Serene Thoughts this Saturday....

I certainly hope we can find some serene thoughts this day. 

Because we are in the month of December, I thought it was time to start thinking about what happened in the world in 2012. I always love when the news reports include a photo montage of the year in review. This year I may feel differently.  Let's try to think about what happened this year starting way back in January 2012. Try to think about the second half of your 7th grade year and what events happened this past summer. September through December should be easy for you all because of your many current event assignments. This topic will take some research, I'm sure. It took me days and I have only scratched the surface.  We may even have to ask the content teachers like Mr. Eckert, Mr. Szot, Mrs. Buccella, and Mrs. Howanich. Who else would have a handle on the pulse of the world? Mr. Gordon? Maybe. I think he would know what new trivia questions have surfaced in 2012. I bet there are many. Mr. Rizzo or Mrs. Gross? Has there been any new information that would concern a mathematician or accountant?  There certainly have been many developments along those lines. Can you identify them? How about the economy?

I guess you will have to think about that now or even ask these knowledgable professionals. That's your task. I will post pictures, and I ask that you identify the event and the approximate time that it was in the news.

Celebrate.....

Let's say good bye......

In the news......

  

This is what we were watching...

You can add your own list.
 I will add my own favorite show. 

      The news always returns...... 

CNN Reports....

'Why? Why?': 26 dead in elementary school massacre

By Susan Candiotti and Chelsea J. Carter, CNN

updated 11:17 AM EST, Sat December 15, 2012

 

The year in review.......

Famous Quote Friday

Think about friendship. Here are a few famous people talking about their ideas on friendship. Choose one or more and explain. What do they mean and do you agree? Can you prove it? Find an example in real life.

Nobody sees a flower -- really -- it is so small it takes time -- we haven't time -- and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.- Georgia O'Keeffe

Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for ’tis better to be alone than in bad company.
~ George Washington




In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.
Aristotle




Without wearing any mask we are conscious of, we have a special face for each friend.
Oliver Wendell Holmes

An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.
Buddha

Friendship is one mind in two bodies.
Mencius

Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.
Muhammad Ali

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.
Albert Schweitzer

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.
Oprah Winfrey
Friendship with oneself is all important because without it one cannot be friends with anybody else in the world.

Who said the above quote? Not Oprah. Guesses anyone?

Time Travel Tuesday

It's time to take ourselves back to the 60's in honor of The Outsiders. Check the illustrations below and tell me what you think. Describe what you think it would have been like to live in the 1960's. Check the styles and the activities. I will look for some musical groups, movies, and favorite TV shows of teens so you can get a real feel for the time period and what our characters in The Outsiders were experiencing.

Guys in Madras...


The London influence for girls...


Peace...

Hippies.....

and



A 1969 crossing...



In the movies...


TV...











The Greasers...


and The Socs...



Was it harder to be a teen in the 60's or is it more difficult now? Explain.

Think about your own personality, likes, and dislikes. Would you have fit in during this time period? Why or why not?

BTW...This is my favorite blog post yet. I could go on and on with pictures. Have fun with it.

Famous Quote Friday

Our writing focus this marking period will be explanatory essays. The best way to start is with an interesting quote. I am sure you have all learned a format for this essay that you used in 7th grade. Nothing is set in stone and there are many different possibilities for setting up this type of essay. You have to use what works for you. Create your own writing style. The most important thing to remember is to let your own voice shine through.

Below you will find the quote I would like you to consider.

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.”

Here is an additional option below.


Write about the format you would use to develop this quote as an essay. How many paragraphs would be necessary? What's the first logical step for paragraph one? Two? More?

Let 's see what you already know. It may save us some time. Now express your thoughts about this quote.

World Wide Wednesday

What's happening in the world today? Read the paper or search the Internet. Let us know what you find that is news worthy. Let's share the news. Make sure it's real, though.

Hoax 9/11 charity ordered to repay $121K in donations

By Christopher Baxter/Statehouse BureauThe Star-Ledger
on November 19, 2012 at 11:37 AM, updated November 19, 2012 at 12:00 PM www.nj.com

 

  

What's going on in your town after Sandy?  www.app.com

Worry-free Weekend

Relax.  You made it through marking period one of your 8th grade year. 

Nice job, everyone, on all the blog comments. It was good to see that many of you took this new experience seriously. I saw great ideas for both reading and writing coming from each of you who shared.

Take a break from commenting for this weekend. You can look forward to more topics next week as we find new avenues to explore in Integrated Language Arts.

Monday you will visit the library for a fantastic book fair, and also you can choose your new free reading book. Read the book jackets and search for a book with an interesting setting and characters who are able to deal with conflict.

You will have a challenging project at the end of marking period two. This will be another chance to showcase your many talents.