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Last updated: 9/24/06
ENGLISH 11 PROJECTS
Personal Journals
Early in the first marking period, students put together journals that will be filled with a series of short paragraphs and essays. The journals assist students in learning more about themselves. They are encouraged to reflect on the values and beliefs they developed over time and to consider possibilities for their future. They record memorable moments of their time at our high school, which may be entertaining and amusing when reread many years after graduation. Most importantly, the journals provide students with an opportunity to develop a joy for writing.
The journal project was inspired by George L., my long-time friend pictured below. In the photo on the left George is holding one of the many journal volumes accumulated from twenty-seven years of writing. On the right George is pictured with his cherished Crosley Jabro, acquired when he took up vintage car racing at the age of eighty. As you might guess, George's journal pages are filled with many amazing stories.
TEACHER'S
SAMPLE JOURNAL ENTRY:
September 13th, 2007, A Final Farewell to the
Fantastic Mr. L
Assigned Journal Topics:
#1.
Reflections
on
your
first month in
11th
grade.
(ASSIGNED:
October 4th DUE:
October 10th)
Record
facts
and
feelings
that
will
make
you
smile
years
from
now
when
you
dust
off
your
journal
to
remember
your "glory
days"
in
high
school.
Who
were
your
teachers?
What
courses
did
you
take?
Which
courses
and
teachers
were
your
favorites? How
did
it
feel
to
finally
be
an
upperclassman?
Who
was
in
your
class?
These
are
just
some
suggested
questions
to
spark
your
thoughts.
You
decide
what
is
important
to
remember
about
this
momentous
first
week
that
marks
the
midpoint
of
your
life
in
high
school.
#2.
Reflections
on a memorable / admirable person in your life.
(ASSIGNED:____________
DUE:_________________)
Throughout our lives we will meet many people. Some will brush up against our lives for only a moment and others will become lifelong friends. People can even touch our lives without ever meeting us
in person. For example, we may be influenced by a character in a book, a famous person described in our history book, or a celebrity we read about in People magazine.
Your assignment is to tell me about someone you admire or someone who has had a positive influence on your life. Your essay must be three paragraphs. Paragraph one will introduce the person and
explain how you met him or her. Paragraph two will describe the qualities of the person that you admire. Paragraph three will provide an example of how this person has had a positive affect on your
life.