Wishes

What is up my dear friends? Christmas is right around the corner, what have you asked Santa to bring you? If you had one wish he could fulfill, what would it be?

High Schoolers, Wow!

Hey guys, My daughter turned six months old on Saturday. I was reminiscing and pulled out the beautiful things you wrote to her. You are some special people. What an honor it was to have you. Misses Carr and I talk about our classes last year almost everyday.

I think you should come in and we should actually have class the day you come and visit.

This picture is the first time she ate cereal

Back to School

Well, the first week of school is in the books. To say we miss you is a true understatement. My question for all of you is What is your first impression of high school? Is lunch any good? Did anyone buy an elevator pass?

Old Friends

The summer is winding down and you will all be freshmen. As you embark on your journey, know that you are not alone. What are some of your fears entering high school? Are you excited about anything to do with Seneca?

If our class were to be made into a summer blockbuster, what would the title be?

Sometimes you feel like a nut!

Check Up

How is everyone so far this summer? Did everyone enjoy graduation? Has anyone read a good book or seen a great movie? Tranformers 2 was not good.

Sit Back and Unwind

What is the perfect summer day?

Future of Our Class

We are heading into our last week together and this has been one of the best school years I can remember. What are some of your highlights from class this year? What should the class be like in the future?

In the End...

What are your overall feelings regarding the conclusion of 19 Minutes? Did Picoult do the right thing killing off Peter Houghton? Was Matt deserving of Josie's "revenge?" Is this book important to teach to the incoming 8th grade class? If yes, why?

Never, Never, Never!

What are the three "nevers" of your life?

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own backyard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
you may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I'll rise.

What is your own source of strength? What helps you to rise above those that don't accept you? What inner qualities help you rise? (creativity, humor, passion for a hobby). Could Peter have benefited from this poem?

Important Lessons

What is the most important lesson, message, or advice that you have learned that you might pass on to others?

Dr. Wah and his Testimony

Dr. King, an expert witness for the defense, states that Peter was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of chronic victimization. "But a big part of it, too," he adds, "is the society that created both Peter and those bullies" (409). Do you think that society is partly to blame for Peter's actions as well as those of the bullies? Do you agree with this? Why or why not?

Is it ever too late to say your sorry? Is it easier to give or accept an apology?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said..
Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it.

"Love is the only thing that can save us"...Mr.G

Examine these quotes. Is there love without hate? Are there different kinds of love? Are there different kinds of hate?

Do I Care?

Because you’re so darn nice, you’ve decided to put together some care packages. Six lucky people will be getting a care package from you. In each of the care packages, there will be a book, a song, and a fortune cookie sized piece of advice.

Choose at least 2 of the following people, choose 1 book, 1 song, and a brief piece of advice to leave them. Explain why you chose the pieces that you did.

• 2 close friends
• 2 family members
• 2 fellow bloggers

If You Love Me...

In Nineteen Minutes, Josie is in an abusive relationship with Matt Royston. He repeatedly takes advantage of her under the pretense of love.

Some people believe that if a boy wants to have sex, his girlfriend owes it to him. What do you think about that idea? Do you agree or disagree? Why? How does that idea make you feel?

Peter's Theme

Compare the thoughts and feelings of Peter with the lyrics from the song, “I’m Just a Kid by Simple Plan”.




"I'm Just A Kid"

I woke up it was 7
I waited till 11
Just to figure out that no one would call
I think i got a lot of friends but I don't hear from them
What's another night all alone?
When your spending everyday on your own
And here it goes

[Chorus:]
I'm just a kid and life is a nightmare
I'm just a kid, I know that its not fair
Nobody cares, cause I'm alone and the world is
Having more fun than me
Tonight...

And maybe when the night is dead, I'll crawl into my bed
Staring at these 4 walls again
I'll try to think about the last time, I had a good time
Everyone's got somewhere to go
And they're gonna leave me here on my own and here it goes

I'm just a kid and life is a nightmare
I'm just a kid, I know that its not fair
Nobody cares, cause I'm alone and the world is
Having more fun than me

What the **** is wrong with me?
Don't fit in with anybody
How did this happen to me?
Wide awake I'm bored and I can't fall asleep
And every night is the worst night ever

I'm just a kid [repeat x5]

I'm just a kid and life is a nightmare
I'm just a kid, I know that its not fair
Nobody cares, cause I'm alone and the world is
Nobody wants to be alone in the world.

I'm just a kid and life is a nightmare
I'm just a kid, I know that its not fair
Nobody cares, cause I'm alone and the world is
Nobody wants to be alone in the world
Nobody cares, cause I'm alone and the world is
Having more fun than me tonight

I'm all alone tonight
Nobody cares tonight
Cause I'm just a kid tonight

Earlier this year we watched this clip from Rocky Balboa. We believe that this scene epitomizes the philosophy of this class. Rocky tells his son to go get what he is worth and don't make excuses for not succeeding. What are you worth as a person?

Did you know? The U.S. Bureau of Chemistry and Soils has one answer to the question, “what am I worth?” They have determined that the chemical and mineral composition of the human body is worth less than $5.00. Of highest value is the skin. The average person has between 14 to 18 square feet of skin, depending on his size, which is said to be worth about .25 cents a square foot.

This is a Tough One!

Do you recognize your true abilities? What are they? Do you know your flaws? What are they? Are you realistic about how others view you?

Judging Lives

The underlying question throughout this novel is whether or not one event should be used to judge a person and his life. Yes, in nineteen minutes Peter shot many classmates. This was a horrible act and one that he had to be punished for. Does this act negate all other aspects of Peter?

“When you begin a journey of revenge, start by digging two graves: one for your enemy, and one for yourself.” From Nineteen Minutes

Write a blog explaining your belief that seeking revenge can be justified or can never be justified. Support your thesis with examples from texts your have read, examples from the news, or your own experiences.