Class of 2021 -- Blog #9 Looking Back . . .

It has often been said that "hindsight is 20/20," and this means that we often see things more clearly when we look back on them.  We seem to understand what we should have done or should have said, in contrast to what we really did. 

Our lives are often like that in many ways.  We go through a season or period of time, doing the best we can; however, once that period of time is history, we look back on it a bit differently.  We look back on knowing all of the big picture, and many times, we realize that we wish we had that time back again.

In a very few days, you will all be ending out a season of your life.  Your days as a middle school student will be complete.  (Yay!)  For some of you, your time at Goodpasture is ending, as well.  You will be going to a new school; you will be moving to a new state; you will be moving on to a new place in your lives.  For all of you, you will be starting a new chapter in your lives, as high school students. 

For our final blog of this year, I want you to look back and reflect on the last ten months.  It doesn't really seem that long since I was going over the year's syllabus with you and collecting green, blue, yellow and red folders.  You now have 20/20 hindsight of your 8th grade year. 

If back in August, you would have known all that you know now, would you have changed anything?  Would you have tried some things differently?  Would you have studied harder and tried to do better academically?  Would you have tried to have been a better friend or a better example to those around you? 

Please respond to these questions in five complete sentences for FIVE (5) extra credit points.  This blog will close at midnight on Friday, 5/12. 

We don't need to get caught up in living in our pasts, but we can all learn from our past experiences.  I hope all of you have a great summer!  Don't forget to come back and see me next year! 

Love always --

Mrs. Sweet

P.S.  Don't forget to -- WRITE ON! 

Class of 2021 -- Blog #8 -- Washington, DC 2017

One of the highlights of 8th grade is the annual trip to Washington, DC, and you guys are there right now!  It is a fun-filled, action-packed, non-stop four days in our nation's capital.  There is so much to see and experience, and students always make life-time memories on this trip.

From the 4:00 AM airport arrival . . .

to the historic Fort McHenry . . .

to the beautiful monuments and memorials and the White House . . .

your first day seems successful!   The teachers, family and friends back home certainly enjoy getting updates through emails, texts and social media posts.  The next few days are going to be amazing for you!  Soak it in, and realize what an honor it is to be part of so many historical things! 

Enjoy the rest of your trip, and then take a moment to reflect?  What was your favorite part of the trip?  What location held the most meaning for you?   Did you have enough time to experience it all? What memories of this trip will last a lifetime?  (These can be serious or funny, but should be appropriate, of course!)  For FIVE extra credit points, please respond with at least FIVE complete sentences.  

Responses should be posted by midnight on Friday, 4/7.  See you soon!  Write on!

Class of 2021 -- Blog #7 -- The Light at the End of the Tunnel . . . !

It is really hard to believe, but our 8th grade year together is quickly drawing to a close.  By the end of this week, you will have completed 75% of 8th grade, with only one nine-weeks' grading period remaining.

It seems like only yesterday, that we were talking about Johnny Tremain, Animal Farm and creating amazing pumpkin projects!

We were getting ready for the holidays and having a fun time with students at Stratton!

We were hoping for snow days, and getting none, while we muddled through research projects, presentations and reading Julius Caesar!

Now, here we are!  It's the end of March, and we can see the light at the end of the proverbial 8th grade tunnel!

So, here's the question.  How are you going to make the last 25% of your 8th grade year the best?  How are you going to improve grades (not just English!)?  How are you going to enjoy time with friends?  How are you going to do your best in all aspects of life?

Please respond in TWO to THREE complete sentences for TWO extra credit points.  Remember these are weighted like tests, so it's really like SIX extra points in your cumulative total!  This blog will close on Friday, 3/3/17 at midnight!  WRITE ON!!

Class of 2021 -- Blog #6 -- Where's the SNOW??

We've been waiting and waiting; hoping and hoping; wishing and wishing!  We've watched for the SnowBird, but he's not flying; we've worn our pajamas inside out with no luck; we've done snow dances and looked just plain silly! So . . . where's the snow?

 Really?  Thousands of feet (well, not exactly!) up north, and that's just not fair!  Almost no snow for Tennessee this year! Temperatures have been mild -- even warm -- for much of our "so-called" winter!  We've been robbed of a full snow day!  (True, we got out early one day, but we've still been robbed!)

