Goodbye 204

With the year almost over, I've been getting really 'emotional' and just wanted to say goodbye to everybody in 204. I've had many memorable experiences in this class and I won't forget what you guys have taught me. Keith, Echelon, Manar, Ian, Amanda, Brooklyn, Rich, Bruce, Glenn... I can't really list everybody, but you get the point. I'll miss you guys. Of course, I'd also like to thank Ms. Bunje for a wonderful year in this class.

-Nick Wright

I Think; Therefore I Care....

Since last week, the answers to many of your questions were thought-prooking, honest, reflective and well-written, I decided a few more good ones would serve you all well.
Keep in mind, these posts are private, they are read only by me and each of you and thatI will, as I did last time, answer them as well.
They are also a quiz grade, so take your time and THINK.

1. Do I ever settle for less than I know I deserve?  If so, why? If not, why?
2. Am I judgemental? 
3. Am I mostly positive or mostly negative about things? Why?
4. Do I pray only when I want something?
5. Do I have a high expectation of other people, and their actions?  If so, why? If not, why?

Think think think. And when you're done, think some more. <3

I Think; Therefore I Am

There is an old proverb that says, basically, if you cannot ask you cannot live. Well, it sounds deeper and more profound than that but I can't think of the exact wording.
Carefully consider the questions below, and do your best to reflect and answer them as honestly as possible.

1. What am I grateful for?
2.  Am I honest?
3.  What do I need to change about myself?
4.  Do I know what my talents are and do I utilize those talents?
5.  When I help someone, do I think, "what's in it for me?"

Again, answer honestly--no one will judge you, especially me.  In fact, I will answer them too.

Girls Rule, Boys Drool!!! ;)

In your opinion, what is the most unfair thing about being a male/female?
Include the differences that exist in perception, in reputation etc between the two sexes.

Quiz grade

The End is Near....

Thus far, what has been your most meomorable moment in the 2010-2011 school year? 
It could be sports-related, class-related, personally-related or whatever you feel stands out in your mind as the thing you will reflect on when the year is over.

(350-400 words/50pts)

What's On Your Mind?

Every week I ask you something that requires you to think. Many of you like that, some don't. It's understandable; sometimes we don't like looking that closely at ourselves for a variety of reasons. The thing is, though, if we ever want to grow as individuals, if we want to learn and expand our views of the world, of ourselves, of our situations, we HAVE to look deeply into the things that we are most afraid of.
This week, the question is a bit different.
While it does require some deep introspective thought, it also allows you an opportunity to get something that has been on your mind off your mind, if only for the time it takes to write it down.
So--what's on your mind?
This blog post requires at least 400-450 words.
:)  Love ya.

"Suffer the Little Children..."

At some point, I will probably write an OP about crappy childhood memories that shaped my life etc etc, blah blah blah...Everybody has a story and for better or worse, our childhoods are what set us on the path to adulthood. Sometimes the harder and more painful they are, the better off we become-- as crazy as that sounds.  Sometimes, the opposite happens. It all depends on the person, the memory, the childood etc.
So, this week, I would like you to dig deep and think about your most memorable childhood moment.
What was it?
Did it shape the way you look at things, the way you act toward people and the way you look at yourself?
Why?

Success

What is your definition of success?
How will you know if you have achieved it?  How did your definition of it come to be what it is?
Has it changed over the years?

If You Could Change the World....

Mohandas Ghandi once said:  "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
I've tried it--it's hard, but I keep trying. 
Change is hard. We already know this, and some of you will find out in a few months, change happens fast and comes at you when you least expect it.  But, for as scary as it can be, it also provides opportunities and opportunities are good.
So, let's think BIG PICTURE for a moment and step outside your daily life here in sunny ML or Mullica or AC or wherever you live.
Out of these three world-wide epidemics, problems or concerns, which one would you change and WHY.

1. WAR
2. RACISM
3. POVERTY

How would you change the once you choose?

