Blog Post #13 (final one!) - due Friday May 10

Choose one of the following prompts.  Please make sure I know which prompt you chose for your blog.

1. If you could spend an entire day with any celebrity or athlete, who would it be and why? What activities would you want to do with this person, and what would you want to talk about with this person?
2. If you could have any fictional character as a best friend, who would you choose?  Why?  What would that be like?
3. "I've been making a list of the things they don't teach you at school.  They don't teach you how to love somebody.  They don't teach you how to be famous.  They don't teach you how to be rich or how to be poor.  They don't teach you how to walk away from someone you don't love any longer.  They don't teach you how to know what's going on in someone else's mind.  They don't teach you what to say to someone who's dying.  They don't teach you anything worth knowing." - Neil Gaiman...Teach me something that's actually worth knowing and why is it important.
4. If a genie appeared and said they would grant you three wishes, what wishes would you choose and why?
5. Write about your favorite activity.  Convince me why I should try this activity and why it is enjoyable.

Blog post #12 - due April 26

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and why?

I think the one thing that I would want to change the most is to have people be tolerant of other people. You don't have to like them; you don't have to agree with them, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Should people stand up for what they believe in? Absolutely, but that doesn't give them the right to put other people down.

If you think about it, a lot of our world's problems could be taken care of if people would simply tolerate other opinions and people different from themselves.

Blog Post #11 - due Friday April 19

What is your legacy? What are you leaving behind for others? (or what do you hope you are leaving behind for others)  Another way to think of this question: how do you want to be remembered by future students? Or do they want to remembered at all? If not, why not?

While I'm obviously at a very different point in my life than you guys are, I'm going to answer this as what do I hope students remember about me once they graduate.

My hope is that I challenged you.  Not necessarily in the coursework you completed or my expectations in class (although of course I hope you learned something and are leaving prepared for college), but as a whole person.  I hope I made you think - about who you are, what you want to do, and how you can leave this world a better place.  I also hope you know that I cared.  Even if I "gave" you a bad grade, even if at some point you got in trouble, my hope is that you know that I wanted the best for you and that I wish you the best as you leave high school.  I hope I pushed you - to be your best, to go beyond your comfort zone, to find yourself in something.

As speech coach, I hope those of you I worked with remember all the laughter, the memories, and the fact that you will forever hold a place in my life. 

Writing prompt #10 - due Friday April 12

What are your five favorite songs at this point in time?  Why?

1.  "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin - I'm addicted to this song right now because of its haunting beauty.  I first heard about it on Facebook.  A friend's daughter died from brain cancer three years ago - she wasn't even three years old.  This song was played at her funeral.

2. "Somewhere in Neverland" by All Time Low - This is pretty much the furthest from "I Will Rise" as   I can get.  I'm not exactly sure why I'm hooked on this song, except it has a strong beat and it's easy to walk to (which is what I'm focusing on now that speech is over and I have time to exercise).

3. "Payphone" by Maroon 5 - This is also very different from the first song, but again, it's easy to exercise to.  Plus, I love Adam Levine (and Blake Shelton - but I don't like country music much) on The Voice.

4. "Some Nights" by Fun. - Besides the first song I've listed, most of the music I'm listening to right now has a beat because I'm using them to exercise to.  I guess this song is just catchy.

5. "Air and Simple Gifts" by Yo-Yo Ma, Anthony McGill, Gabriela Montero & Itzhak Perlman - This is obviously a classical piece.  While I don't listen to much classical music, this one struck me ever since I heard it.  I played clarinet in high school and college and I absolutely love the clarinet part in this song.

I could have added pretty much any song by The Piano Guys, as well.  I don't know if they're considered "classical" music - most are instrumental - but I love their versions of popular songs and their playful takes on well-known classics.

Writing prompt #9 - due Thursday March 29

If you could create a movie of your life, who would you cast and what would the story be?

In addition to answering the question on your blog for your life, I want you to comment on mine with who you think I should cast and why.

Writing prompt #8 - Due March 6, 2013

Look at the following pictures/quotes and choose the one that means the most to you.  Copy and paste the one you choose into your own blog (if you want to take more than one, go for it).  Once you have it copied and pasted into your own blog, write about what it means to you and why you chose it.

Obviously, they all mean something to me, or I wouldn't have chosen them for this writing prompt.  All of them impart something that either fits my personal beliefs or imparts a lesson that I hope my students take to heart.  I'm a firm believer that I'm here to teach more than English and literature.  I'm here to help prepare you all for what comes after high school - not just the academic, but the life lessons.  If I had to choose one (which, of course, is the point of this whole thing), I would choose the next to last picture - "Be the change you want to see in the world."  First of all, it's the picture I have on my phone's home screen, so I see it every time I have my phone on.  I placed it there because it's a daily reminder that everything I do makes an impact - sometimes one that I'm trying to do, but most of the time I have to realize that I may not know the impact.  I don't think anyone goes into teaching without wanting to make an impact.  I know that was a big reason why I went into teaching - and why I coach.  I hope I make an impact - and I hope it's a positive one.  That's what the picture reminds me of - every action I take (or don't take) makes a change of some kind.  If I want to make a positive change/impact, then I have to make sure my actions fit that.  One person may not change the entire world, but if they change it for one person and that one person goes and changes things for another, it's a snowball effect.

