Halie,
Goals have always been a struggle for you. You always say that you "can't keep goals", and I have watched you give up on things that you have set as goals. But what you don't realize is that you have also suceeded in achieving a lot of your goals too. Anytime you "decide" that you are going to learn about something you are interested in, then that is setting a goal and achieving it. Anytime you decide to do something, and then you do it, then you have achieved a goal, no matter how small.
For today's prompt, I want you to think about goals. Maybe look up the various definitions for the word "goal" in the online dictionary. I find that sometimes this helps me to better understand a word and all its many meanings.
Then, I want you to write about goals. Why do you think they are hard for you? You once said it was laziness that kept you from achieving your goals -- but is it really laziness or something else? Are your goals realistic? or so high you will never achieve them?
What are realistic goals? How can you achieve them? Who is someone you know that sets goals and achieves them? How do you think they achieve their goals? Do you think it is easy for them to achieve their goals?
I'd really like to know all of your thoughts -- good and bad!
Love you,
Mom
Monday, January 7, 2008
Friday, October 26, 2007
My Memoir.... Draft by Halie
"A Weekend with Aunt Angel"
by Halie
I was looking frantically for my books on Japanese clothing. I was going to my aunt’s house because we were going to make me a Halloween outfit. We were going to make a beautiful gold and crimson Kimono. I found my books on my bed under the covers after I threw them across the room. My mom honked at me from the garage, a sure signal for me to hurry up. I ran down the stairs almost tripping on my way out. I yelled bye to all my family on the way out.
My aunt’s house is a quaint little building, vines and other wallflowers growing on the side. The only thing that would seem out of place was her dogs. Thor, Sandy, and Koda are all her ‘babies’. They bark madly at any passerby, beckoning the poor, petrified person to let them out. They don’t mean any harm they just really want to play. My aunt Angel greeted us at her door. We all got settled and mom left. Angel told me to go to bed because it was late and we had a big day tomorrow.
I woke up that morning to the smell of eggs. Angel was making breakfast. We ate and went to Joanns Fabric Shop. They had an amazing selection of fabrics. I looked at the prettiest embroidered ones that were, of course, the most expensive. Angel gently veered me away from those and looked at something less expensive but still pretty. I picked out this crimson fabric with golden dragons and phoenixes on it.
It was going good until I herd Angel yell. Angel was working on the sleeve when she got the needle lodged in her finger. I was upset at myself for pushing her too late. “I can’t sew when I’m tired,” she says to me. I said I sorry. And we went to bed. I couldn’t stop feeling guilty.
We continued working the next morning, and finally it was finished. Angel told me to try it on. It fit really nice. I felt really nice in it, the sash wasn’t too tight, the colors were gorgeous, and I looked pretty. Mom came in a few minutes later and started taking pictures. It was a bit embarrassing, but it was worth it. I still have the pictures today.
by Halie
I was looking frantically for my books on Japanese clothing. I was going to my aunt’s house because we were going to make me a Halloween outfit. We were going to make a beautiful gold and crimson Kimono. I found my books on my bed under the covers after I threw them across the room. My mom honked at me from the garage, a sure signal for me to hurry up. I ran down the stairs almost tripping on my way out. I yelled bye to all my family on the way out.
My aunt’s house is a quaint little building, vines and other wallflowers growing on the side. The only thing that would seem out of place was her dogs. Thor, Sandy, and Koda are all her ‘babies’. They bark madly at any passerby, beckoning the poor, petrified person to let them out. They don’t mean any harm they just really want to play. My aunt Angel greeted us at her door. We all got settled and mom left. Angel told me to go to bed because it was late and we had a big day tomorrow.
I woke up that morning to the smell of eggs. Angel was making breakfast. We ate and went to Joanns Fabric Shop. They had an amazing selection of fabrics. I looked at the prettiest embroidered ones that were, of course, the most expensive. Angel gently veered me away from those and looked at something less expensive but still pretty. I picked out this crimson fabric with golden dragons and phoenixes on it.
