Category Archives: Community Theme, Text

How did The Last Lecture Inspire You?

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Bill Sullivan

While you may know that the word inspiration means to motivate or stimulate, the word inspiration derives from the root spiritus, which means breath. Part of the reason why we say “God bless you” to someone who sneezes, is that we … Continue reading →

Why Do You Think Solitude is Important in Today’s Culture?

Posted on September 6, 2018 by Bill Sullivan

The goal of this blog post is to begin a conversation during the first night of study hall tonight among students in all four of my classes about individuals’ reaction to this year’s community theme. This year’s theme of solitude … Continue reading →

Posted in Community Theme, Community Theme, Text, Reflective Assessment, TED Talks/TEDx Talks, YouTube | Tagged Solitude | 63 Comments

Community Happens! What’s Your Take-away?

Posted on September 9, 2017 by Bill Sullivan

English teachers often challenge students to invest time and thought into their essays. We make handouts, write notes in the margin of essays, give pep talks, and repeatedly suggest to students the need to reflect on one’s thesis. One of … Continue reading →

Posted in #Placemaking, 21st Century Learning, Brain-Based Learning, Community Theme, Community Theme, Text, Disposition of a Critical Thinker | 64 Comments

How’s Your Summer Reading progressing?

Posted on August 13, 2016 by Bill Sullivan

While I have been having fun balancing Nathaniel Philbrick (Valiant Ambition, Why Read Moby-Dick?, and Bunker Hill) and some of his favorite non-fiction authors, such as Walter Lord, with Geraldine Brooks’ March, I have enjoyed going back to our community text, … Continue reading →

Posted in Community Theme, Text | 1 Comment

A Journey of Self-Discovery through Travel

Posted on December 15, 2013 by juliaharris27

Throughout human existence, understanding oneself has been a goal taken on by many brave individuals. In the memoir Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert writes a detailed account of her travels throughout Italy, India, and Indonesia on a journey to determine … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Learning, Book Reviews, Community Theme, Text, Honors English III, Pleasure Reading | Tagged Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert, Memoir | Leave a comment

Check Out Walter Littlemoon’s Story in Thick Dark Cloud

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Bill Sullivan

Enjoy this video about the movie, The Thick Dark Cloud, as it might help you remember your reading of Walter Littlemoon’s memoir this summer. Then reflect on the text and consider these two questions carefully. What is the most important … Continue reading →

Posted in Community Theme, Text, Native Americans | 46 Comments

This I Believe

Posted on December 9, 2012 by lilyzhou930

This I Believe, edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman, contains the personal philosophies of remarkable men and women. The editors compiled eighty of the essays written by famous individuals, from Albert Einstein and Helen Keller to Bill Gates; the individuals … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Community Theme, Text, English III, Leadership, Pleasure Reading, Religion | Leave a comment

Where do you find resilience in Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain?

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Bill Sullivan

Enjoy this interview with Garth Stein. Information on the poem he mentions is linked below in the post. Let’s begin exploring this year’s theme of resilience inside the community text. The following link provides ten ways to build resilience. http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resilience.aspx# … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Learning, Community Theme, Text, English III, English IV, Honors English III, Poetry | Tagged Garth Stein | 53 Comments

Community Text Prompt

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Bill Sullivan

I am looking forward to Mawi Asgedom’s visit. Check out this video to see how he is evolving as an educator since his publication “Of Beetles & Angles.” For homework, let’s remember our summer reading assignment and start a large … Continue reading →

Posted in Community Theme, Text, English I, English III, English IV, Honors English III, Summer Reading | Tagged Mawi Asgedom | 66 Comments

An Interesting Intersection of Gratitude and a Summer Reading Assignment

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Bill Sullivan

Check out his hand written note from President Obama regarding his appreciation for Martel’s writing skills. Check out this great web site. I recall Rocky showing it to me when he began having freshmen write letters of gratitude. http://www.lettersofnote.com/2010/07/it-is-lovely-book.html Also check … Continue reading →