Friday, February 28, 2025

Creating Less Waste

Write a 5 paragraph essay describing three ways (3 body paragraphs) to produce less waste.

NO banned words except for forms of the word "eat."

No contractions unless it is in a quote.

This is the video we watched and discussed in class.


It is easy to forget how much power we have as individuals to enact a positive change.
Oberon Carter

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

How to Write the Procedural Portion of Your Essay (at bottom of story)

Write the Introduction: Start by introducing the procedure. Explain what it is and why it’s useful or fun.

The "procedure" embedded in your essay should flow with the story. You will not be able to go into great detail in the story part of your essay. Below the story, you should write the procedure in a clear, straightforward way.
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How to Write the Procedural Portion of Your Essay (at bottom of story)

List the Materials: Before describing the steps, provide a list of everything needed to complete the procedure.

Write the Steps: Use clear language and action words to describe each step in the process. Make sure to:

Use short, simple sentences.
Describe one step at a time.
Make sure the steps are in the right order.


Edit and Revise: Read through your essay to check for mistakes. Make sure your instructions are clear and easy to understand. Ask a friend or family member to read it and give feedback.

Format Your Essay: Make sure it’s neat and organized. Check for proper spelling and grammar.

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan

     Helen Keller was born on June 27, 1880, in Tuscumbia, Alabama. As a young child, she was healthy but lost her sight and hearing. This unfortunate event left her feeling isolated and alone, struggling to communicate. When Helen was six years old, her parents hired a teacher named Anne Sullivan. Anne played a crucial role in teaching Helen how to communicate effectively. Through patience and determination, Helen learned to read and write in Braille and became an accomplished scholar. Helen Keller went on to attend college, becoming the first deaf-blind person to earn a degree. She dedicated her life to advocating for people with disabilities. Her remarkable story inspires many to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams.


    Anne Sullivan was born on April 14, 1866, in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts. She faced many challenges in her early life, including poor eyesight. After overcoming these difficulties, Anne became determined to help others. At the age of 20, Anne was hired to teach Helen Keller, who was deaf and blind. She used innovative techniques to help Helen communicate and learn. Through perseverance and creativity, Anne taught Helen to read, write, and eventually speak. Anne Sullivan’s work with Helen changed the course of both their lives. Together, they traveled the world, advocating for people with disabilities. Anne's dedication and passion for teaching inspired countless others and left a lasting legacy.

    Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan worked together to advocate for people with disabilities. Their partnership changed the lives of many individuals facing similar challenges. They traveled across the country, sharing their message of hope and empowerment. Together, they spoke to large audiences about the rights of people with disabilities. They fought for education and better opportunities for those who were deaf and blind. Helen’s incredible story, alongside Anne’s guidance, inspired many to push past barriers. Their efforts continue to influence the disability rights movement today. They showed the world the strength and potential of every individual. The obstacles, our teachers and friends, and our life circumstances help to shape us. It is what we do with both good and bad, that determine our fate. We never know what God has in store for us when we meet a new person, face a problem, or even when we have a disability.

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Health Fads


Health Fads 

Health fads in the late 1800s were often influenced by new ideas about medicine and nutrition, but some of them were a bit unusual! During this time, many people believed in the benefits of fresh air and outdoor exercise, which led to activities like walking and cycling becoming quite popular. However, one funny health fad was the idea of "lightweight walking," where people would wear very heavy wooden shoes to strengthen their legs! This odd practice seemed more confusing than beneficial, but many thought it was the secret to stronger muscles. Additionally, some health enthusiasts pushed vegetarian diets, claiming that fruits and vegetables were the ultimate key to health. Meanwhile, others experimented with "hydropathy," using bizarre water treatments to heal ailments, including ice-cold baths during winter! While some ideas were strange, they helped spark a growing interest in personal wellness and led to a foundation for future health trends.

