NY Times Article: "Being Dishonest About Ugliness"

Being Dishonest About Ugliness

Jet:  "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?"

How To Topics

1-2 Hour Topics

Logan: basketball spin
Adam: how to do tricks on the Diablo
Leah: how to do a back hand spring
Eden: how to ride a unicycle
Jacob: how to make walnut cookie dough
Lydia: how to draw an anime person
Hailey: how to make chocolate chip cookies
Lexi: how to paralyze a rabbit
Justice: how to make a fishtail bracelet
Jaren: how to make origami ninja stars
Britain: how to make a smoothie
Lily: how to do a fishtail braid
Thomas: the basics of drumming
Luis: how to juggle a soccer ball
Hannah: how to do an ariel
Kaylee: how to do a dutch braid
Jeremiah: how to make an origami sword
Abby G: how to make an origami box
Lilly: how to make an envelope
Abby: how to do a round-off
Davis: how to dunk a basketball
Mia: how to make a bowl out of chocolate
Erica: how to make a clay charm
Matt: how to make an origami dragon
Aaron: how to make an origami frog
Jaxyn: how to build a ball with magnaformers
Gracie:
Izzy: how to make a stress ball

5-6 Hour Topics

Eva:  how to bake chocolate chip cookies
Jordan:  how to juggle a soccer ball
Kylee:  how to make oobleck
Gage:  how to make silly putty
Dallas:  how to spin a basketball on your finger
Sariah:  how to care for rabbits
Sylvester:
Talia:  how to make a smoothie
Cole:
Lucy;  how to make sugar cookies
Brinley:  how to make tangle-free headphones
Kyler R:  how to play hockey
Dax:  how to play __________ on the ukulele
Taysen:  how to beat box
Ben:  how to throw a football
Lilly:
Griffin:  how to ripstick
Audrey:  how to sing
Mia:  how to do the butterfly stroke
Vee:  how to draw a bird
Ava:  how to do a serve in tennis
Chels:
Kyler B:  how to do a kandama
Mabey:  how to make a bowl out of chocolate
Shaun:  how to do a purler bead design
Ella:  how to draw a wolf
Jack:  how to make snicker doodles
Savanna:

How To Essay

Write a 2-3 paragraph essay explaining how to do something.  Tell about each stage of the process.  Choose a topic that is unique and interesting, and one that you could demonstrate to the class.

What's News with You?

What’s News with You?

            January 13^th will be a special day this year for the Kempton family.  Audrey, (alias “Squeaky” or “Peaches,”) the newest member of the Kempton clan, will be celebrating her first birthday. 

            “We’re not doing the big, themed party,” her mother, Jessica Kempton, says.  “Just a simple cake at our house with some family and friends.” 

            The birthday will mark one in a long list of milestones that Audrey has achieved.  Earlier this month, to her parent’s delight, she took her first steps.  Additionally, she has been completely weaned and now eats only “people food.”  Her mom and dad also gleefully report that she sleeps through the night like an angel. 

           “It’s been a great year,” Jessica Kempton concludes. “I can’t wait to celebrate the birth of my darling baby girl.”

Assignment requirements:  

-Must be at least one paragraph (5-7 sentences)

-Must answer the essential news questions: who what when where why

-Must include at least one quote (can be yourself!)

-Must sound "newsy" 

Diary Prompts

For when you're stumped.....

1. My favorite way to spend the day is...
2. One moment I'll never forget is...
3. Write a list of 30 things that make you smile.
4. The words I'd like to live by are...
5. I couldn't imagine living without...
6. I really wish others knew this about me...
7. Name something kind you've done for a friend recently.  Next, write about how you could do that same kindness for yourself.
8. Write about a time you enjoyed working at something.
9. Write about your crush.
10. Using 10 words, describe yourself.
11. What is bothering you lately?
12. What can you learn from your biggest mistake?
13. What is a question that you need answered?
14. What is something that you wish you had the guts to say?

Pronoun Practice

Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Test 4
Test 5
Test 6