It was going good until I herd Angel yell. Angel was working on the sleeve when she got the needle lodged in her finger. I was upset at myself for pushing her too late. “I can’t sew when I’m tired,” she says to me. I said I sorry. And we went to bed. I couldn’t stop feeling guilty.
We continued working the next morning, and finally it was finished. Angel told me to try it on. It fit really nice. I felt really nice in it, the sash wasn’t too tight, the colors were gorgeous, and I looked pretty. Mom came in a few minutes later and started taking pictures. It was a bit embarrassing, but it was worth it. I still have the pictures today.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Writing Your Memoir...
Halie,
I know that this is a tough assignment -- and that whenever you are faced with a writing assignment that is open -- its hard for you to get started. However, I also know that once you get started on something, it usually becomes an incredible piece of writing.
YOU are a FANTASTIC writer. Remember that. The most important thing is to just get started.
I had a great writer friend give me some advice once -- it really helped me. She said that the reason most people don't write is because they never get started -- they don't start because usually what we start with sounds so completely lame that we give up or quit. You have to get past the "lame" beginning -- because if you keep going, eventually the good stuff will start to come out!
So my friend said that she always told herself when beginning a new piece of writing, "this doesn't count -- this is my 'lame' version -- i'll go back and fix it later". She just kept writing and telling herself that it didn't count, that she would fix it later, and eventually she had a great piece of writing on the page!
So you know what? I have tried this strategy and it works. The important thing is to just start writing.
So here is your assignment for Memoir today -- I want you to respond to this post. Write about as many events as you can, or think you might want to compose a memoir about. Make each event a separate comment. For each event, write as much as you can -- set the timer if you want and just write as much as you can about that memory or event. It doesn't even have to make complete sense -- its just a start, thats all -- just a BRAIN DUMP! Authors do that all the time.
I want you to come up with at least THREE brain dumps in response to this post. You've already decided on one -- the Sticker Torture. That can be one -- but come up with two more.
Good Luck!!
Love you,
Mom
I know that this is a tough assignment -- and that whenever you are faced with a writing assignment that is open -- its hard for you to get started. However, I also know that once you get started on something, it usually becomes an incredible piece of writing.
YOU are a FANTASTIC writer. Remember that. The most important thing is to just get started.
I had a great writer friend give me some advice once -- it really helped me. She said that the reason most people don't write is because they never get started -- they don't start because usually what we start with sounds so completely lame that we give up or quit. You have to get past the "lame" beginning -- because if you keep going, eventually the good stuff will start to come out!
So my friend said that she always told herself when beginning a new piece of writing, "this doesn't count -- this is my 'lame' version -- i'll go back and fix it later". She just kept writing and telling herself that it didn't count, that she would fix it later, and eventually she had a great piece of writing on the page!
So you know what? I have tried this strategy and it works. The important thing is to just start writing.
So here is your assignment for Memoir today -- I want you to respond to this post. Write about as many events as you can, or think you might want to compose a memoir about. Make each event a separate comment. For each event, write as much as you can -- set the timer if you want and just write as much as you can about that memory or event. It doesn't even have to make complete sense -- its just a start, thats all -- just a BRAIN DUMP! Authors do that all the time.
I want you to come up with at least THREE brain dumps in response to this post. You've already decided on one -- the Sticker Torture. That can be one -- but come up with two more.
Good Luck!!
Love you,
Mom
History Lesson on the "Black Codes"
Halie,
I was just reviewing your work on the "Black Codes" worksheet. You answered five of the answers correctly. You missed: 1, 4, 7, & 8.
As I was reading your answers though, it got me thinking about the ammendments and what they really mean. Those ammendments are so important our entire country was founded on them! And not only that, but our country has operated on them for more than 200 years -- so they are obviously good, sound principles -- don't you think? They have stood the test of time!
