PLN #10

  In Praise of the F Word, by Mark Sherry, Sherry describes his personal experience with the word flunk and fail. His son is going to flunk a class, and when he informs his son of this, he picks up his act and gets his grade to an A.
   In Praise of the F Word by Mark Sherry, is a well written short paper on students grades. His son was "a world-class charmer," and barley got by with his bad grades. Until they met his English teacher, Mrs. Stifter. "'He sits in the back of the room talking to his friends,' she told me. 'Why don't you move him to the front row?' I urged, believing the embarrassment would settle him down. 'I don't move Seinors, she said, 'I flunk them.'" Sherry was suprised by this, and he soon realized the briliance of it. I agree with what the teacher said. I think teachers are too easy on students, and too many students are rude to the teacher, especially substitutes. I know my grades would be better if teachers where harder. Yes, it is my responsibility to be a good student, but it would he;p if teachers gave me a shove and said to focus, to point out when I am doing something wrong. We start to talk to our friends, and totaly forget what we are suposed to do. I love good, kind teachers, but high-school is finally a change. The teachers don't pat you on the head and say, "Good for you! You got a C+!" No. In High School, the teachers say, "C'mon, I know you can do better than this!" They urge us forward, make us do better. The F word is a frightening word, especially for students. Hearing that, at least for those of us who care, is horrifying. What is mom gonna think? What is dad going to do? Can I get it up in time? Why do I have this grade? And nowadays, we have more teachers like Mrs. Stifter. I am gratful for teachers like that, who are not afraid to day the F-word.

PLN #9

      In the article, "The Penny Debate," written by Susan Deadley, briefly describes the detailed facts on how some countrys', such as Canada and the US are thinking of getting rid of the penny.
      Susan Deadley does a fantastic job of explaining the plan. There are both good and bad sides to the penny. One could be rusty, and the other could be shiny. (just kidding). It is proved that the poor will get poorer, because they may collect pennies to buy themselves food, and people don't usually drop nickels or dimes. Pennies are also great for fundraisers, penny horses, collecting, and giving people good luck. ;) (see a penny, pick it up, and all day long, you will have good luck!) The penny is perfect for those little kids. The penny horse cant be the nickel horse! PLUS, nickels cost even MORE to make. Pennies cost 1. 26 to make, nickels cost 7.7 to make. And, LINCOLN is on the penny! Where will he go if they get rid of the penny??? On the million? That means getting rid of the statue of liberty. I strongly think the penny should be continued to be used. Maybe they could just make less of them.

http://coins.about.com/od/uscoins/i/penny_debate.htm