This is a two-week course presented as an online class. Fully completed, this course is worth 12 units applied to a high school Language Arts credit. You will work independently on this project, but you should ASK QUESTIONS any time you need help. Just because you are working online, does not mean you are working alone. I'm here to help you -- just ask! Ask me in person -- ************ Call me at work -- ************* Email me -- ************

You must complete each of the sections below to receive credit for this course. Scroll down to find each section and assignments. Create a blog. What is a Personal Essay? Writing Prompts Seeing is Believing Quotations to Consider Lessons Learned Exploring Sample Essays Great Beginnings Time to Write! Time to Record!

What do you need to do?
1. Create a blog -- use the links below for instructions.
2. Click on "Your Blog Link" and paste the url for your blog in the assignment.

What do you need to do?
1. Watch the presentation using the first link below.
2. Take the quiz using the second link below.

What do you need to do?
1. Use the link below to choose a writing prompt.
2. Write a minimum of 100 words about your prompt on your blog.

Click below to take a survey about 10 belief statements. Only your instructor will see this survey; it is really just to get you to think about what you think and feel. There are no right or wrong answers, so be honest with yourself.

What do you need to do?
Click here to take the survey.

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Now that you have had a chance to think about what you believe on a few statements, choose one of the statements you agreed with from the survey.

What Did You Think?
1. Life is fair.
2. If you smile long enough, you become happy.
3. Words can do more harm than violence.
4. Miracles do happen.
5. What goes around comes around.
6. How you act in a crisis/emergency shows who you really are.
7. Love conquers all.
8. "An eye for an eye" is a good way to lead your life.
9. People learn from their mistakes.
10. You can't depend on anyone else; you can only depend on yourself.

Think about the statement you have chosen and how you might explain your belief about this statement. Remember that believing something is not just saying it is true, but about acting in a way that supports that belief. Think about different stories, images, and words that communicate your belief.

You are going to create a digital poster to explain this belief to other people -- through YOUR eyes The poster will not be judged on artistic merit, but on content. In other words, your grade will depend on how well your instructor can determine why YOU believe in this statement, not by how cool the poster is.

To create your digital poster (on the computer), you will need to go to glogster.com and look around the site a little bit. See what other people have done to get an idea of how the website works. Then, you can register for free, or click on "try to create you own" without registering. Your poster will use words and images, even music if you like, to interpret and explain the belief you have chosen. When you are done, you will need to upload your poster using the link below.

Remember to put the statement somewhere on your poster!

What do you need to do?
1. Choose one of the statements above that you agreed with in the survey.
2. Go to glogster.com and create your poster.
3. Use the link below to upload your poster.

What do you need to do?
1. Interview a significant person in your life and record their "words of wisdom."
2. Read through the quotations provided in the link below.
3. Choose 3 sayings that have proven to be true in your own life.
4. Post these 3 sayings on your blog.
5. Write a minimum of 100 words about 1 of the sayings you chose.

What do you need to do?
1. Read the document "What Others Have Learned" from the link below.
2. Think of 3 things you have learned from your life.
3. In your blog, write the 3 things you have learned in your life and explain the circumstances that led to your learning (the way Jim Allen does with the Charlie Brown examples). Minimum 30 words each.
4. Extra Credit: Add photos to your blog to further illustrate your learning/lesson.

What do you need to do?
1. Listen to AT LEAST 3 of the essays linked below.
2. Go to thisibelive.org, click on "explore," and find one essay to share.
3. Post a link to the essay on your blog.
4. Write two paragraphs (minimum 50 words each).

• The first paragraph should summarize the essay, explaining the author's main point and supporting details (minimum 3 details).
• The second paragraph should explain why you chose the essay. In other words, what makes this essay a "good" essay in your eyes?
  

What do you need to do?
1. Read through the First Lines linked below.
2. Choose one first line that you think would capture your interest.
3. On your blog, post the line and briefly explain why you want to keep reading (minimum 30 words).

What do you need to do?
1. Click on the "Creating First Lines" link below.
2. Read the instructions on each page and answer the questions asked.

What do you need to do?
1. Read the tips and guidelines in the link below.
2. On your blog, write the one tip or guideline you think is the most helpful.
3. Explain how this tip will help you (minimum 30 words.)

What do you need to do?
1. Download the grading rubric to understand the essay expectations.

What do you need to do?
1. Choose a belief that is important to you that you want to write about.
2. Choose how you are going to start the essay (question, quote, description, etc.)
3. Review the rubric (posted above) to guide you through writing the essay.
4. Write your rough draft and upload the Word document here.
5. Receive feedback from your instructor and upload your second draft.
6. Receive feedback from your instructor and upload your final draft.

What do you need to do?
1. If you don't have Audacity software on your computer, download it here.
2. Watch the video tutorial, linked below, to learn how to use Audacity.

What do you need to do?
1. Using Audacity, record your essay.
2. Export your recording to an MP3 file.
3. Upload your MP3 file using the link below.