Christmas thoughts

As we go through the Advent season, it is often hard for us to stay focused on the true meaning of the season. Familiar sayings like "Keep Christ in Christmas" and "Jesus is the reason for the season" are somewhat overused and overused and trite now and so are ineffective. What does help you to keep the holy purpose of the season in mind?

Cruisin' Not boozin'

On Tuesday, Nov. 16th, we had the annual Crusin' Not Boozin' assembly. In each assembly, speakers told their tragic stories and brought the message to us of how their mistakes affected them and their families. The stories at both assemblies were remarkable.

All of us have sat with speakers who survived from big errors like drinking, drugs, recklessness or big problems like eating diorders. Sometimes we don't even hear the speakers because we are so used to this kind of thing. But sometimes we do.

There really is no way to judge who is being helped by bringing these speakers to us. I hear with my adult ears. What do you hear with your younger ears? You know what I mean: does it help to listen to survivors?

Fatherless assembly

What impressed you the most about Mr. Gail's talk at our school? What will you remember from what you read on his website or what you heard at the assembly?

about teachers

What is the nicest/best thing a teacher has ever done for you?

Thinking about schools and teachers

By the time you have reached 10th grade, you have met a lot of teachers and many ways of teaching. Think about the "best teacher" you have ever had. Without naming names, please explain what that teacher did that helped you to learn. Can we use that method for our theology class?

A question from Evan

In the film, God (as the server "Al Mighty") talks to Joan and tries to help her understand why her husband says God told him to build an ark. God says, "If someone prays for patience, do think God gives them patience or opportunities to be patient? If someone prays for courage, does God give them courage, or give them opportunites to be courageous? And if a someone prays for a family to become closer, do you think God zaps them with loving feelings or gives them opportunities to become closer?" What  can you understand about the way God works from that conversation?

WHY IS THERE DEATH?

WHY IS THERE DEATH IN THE WORLD?

Why is there suffering in the world? If God is good, why would He allow this to happen to people…to me? Why do the innocent suffer? Why do bad things happen to good people and vice versa?

Theology

How many books are in the Bible? In the Old Testament? In the New Testament?

Speaking of the Bible...

... which is a collection of books, what is the most inspirational or memorable book you have ever read? Name the book and explain why you chose it.

To journal or not to journal

Journaling is a time honored way of reflecting and learning about yourself; recording events and ideas throughout your lifetime; and, for us here in 208, a time to establish and enjoy at least five quiet minutes each week. Please share your response to our classroom journaling time so far (e.g. why you like or not, if you would like to see it continue as is or change it in some way you can suggest).

For your consideration:

http://edupln.ning.com/video/digital-footprints-your-new

http://edupln.ning.com/video/you-cant-take-it-back-online

Progress reports...

...are more than just checking comment and grade. For the thinking, caring student it is a time to answer honestly, "How am I doing with my effort - is it my best?" For anyone falling into old bad habits of laziness, it is way too early to give in to that. For anyone struggling to understand something, it is time to take the responsibilty to get help. For those who are doing well, look around to see how you can help someone and look to yourself to see how you can challenge yourself in school.

We've all heard this - my life is a gift from God; what I do with it is my gift to Him.

Progress reports...

...are more than just checking comment and grade. For the thinking, caring student it is a time to answer honestly, "How am I doing with my effort - is it my best?" For anyone falling into old bad habits of laziness, it is way too early to give in to that. For anyone struggling to understand something, it is time to take the responsibilty to get help. For those who are doing well, look around to see how you can help someone and look to yourself to see how you can challenge yourself in school.

We've all heard this - my life is a gift from God; what I do with it is my gift to Him.

Chilean miners

With the rest of the world, I have been amazed at the story of the miners who were rescued from their underground prison of 69 days. It is not hard for each of us to imagine the feelings the miners went through and their feelings their families and their rescuers experienced.

One of the most interesting comments I have heard so far is from the miner who said, once he was on the surface again, "I have been with the devil. I have been with God. God won."

What can we learn from this?

Learning together

While the world of wikis and blogs is not unknown to most of us, learning to use them in a way that is useful and interesting in classroom work still has to be worked out. I look forward to doing that with this year's students. As long as we respect each other's efforts, it should be fun!