Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Day #2 Celebration: The Homework Assignment

"Our Town" by Thornton Wilder has been my favorite play for a long time. Every year at the end of the unit, I have the students turn in a creative writing based on the final scene of the play.


Emily, the main character, died and has been given a chance to go back to earth for a moment. Her return doesn't last long. Before she goes back to her grave, she wants one last look.

"Take me back -- up the hill -- to my grave. But first: Wait! One more look. Good-bye, Good-bye world. Good-bye, Grover's Corners....Mama and Papa. Good-bye to clocks ticking....and Mama's sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new ironed dresses and hot baths....and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you are too wonderful for anybody to realize you."

I can't argue with Emily. There are a lot of wonderful little things that we take for granted. I point out that what she is saying farewell to are not the expensive luxuries of life. It's the little things that she is going to miss.

Your assignment:
Create a list of simple things that you love and take for granted; things that don't cost much money. You are limited to 150 words, which is why listing allows you to include a few more things. Give your list an appropriate title. (I'll see if you can match the sophomores on this one. They have given me some great titles through the years!)

That's it. You can post the assignment on your blog until Sunday, October 25th. Link it back to Easy Street. Then use Mr. Linky at the end of this blog, to post a link that others and your "teacher" can follow to your "assignment."

I will choose the winning entry and post the winner on my Halloween blog.



12 comments:

Dandy said...

Oooooo! I love it. And I love the Mr. Linky thingie- you are so high-tech!

puna said...

I don't know why I'm nervous about this. I'm going to do it of course. I had to write an essay for a scholarship once and I almost threw up. This brings me back:)

Heidi said...

*smile*

Gayle said...

Like Puna, this makes me nervous, as though I am back in school. Yipes!

Anonymous said...

well, I wanted to do this-but I don't have a blog.....so I'm just going to post it in your comments!
Things I love:
Meeting a new friend and finding out that strangers really aren't that strange.
The pop, closely followed by the frosty fog that escapes when opening champagne bottle.
The rush of excitement felt when trying something new.
Showing people that new isn't synonymous with bad.
The soft touch of the inside of a new sweatshirt.
The first sip of an ice cold beer.
The way your skin feels after a hard cardio workout.
The boost of self confidence you feel when someone laughs at your joke or story.
The feeling of being surrounded by true friends.
The excitement of a first kiss.
The feel of the hot sun on your skin.
The smell of a clean house.
The warmth of a real fire on a cold night.
Hearing someone belly laugh.
Bread.
The excitement/tension of a close football, basketball, or baseball game.
That warm in your belly feeling tequila gives you.
Thanks for the assignment Mrs. E, it really brightened my day! See you on Saturday?
Mary C.

Katie @ Can't Get There said...

I had so much fun! If we make different (multiple) lists, can we enter more than once? I feel like the girl who gets off the merry-go-round, only to yell, "Again, again!" :)

Heidi said...

I came back over to read the entries. Mine will probably be the last one in.

Heidi said...

...right after I pull an all nighter writing it...

Gayle said...

Hey mrs. e! I might be too late. I don't know if the deadline was until it turned 10/25, or until the end of 10/25. If I'm too late, that's okay, I had fun anyway!

Mrs. E said...

Perfect timing, Gayle!! I am reading all entries later this week. Though I have to admit to peeking at all of them!

Mrs. E said...

Note to Mary C. It is sooooo easy to see that we are blood relatives! Your list is my list, too!! (Well, except for Tequila... that must be your mom's side coming out in you!)

KD said...

OH then I hope I made it - here at 11:50 pm - I just finished posting mine. :D Love the ones I've seen so far. Thanks.