What Would YOUR Verse Be?

I was thinking about you today. We've been asking the questions all year, "Who are you?" and "What hope is there for me?" And you explored the answers to those questions in your personal memoirs, and your argument essay, in your realistic fiction stories and in your poetry. We've talked about your writing being a Time Capsule of who you were in 7th grade - your passions and pet peeves, your dreams and frustrations. I saw this video today, and as I said, I thought of you. If you and your friends made a video "On Being 12 (or 11 or 13)" I wonder what YOU would say. What do you think of the comments from these kids? Why don't you make your own version?

Team RLA7 2014

Never before in history, has there been such a professional and passionate (not to mention gorgeous) group of 7th grade RLA teachers. Do you know how LUCKY you are? :)

CWW Happy Memories

7B CWW McDowell 2014

Thank you for such a fun week at Desaru last week! I loved learning more about you, and about how we work together as a group. My favorite times were hanging out with you at the beach, and watching the synchronized swimming. You made me proud. xx

Back to School photos!

Click on this link to check out some great back-to-school photos.

What Will Your Verse Be?

We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering – these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love – these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, “O me, O life of the questions of these recurring. Of the endless trains of the faithless. Of cities filled with the foolish. What good amid these, O me, O life? Answer: that you are here. That life exists and identity. That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” “That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” What will your verse be? (Thanks to Prakrit for sharing this Apple ad inspired by a scene from Dead Poet's Society)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome back everyone! Hope you are all rested and re-energized from three weeks away from school. I know I am. What did you read over the break? I devoured Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the end of the Lane, a creepy supernatural book like Coraline but for a slightly older reader. The main character is 7 years old. Actually, he's a middle aged man reflecting back on something that happened when he was 7. I liked it, but that's not surprising since I like most of what Neil Gaiman writes. So, confess. Did you think of your teachers even ONCE during the break? Did you miss us? Can you imagine anything as frightening as seeing one of your teachers while on vacation somewhere remote and unlikely. Well, pity poor Sophia Lesser, one of only a handful of tourists in the picturesque Chateau Gruyere, Switzerland, on the last afternoon of 2013. In truth, Sophia was very good natured about the whole incident, and didn't seem to be disturbed in the least to see her RLA teacher in a small Swiss village named after a very smelly cheese. I know that I was very pleased to see her! Here's the photo as proof. Please note how exceptionally fabulous we look in our cold-weather clothing. :)

Did you see anyone you knew during the holidays? Did you read any great books? Please share your news with us in the comments below:

Misunderstood

Have you seen Apple's holiday ad? It's a clever way of storytelling and there are many of you who can connect to the storyline. Is this you at your last family reunion? Check it out:

Showing off the talent of former B side student

I'm so proud of our former B-side student, Alex Fortmann,SAS student, for his beautiful film, "Flight". The script is reflective and insightful (it was his 7th grade English teacher, I'm sure of it!) and makes my heart swell with pride.

Flight from Alex Fortmann on Vimeo.

I can't wait to see all the cool things YOU are going to do with your life! Make sure to let me know so I can share it with my students :)

To Put you in the Festive Spirit

I wish you a doggone good holiday season. I hope this video will help put you in the festive spirit.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We've been working hard on creating persuasive vlogs recently. What can we learn from Kid President on persuasive technique? Simplicity of ideas, facial expressions, jump cuts to separate ideas - what else? Happy Thanksgiving, 7B. I want you to know that, you're so awesome I named my dog after you. Go out and be kind to everyone and see how you can change someone's day/week/year with your smile. :)

Are there any things which should be added to the list? What do YOU think we should be saying more often?

Happy Halloween B side!

Question Tuesday: The Fault in Our Stars Movie Edition

It's no secret that I am a BIG fan of John Green and vlogbrothers. In this episode, John Green tackles the question of "Book vs. Movie" just before the 2 minute mark.  You all just posted an opinion on the topic after viewing The Outsiders last week, so you can compare his response to your own.   What do you like about John Green's style of vlogging? (video blog). Would you be interested in creating your own video blog?  What would you talk about? What are you passionate about?

Back to School slideshow

A few snapshots from HB and the beginning of school. More to follow!

The Book Thief trailer. Quick, read the book first!!

Happy Friday everyone! Have you seen the first movie trailer for the movie adaptation of The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak?

Here it is! I know I'm definitely going to see The Book Thief in theaters. Are you?  Be sure to read the book because we all know the universal truth that THE book is better than the movie, right?

THE BOOK THIEF" Official Trailer

www.youtube.com

Based on the beloved bestselling book, THE BOOK THIEF tells the inspirational story of a spirited and courageous young girl who transforms the lives of every...

Shane Koyczan: "To This Day" ... for the bullied and beautiful

A few minutes of kindness

Best of Bhutan slideshow

best of bhutan