Today, the world leaders meet to lay down all weapons and work on the economic development of all nations.Corporate and industrial leaders meet to work on providing opportunities for poorer nations and a cleaner environment.On this day of Christmas, millions of Christians visit the birthplace of Christ;
Jerusalem, and were greeted by Israelis and Palestinians.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is not the news we hear today on the television and radios. But, this is “My Vision for the Future”.Today, I stand in front of you in our free country, but I also stand here in fear, for myself as well for as for the innocent people who could be victims of terrorism.It is possible to have only one vision for the future in a world that is constantly threatened by terrorism, war and violence. It is a vision that allows us to include everyone to live and work together – Australians, Americans, Chinese, Palestinians, Israelis, Afghanis – no one will be left out.Just as we saw a couple of years ago at the
Athens Olympics – where the world came together as a harmonious whole to compete as equals.Multiculturalism ensures that all citizens can keep their identities, take pride in their ancestry and yet have a sense of belonging. All citizens are equal. Multiculturalism gives us Australians a feeling of pride, security and self confidence making us open to and accepting diverse cultures.Our diversity is a national asset. Recent advances in technology have opened the world to us making international communication more important than ever. We Australians who speak many languages and understand may cultures, makes it easier for Australia to participate globally in areas of trade, education and diplomacy.My vision for the future goes beyond the peaceful existence of this world but extends to a world where all people live in fairness; children get the opportunities to a good education and enjoyment, today’s medical and technological advances should be made available to all. This vision is only possible when rich nations support poorer countries.Through the journey of life; from preparation to preparedness, as I stand at the gates of the future, I can only see dark clouds of inhumanity which can only be cleared with equal opportunity for all, best secured by free people working together towards a better tomorrow.We must acknowledge challenges and make our choices. A spark of possibility burns deep within every child; that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. My vision for the future can be achieved if we all work towards it from today. Let us resolve to leave this planet a better place than what we inherited.

Vist Sacha’s page @  http://sacht.learnerblogs.org/

I am still waiting for some of you to email me with your completed work for the term so far — if this is you please do so immediately.

You should by now have completed the task set in the previous weeks — if I have asked you to resubmit the work because you did not read the Blogging Guidelines as asked, or completed the task as asked (ie in your own words with comment) then please do so TODAY !!

Todays Task:

Seen any good films lately ?? Write a review of a film you have seen recently either on the big screen or television (TV).

Consider: the plot (without giving away the ending), the characters, the acting — characterisation, believability, the cinematography (film technique), an overall rating, and your opinion of the film, its plot, its characters, actors, etc……

You should aim to write about 300-500 words !!

Make sure you have:

* read  Blogging Guidelines and  How to leave a comment.

* completed the work on the newspaper article — as stated in the task. (Some of you have not fully completed the task correctly!)

* written your creative account of the Speech assessment task process

* published your speech (preferrably with reference to source material used)

* read the page What Do other people do? and commented on peoples work using How to leave a comment as a guide.

1) Please read carefully the pages on the left hand side of the page titled  Blogging Guidelines and  How to leave a comment

2) Your next writing task:

                     .       

What’s been happening in the news that has interested you, excited or concerned you, upset or delighted you, where have you heard it reported, what were the facts, the problem, the result, how did you feel, what did you think, were you inspired to do something??????
Write about it.

Use the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, HOW, WHY principle for your writing.
Refer to news articles like http://www.smh.com.au/  or http://www.news.com.au/ . for your ideas OR (Gasp ! Horror !) – check out the print copies in the library.

Stuck for an idea? Think Beaconsfield miners, Sophie etc….

3) Speech time is here again !
          i) Write a creative account of the Speech assessment task process from the time you heard that the had to write a speech to the moment before during and after the speech
          ii) Publish the speech you wrote.

         
4) Refer to the post titled What Do other people do? And complete the exercises listed there.

Congratulations to all of you who are up to date. There is some very impressive writing being submitted.

Just a couple of housekeeping pieces:

1) The following students need to see me about the completion of tasks: Amelia,Tim. Also Chris S see me about your site address — it does not seem to work from my page and could Sach, Diana, Jason, & Alex please change your presentations (again sorry) so I can leave messages please.

2) Have a go at making your site “pretty” by uploading fancy texts and relevant pictures etc… but try not to go too overboard as it can become distracting, and hard to find the tasks.

3) Encourage your friends to leave constructive comments about your work — it is not “messenger” or an email service.

Todays Task:

In the spirit of the season  Choose one of the following — research it and or write about it to create a piece of writing:

1) The Easter Bunny is not real. He is an imaginary creature made up to help advertising companies sell more chocolate.

2) Chocolate is bad for you !!

3) The true meaning of Easter has been lost by the commercialism surrounding it.

4) Attack of the Killer Bunny !! (I once had an old computer game that featured a killer bunny right at the end of the game — we never could get past it !!!!)

 Have a happy & safe easter everyone — see you next term !!

Those of you that do not have blog yet – see me urgently!

Those that have not complleted all the tasks so far: HURRY UP you are falling behind !!!

THIS LESSONS TASK:

You are currently doing a wide reading unit of work with your regular teacher.

Choose a story, novel, article you have read over the last few weeks. Retell the story (or as much as you have read) and give comment on the type story, its style of writing, and value as a piece of literature.

IF YOU HAVE FINISHED:

Check out what your class mates wrote and post a comment !!

If you have not recieved a comment from me, or created a blog and completed a post please see me before beginnng your tasks this lesson. Please remember a mark for effort and writing skills will be awarded at the end of the semester.

Today:

1) Check out the links to your class mates work in the list on the left hand side of the page. Leave comments if you like about any of the ideas or stories that appeal to you.

2) When you have logged into your own blog try adding some of your friends blogs to your links. (Hint look in the Admin site under the heading of links). Also add my site.

3) Make your next post. Choose one of these.

       i) Now that you have finished the novel write a appraisal/book review of it’s good and bad points as a piece of literature, and good story.

       ii) Write the epilogue to the novel 5 yrs on from the final chapter.

      iii) Script the interview Stanley has with a reporter after…..

       iv) “It’s a great day for the Irish!” March 17th is St Patricks Day. Do a quick search and find out who St Patrick was, why the day is important, who it is important to, why people wear green, what the whole point of the day etc…. Record your findings in your blog — be carefull not to plagiarise !!!!

If finished early — explore the fun and games page !!

Your task for today is as follows:

EITHER:

The novel you have been studying is called HOLES. One of the themes (major idea) of the novel is “Crime & Punishment”.

In Gilbert & Sullivan’s operetta “The Mikado” one of the characters sings about “Let the punishment fit the crime”.

Do you think Stanley Yelnats punishment fits his crime?

In your answer you should talk about Stanley, what he has done, where he has been sent, what he is being made to do, what you think would be more appropriate, the concept of corporal punishment, and justice. Aim to write abut 200+ words.

OR

Write a ceative account of the worst camp you ever went to.

Finshed? Find out how much you know about the novel here http://www.kidsreads.com/funstuff/trivia/holes-triv1.asp