MySpace Cyberbullying

You may have heard about a case in the news called the MySpace Cyberbullying Suicide. Watch the video below for a quick overview. Click this link for the full story told by Megan Meier's Mom. Read this article for the latest news on this case. Then see your assignment below:



Your assignment is to watch the video, read the articles and answer the following questions:
1. What is your reaction to Megan Meier's story?
2. How often do you think people are cyberbullied? (MySpace, IM, text message, etc.)
3. What can and/or should be done to stop cyberbulling?

Responses to this blog are due no later than Friday, December 5th, 2008 by 3:30 pm or before.

Great + Full = Thanksgiving

We've recently written letters to the troops letting them know how much we appreciate their service! Now it's Thanksgiving ... it's time to think about all of the things we are grateful for in our own lives.

Your assignment is to post a comment about some of the most important things that you are thankful for! (Minimum three well-written, complete sentences.) Comments are due by Friday, 11/28 at 3:30 pm!

Just because I like it so much... I am sharing one of my favorite Thanksgiving poems below. So, what do you think?

Point of View
by Shel Silverstein

Thanksgiving dinner's sad and thankless
Christmas dinner's dark and blue
When you stop and try to see it
From the turkey's point of view.

Sunday dinner isn't sunny
Easter feasts are just bad luck
When you see it from the viewpoint
Of a chicken or a duck.

Oh how I once loved tuna salad
Pork and lobsters, lamb chops too
'Til I stopped and looked at dinner
From the dinner's point of view.

DUI Presentation

On Thursday, November 13th, 2008, Renee Napier came to Pioneer to speak to the 8th grade about the dangers of drinking and driving. She bravely shared the painful story of her beautiful daughter, Meagan Napier, who was killed in a DUI car accident. Watch the YouTube video above. Eric Smallridge, the drunk driver who is currently serving his 11 year sentence, wrote this open letter as a warning to young people who are tempted to drink and drive.

Your assignment is to read Eric's letter and answer the following questions:

1. How did Mrs. Napier's presentation affect you?

2. What part of Smallridge's letter stands out to you the most?

Responses to this blog are due no later than Friday, November 21st, 2008 by 3:30 pm or before.

Safe Haven Laws

Have you ever heard of a "Safe Haven Law"? Many states have laws that allow the parent of a "child" to drop them off to any Safe Haven location - no questions asked. The parents relinquish (give up) their rights and the child becomes a ward (in the custody) of the State. Florida has a Safe Haven Law that allows parents of infants up to 4 days old to drop off their babies.

Supporters of Safe Haven laws claim that the law saves lives by encouraging parents to surrender infants safely instead of aborting, killing, or discarding them. However, some people do not like these laws because both parents of the child are not required to give consent, so it's possible to give a child away that the other parent wants to keep.

The state of Nebraska has been in the news lately because of their Safe Haven Law enacted this July. Their law has been interpreted to define a "child" as anyone under 18 which has resulted in abandonments of teenage children -- up to 17 years of age!

Your assignment is to read THIS ARTICLE and post your reactions by answering these questions using complete sentences:
· What do you think about Nebraska's Safe Haven Law?
· Do you think Safe Haven Laws, in general, are a good idea?
· What do you think the age limit should be for this law?
· What should happen to the parents who have dropped off their older children? What should happen to the children?

Responses to this blog are due no later than Friday, November 14th, 2008 by 3:30 pm or before. Remember:
· Include First name & Last initial and Period # under NAME/URL.
· No personal information!
· Use proper conventions of writing. Run it through word or have someone help you edit if you have to.
· This is for a grade, do your BEST!

Victory Speech

Ok, I felt the need to switch the post this week. The old post is still up for your viewing pleasure so you can read my post and the comments of your classmates. Everyone who commented on "You Can Vote However You Like" got their points for the week. Anyone who hasn't must comment to this post for this week's points.

Have you seen Obama's Victory Speech? If not, click HERE. People have said that this speech reminds them of the Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Have a Dream" Speech because it is uplifting and inspiring.

Your assignment is to post your reaction. What do you think? What specifically did you like or not like? What did you agree with or not not agree with? What touched you or bothered you? Write at least 3 complete sentences explaining your opinion. Responses to this blog are due no later than Friday, November 7th, 2008 by 3:30 pm or before.

Remember:

• Include First name & Last initial and Period # under NAME/URL.
• No personal information!
• Use proper conventions of writing. Run it through word or have someone help you edit if you have to.
• This is for a grade, do your BEST!