6: Too Many Straws

Straws x Straws = TOO MANY STRAWS!

What shall we as a nation, as a state, as an individual do about this over-consumption of straws?

5: Spring Is Here! Summer...on its way...

My teacher...oh, that would be I...assigned this topic:  My Favorite Season.  Really?!  Does she not understand all the seasons on which I could dwell?!  Spring.  Summer.  Fall. Winter.  Basketball season.  TV season of The Walking Dead?!  I used to reply to this question, though, with, "Spring.  Of course."  Until I read this short story "On Summer."  Go ahead...and click that link...and read...I will wait.

Change your mind?  Hummmm.....

First, why do I LOVE spring so much?

Now, why do I RESPECT summer so much?

4: My Favorite Song

I hear all the time, "I hate poetry."  Well...maybe not that strong of a wording:  "I do NOT like poetry."  Right.  Then, when asked about love of music...the tune changes!  That's right...one cannot love one without loving the other!  Now...in honor of National Poetry Month...how to narrow that playlist down to one....

"We Are the World"

There comes a time
When we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all

We can't go on
Pretending day-by-day
That someone, somewhere soon make a change
We're all a part of God's great big family
And the truth, you know, love is all we need

We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me

Oh, send them your heart
So they know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread
And so we all must lend a helping hand

We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving
Oh, there's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me

When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Well, well, well, well let us realize
Oh, that a change can only come
When we stand together as one, yeah, yeah, yeah

We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me

_______________________________________

Why this song?  Journey with me back to 1985...when I was a senior in high school.  This song was so popular then.  So popular, our class chose this song to be sung during our graduation celebration.  We all gathered at the front...and shared our version with our families and friends.  Did we measure up to this version?  Only in our parents' eyes!

I also appreciate the intent of the song:  to increase awareness of 

8: Verdicts

Introduction (Hook + Thesis)  The judge's gavel slams down.


Body 1:  The Tom Robinson case most affected Jem.

Body 2:   "District of Columbia v. Keller" was a more modern case that has similar effect.  In this decision, people were even more guaranteed their second amendment rights:  the right to protect themselves by owning weapons.

4: Symbolism in Chapter 8

In chapter 8 of To Kill a Mockingbird, the reader experiences several instances of people reaching out to help others.  What is amazing about these....  These also actions also symbolize...

One example of this symbolism is

In my life, this reminds me of the time, while on the way to school, my daughter and I stopped to assist two ladies in two burning cars.

OR

In my life this reminds me of Mr. Larry, a man with whom I attend church...

In conclusion...

Effects of Stories

Thesis:  Stories have negative and positive effects on culture.

Paragraph 1

         Stories have negative effects on culture.  One negative effect would be...  This means...  For example...  Another negative effect of stories on culture often is...  For example... This also means...  Therefore, in conclusion, ...

        Stories more often has positive effects on culture.  One such positive effect would be...

3: My Early School Years

In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout has early memories of school that resulted in some painful reflections.  Unlike Scout, I always enjoyed school...loved those years.  Take a journey with me back in time...to Mammoth Spring Elementary School...where my earliest memories of 40+ years of education all began.

Headstart brings back memories of that then unwanted nap and missing school for about two weeks.

First grade...sitting on the back row...

Second grade...Mrs. Estes...

Third grade...overhearing my teacher talking about my test scores in the hallway to another teacher...

Fouth grade...Mrs. McMillian...

Fifth grade..."You can do this.  None of my kids accomplished this, but you can."

Sixth grade...Mrs. King...