Road Trip 2009

You are about to be out on your own. How many places have you been outside Childress, Texas? Some of you have traveled a lot; others probably have not been more than 100 miles from Childress. Either way, I am sure there are places that you would like to visit.

For this post, you are going to put together a road trip. Money is NOT an issue. The only rule is that the places you go have to be accessible by car (no planes or ships). That doesn’t mean you cannot go outside the US, just that you are able to get there by driving (i.e., Mexico, Canada).

Find five cities, landmarks, amusement parks, ballparks, museums, colleges, etc. that you would like to visit. Take your time…surf the web and do some real searching—don’t just pick the first five places that pop into your head. Then use mapquest to help you plan your trip (you may use another website if you know of one that is better). If you use mapquest, use the "Directions" box on the main page of the site to find the distances between places and then use that info to find the total distance of your trip. If you use another website the information boxes may be different, but you still need to find distances between places and then a total distance from start to finish. NOTICE: your stop and start place will be Childress--but you do not come home between destinations...hence, ROAD TRIP!!
For each of your Road Trip destinations, you need to include pictures (limit 3 per destination) and some information on places of interest you would visit—don’t copy and paste an entire website of information. All information needs to include a link to the website on which you found it—ASK if you do not know how to do this!!!

This is supposed to be fun! It is an opportunity to maybe plan a trip that you will someday actually take…so no griping!! ☺

Here and There...

Go here and see what Trey has going on...very touching story!

Now go here and see what is going on with a coach many of you will remember!

Feel free to leave comments either place!! I think you will be moved by both blogs!

Story Spinner

Story Spinner

Story Spinner is a handheld creative writing wheel that generates millions of writing ideas, topics, and exercises so you never get stuck. It’s a low-tech item that produces high-caliber results, time after time, no matter where you are. It was invented in 1998 by Bonnie Neubauer.

I found an online version of this game...but just couldn't seem to find what I was looking for in the way of topics, etc. I decided to use this idea and come up with my own "story spinners." I have come up with three options from which you can choose. I will give you a setting, starting phrase and four words that must be used in your story. I want the four words to be a different color than the rest of your story, so that I can find them easily! You will use my exact phrase for the opening of your story, but please notice it is just a phrase--not a complete sentence--so you must complete the thought and then begin your story from there!

These stories need to be AT LEAST three paragraphs with no less than five sentences per paragraph.

I also want you to find a picture for your story and place it at the beginning of your post. You may choose to use several pictures throughout your story, as well.

I KNOW you will have fun with this!! :)

Option 1

Setting: Your childhood neighborhood

Starting Phrase: As she approached my friends and me...

Four words that must be included in the story: barefoot, cartoon, chandelier, gibberish

Option 2

Setting: An airport

Starting Phrase: The long scar just below his left eye...

Four words that must be included in the story: immature, credentials, squint, onions

Option 3

Setting: A dark alley

Starting Phrase: I remember asking...

Four words that must be included in the story: blame, headlights, stubborn, vestibule

Now...here's is an extra "spin" on this assignment! You may get with two others in your class and do this as a group assignment. You will still have your own story on your own blog, but only the first paragraph will be yours. Your friends will write the second and third one for you. You still have to follow the format above and use the required words! This means that you are still writing three paragraphs...just on three different stories! For those of you with ADHD, this should be perfect!! ;)

OK...enjoy!!

Swine Flu

What do you think about the Swine Flu issue? You know I want details...not just one sentence! :) Google it before you blog if you don't feel like you know much about it!

Just so you know...this is NOT a good idea with all that is going on in the world right now!! ;)