Shocking News: Smoking is baaaaad

This just in: advertisers lie. I know. Shocking news...if you're not an idiot. Read this link to see what I'm talking about, folks. http://www.straight.com/article-673276/vancouver/ferrero-sued-over-nutella-health-claims Now it's your turn. Is there a product or service that just didn't meet your expectations? Describe your source of angst and what you did or would like to about it. Sue for a cool 3.5 million, perhaps? Go for it! Oh, and feel free to comment on my post to let me know what you think of the whole Nutella incident.

Bon Film Review

Hey there! Happy Fake Friday!

Today, try your hand at writing a film review on Bon Cop Bad Cop. Access a website to find actors' names and other info about the film. Here's a site that will help you write a formidable review! Aim for 200-250 words minimum. :)

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/7-tips-for-writing-a-film-review/

Local Flavour

In preparation for a longer piece of writing about a local community, today you will write a blog post (mini-story/poem/essay/or song) about any local community you know well. Maybe you wish to write an ode to the waterwheel, an angry letter about the nasty intersection in Tavi...the options are endless, just like the depths of the mighty Nith.

Happy Trails!

How to...or Not?

Hello Happy Bloggers,

It's been a wee while since we've blogged, so have at it. :)

Today, please go to the story "How to Write a Bad Travel Story" found at http://www.worldhum.com/features/how-to/travel-writing-tips-how-to-write-a-bad-travel-story-20090514/
Read it. Keep in mind the things NOT to do for travel writing, as we'll negotiate a due date for your own travel writing assignment when I see you lovely travellers on Friday. Yes, Friday...Sleep in on Thursday as that's the Literacy Test day.

Anyway, after reading the "How to..." article, write your own! You can check out the various topics on the world hum site by going to the "features" tab and clicking on "how to". There are some quirky titles! These may inspire you as you compose your own blog on topic of "How to...".
Here are my own suggestions: How to...survive the first day of grade nine at W.O./...navigate the enigma of an intersection in Tavi/...travel the school bus yet still maintain your essence of cool. Choose your own if you like and have fun!

When finished, follow what your fellow bloggers have been up to. Choose two people whose blogs you have never commented on and give them some feedback.

Happy Trails!

Miss Feick's Moscow Adventures

Here's a link to my other blog where I posted some of my travel experiences in Moscow. tanziblog.blogspot.com

Plan your own Trip!

Good morning, Bloggers,

Today you are going on a virtual trip to a destination of your choice. This involves some research on your part, as you'll consult a travel guide "book" online. Happy Trails!

(Photo courtesy of Trekearth.com)

Instructions:
1. Go to
2. Go to "Destinations" and choose one!
3. Look through the different restaurants, attractions, accomodations and plan what you would do for two days. You can give yourself a specific budget to consider or you can assume you are wealthy for the two days and explore your destination in luxury.
4. Write out your itinerary on a blog post.
Be sure to include:
a) where you leave from,
b) how you travel to your destination (plane/car/train),
c) how you get around once there,
d) the exact hotels/hostels/etc. where you stay,
e) the attractions you visit,
f) the meals you had and where,
g) and a few pictures of the sites you visited.

Travel Writing Activity

Happy Friday, Bloggers!

Today you will take yourselves on a virtual field trip and explore some more travel writing. Here is your itinerary:

1. Go to www.worldhum.com
2. Click on "Features"
3. Click on "Travel Stories"
4. Choose a story to read that deals with a trip taken by the author. Scroll through the stories and find one that intrigues you.
5. Read it!
6. Answer the following questions:
a) How does the author hook the reader into the story at its start?
b) Highlight or record two images that are effective and comment on why each one is engaging.
c) Is dialogue used? If so, what purpose does it seem to serve in the story?
d) What aspects of the culture are highlighted in this story? (food/people/landscape/etc.)
e) Would you want to visit this featured destination? Why or why not?
f) How does the writer recreate the experience of travel for his/her readers?
g) Post the title and author (and better yet, a link!) to the story you read on your blog page and explain whether or not it's worth the read.

Finished? Groovy, Baby! Write a blog on a topic of any choice. :)