A Blog About Blogging

photo © 2009 Deb | more info (via: Wylio)
Bonjour my bodacious and beloved Bible believing beings!

You’ve done it!
You’ve read Matthew.
You’ve reflected on his gospel.
You’re written at least 28 posts.
Well done. Well done indeed.

There’s another assignment in store for you before we depart for the summer. I want you to do a reflection post about your reflections. In other words, please blog about your blogging. Think about your experiences over this past semester, and then draw some conclusions. If you need a start, here are some questions you might want to ask yourself:

• What did you like or dislike while making and maintaining a blog?
• What did you learn while reading, reflecting, and writing?
• Did you give this your full effort? Why or why not?
• How were your comments? How were your peers’ comments?
• What were some of your favorite experiences while journaling?
• How did you struggle? What were some challenges you faced?

Before you start typing, please answer my survey so I can gain and use your feedback. Thanks!

One final thing. If you have some advice (about the blogs) for me or the teacher taking over 8th grade, please leave your advice in the comments below. If you think it’s too private, you can send me an email or fb message or speak with me in person. Thanks again! I love each of you!

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Osama Bin Laden – Special Post

photo © 2007 MIke Kline | more info (via: Wylio)
After 10 years of searching for the mastermind behind the al Qaeda September 11, 2001 attacks, the US military has found, shot, killed, and disposed of Osama Bin Laden.

Many people know about Osama, al Qaeda, and the September 11th attacks. However, many of you might be fuzzy on some of the details. Thanks to one of my favorite friends, Wikipedia, as well as a number of other news sources, I want you to read, recall, and understand the many events from the past decade (and beyond). Please click on the following links and watch the videos or read the articles*:

photo © 2009 Surian Soosay | more info (via: Wylio)
The Shorter Version

A 10 minute video from CNN’s Student News. This video provides a broad overview of who Osama Bin Laden was, what he did, and the meaning of his death.  At minimum, please watch the video.

The Longer, In-Depth Version

If watching the CNN video was not enough for you, I’ve provided a number of links to help you further understand what all the fuss is about. The are not mandatory to click, but I highly recommend you do.

1. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001
2. The mastermind, Osama Bin Laden
3. Osama Bin Laden’s terrorist network, al Qaeda
4. Article of Bin Laden’s death from the Huffington Post
5. Obama and the White House, a video to watch
6. Want to know some numbers on the cost to kill Bin Laden? Here’s another blog that can give you a rough estimate: Man Vs. Debt
7. Also, our own ICS teachers are getting involved on the discussion. Check out some brief thoughts from Mr. Hogshead on his blog: The Curious Task

Now What? Further Directions

photo © 2008 Steve Rhodes | more info (via: Wylio)
After you’ve read, skimmed, and/or perused these links and videos, please write a reflection post based on this historic incident and the recent closure that many Americans have found. I’m not looking for any sort of “right” answer, but rather your thoughts on this incident, whether good, bad, or a mix of the two. You might also want to answer a question such as: How might Jesus want me to respond to this? If you’re struggling how to respond as a Christian, you might want to check out this article: The Christian Response to Bin Laden’s Death.

*By the way, you are also welcome to view any other news, articles, or links related to Osama Bin Laden’s death! I’ve only provided an overview so that our class will have a common foundation.

DUE: Thursday, May 05 (PE) and Friday, May 06 (SC and EB)

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Matthew 22-28: Post, Post, Post!

I’m very excited about the variety of postings I’ve received from most of you. Now that you are all blog-savvy, you’ve been able to bring your own unique style and perspective to your blog site. I hope these sort of posts would continue to the end of the year and the end of Matthew 28.

This is why I’ve decided to simply go ahead and let you read, reflect, apply, and post as you desire! In other words, I’m continuing to allow the extensive freedom posting styles and techniques. Needless to say (but I’m going to say it anyway), there are still some guidelines. Please continue to include the following:

• Prove to me that you read each chapter in Matthew’s Gospel
• Prove to me that you understand the content
• Prove to me that you not only reflected, but applied the lessons learned to your own life

With that stated, you may work ahead on your blog posts. Remember to do a minimum of one post per chapter. Also, you are welcome to post other things on your blog to. Some bonus examples could be (but are not limited to): cool worships songs you heard recently, funny and appropriate images or videos, something you learned from church, and other meaningful life lessons or reflections.

Please comment or see me in person for questions. Enjoy your long weekend!

Matthew 22 DUE: Tuesday, May 03 (PE) and Wednesday, May 04 (SC and EB)

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Matthew 21 Post – Passion Week Begins

photo © 2010 Matt Clark | more info (via: Wylio)
Bonjour, Hola, Ni Hao, and Hello Bible Classes! Welcome back, from your Easter holiday. I hope you were able to rest, have some fun, and remember the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection. “Alleluia! He is risen!”

