Journal Question #8

 

The Future.  As we leave 2020 and move on to 2021, it's a good time to think about what lies ahead,  personally, socially, and globally.  What do you expect to happen in 2021 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 winter solstice comes this year on December 21st.  It is the shortest day of the year; after the solstice, there is a little more sunlight every day, up until June 21st.  Since ancient times. humans have celebrated the return of light to the earth - the picture above is of Stonehenge, in England, which was built as a kind of solar calendar by ancient people in England.  How about you: will you celebrate the solstice?  Do you hate the increasing darkness of the days this time of year?  Are you a sun worshipper?
 

Journal Question #6

 

Cigarettes.  Lots of smokers start when they are teenagers, and the earlier you start to smoke, the harder it is to quit smoking later on.  Even if a smoker knows that smoking causes lung cancer and other diseases, he can't stop.  Here's the question: why do teenagers start smoking?  

Journal Question #5

Beauty is a universal virtue: everyone is attracted to beauty, and most people want to be beautiful.  Beauty is associated with youth - the younger you are, the more beautiful you are, and the older you get, the less beautiful.  At least, that's the common view.  How do you define beauty?  Do you want to be beautiful?  Do you want to be friends with, or loved by, beautiful people?  How important is beauty to you?

Journal Question #4

On Tuesday, November 3rd, Americans will choose the next president.  The two major candidates are the current President, Donald Trump, and the Democratic candidate, Joe Biden.  One of these men will be president for the next four years beginning in January, 2021.  Do you care about the election?  Does it make any difference to you who wins?  Which candidate do you think is most popular in your country?

Journal Question #3, 2020-2021

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, 2020-2021

 

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, 2020-2021

 

Welcome to TA!  Here's a picture of me (your teacher), taken last spring.  Luckily, we are no longer meeting just remotely (though some of you still are).  But we still need to wear masks, socially distance, wash hands, and observe other "rules" of the pandemic.  For this first journal, let me know how you feel about school opening this way.  Are you happy with the hybrid schedule?  Would you prefer to learn remotely?  Are you okay wearing a mask?

Journal #18: Goodbye

The final Journal question of 2019-2020 is not a question at all.  It's a goodbye, or a see you (I hope) in September.  No need to post a comment, but if you want to say goodbye here, that's fine with me. 

A couple of shout-outs: first, to Yuna and Becky, who attended every Google Meet in Quarter 4 - except for a  couple of travel-related absences.  Thanks, you guys, for being there!  It meant a lot to me.

Second, Sara and Chaewon made it to nearly every GM in Quarter 4. A heartfelt thanks to you two for making the effort.

Third, Mateo, Justin, Oscar, and Nikki, you all came to most of the classes.  Again, I really appreciate it!

Good luck to everybody in all my classes - here's hoping the world gets back to something like normal soon.  Until then, stay healthy and, of course, don't forget your English!

Journal Question #17

This is FA 215, the ELL classroom, empty: I took this photo on Monday morning, May 4th.  Because of Covid-19, there are no students here.  Instead, TA - along with almost every school in the United States - is having "remote learning" for the rest of the year.  Here's the question: how has remote learning gone for you?  What grade would you give it?  How would you feel if school was remote at the start of next school year?

Journal Question #16

One silver lining to the dark cloud of Covid-19 is that air pollution has decreased worldwide.  Because few people are traveling and many office buildings and other work places are closed, there is much less car, bus, train, and plane use, and fewer pollutants are entering the atmosphere.  Earth Day was April 22nd, and activists are working to reduce the burning of fossil fuels.  Can we use this current crisis to help the environment? 

Journal Question #15

This is Hazel, my puppy.  She has been a great friend during this difficult time when we have all had to stay at home.   Dogs - and animals in general - can really help people through difficult times.  How do you feel about animals?  Do you have a favorite pet?  Is there an animal in your house that's helping you right now?  If not, is there something not human in your environment that provides comfort and companionship to you?

Journal Question #14

The Corona Virus (Covid 19) has swept the globe, threatening every country and every person.  The question is, how are you doing?  Use this journal to share your thoughts, worries, hopes, and questions about the Corona Virus. 

Journal Question #13

Do you eat much fast food?  More generally, do you think about what you put into your body before you consume it, or do you just eat whatever is quick and easy and tastes good?  Some students tell me they gain weight when they come to the USA.  Is the availability of fast food the reason for that?  How can you resist fast food and east more healthily, or is that even important?

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

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 #10

This is an etching, a self-portrait, of Rembrandt when he was still a young man - already, it's clear that he is a master visual artist.  The topic for this first ELL Journal of Semester II is art, specifically visual art.  I admire Rembrandt and the Dutch Masters of the 16th century (among many other painters).  How about you?  Do you have a favorite artist or a favorite style of painting?  Feel free to include a picture in your post - or a link to a website that features your artist or art.

Journal Question #9

January 17th marks the end of the second quarter and first semester.  It also means the second semester (third quarter) is about to begin.  At the halfway point of your year at TA, look back and ahead: what have you done already and what would you like to do?  Think about your classes, but also about your life in the dorm or at a homestay, your activities outside the classroom, and your relationships with friends, roommates, teachers, coaches, and others.