Writing Prompt #7 - due February 22

If you could meet anyone - past or present - who would it be and why?

It's tough to narrow it down to one person.  There are parts of history that intrigue me and I would like to meet and talk with someone who lived that history.  There are so many authors I would love to meet and talk to.  There are also several celebrities I would like to meet.  However, if I had to choose, I would love to meet Miep Gies.  She's the woman who helped hide Anne Frank and her family in the Annex during the Holocaust.  She's also the woman who helped make sure Anne's Diary was saved so it could be published later.  Without that diary, we may not know as much as we do about what some Jewish people went through in the Holocaust.  

It may seem morbid to be fascinated by the Holocaust, but I'm interested in it because it amazes me that something like that could happen.  Plus, if we don't learn from history, we're doomed to repeat it at some point and nothing like that needs to happen again.

**Now, for your assignment, make sure you copy and paste the prompt to the top of your post (NOT the title - put Writing Prompt #7 as your title).  Your entry should be at LEAST 100 words (not counting the prompt).  It needs to be posted by 11:59 pm FRIDAY.

Writing Prompt #6 - due February 13

What are you most proud of?

My kids.  As they have grown up, I'm constantly amazed at what they have done and who they've become.  I'm proud when they accomplish their goals and I'm proud when they work their hardest at something, especially when it doesn't come easily for them.  I hope they grow up to leave their mark on the world.

As a mom, the one thing I want my kids to be is happy.  I want them to do what makes them happy (within appropriate rules, of course) and I want them to succeed in life.  Being happy helps with that success.  I want them to follow their dreams and I hope they find themselves along the way so they know what those dreams are.

**Now, for your assignment, make sure you copy and paste the prompt to the top of your post (NOT the title - put Writing Prompt #6 as your title).  Your entry should be at LEAST 100 words (not counting the prompt).  It needs to be posted by 11:59 pm Wednesday.

Writing Prompt #5 - due February 6

What motivates you?

My answer to this question depends on which part of my life I'm looking at.

As a mother, my kids motivate me every day.  When I'm tired, when I'd rather do nothing, when I don't feel like what I do is enough, they're my motivation.  I have to keep going and get things done for them.  And when I feel like what I do isn't enough, usually one of them reminds me that it's exactly what they needed.  Maybe not that day, but eventually I'm reminded that it's enough.

As a teacher, seeing the student who is struggling who finally gets it (that "lightbulb moment") is what motivates me.  One year I had a student who saw that I was frustrated by what was going on and I'll never forget what he said.  He told me, "You know, Mrs. Horn, I'm thinking that teaching is a lot like building a lake." I wasn't sure where he was going with that, but I simply asked, "What do you mean?"  His response was this: "You are constantly digging that hole and some years are wet years so you see that hole fill up quickly and immediately.  Some years are dry years - maybe like this year - and you have to have faith that eventually it will rain and that hole will fill."  I had never thought about it before, but he's right.  Sometimes, what I do and what I teach matters right away.  Sometimes, I don't think I'm reaching anyone, but then - maybe years later - I learn that it had "rained" at some point and they remembered what I had taught them.  That's what motivates me.

As a coach and director, those kids motivate me every single day.  They come committed, they come passionate about what they do, and they continually amaze me with their talent.  When I've had a bad day, typically speech practice can make it brighter.  Most cannot fail to make me laugh at some point.  And, through it all, there are subtle reminders (and sometimes not so subtle reminders) of why I do it.  It's definitely not for the money :)  But it's most definitely for the kids.  They find their niche, they find out who they really are, they find out what they are really capable of - and I get to watch it all.  To me that's the biggest motivation there is.

**Now, for your assignment, make sure you copy and paste the prompt to the top of your post (NOT the title - put Writing Prompt #5 as your title).  Your entry should be at LEAST 100 words (not counting the prompt).  It needs to be posted by 11:59 pm Wednesday.

Writing Prompt #4 - due Wednesday January 30

What is your personal credo (belief)?

I have several things that I feel very strongly about.  These have become part of my belief system as I've gotten older.

One of the things that is most important to me is that people respect each other and the differences everyone brings to the world.  I honestly do not understand people who judge others because of a difference in opinion, a difference in lifestyle, or even a perceived difference.  This would be an extremely boring world if we were all the same.  Our differences should be celebrated, not judged or ridiculed.

Another thing important to me is that I want my kids (and my students) to be proud of themselves.  To be proud of who they are and really see what they bring to the world.  Every one of us has certain strengths and weaknesses (which fits in with the differences I talked about above).  We're all important in various ways.  I want my kids to be happy, to be successful (by doing what makes them happy), and to be proud of who they are.  I see it in the classroom, at home, and with the speech kids.  The best feeling is seeing them (any of them) find themselves - find their niche - and realize "hey! I can do this!" It doesn't matter if it's Cate putting on her shoes by herself for the first time, Christian and Ethan realizing that it may not actually matter what someone thinks, a student who aces a test they didn't think they would pass, or speech kids who shine at Districts or State.  Those moments where a kid sees their potential and sees themselves as I have seen them all along is a moment that I wouldn't trade for the world.

