Journal Question #8

The Future.  As we leave 2017 and move on to 2018, it's a good time to think about what lies ahead,  personally, socially, and globally.  What do you expect to happen in 2018 and beyond?  Are you optimistic about your future?  How about your country's future?  Humanity's future?  Take a moment and let me know your thoughts.

Journal Question #7

The picture above shows the aftermath of a tremendous explosion in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in December of 1917, which killed 2,000 people, injured thousands more, and destroyed much of the city.  In response, Boston, Massachusetts, sent food, clothing, workers, doctors, nurses, and medical supplies to help the Nova Scotians in their time of need - all without being asked.   To show their gratitude, the town of Halifax sends a giant Christmas tree to Boston every year, and this is the 100th year of this annual gift.  Here's the question: Why is it important to show gratitude?  What are you grateful for, and how do you show your gratitude?

Journal Question #6

The cold weather is coming, and many people love to curl up with a good book when it's cold outside.  Today, of course, you can read on digital devices - iPhone, iPad, Laptop, Kindle... - so instead of books printed on paper and bound by cloth covers, you have your personal device and turn on your ebook.  Do you read for pleasure?  When you read, do you prefer traditional print books or the digital kind?  (If you don't ever read, either for pleasure or for school, why don't you?)

Journal Question #5

Everyone has one; some people have two or more.  The cell phone or mobile phone is in everyone's hand, all the time.  Before class starts, after class ends, in between classes (even during classes), students' eyes are fixed on their digital device and its little screen.  Here's the question: why?  Why do you have to look at your phone?  Do you think you'll miss the latest call, text, snapchat, instagram, facebook post, tweet,...?  A second question: do you think it's unhealthy or dangerous to be constantly on the phone?  Could you live without your phone for even a day? 

Journal Question #4

Is it important to have a girlfriend/boyfriend?  Think of your situation now, as a teenager, in high school, working on learning English as well as learning other subjects.  Where does having  a personal relationship with someone - someone more than a "friend" - fit into your life?  What do your parents think?  (Does that matter?)

Journal Question #3

 

This time of year - autumn - is the best time to eat in New England.  The harvest is in, and you can find all kinds of fresh fruit and vegetables in farmers markets, roadside farm stands, restaurants, and grocery stores.  My favorites include corn, tomatoes, and apples.  How about you?  What are your favorite foods?  Is there food that you love to eat in your country that you can't find here in America?  Tell us about it!

Journal Question #2

 

Each of us is an individual; we all have characteristics that define us, that identify us as different from others.  Think about yourself: what makes you different from other people you know?  The difference(s) could be physical, psychological, social.  In other words, what makes you, you?

Journal Question #1

Many people in the United States saw a solar eclipse this August.  Here in New England, approximately 60% of the sun was eclipsed by the moon.  It was a new experience for most who saw it.  Here's my question for you: What one new experience do you hope to have this year at TA?  It could be learning a new skill, doing an art or a sport you have never tried before, making an American friend, visiting a new place, or any number of other experiences.

Journal Question #18

This is a painting by the American artist Edward Hopper, called "Rooms by the Sea."   For me, the work looks ahead and behind at the same time, and, for your final journal,  that's what I want you to do: look ahead to your summer vacation - or even further into the future - but also look behind to the year you have spent at TA.  What will you remember from the school year, 2016-2017?  What are you looking forward to as you get ready to go home?  Write whatever comes to mind: the good, the bad, the interesting, the scary...

Journal Question #17

Between now and the end of the school year, there are a lot of things going on at TA, including the International Fair (pictured above), Student Art Exhibit, Choral Concert, Dance Performance, Awards nights in Athletics and Academics, and, of course, Graduation.   Weekend before last was Prom.  The question: how many of these events will you attend or participate in?  Is it important for a student to go to these events?  Are some events more important than others?  Why or why not? 

Journal Question #16

Here's my dog, Luna.  I've been thinking about animals lately, and how important animals (mostly dogs, but also wild animals, from deer to whales, and farm animals, from pigs to goats) have been in my life.  I can't imagine my life without animals.   How about you?  Do you have a pet?  Do you like to find and watch animals in the wild?  Have you ever spent time on a farm?  Talk about the role of animals in your life.   

Journal Question #15

The world observes "Earth Day" on April 22nd.  Scientists believe the earth has three billion years of life left - provided that we humans take care of it.  We're not doing a great job at the moment: climate change (largely due to human activity) is causing catastrophic change, from melting polar ice to  destructive "super storms" to flooding coastlines, all of which could cause species extinction, including our own!  In the spirit of Earth Day, what can we, as individuals, do to save our planet and ourselves?

Journal question #14

Drugs are a huge problem in America.  Opioid abuse (e.g., Heroin, Oxycodone, other prescription and street drugs) is in the news now because of the number of deaths they cause.  But there are lots of drugs that don't necessarily kill you but hurt you anyway: alcohol, marijuana, LSD, crystal meth, tranquilizers, etc.  Here's the question: why do people, especially young people, take drugs?  Are you interested in "experimenting" with drugs?  Why or why not?  

Journal Question #13

Music - I don't know how I'd live without it: classical, jazz, rock, pop, blues, folk, bluegrass, hip-hop, R&B, soul, gospel, and on and on - there's no end to the types of music in the world.  Is music important to you?  Do you have a favorite kind of music?  A favorite musician/singer?  When do you listen to music - and does the kind of music you listen to change according to time of day, season, mood, etc? Talk about music!  

Journal Question #12

Ever feel stressed out by school?  What are some good ways to cope with, avoid, or eliminate stress?  What can a student do to make his/her life at school as stress-free as possible?  Share some tips with your fellow students, and read some of your classmates' ideas; you might find out ways to improve your life at TA and beyond!

Journal Question #11

Romeo and Juliet are among the most famous couples ever - and they weren't even real people!  Shakespeare wrote the play a long time ago, but the story of two teenage lovers in a star-crossed relationship has kept its power through the years.  With Valentine's Day approaching, here's a question for you:  How important is it for teenagers to have a girlfriend or boyfriend?  What are some advantages and disadvantages to getting into a romantic relationship in high school?  Are your parents for or against your having a boyfriend or girlfriend as a teenager?  

Journal Question #10

Saturday, January 21st, a half million protesters came to Washington to support women's rights and protest the election of Donald Trump.  There were also protests in Boston, New York, Chicago, and over 600 other cities in the United States and internationally.  Lots or people, all over the world, are worried about the US president and came out to show how they feel in record numbers.  Here's the question: Do protests do any good?  Would you join a protest if you felt strongly about a particular issue (e.g., human rights, war, climate change)?  Why or why not?

Journal Question #9

Winter can be a hard season.  There's snow, ice, freezing temperatures, dark days, a tendency toward isolation and introspection.   But winter can also be wonderful if looked at and experienced with a positive attitude.  Here's the question:  how do you survive the winter?  What are some tips you can share to make the best of the cold season?