It's a Wonderful Life

"It's a Wonderful Life" is a movie that was released almost 60 years ago -- in 1946.  It's about an angel who helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed.

At this time of year I show this movie for several reasons:

1. It's a good study of someone who has dreams of what they want to do but situations in life move them in another direction.
2. It's a good example of how finance in a savings and loan situation works.
3. It demonstrates a "run" on a bank.
4. It does a good job of showing how our great grandparents (and great-great grandparents) weren't really so different from us.  Whether we [or they] are willing to admit it or not.
5. It shows how a good, intelligent, hard-working person can still suffer from depression.
6. It reminds us that we don't always know the difference we are making in others' lives.

There aren't a lot of requirements for this movie other than paying attention and answering questions on the worksheet... so please do.  I have a worksheet for you to complete for the first and second halves of the movie which I will give you in class, but if you are not here and you would like another copy you can download it. (Here)

I'll be showing it in class, but here's an online version that you can watch.  It has poor audio quality, but it's watchable.:

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer...

Oh, snap.  :D

Gmail & Blogger...,

Our assignment for today is to get set up with a Gmail account and a Blogger page.  We will be using our Blogger pages to post our story and possible future assignments as well.

• First of all, let's try Gmail:  Go to http://www.gmail.com/ and register for a new account.  
• Next we can go to http://www.blogger.com/ and sign in using our Gmail username and password.  It doesn't really matter which theme you pick because we can change that and customize them at any time, but for now let's avoid the "Dynamic" themes.
• Write down your Gmail username and password somewhere!  If you lose/forget it, you will have to start your project over.

I will walk you through all of the steps in class to complete these, but there are instructions available here if you would like to complete this at a later time.

After completing the Gmail and Blogger setup, please email me at my work email (griffithr2@k12tn.org) and include the following:

• Your first and last name.
• Your grade level (9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th).
• Your blog address (i.e. http://_______.blogspot.com).

Journal Write: A Boring Experience?

Journal Write: A Boring Experience?

(10 minutes)

Journal Write: A Different Place and Culture

Journal Write: A Different Place and Culture

(8 minutes)

Journal Write: Hobo Signs & Symbols

Journal Write: Hobo Signs & Symbols

(10 minutes)

Journal Write: Post Apocalyptic Short Story

Journal Write: Post-Apocalyptic Short Story

(1 page)

Journal Write: Be a British Lord/Lady or Be Yourself?

Journal Write: Be a British Lord/Lady or Be Yourself?

(6 minutes)

Journal Write: The Magic Wand

Journal Write: The Magic Wand

(7 minutes)

Friday Fun: Where will you sit?

When you get on the roller coaster that we call life, you have to decide where you will sit.

I see this picture as an example of this idea, and I relate it to what you decide to do with your life.  For example:

• The fourth row is sitting back and collecting a check from the government. 
• The 3rd row is an entry level (i.e. fast food) job that gets you by.
• The 2nd row is a good job with benefits and some vacation time. 
• The front row is getting paid to do something you love, every day of your life. 

You don't realize it now, but life is much shorter than you think.  Find your passions and figure out how to work that into your career.  Work hard now and then coast through life enjoying the ride.