** Now, for your assignment, make sure you copy and paste the prompt to the top of your post (NOT the title - put Writing Prompt #4 as your title). Your entry should be at LEAST 100 words (not counting the prompt).  It needs to be posted by 11:59 pm Wednesday.

Writing Prompt #3 - Due January 25

What characteristics do you value most in a friend? Explain why they are important.

To me the most important characteristics would be loyalty, honesty and a sense of humor.  Loyalty is important because a friend is supposed to always have your back.  They're the ones who are supposed to be on your side, even if no one else is, even if everything else is against you.  Honesty is important because you need to be able to trust what your friends say.  Why would you want to be friends with someone who would always lie to you?  To me honesty goes with loyalty because if they have your back, they will also be willing to always tell you the truth.  Even when it may hurt.  A good friend will be the one to tell you things you may not want to hear, but who will be there next to you through it all.  Finally, a sense of humor is important to me.  I'm not a comic or hysterical or anything, but I do have a sense of humor and I like someone who can make me laugh.  Along with the sense of humor, they would have to understand sarcasm.  That's just who I am - that's part of my sense of humor and if they don't understand sarcasm, we probably wouldn't be friends for very long because they would always get mad about something I said. 

** Now, for your assignment, make sure you copy and paste the prompt to the top of your post (NOT the title - put Writing Prompt #3 as your title). Your entry should be at LEAST 100 words (not counting the prompt).  It needs to be posted by 11:59 pm Friday.

Writing Prompt #2 - due Wed January 16

What does the following quote mean to you?  "You don’t get to pick where you’re from, but you always have control of where you’re going."

Obviously, no one gets to choose their parents.  Whether you are living with your biological parents, step parents, foster parents or adoptive parents, you are born or brought into that situation.  However, the family you have does not have to determine the life you lead.  One of my favorite quotes is from Shakespeare's play Hamlet. It states: "The choices we make dictate the life we lead. To thine own self be true."

We choose where we go in life.  It may be more difficult for some people to get to where they want to go because of obstacles in their way, but if they want it badly enough and are willing to fight for it, they can do it.  Your parents may not have graduated from college, but that doesn't mean you can't.  Your family might not have a lot of money, but that doesn't mean you can't get scholarships, federal aid money, grants and loans to finance an education.  It may not be easy, but if you want it badly enough, you can do it.

That being said, some people have so many obstacles to overcome that it's difficult to look past them.  And, no, life isn't always fair.  Bad things happen, opportunities are lost, and we all encounter disappointments of some kind.  In those cases, when a dream may be slightly out of reach at a certain point, the above quote still applies. How?  Because you control your attitude.  You control how you look at things and how you deal with disappointments and obstacles. And, even if a dream doesn't happen right now, doesn't mean it won't years down the road.

** Now, for your assignment, make sure you copy and paste the prompt to the top of your post (NOT the title - put Writing Prompt #2 as your title).  Your entry should be at LEAST 100 words (not counting the prompt).  To help you get an idea of how much 100 words is, my entry (not counting the prompt and not counting this explanation) was 273 words.

Writing Prompt #1 - due Wed January 9

If a handful of people can change the world for the worse, then I am certain that a handful of people can change the world for the better.

What will you do do to make this world of ours, which feels so broken right now, a better place?


This honestly is why I went into teaching.  If I can make a difference in just one life, then I feel I will have succeeded.  It's funny, I went into teaching thinking that I could change someone's life (or hoping I could, anyway), but what I didn't count on was that I would be changed so much more by those same students.

My wish, as an educator, as a parent, as a human being, is that people accept differences in one another.  We're all different.  It would be boring if we were all the same.  No one is better than another, just different.  Why people can't see that, why people judge others is beyond me.  If you don't like someone, fine.  Leave them alone.  That's what makes me so angry about bullying in schools.  If you haven't actually lived someone's life (and let's face it, how can we really know what someone else is going through), you can't judge them.  Just like they can't judge you.  Or shouldn't, anyway.

Every news story that includes a school shooting or an instance of bullying makes me sad.  I hurt for the parents who lose a child and I hurt for the students whose lives are changed in a split second.  I know everyone always laughs and makes fun of the beauty pageants where the contestants all answer "World peace" to what they wish most for the world, but honestly, if everyone would simply accept others for who they are - opinions, lifestyles, personalities, etc - we could all get along much better.  I'm not saying agree with everyone's decisions or opinions.  But everyone is entitled to their own beliefs.

With that in mind, I will continue to do what I've always done.  Speak up if I hear about bullying (I know I don't hear everything, but I won't let it go if I do hear it) and provide a safe haven for those who may have nowhere else to go.

** Now, for your assignment, make sure you copy and paste the prompt to the top of your post (NOT the title - put Writing Prompt #1 as your title).  Your entry should be at LEAST 100 words (not counting the prompt).  To help you get an idea of how much 100 words is, my entry (not counting the prompt and not counting this explanation) was 328 words.