1. Quick Writes
August 21-25, 2017

2. 8/21/17
Total Solar Eclipse
Today all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun's tenuous atmosphere - the corona - can be seen, will stretch from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun's disk.
What is It?
This celestial event is a solar eclipse in which the moon passes between the sun and Earth and blocks all or part of the sun for up to about three hours, from beginning to end, as viewed from a given location.  For this eclipse, the longest period when the moon completely blocks the sun from any given location along the path will be about two minutes and 40 seconds.  The last time the contiguous U.S. saw a total eclipse was in 1979.
Write a paragraph about the following:
It has been 38 years since this last total eclipse in the U.S., where do you see yourself 38 years from now?

3. 8/22/17 Write a pargraph about the following:
Tell us about your personal goals. When you look next year, where do you see yourself? What do you want to be doing with your career and life, and why? What are your dreams and aspirations in addition to specific goals? If you’re undecided, why do you think that is?

4. 8/23/17 Write a paragraph about the following:
Have you ever witnessed a simple act of kindness make a difference in someone’s life? If not, what do you think you could do to make a difference in someone’s life?

5. 8/24/17
Jim Valvano coached the North Carolina State Wolfpack to an upset victory in the 1983 NCAA men's basketball championship game. Valvano parlayed this victory with his gift of public speaking to become one of the most likable and recognizable coaches in the land. Though his teams were always competitive, North Carolina State would never come close again to matching the success of the fantasy 1983 season.
Then came the tragic news in 1992 that Valvano had developed cancer. Only ten years after his national championship, his body ravaged with cancerous tumors, Valvano was awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs (ESPN's annual BESTS). Valvano, an inspirational coach, was probably even a better public speaker. His speech at the ESPYs will make you laugh, think, and cry, three things, that according to Valvano, you should do every day.
Your assignment: listen to the speech. Write your journal by responding to the following prompts:
1. What are the best parts (lines) of the speech? Why?
2. Tell me about the best 'pep talk' that you've ever received. Make sure to discuss the speaker, the situation, the audience, and the speaker's technique. Cite lines from the speech if you can.
3. How do you laugh, think, and cry each day?
4. Relate a personal story to any topic discussed in the speech.

6. 8/25/17
Free Write Friday! Graham/ Beaver Game!