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 If the Zombies showed up tomorrow, what human characteristics would be the most important in keeping the human race alive and well? What would determine who would survive and who would die? What types of people would we want to help protect? 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 Based on the Who Would Survive activity from last class, how did you or your group make decisions about who should survive? What does this tell you about what characteristics would be important in a survival situation? 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 Explain a time when you fought through a difficult situation because you knew that quitting was not an option. What was it? What did you do? What motivated you? Was it worth it in the end? Put your letter on your desk. HW: Vocab #1 Quiz next class “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 Reflect on participating in the Socratic Seminar last class. Did you talk? Were you afraid to? Why? Was there something you wished you had said? How will you handle the next Socratic? 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 your own auto-biography about your life in 100 words: where you were born, where you grew up, things that have influenced you in the last 15 years. HW: Vocab #2 quiz next class (study) “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 From your reading of Ch. 2 of Into Thin Air, write 100 words answering the following questions: (1) Explain the controversy about naming Mt. Everest. (2) What did you learn about those whom have climbed Everest before 1996? Who were they? What struggles did they face? (3) How does the author find himself in the position to climb Everest? HW: Varsity football game at Meridian, 7 PM “Falling and getting back up is what brings you success.” Tony Horton

Day 9 While reading Ch. 4 for homework, you learned a great deal about the natives, known as Sherpas. Tell me what you learned about (1) their beliefs, (2) the economy, 3) and their lifestyle. HW: Ch. 1-6 Into Thin Air quiz next class, Comp Books due next class “Being defeated is often temporary, giving up makes it permanent.” Anonymous

Day 10 Write “Into Thin Air quiz” under Day 10 and turn your Comp Book in on my desk. Make sure your name is written on the front cover. Now use your study guide and study for 10 minutes before the quiz. HW: Final draft of Favorite Sport/Activity paragraph- Typed, MLA format due next class “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 12 After doing the web quest last class, do you want to try and summit Everest? Explain. HW: Vocab #3 quiz, next class, Wed/Thurs. Turn your Sports paragraph in to www.turnitin.com “Desire is the most important factor in the success of any athlete.” Willie Shoemaker

Day 13 What is it that everybody loves about Snapchat? Explain why it is so cool to someone who has never used it, or explain why you hate it. HW: Into Thin Air Ch. 7-13 reading quiz when we get back from October Days Oct 10 and 12 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 Free Write, 100 words HW: Ch. 7-13 reading quiz when we get back from October Days and P/T Conferences, Oct. 10 and 12 “The price of excellence is discipline. The cost of mediocrity is disappointment.” William Arthur Ward

Day 15 What is the scariest situation you have ever been in? HW: Ch. 7-13 reading quiz, 10/10 A,10/11B HW: Danger narrative rough draft due, 10/12 A 10/13 B HW: Vocab #4 quiz, 10/12 A 10/13 B “Failure happens all the time. It happens every day in practice. What makes you better is how you react to it.” Mia Hamm

Day 16 Write “Chapter 7-13 Quiz” in your comp books and study from your study guide for 10 minutes. HW: Danger narrative rough draft due, 10/12 A 10/13 B HW: Vocab #4 quiz, 10/12 A 10/13 B “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” Michael Jordan