Considering the Wisdom of Humanitarians

Now that you have almost completed your web quest for our Citizens of a Global Community theme, you have an idea about some of the work that humanitarians have done toward human rights. Take a moment to reflect on some of the wise words shared by humanitarians such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela.

·         Read each quote.

·         Choose the quote that resonates most strongly with you.

·         Write about what you think the quote means and how it can relate and provide wisdom for real life today.

·         Consider how young adolescents can benefit from the wisdom of these humanitarians.

Be the change you want to see. (Gandhi)

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. (Eleanor Roosevelt)
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. (Martin Luther King)

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. (Nelson Mandela)

Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty. (Mother Teresa) 

A Second Chance?

In A Christmas Carol, Scrooge’s experiences with the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future offer him a second chance to get it right. Based upon what you know about Scrooge’s behavior and attitude, do you think he was deserving of this opportunity? Why or why not? Explain with details from the text.

Creative Problem Solving

Now that you are almost at the end of the Creative Problem Solving Process, it is time to reflect. Consider the steps of the process and how they have helped you to come to a conclusion for the problem you identified. What skills were involved in the process? Which skills were most difficult? Which skills came easily for you? What did you learn, not just about the Titanic, but about thinking and evaluation, in general? How can this kind of thinking help you in other parts of your life?

Titanic

As we have learned, it was 100 years ago when the heralded Titanic went down on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic. We have also learned that there are two sides to the  Titanic story. The most popular Titanic story is one that we know and romanticize. However, there is also a side to the story that involves mystery, undiscovered secrets, tragedy, and  conspiracy. In this blog post, share a few ideas about what you have learned from your informational reading and research about the Titanic. Consider your discovery moments and questions you now have about the Titanic.  

GA Peach Author Tour

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting the GA Peach Author Tour. Authors S.R. Johannes, Jennifer Jabaley, and Vicky Alvear Schecter joined us to share ideas about writing and their experiences as professional authors of tween and young adult fiction and non-fiction literature. We learned so much. In this blog post, comment on either your favorite aspect of the tour or a technique that you learned and can add to your writer’s toolbox.

Reflecting on The Westing Game

As your reading of The Westing Game draws to a close, take a moment to reflect. Since its creation several decades ago, Ellen Raskin’s work has been a crowd pleaser for its fun and intricate plot, well-developed characters, and witty observations. It is the kind of book that is timeless and never forgotten once experienced.

Write about your personal reader response and experience of reading The Westing Game. Who has been your favorite character? Why? What most endeared you to this character? What aspect of the book most intrigued you as a reader? What, if any, lessons could a reader take away from such a book? As a writer, what lesson could you learn from Ellen Raskin’s technique in creating The Westing Game?

MOYA

Did you know that October is MOYA---the month of the young adolescent ? No one has to tell you that adolescence is an exciting and sometimes confusing time of discovery in the human life. Use this blog post to share your ideas about adolescence. Consider how life has changed for you in the past several years. How do you expect it will change in the near future? What does it mean to be an adolescent in 2012? What are the likes, dislikes, and crazy obsessions of the adolescent? What are the fears, hopes, and dreams of today’s adolescent? Consider, also, what special qualities adolescents have that others don’t.