Bonnie and Clyde

Posted in Reviews and Opinions on December 2, 2009 by Mr. Hoskisson

Write a review of your experience on the field trip to see the play “Bonnie and Clyde” at the La Jolla Playhouse. What did you think of the play? The theater? The production or anything else you noticed? What did you like or not like? Explain.

Then explain how you think the play relates to AT LEAST TWO of the Big questions? What does the play tell us about  them? How might the characters answer the questions? Why? Use examples from the play to support your answers.

Museum of Tolerance

Posted in Reviews and Opinions on October 22, 2009 by Mr. Hoskisson

Describe your experience of the field trip to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. Use as many specific details as possible in your response while addressing the following questions:

  • Describe the experience and what happened throughout the day.
  • What did you learn from Mr. Dunst when he spoke to us on the bus?
  • What made the biggest impact on you emotionally? What do you think you will remember most about this experience?
  • What was the best thing about the field trip? Why?
  • What was the worst thing about the field trip? Why? What would have made the trip better?
  • What was your overall impression of the museum and its exhibits?
  • What was your overall impression of the trip?
  • Was the trip worthwhile? Would you go again or recommend it to other students?

Open Adoption Records Debate

Posted in Current events & society on October 6, 2009 by Mr. Hoskisson

Did you know that adoptees in most of the United States are not allowed to see their birth records? The records are sealed for 99 years in most states, so adoptees have no way of finding out who their birth parents are. Adoptees are the only people in our country who don’t have the right to see their original birth records.

Today, many adoptees and groups like Bastard Nation are fighting for the right to have access to these records, but there is a lot of resistance. Some people say that birth parents were promised their identity would be kept secret and we must keep that promise.

Write a paragraph or more with your opinion about this issue, including what you think about and be sure to explain you reasons for your answers:

Do you think that adoptees should have access to their birth records?

If you were adopted would you want to be able to find out who your biological parents are?

Would you want your biological parents to be able to find you?

What if you had given a child up for adoption? Would you want the child to be able to find you? Would you want to find them?

Should there be any restrictions on adoptees rights to see or find the truth about their biological parents?

Banned Books Week 9/26/09-10/03/09

Posted in Book Talk on September 21, 2009 by Mr. Hoskisson

Banned Book Week is sponsored by the American Library Association. After learning about it from the ALA website, share your thoughts about it by addressing the following questions:

  • What is the purpose of Banned Book Week?
  • Is Banned Book Week important?
  • Does it matter if the government bans books from public libraries or schools?
  • Should the government ever censor materials available to the general public? Why/why not?
  • Use examples from the list of banned and challenged books to support your opinions.
  • Anything else you want to say about this issue…?

The Biggest Question…

Posted in Uncategorized on February 4, 2009 by Mr. Hoskisson

Choose a Big Question and then explain how you think the question should be answered and/or how other people or cultures address this question. (NOTE: You can see some possible Big Questions by clicking on the “BIG QUESTIONS” category on this blog)

·        In your opinion, what is the most important or most interesting Big Question about the world, life, the universe, etc.?

  •  If you could get the answer to any question about life or the world, what would you ask?

·         Why is this question so important or interesting to you?

·         Is there an answer to this question? If not, why not? If so, what is the answer? How do you know?

  • What do you/others say about the question?
  • What examples from real life can you think of that address the question?
  • How do these examples show this point of view about the question?
  • Do you believe your/their answer to this question is the “right” answer? Why/why not? 

What’s New at Hoover?

Posted in School Issues on September 3, 2008 by Mr. Hoskisson

Have you noticed anything different about Hoover this year? What do you think about these differences?

Question of the Day

Posted in Question of the Day on September 3, 2008 by Mr. Hoskisson

What’s on your mind? Need some advice about something or just want to find out what others think? Let us know…

Best Books Ever

Posted in Book Talk on September 3, 2008 by Mr. Hoskisson

What makes a good book and/or reading experience? What makes some books better than others?

Tell us about a memorable reading experience. What’s the best book you have ever read? Who wrote it? What was it about? What made this book so memorable? How was your experience reading this book different than other books you have read?

What is Happiness?

Posted in The Big Questions on December 12, 2007 by Mr. Hoskisson

People are constantly looking for something that will make them happy or make their life complete. Some people spend their whole lives looking for or chasing after things they think will make their life worthwhile, but they often disagree about what those things are.

But what is happiness? How do we know we are “happy”? Is it ultimately up to each of us to choose what is important in life and to create our own purpose for our lives?   What is your definition of happiness? What do you think are the THREE most important things a person needs in life to be happy or fulfilled? Support your ideas with EXAMPLES from real life and EXPLAIN how your examples are important for creating a meaningful life.

What is memory?

Posted in Memory Book, The Big Questions on April 30, 2007 by Mr. Hoskisson

What is memory? How does memory work? Can we trust our memory? Do our memories stay the same or do they change over time? Why do we seem to remember somethings better or more clearly than others? Do we choose what to remember?

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.