Writings

Students in English IA are working on their third descriptive paragraph.  For the first one, they had to describe a place; for the second they described a person.  I gave them six different options to write about for the third paragraph, and most have chosen to write about their favorite holidays.

Students in English II are finishing up their To Kill a Mockingbird essays.  I let them choose from a variety of topics relating to the novel.  Next week, they'll be starting a second essay on a topic to be revealed later.

Hopefully, I'll survive all of this grading!

Colder Weather

Besides being the title of my favorite recent country song, the phrase "colder weather" has a more obvious meaning.  I know we have a long winter ahead, and I cringe at the thought of snow, ice, and freezing winds.  Already, I miss summer! 

Conferences

Parent-Teacher conferences are available today and Friday.  Today, we'll be here until 7 pm if you want to stop past and check on your student.  Friday, we'll be here from 8-12.  Feel free to come past and say "Hi."

Writing Assignments

I'm sure I'll regret it when it comes time to grade it all, but I've started five of my six classes on writing assignments.  The students in the three sections of English IA are writing descriptive paragraphs; meanwhile, the students in my two sections of English II are writing longer essays based on our recently-finished novel, To Kill A Mockingbird.  I was really impressed with some of the topic choices made by the sophomores and am looking forward to reading their finished essays next week.

Random Thoughts

Stores are displaying Christmas items before Halloween.  That's not right.

We bought a variety of candies for Halloween, but we'll have to buy more.  I've demolished the supply of Almond Joy and KitKat bars.

I took another night ride around town last night on my bike.  The weather was perfect, but the town was hopping!  I encountered a lot of traffic, a few students, and two trains.

Tonight will be busy.  I have a meeting after school, a haircut after that, then a trip to Effingham to watch the Scholar Bowl match.

Leaves

The last couple of weeks have been quite colorful.  On a recent trek to Toledo, the colorful leaves of autumn were really eye-popping.  I've also been watching the leaves on the ash tree in my front yard turn to a beautiful shade of gold; unfortunately, they've nearly all fallen to the ground. The maple tree in my back yard is now turning, and it is quite breath-taking as well.  I suppose I should mow my yard once more before winter to help mulch all the leaves on the ground, but I'm not going to promise that I'll get it done.

Cardinals

Well, they didn't make it all the way, but they made it a lot farther than many people expected.  Now, I guess I'll have to pull for the Tigers and transition into becoming an armchair quarterback for football season!