 
We've all got spring fever, and it's only the middle of February! It is quite disheartening!  We need a break from school!  (Yes, even the teachers!)

So, we ponder the meaning of life, and why we have not been blessed with any snow days!

Alas, there is hope!  Monday, February 20th is a HOLIDAY!  We get a long weekend!  Finally!
How will you spend your long weekend?  Shopping?  Sleeping?  Roadtrip?

For three extra credit points, write THREE complete sentences explaining how you will spend the approximate 89 hours of your long weekend!  This blog will close on Tuesday, 2/21/17 at midnight.

Enjoy your little break, even though we all still want SNOW!

Class of 2021 -- Blog #5 -- Your Christmas Wish for the World

It's almost December -- my favorite month of the year!  This semester is quickly drawing to a close, and we are only a few short weeks away from Christmas!  Lists have been made, and shopping has begun.  Trees are being decorated, and stockings are being hung on mantles!  It's the most wonderful time of the year!  (Hey, that sounds like a song!!) 

 All of us love the presents and frivolity of the season -- of course!  However, when we really think of the season, there is so much more.  If we really look at our "needs" vs. our "wants," I would guess that there are few things that many of us really need.  We have so much -- what more could we really need?

In our world, there is so much turmoil.  There is so much stress.  There is so much hurt.   Wouldn't it be great, if we could just wrap up a present - a wish?  What if we were able to make things go away; or we could make things better?  Don't you wish we could make things happier?

 

 That is your quest for this blog response.  If you could grant a Christmas wish for the world, what would it be?  Wishes are "big-picture" things.  Your wish must be realistic and wholesome, although maybe not truly possible.   Your wish must make the world a better place. 

 

So, what would your Christmas wish for the world be?  Please write a minimum of FIVE sentences for FIVE extra credit points.  This blog will close on Friday, 12/16.  

Merry Christmas to you all!  Write on! 

Class of 2021 -- Blog #4 I Am Thankful . . . My "Top 5"!

November is here, and it is finally beginning to feel like autumn.  This is my favorite season of the year, and one of those reasons is because of Thanksgiving.

We truly have so much for which to be thankful, and I'm afraid that sometimes we possibly take so many of our blessings for granted.  We always need to be mindful of the MANY ways in which God blesses our lives.

What are the "Top 5" things for which you are thankful?

Here are mine:

• My family is so very special to me,and I thank God for them every day.
• I am so thankful to be healthy in a world full of people who are struggling with cancer and other diseases.
• I sometimes forget that one of the greatest blessings for which to be thankful is that fact that God loved ME enough to send His Son, Jesus, to this world to die for my sins.  Wow!  What a blessing! 
• I'm so very blessed to be part of Goodpasture Christian School.
• I'm thankful for each one of my students -- past and present.  You are all very special, and I cannot wait to see what life holds for each of you.  

Your blog responses are worth FIVE (5) extra credit points, IF you follow these guidelines:

Post in at least FIVE complete sentences -- but you may use bulletpoints. (You may use mine as a template.)  Also, please use proper spelling, punctuation and grammar, along with good sentence structure.

This blog will close on Thursday, November 24th (Thanksgiving Day) at midnight!

Happy Turkey Day!  Write on!

Mrs. S.

Class of 2021 -- Blog #3 What Is Your DREAM Vacation?

With fall break looming in the distance, it is hard to believe that we are now over halfway through the first nine weeks of 8th grade!  You will be freshman before you even know it!

For this blog response, I want you to think about where you might go on a "dream" vacation!  What if a budget was not an option?  You could go anywhere on earth that you wanted to go.  Where would that be?

Would it be to see something magnificent like the Grand Canyon?

What about somewhere tropical like the beaches of Hawaii or the Bahamas?

Perhaps, the Wild West??

Or, maybe somewhere cold and snowy that involved snowmobiles?

How about some true Mexican food south of the border?

Please respond with your choice of a dream vacation in at least two complete sentences.  Where would you go?  What would you do?  Why would that appeal to you.  This final blog of this nine weeks is worth TWO extra points!  Responses should be posted by midnight on Friday, September 23rd! 

Dream big!  Write on!