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. :)

V-Day: Yay or Nay?

Good morning, Bloggers.

Well, with Valentine's day having passed just a couple of days ago your memories of it should be quite clear. Tell me your thoughts, dear writers, on this holiday. Is it a beautiful tribute to those we cherish or is it merely a marketing ploy via Hallmark and FTD? Whatever your opinions, fill me in.

Write two blogs today if you are in 4UI and one if you are in 4CI. AND: I HAVE POSTED ALL THE BLOGS YOU ARE TO HAVE COMPLETED. THEY ARE FOUND ON THE CLASS WEB PAGE, NOT MY BLOG. I'LL BE LOOKING THEM OVER THIS WEEKEND, SO MAKE SURE YOU'RE CAUGHT UP.

Have a lovely post-Valentine's day.

Flash Forward...

Good morning, Bloggers. Today I want you to write on the following topic OR choose one of your own. 4UI folks, you are to compose TWO blogs for today. 4CI's: you only need to write ONE. BOTH SECTIONS are to respond to two posts (any date) from today's featured bloggers below.

TOPIC: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? Consider geographical location, emotional maturity, appearance, occupation, relationship status, family. You may write about where you hope to be or you may completely make this up. Enjoy!

Today's featured bloggers:
Bryce-Lynn never2fargone.blogspot.com
Karolyn happenstotheworstofus.blogspot.com
Ryan bloggityblogbleh.blogspot.com
Justine jusswalker.blogspot.com

Blog Criteria: Reminders

So, it's a new year and you might need a refresher on just what it is you are to include in your blogs. Here are some friendly reminders:

1. Creative title
2. Aim for about 200 words
3. Organize your information into paragraphs.
4. Include a graphic that relates to your post.
5. Check your spelling and grammar!
6. Reply to classmates' posts--you should comment on TWO people's posts each time you blog.
7. Be thoughtful, interesting, groovy.

Limelight or Shadows?

Today's blog encourages you to consider your feelings about fame. If you had the chance to be a celebrity, someone easily recognizable and likely followed by paparazzi, would you want it? If so, describe what you would be famous for. What would you do with your new-found fame? How would it change you, your life-style, your circle of friends? If you would not wish to be famous, explain why.

No featured bloggers to comment on today as you should be busy with your children's stories. :)

Here are the blogs you should have completed up to now:

Blogs:
1. September 26th: Feicky's Book Club (1 post for all)
2. October 14th: Timewarp/Free Choice (2 posts for 4UIs)
3. October 21st: Pet Peeve/ Free Choice (2 posts for 4UIs)
4. November 4th: Post Secret (1 post for all)
5. November 24th: Poetry and you (1 post for all)
6. December 5th: A Picture is Worth (1 post for all)
7. Dececember 7th: Grinch or Free Topic (1 post for all)
8. Dec. 18th: End of the World (2 posts for 4UIs)
9. Jan 16th: Theme Song (1 post for all)

Happy Last Year on Earth! (Maybe)

Hi folks,

So, by this point you should have started your post where you tell me what your "theme" song is. Choose a song that defines you or your life in some way, and explain why. Including some or all of the lyrics will be helpful.

Next, please be sure to comment on today's featured bloggers:

Crystal cdklz.blogspot.com
Mathew metronome13.blogspot.com
Rachel woolleyswisdom.blogspot.com
Veronika therantsofperry-v.blogspot.com
Melissa missymel11.blogspot.com
Rebecca sayanythingloverdearest.blogspot.com