As we moved into the early 1900s, health fads began to focus more on diet and nutrition, but there were still some amusing ideas! Many people experimented with "scientific" diets that promised quick weight loss, but one rather funny fad was the "Grapefruit Diet," where individuals believed eating nothing but grapefruit could lead to weight loss. Some people even claimed it had magical weight-loss powers, leading to countless recipes featuring grapefruit. Along with quirky diets, there was a greater emphasis on diets rich in whole grain products that promoted healthier eating. This era also introduced the idea of taking vitamin supplements. This led to people mixing their own concoctions in the hopes of improving their health. While some of these practices were based on new understandings of nutrition, the Grapefruit Diet gave everyone a good laugh.  As strange as many of these health fads were,  they at least helped people focus more on their well-being.

In the second half of the 1900s, health fads became more exciting and even sillier! With an increase in awareness about processed foods, people started pursuing low-fat and low-sugar diets, but one funny trend that emerged was "cabbage soup diets." Many believed that eating just cabbage soup could help them shed pounds quickly. This led to countless recipes and dramatic claims. At the same time, physical fitness gained popularity, with people participating in aerobics classes and jogging.  The truth is, many people tried sticking to their cabbage-only soup diets while taking part in energetic workout sessions, leading to some hilarious meal planning and workout routines! Lastly, health-conscious fast-food options and organic products became popular during this time. The result was  healthier choices for consumers. The amusing cabbage soup fad definitely contrasted with the serious approach to fitness and health.  It  just proves that even when it comes to wellness, there’s always room for a good chuckle.


American Football (Not to be Confused with Soccer)!

 American Football (Not to be Confused with Soccer)!

Football can refer to different sports depending on where you are in the world. In Europe the word refers to soccer. In America, football is quite different. American football has a rich history that dates back to the late 1800s. The sport evolved from two popular games of that time: rugby and soccer. In its early days, football was played with very few rules, and the gameplay was quite chaotic. In 1869, the first official game was played between two colleges, Rutgers and Princeton, which used a round ball and allowed players to use their hands. Over the years, the game began to take shape, and new rules were introduced to make it safer and more organized. By 1880, Walter Camp, often called the "Father of American Football," started creating a set of rules that formed the basis of the game we know today. The first college football championship was held in 1869, and since then, football has grown to become one of America’s favorite sports.

There are many fun facts about American football that fans love to share! For instance, the Super Bowl, which is the championship game of the National Football League (NFL), is one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. On game day, millions of people gather to watch the exciting match and celebrate with friends and family. Another interesting tidbit is that each NFL team has a mascot that entertains the crowd during games. Swoop, the Philadelphia Eagles mascot, has several great qualities that fans love! One of the most notable things about Swoop is his positive energy. Additionally, the positions in football each have specific roles, and the quarterback is often considered the leader of the team, responsible for throwing the ball and calling plays. With its thrilling plays and team spirit, American football brings people together for fun and excitement every season! 


Monday, December 2, 2024

Fable Inspirations



Pick a fable, and use it as your inspiration. Write a story with the same moral (lesson) but make it a story about people. Change it enough that it is not simply a retelling of the exact fables except for the substitution of human main characters.

So . . .  

The Crow and the Pitcher can't be people trying to inventively get to water

The Tortoise and the Hare can't be about people running a foot race.

The Frogs Who Desired a King can't be about people wanting a King

The Goose that Laid a Golden Egg can't be about cutting an animal open to try to find treasure.

Required Stylistic Requirements:
  • 1 of each BB  (-2 each for any missing or incorrect)
  • 6 to 8 OPENERs    (-2 each for any missing or incorrect)
  • 2 Enhancements  (-2 each for any missing or incorrect)
  • You must have TT/CC (-10 if missing or incorrect)
  • No BWs or contractions  (-2 each for each BW and/or contraction)
  • Minimal dialogue is acceptable (but you must to punctuate correctly)
  • Checklist required  (-10 if missing)
  • Follow all *formatting rules (-10 each if incorrect) 

*Formatting rules include double space, indent, proper title block, correct indications


1. The Crow and the Pitcher

Had this two-legged thing been as stupid as many, though dying for drink she would not have got any…

The story 

When happening across a pitcher of water out in the wilderness, a thirsty Crow believes that his troubles are over. To the parched bird’s dismay, however, there’s so little water in the vessel that his tiny beak is too short to reach the life-saving liquid within. Ever the industrious and quick-witted sort, the Crow begins to collect as many stones as he can carry and drops them into the pitcher until the water has risen enough for him to drink.