I found a really great website that can help you understand better what each of the amendments in the Bill of Rights is all about:
http://www.constitutioncenter.org/constitution/
This website is designed to help people your age better understand the main ideas contained in the consitution. Click on that link, and then you will see a series of pictures in a row, horizontally, across the top of the page. Each picture is a link to a different part of the constitution. If you scroll to the RIGHT, then you eventually come to the amendments in the Bill of Rights.
Please click on and read about the amendments that were introduced in your assignment:
1st, 2nd, 6th, 13th, and 14th
Pay particular attention to the DIFFERENCES between the 1st, 13th, and 14th amendments. These were the amendments you confused most often in your assignment.
Once you have reviewed the amendments listed above, I want you to POST what you think each means, in YOUR OWN WORDS, on this blog. Just click the comment button below, and you can past your comments into the box that appears.
So basically to summarize -- this is what you do:
1) go to the consistution website listed above
2) review the 1st, 2nd, 6th, 13th, and 14th amendments
3) return to this post in the blog and click "comments"
4) write/type the gist (or main idea) of each one (of the above mentioned amendments) in the comment box
5) click publish -- below the box it will say "Choose Identity" -- please click "other" and then type your first name in the space provided.
Let me know if you have any questions! I'm looking forward to reading your ideas!
Love you,
Mom
P.S. -- you can watch a really cool animation on the Bill of Rights at WWW.BRAINPOP.COM
Its in the history/social studies section and it is called "Bill of Rights"
And lastly, the username and password to log into brainpop is in an email I just sent you!
I was just reviewing your work on the "Black Codes" worksheet. You answered five of the answers correctly. You missed: 1, 4, 7, & 8.
As I was reading your answers though, it got me thinking about the ammendments and what they really mean. Those ammendments are so important our entire country was founded on them! And not only that, but our country has operated on them for more than 200 years -- so they are obviously good, sound principles -- don't you think? They have stood the test of time!
I found a really great website that can help you understand better what each of the amendments in the Bill of Rights is all about:
http://www.constitutioncenter.org/constitution/
This website is designed to help people your age better understand the main ideas contained in the consitution. Click on that link, and then you will see a series of pictures in a row, horizontally, across the top of the page. Each picture is a link to a different part of the constitution. If you scroll to the RIGHT, then you eventually come to the amendments in the Bill of Rights.
Please click on and read about the amendments that were introduced in your assignment:
1st, 2nd, 6th, 13th, and 14th
Pay particular attention to the DIFFERENCES between the 1st, 13th, and 14th amendments. These were the amendments you confused most often in your assignment.
Once you have reviewed the amendments listed above, I want you to POST what you think each means, in YOUR OWN WORDS, on this blog. Just click the comment button below, and you can past your comments into the box that appears.
So basically to summarize -- this is what you do:
1) go to the consistution website listed above
2) review the 1st, 2nd, 6th, 13th, and 14th amendments
3) return to this post in the blog and click "comments"
4) write/type the gist (or main idea) of each one (of the above mentioned amendments) in the comment box
5) click publish -- below the box it will say "Choose Identity" -- please click "other" and then type your first name in the space provided.
Let me know if you have any questions! I'm looking forward to reading your ideas!
Love you,
Mom
P.S. -- you can watch a really cool animation on the Bill of Rights at WWW.BRAINPOP.COM
Its in the history/social studies section and it is called "Bill of Rights"
And lastly, the username and password to log into brainpop is in an email I just sent you!
Welcome to your Blog....
Halie,
I created this blog for you and I to share information during the day while you are completing your work. The idea is that either you or I will be able to post items, and the other person can respond to it. I feel its very important for us to be able to work on documents together in a shared work space. I would like to try this for a time and see how it goes.
I'm proud of the way you are being so independent about your schoolwork -- but I need to be more involved.
I love you.
Mom
I created this blog for you and I to share information during the day while you are completing your work. The idea is that either you or I will be able to post items, and the other person can respond to it. I feel its very important for us to be able to work on documents together in a shared work space. I would like to try this for a time and see how it goes.
I'm proud of the way you are being so independent about your schoolwork -- but I need to be more involved.
I love you.
Mom
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