February 26 and 27- radio interview

We listened to an interview on the radio and then answered some questions:

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=143579090&m=264576083

Answer the following questions in 100-200 words total
1. What do your parents want from you?
2. What are your parents dreams for you?
3.Do your parent's dreams for you match your dreams for you?

4. Do they walk the walk? Explain how they show what you should do by by doing. Or do they not walk the walk? Do they not show you by doing?

February 24 and 25

We did independent reading today and also read an article and answered some questions with it.

I need everyone to stop mixing up karma and luck. Right now.

By doing it, you’re giving luck way too much credit. And it pisses me off that luck gets any credit at all when it’s just that: luck. Maybe it’s because people don’t see the difference.

Here’s an example to help you out. People say I’m lucky. And I don’t disagree. I am lucky to a certain extent. Luck is the fact that I was born in the Soviet Union during a time when people were able to get out. Actions were taken that led to that opportunity, but connecting the dots that lead to me specifically is nearly impossible. That’s luck.

When I can actually piece together how something happened, that’s karma. I wrote an article for someone or I appeared on someone’s show and now I’m seeing enormous benefits. I introduced that friend to the person who got them their dream job and now my friend wants to do something in return. Karma.

See the difference? The very definition of karma implies that some kind of work on your end is needed, but luck? Luck just happens.

I’m not a person who believes it is 100% one or the other in life. Both exist, but people seem to give credit to luck more often and point out that people are lucky. But I think that’s a symptom of people not wanting to put the hours in, to work hard. Luck is easy. Luck requires no effort. Karma takes work, real hustle, real drive.

There is a cynicism towards hard work that seems to emerge a lot in our world. People don’t want to admit that maybe they have to put in extra hours, stay up late, give up TV binge watching, and WORK. It’s easy for you to say I’m lucky, but does luck have anything to do with the fact that I’m writing this at 7pm on a Sunday?

I didn’t think so.

Now the question becomes: how do you make yourself more about karma, and less about luck?

It’s a very simple mindset: do things for free, with no expectations of what you might get in return. People are stuck and captivated by the idea that every action must have a return of investment. If you’re behaving in that sense, you don’t get it. Sometimes it pays to just do something awesome. For yourself, for someone else. Whichever. Just take action.

And pay attention. Because you’ll start seeing a couple things. One, karma is real. And two, luck has nothing to do with it.

Name: ________________________

In your own words, explain the difference between luck and karma

List two ways in which you are lucky.

1.

2.

List two ways in which you have given yourself good karma

1.

2.

Think of something that is coming up soon for you. Explain how luck can help you through it. Then explain how karma can help you through it

Luck:

Karma:

The author talks about working hard and getting GOOD karma. But what about BAD karma? Describe a situation that would be the result of BAD karma.

February 18 and 19- Outline for letter to Elie

Here is what I'll be looking for in your paper:

Your paper will be….

3 paragraphs (at least)

Checked for spelling, punctuation, grammar

Things to include in your paper:

A thesis statement or claim

(why you are writing to Elie)

At least two specific examples from the book to support your claim

(what from the book made you think of asking him about this)

A conclusion which includes:

                Things that you thought were interesting

A final thought or question you may have

February 12 and 13-Final Paper

Today we began our final paper for Night. Here is the worksheet for us to brainstorm and begin writing the paper:

Final project for Night

We will be writing a letter to Elie Wiesel. Connecting our reading and thinking to his experiences.

You may use any of your journals to help you come up with some ideas of what you might want to discuss with him.

Brainstorm 3-5 ideas of what you might want to speak to Elie about.

Think of what he went through, his thoughts while there, while writing the book, individuals who he knew there, thoughts about him now.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Collect at least 10 ideas total by writing down what other students had.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

What I’ll be looking for in your writing:

1. I have a specific reason for writing that is explained in the first paragraph.

(A THESIS STATEMENT)

Ex: I am very interested in finding out more about how your relationship with your dad changed because of my own, difficult relationship with my dad.

Write down your reason for writing to Elie:

Now state this as a possible thesis sentence (see the example above)

2. I have at least two specific examples from the book that support my thesis statement.

Write down two examples from the book that could be used to support your thesis.

1.

2.