The moral

Necessity is the mother of invention.



2. The Tortoise and the Hare

The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed.

The story

Tired of the Hare making fun of his plodding and pondering pace, a Tortoise finally has enough and challenges him to a race. The Hare agrees to the contest and promptly bolts off towards the finish line in the distance. So far ahead does the Rabbit find himself, that he decides he has enough time for a rest. There’s no way the Tortoise could possibly catch him now!

As the Hare lay fast asleep, however, the Tortoise continues to make steady progress, one slow step at a time, eventually passing the Hare to win the race. Before the Hare realises what’s happening, and despite his vain attempts to catch up, it’s too late. The Tortoise has won! 

The moral

Slow and steady wins the race!


3. The Frogs Who Desired a King

Frightened by the din, the frogs go into hiding, only to return slowly to look at the king.

The story

Saddened that they had no one to rule over them, a band of Frogs send a convoy to the god Jupiter to ask for a King. Jupiter, none too keen on their request, hurled a log into the pool where the Frogs lived and ordered that the log should be their King. The huge splash terrifies the Frogs and they scuttle into the deepest parts of the pool. 

After a while, when they discovered the log posed no threat, they gradually began to venture to the surface again, and, eventually, growing more brave, began to sit on the log itself.

Insulted by Jupiter’s offering, the Frogs send another request that the inactive Log King be taken away. In response, Jupiter sends a Stork to rule over the Frogs. The new Stork King  promptly catches and eats the fleeing amphibians in no time at all!

The moral

When you seek to change your condition, be sure that you can better it.


4. The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs

Thinking to get at once all the gold the goose could give, he killed it and opened it only to find nothing.

The story

A classic cautionary tale about a countryman and his wife who owned a magical Goose which laid a glittering golden egg every day. But, aside from considering themselves very fortunate to own such a rare bird, they also began to wonder just how much gold the Goose might have stored inside it.

So, foolishly, they cut open the Goose which swiftly ended the poor bird’s life. Unsurprisingly, and to their disappointment, they discovered that the inside of the bird was like any other and no gold was to be found. In killing the poor Goose, they had deprived themselves of their fortune.

The moral

Too much greed will lead to great loss.





MARIGOLD CLASS:
Looking ahead to your PORTFOLIOS
So far you should have all your timed writing in your portfolios (dated and describing any pertinent requirements and/or constraints)

HW ESSAYS that should be included:
Assignment 15) DUE 12-8    Fable Inspirations
Assignment 14) DUE 11-24   We Are the World
Assignment 11) DUE 11-3     Biography w/ Time Twist
Assignment   8) DUE 10-13   Platform Speech
Assignment   3) DUE 9-8       3 One Paragraph Essays  (credulity, execration, hierarchy)

Assignment   1) DUE  8-25    Picture Prompt (first assignment)

THISTLE KWO Cooking is Easy

 Create a handwritten KWO for this information



 Cooking is Easy for Us!

Cooking can be easy these days, but it wasn’t easy for the early American settlers.

They mostly used open fires to cook. Food took a long time to cook. It all had to

be boiled in one pot because only one pot could fit over the fire. People ate a lot

of stews, soups, and chowders. (P1 /5 sentences)

 

They also liked to eat wild turkey and pigs. People say that they ate every part

of the pig but its squeal! (P2 /2 sentences)

Corn was easy to grow, so they had lots of it. They also had apples, nuts, maple

sugar, and honey. These were easy to find at different times of the year. 

They were also simple to prepare.  (P3 /4 sentences)

Today we can find almost any food at any time of the year in the grocery store.

We do not have to cook over an open fire or all in one pot. Compared to the

days of the early settlers, we have it easy! (P4 /3 sentences)