Day 1 Comment on the first day (or second) of school so far. Write about whatever you want: how does it feel to be back? What are you looking forward too? What is bad already? Count and number your total words after each journal entry. Your goal is 100 words each time. “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.” Anonymous

Day 2 What have your previous English, Writing, or Reading classes been like? How would you make English class better if you were King/Queen of the World? 100 Words: Count and number HW: “Men are alike in their promises. It’s only in their deeds that they differ.” Moliere

Day 3 Your Vice-Principal is coming in to talk to you about the Student Handbook and Student Rules. What types of rules do you expect her to go over? Write 100 words, count, and number. HW: “Show class, have pride, and display character. If you do, winning takes care of itself.” Paul “Bear” Bryant.

Day 4 What makes a great gift? Is it the price? Is it how useful it is? Is it the thought put into it? How does one choose a gift for a friend or family member? How do you react when a gift is not what you expected? Write 100 words, count, and number. HW: Revise your Letter to Me: Printed, MLA format, due next class 9/5 A, 9/6 B “Excellence is not a singular act but a habit. You are what you do repeatedly.” Shaquille O’Neal

Day 5 What are some of your favorite movies, books, TV shows? What are they about? What is the main plot? Why do you like them? What is it about them that make them enjoyable to watch or read? Please put your typed letters on your desk. HW: Finish Vocab notecards “If you surround yourself with turds, you’re headed towards Turdville. If you surround yourself with ELITE people, you’re headed towards ELITE things.” P. J. Fleck

Day 6 How do you feel about having a little bro/sis always following you around? Or, if you are the little bro/sis, how have your older siblings responded to you hanging around them? HW: Go to the Varsity football game Friday night, 7 PM, vs Nampa “The difference between impossible and possible lies in a man’s determination.” Tommy Lasorda

Day 7 Write 100 words about something you believe in, something you value. What is a fundamental core value that you believe in? HW: “Penn State Football Core Values: 1. Positive Attitude 2. Great Work Ethic 3. Compete in Everything You Do 4. Must Be Willing To Sacrifice” James Franklin, Head Coach

Day 8 Think about an organization you are a part of: a team, a church, a family, an activity, anything that is a group bigger than you. What are a few of the beliefs or values that they believe in? How have you been shown those beliefs or values by being in that organization? HW: Read and annotate “Failure is a Good Thing.” “Falling and getting back up is what brings you success.” Tony Horton

Day 9 How do you deal with failure and mistakes? How do you know when you have failed? HW: Shaping sheet paragraph (if not finished in class), I’m collecting Comp Books on Day 10 “Being defeated is often temporary, giving up makes it permanent.” Anonymous

Day 10 Write about a time when you were jealous. What made you jealous? How did you feel? What did you do because of the jealousy? HW: Complete a rough draft paragraph “You can map out a fight plan or a life plan. But when the action starts, it may not go the way you planned, and you’re down to your reflexes- that means your preparation. That’s where your roadwork shows. If you cheated on that in the dark of morning, well, you’re going to get found out now, under the bright lights.” Joe Frazier

Day 11 Tell me about a time you felt the need for revenge. How did you feel after you got revenge? Was it worth it? HW: Final draft of Favorite Sport/Activity paragraph- Typed, MLA format due next class “Desire is the most important factor in the success of any athlete.” Willie Shoemaker

Day 12 You have been in high school for a month now. Tell me about it. What do you like? What do you not like? What are you tired of, and what are you looking forward to? Staple your final draft on top of your shaping sheet and rough draft and set it on your desk. HW: “Desire is the most important factor in the success of any athlete.” Willie Shoemaker

Day 13 What are you thinking about writing your “This I Believe” essay about? HW: Turn in your Sports paragraph on www.turnitin.com Go to the Homecoming game: Beat Timberline! “It is not the size of a man, but the size of his heart that matters.” Evander Holyfield

Day 14 In 100 words, define plagiarism. HW: P. 37, Imperatives worksheet “The price of excellence is discipline. The cost of mediocrity is disappointment.” William Arthur Ward

Day 15 How good is your “Believe” essay? What do you need to fix for it to score well? HW: Final draft Believe essay is due Thursday, 10/12 A, Friday, 10/13 HW: Prepositional phrases test, 10/16A, 10/17B “Failure happens all the time. It happens every day in practice. What makes you better is how you react to it.” Mia Hamm