we STILL HAVE HAD NO SNOW DAYS!!  Oh, well!  Next week we will be celebrating Valentine's Day!  This is a day that originated back in the fifth century!  Wow!  That's a long time ago!  Its meanings and traditions have changed through the years, but it's always a fun day!  Or is it??

Valentine's Day is associated with love.  It's not just romantic love, but love, in general!  For some that is great.  For some -- not so much!  Some people are "blue" on Valentine's Day because they don't have a boyfriend or girlfriend.  They may feel left out or alone.  Everyone wants to feel love and accepted! My advice on that is -- don't stress!  In time, most of us find love.  Until then, just enjoy life!  Remember -- you are only in 8th grade! 

Some people REALLY get all into Valentine's Day with romance, expensive gifts, trips, etc.  That may be going a little bit overboard, but whatever! 

Valentine's Day is associated with hearts!  Hearts full of candy!  Hearts full of love!  Hearts full of joy!  Not this kind of heart!  Yuck!

For some it's all about the CHOCOLATE!!  Chocolate hearts!  Chocolate cupcakes!  Chocolate kisses!  You name it, and Valentine's Day has it!  (Personally, this is one of my favorite things about the holiday!) 

So . . . what do you think of Valentine's Day?  Do you have anything planned for this year?  Have you heard of something neat someone else did for Valentine's Day?  What is your favorite part of the day, or is just another winter, February day?  Do you get Valentine's Day candy or gifts from your mom and dad?  (That's always cool!) 

Please respond to this post in three sentences for THREE extra credit points!  Blog will close on Saturday, February 14th at midnight!  Happy Valentine's Day! 

Blog #9 -- Winter Wacktivities!!

Well, students -- it is hard to believe that our second semester is upon us!  You are only one semester away from being in high school!  Woo! Hoo!  Way to go!

I know we are all hoping for a few snow days to get us through the next few weeks until spring break!

I love winter!

I love snow!

I love a variety of winter activities, some of which are a little wacky!

I love to build snowmen!  (Again, we need some snow!)

I love to make snow angels!

I love to make snow-cream!  (Note to self -- never use yellow snow!)

I love to snowmobile!  (Note to self -- "shift" when the driver says "shift" -- in order to avoid turning the snowmobile over!)

I love to ski!  (Note to self -- don't fall down and tear every ligament in your leg, plus break two bones!  Definitely, not a good day on the slopes!)

So . . . (those are ellipses!  Remember?)  What are some of the things that you like to do in winter?  Do you even like winter?  Why or why not?

Please respond in at least FIVE sentences for FIVE (yes, count 'em 1, 2, 3, 4,  5!)  extra credit points!
All responses should be posted by Friday, January 23rd!  Here's hoping for a snow day soon!