Think carefully--this blog counts as a test grade.

350-400 words

My Turn

This week, at long last, we will be getting back to the fine art of debating. We will be in the library on Thursday and you will be looking up stats and articles on the legalization of prostitution and the prosecution of youth criminals as adults. Cheerful, huh?
We have been doing some work on public speaking and will continue to do so, and for this blog, I want you to get inside MY head for a change.  I want you to tell me why you think that I think it is so important to be a good speaker, to make logical decisions and to keep your emotions in check when you are doing either (speaking or deciding).  Is it because I don't like you and want to change you and your behavior? Do I think my way is smarter than your way?
So, based on everything you know about me (admittedly, that is not a lot but work with it), why do you think I do what I do and teach what I do especially given the fact that so many of you disagree with most of the things I say?
 As always, I'm listening...

The Plan

For the most part, kids are notoriously bad at planning for the future. It's one of the things that keeps a kid, well, kid-like I guess.
Now, this is a generalization and I don't mean to insult you Type-A folks who plan out your lives to the second because that feels better. I'm talking about kids as a rule--the norms not the exceptions. 

Our class is made up of 10th, 11th and 12th graders and all of you are at very important milestones in your lives: seniors obviously are getting ready to leave the halls of Oak and go and make their way in the world; juniors are getting ready for their last year of high school, and sophomores are gearing up for what most people (including me) say is the hardest and most important year of their academic careers.

So, my question for you this week is--do you have a plan?  If so, what is it?  If not, how come?

Mean What You Say. Say What You Mean. Sometimes it's Just Mean.

What is the worst thing you have ever said to someone? 
What prompted you to say it?  What were the circumstances surrounding the incident?  Are you sorry? Does anyone else know about it?
How would you feel if someone said the same thing to you?  If you knew that the things you say had a long-term effect on the people you say them to, would you still say them?  How do you feel when you hurt someone's feelings with words?  Many questions here, be sure to answer ALL of them

Human Nature is an Oxymoron

In your opinion is it more prevalent to see:

Good people trying to be bad?

OR

Bad people trying to be good?

Support your opinion with three valid reasons based on personal experience, things you see on tv and/or things others have told you.

Pride and Glory

Passion. Courage. Conviction (not the word that means convicted of a crime). These words are largely subjective--which means everybody's definition will be based on their own experiences and personalities. That said,  I would like you to look them up before you answer this week's blog question. Once you do that, consider the following:

1) What is it in your own life, this life that you have been given, that you would die for?

2)  What is your passion; what gives you courage; about what do you hold an unshakeable conviction?

 Once you answer those questions, go back to the original--what would you die for? Do your answers to the second set of questions fall in line with the first?

Overachiever? Underachiever? MidAchiever?

True or False?

You always do your best in everything you try.

Answer with complete honesty and talk about the reasons why that statement is true or false.

Study for Your Midterms

Dearest D&D babies,

Get off the computer and READ, STUDY and LEARN.
I expect excellent midterm grades, not just in my class but in all your classes.
Or else.

Thanks,
Bunj

Debate Time

Until we can get into the library to get to work on the Dream Team Debates, let's keep our argumentative natures in check and do some debating. You can pick whatever side you believe in, but you must provide three good reason for your position with details, which means when you sayYES or NO, you must give detailed supporting statements.

Here is the statement:

High schools should randomly test their athletes for drug use.  YES or NO?

Resolution Revolution

I hate New Year's Resolutions! I really do--I feel like they are set ups for imminent failure and who wants to fail?
So, this year, I didn't make a resolution, instead, I set a goal. I'm going to love Kristie Aaron forever. FOREVER. FoRevEr ;)  She wrote that, pay no mind to it.

So--I will tell you mine, but you have to tell me yours first.  What is your goal for the 2011? Go into detail and make sure you go in-depth about what you hope to achieve and what you think you are capable of doing AND what you have already done.
(300/350 words/60 pts)