Based on your feedback, we’re going to continue with the extensive freedom in your posts. In other words, read Matthew 21, and then do any kind of reflective post that proves to me you read the passage AND applied it to your life.

There’s one EXTRA thing I want you to write about though. You can even title it “Mr. Franke’s Special Request.” At the end of your post, please write about the fig tree found in verses 18-22. It’s a confusing passage, and even if you read some commentary you might be confused.  Try to make some sense of it and write about what you think it means. Do the best you can!

DUE: Thursday, April 28 (PE) and Friday, April 29 (SC and EB)

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Matthew 19 & 20 Posts – Prove to me you read and reflected

photo © 2007 Jussi | more info (via: Wylio)
For our next two chapters in Matthew’s Gospel, you simply need to prove to me you actually read and reflected on the chapters, teachings, and events.

In other words, you can do any type of post as long as it conveys in-depth thought and application of the Bible to your life.

Happy reading, reflecting, and typing!

Chapter 19 DUE Dates: Wednesday, April 20 (PE) and Thursday, April 21 (SC, EB)
Chapter 20 DUE Dates: Tuesday, April 26 (PE) and Wednesday, April 27 (SC, EB) photo © 2010 Vinoth Chandar | more info (via: Wylio)

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Matthew 18 Post – An Experiment

Here’s something different for your next post on Matthew 18. You’re going to do an “experiment” that involves you doing some legwork before you can actually start writing on your blog. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Read Matthew 18
2. (BONUS: For fun, I highly recommend you check out this site about sheep facts)
3. Find one verse, part, lesson, etc. that you either learned, thought was helpful, or was really cool/enjoyable
4. Tell someone (NOT IN 8th GRADE) what you learned, thought was helpful, or really enjoyed
5. Remember their reaction or the conversation you had
6. Then write about this converstation you had

When you write your post, please include:

• The verse, passage, or particular thing you were drawn to in Matthew 18
• The first name (last optional) of the person you spoke to. (you can also speak to your family)
• How the conversation went and the reaction of the person you spoke to
• Any other thoughts you have on the “experiment”

Questions? Please see me sooner than later.

DUE: Monday, April 18th (PE) and Tuesday, April 19th (SC and EB)

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Matthew 17 Post – Choose Your Own Adventure

Greetings Bible classes!

We’re taking a break from new types of posts. Today is somewhat of a normal, reflective day. Here are your directions: photo © 2007 zoyachubby | more info (via: Wylio)

• Read Matthew 17
• Need help understanding the transfiguration? Click here
• Want to more about mustard seeds? Commentary here and wiki commentary here
• Think about something that stands out to you
• Write any type of reflective post that we’ve done in the past (normal paragraph, photo reflection, vlog, survey/poll, drawing, comic, and anything else that shows me you’ve reflected on the passage).  The only past thing you cannot do is an acrostic.
• Post it to your blog!

DUE: Thursday, April 14 (PE) and Friday, April 15 (SC and EB)

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Matthew 16 Post – So Confusing La

Dearest classes,

Here are your directions for the Matthew 16 Post.

• Read Matthew 16
• If necessary, use a commentary (or study Bible) to help you along the way
• Post these questions to your blog: What do you find most confusing about Matthew 16? Why?
• Then answer the questions using at least one complete paragraph with proper spelling, grammar, etc.

DUE: Tuesday, April 12 (PE) and Wednesday, April 13 (SC and EB)

photo © 2011 Scott Barkley | more info (via: Wylio)

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Matthew 15 – Acrostic or Analogy

Welcome back from your Ching Ming Festival.  What did you do yesterday? Please share in the comments!

Assignment:

1. Read Matthew 15
2. Use the information in Chapter 15 to either create an ACROSTIC or an ANALOGY
3. The acrostic or analogy should be related to Matthew 15. You only need to do it on one of the stories (not the whole chapter). Please be thoughtful and make it at least as mature as an average 8th grader’s level of mentality! 🙂
4. Post it to your site
5. Comment on other acronyms and analogies

Enjoy!

DUE: Friday, April 08 (PE) and Monday, April 11 (SC and EB)

BONUS for those that want to watch (again)!!!

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Matthew 14 Post

John the Baptist is beheaded, Jesus feeds 5,000, and Jesus walks on water.

These are the stories found in Matthew 14. Here are your directions for this post:

• Read Matthew 14
• Pick one story
• What sort of emotion is evoked in you? (How does it make you feel?)
• Find an image that captures how you feel.
• Post it to your blog.
• Tell your readers why you picked the photo, and describe your emotions.
• Remember to cite your photo.

You’re not done yet! Be sure to answer the poll in the previous post regarding Jesus asking Peter to walk on water too.

DUE: Wednesday, April 06 (PE) and Thursday, April 07 (SC and EB)

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