VACATION

Today you will write about the word VACATION.  What does vacation mean to you?

Perhaps you will write about a specific vacation that you have already taken because this is what you think of when the word vacation is mentioned.  Maybe you will write about what you imagine a vacation should or would be like.  And maybe for you vacation just means doing something different from the normal stuff, like going to SeaBreeze or just having a day off of school!

Whatever you decide to write about make sure you give the reader plenty of details!  For example, if you say, "It is fun...." then follow up with a specific example of something fun you did!  If you say, "It is hot"....then tell the reader how hot it is and how does it make you feel?  Always give examples to explain general words like: I love it, it's fun, it's beautiful..., etc.

Help the reader to really understand what vacation is like for you!

I can't wait to "go on your vacation" when I read your post!!!

PS.  REMEMBER to go back and edit AFTER you freely write your post.

HAVE FUN!

Home Alone

Often children are left at home alone for different reasons.  What is your perspective about this and at what age do you think it is appropriate?

In today's blog post, we will consider the topic of cheating. After reading the following article, respond to the post with

• three examples of cheating in the context of school. Feel free to use personal example.
• two examples that would not be considered cheating.
• make sure your ideas are clearly identified.  

Cheating in school is mostly about two things: dishonesty andbreaking the rules.

Another important thing to remember about cheating is that it applies to ALL your schoolwork. That includes:

• Tests and quizzes
• Homework assignments
• Group projects
• Reports and papers
• Extra credit work

Here are some examples of being dishonest and/or breaking the rules:

• Claiming that you did the work by yourself when you really didn't.
• Pretending you did work that you didn't do, or saying it's your work when it's really someone else's.
• On the flip side, doing another person's work for him, and letting him take credit.
• During a test, writing down answers beforehand, getting answers from other students, or helping others students answer questions.

It doesn't matter if the cheating affects your grades or not. It all counts. If you're faced with a situation and you're not sure whether or not it's really cheating, ask yourself:

• "Am I being honest to my teacher about how I did this work?"
• "Am I following all the rules that I know my school has about behavior and class work?"

If the answer is "no" to either -- or both -- of these questions, then you know you're cheating.


http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/school/cheating/article2.html

Zombie Homes

This is a picture of some Zombie homes in Rochester.  Zombie homes are those that are vacant and neglected.  Have you ever wondered about the homes that look like this?  Why do you think these homes are like this, and how do you think they got this way? What might be the story behind them? Also, what do you think happens to a neighborhood that has Zombie homes in them?

Cell Phone Use

At what age do you think someone should have a cell phone? Support your answer with reasons and examples.  After writing, checking, and publishing your answer, read your classmates' posts and respond to two of them.

Photographing Emotion

Look at this photograph for a while.
What emotion do you think is shown in this photograph?

What might be the story behind that emotion?

A Good Teacher

What qualities make up good teacher and why?