Language Arts Teacher of the Month, October

Hi members!

To make it a little more convenient for you, we're going to have nominations in this post. If there is a Language Arts teacher that you'd like to nominate, please leave a comment!


-Sheena

Ode to Plurals

I was sent this poem in chain mail and thought that you all might like to share in the delights of the English language. I think it was written by Zdenek Salzmann.

Happy reading...

Ode to Plurals

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, and three would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!

Let's face it - English is a crazy language.
There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger;
neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
English muffins weren't invented in England.
We take English for granted, but if we explore its paradoxes,
we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square,
and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing,
grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham?
Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend.

If you have a bunch of odds and ends
and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?
If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?
Sometimes I think all the folks who grew up speaking English
should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.

In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a
recital?
We ship by truck but send cargo by ship.
We have noses that run and feet that smell.
We park in a driveway and drive in a parkway.
And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same,
while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language
in which your house can burn up as it burns
down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out,
and in which an alarm goes off by going on.
And, in closing, if Father is Pop, how come Mother's not Mop?

NEHS Monthly Newsletter

Hey guys! I hope everyone had a good Monday! Our next meeting is the Induction Rehearsal on October 1st at 2:30 outside the 800/900 Building. In the meantime we have been trying to implement some of our ideas on how to make our organization the best. One idea presented is to create a monthly newsletter of what is going on in NEHS. It can contain articles about things that are coming up, as well as things that have already happened. We can include photos and articles written by members and sponsors. This newsletter can be emailed to all members, Lang. Arts teachers, and NEHS parents. That way everyone can stay informed on what we do and how they can become involved. I am looking for 2-4 dedicated members who would like to be staff writers for the newsletter. Please email me or reply to this post. Thanks and have a great week!

PS - Don't forget to come pick up your t-shirts starting Wednesday after school!

September NEHS Language Arts Teacher of the Month!

The winner is....Mrs. Nelson! Officers and any other members who would like to volunteer, will be decorating her door on Monday (Sept. 22) and presenting her with tokens of gratitude for all she does throughout the school year. Please join me in congratulating Mrs. Nelson!

At this time, I will begin taking nominations for October's LA Teacher of the Month. Please respond to this email with the teacher's name, and the reason you think he/she should be awarded.

Movie Day!

This afternoon was movie day and we had a great bunch of students who came to watch The Prestige. What a great movie! I loved the end when everyone started screaming! :o) I hope those members who could not join us, come out to our next movie day in October! Oh and those of you who loved the movie...check out the book! It's called The Prestige by Christopher Priest.

I also collected all money and permission forms for A Midsummer Night's Dream today. We have 15 students and 3 adults attending this event! There is still room for a couple more (as long as you have your own transportation), so if you would like to attend you need to bring your permission form and money on Monday!

Also, one last reminder that the Book Bunch Club will have its first informational meeting on Monday at 2:20pm in T-10. Afterwards the officers will be meeting. Ok, everyone have a safe and fantastic weekend! I will leave you with some pictures from today's event:

NEHS upcoming events!

Hi members!

This is just a reminder of upcoming events!

• There will be a movie day on Friday after school in trailer 10. Please vote for the movie you would like to see on the right hand column. Remember that you cannot get credit for the movie day unless you bring some food or drink to share!
• The first Book Bunch club meeting will be Monday the fifteenth. Book bunch is a club that selects a book a month to read and discuss during lunches. If you plan to be in Book Bunch, please attend this informational meeting so we can see who will be participating and which books we should get started on. This meeting will also take place in Trailer 10
• Please remember to turn in your Shakespeare's Tavern permission slip to Trailer 10 by this Friday if you want to attend a Midsummer's Night Dream on Sunday the 21st.
• Please remember to come to the MANDATORY Induction ceremony rehearsal after school on Wednesday October 1st between the Freshman/Sophomore building and the New Gym.
  
• The Induction ceremony itself will be on Thursday, October 2nd at 7:00

ENJOY ENGLISH!!

-Sheena P. #1, VP

PS: My apologies for the typo on the meeting minutes sent out, the Induction ceremony is OCTOBER 2nd, not in September.

A Note From Mrs. Olsen

I just wanted to let you all know that I am currently in Florida with my mother who is dying from pancreatic cancer. She has fought a good fight and has exceeded her 3-9 months to live prognosis by as much as 7 months at the maximum and over one month at the minimum. She has been an awesome and amazing mom to my four brothers and me! Her life is a blessing to so many, and it has been so wonderful to actually be witness to the impact she has made.

My father died when I was two years old from a car accident with a drunk driver, and my mother and I have always had a very close relationship all of my life. She never remarried because she loved my father so much, and no one could measure up to him. Additionally, she did not want to deal with a stepfather coming between her and her kids. She has sacrificed a lot to make our lives blessed, and all four of my brothers and I are here with her right now to give her our support and blessing as she passes. I will always cherish the moments I have been able to have with her. I want to share with you a piece I wrote in tribute to my mom this past year.


Dear Mom,
I am so thankful God gave me to you and Dad over 40 years ago. If I had to choose parents for myself, I would have definitely chosen the two of you. Here is a poem that is really intended to be a romantic poem, but it says some things that are in my heart for you.

How Do I Love Thee?
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! And, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

I thought I would take a few minutes and count some of the ways that I love you, Mom.
1) I love your passion for God most of all.
2) I love your commitment to pass down your passion for God to your children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and your desire to have an unbroken
circle in heaven.
3) I love your loyalty and love for my dad (even after his death).
4) I love your integrity and determination for morality and purity of heart.
5) I love your strong and faithful love for your children and their spouses.
6) I love your surrender to God’s plan for your life and your ability to accept His
will over your own.
7) I love the joy you receive from and give to your friends.
8) I love the sacrificial way you have chosen to live…putting others’ wishes before
your own.
9) I love the enjoyment you find in doing things for others.
10) I love the way you remember all of the details about a special memory.
11) I love the fact that style, fashion, and proper hygiene are part of your
personal lifestyle.
12) I love the stamina and strength you have to live each day as a gift from God.
13) I love your homemade chicken potpie, applesauce, brownies, potato soup, and
Sunday dinners.
14) I love your smile, laughter, and smooth complexion.
15) I love your ability to accept and forgive.
16) I love your decorating skills and how you make a house a warm and inviting home.
17) I love your beautiful silver hair.
18) I love your tenacious hugs and words of wisdom.
19) I love your dependence on God to provide for your needs.
20) I will always love you for who you are…God’s gift to me!

Just added somethings...

Good morning all! On this beautiful Saturday morning and our WONDERFUL 3 day weekend I have updated somethings on the blog, and also have some information to share with you:

• Teacher nominations are done. We have three teachers who were nominated. If you would like to see the reasons they were nominated, check here.

• To the right you will see the polling for September's NEHS Language Arts Teacher of the Month. Please vote for your favorite before September 14th at midnight.

• I am still taking t-shirt designs through this weekend. Please email me your designs! Everyone gets a free shirt with their paid dues, so let's make it a good one!

• There are still 2 days left of voting for our meeting day for this school year. Please vote!

• Beginning September 1st, I will have up the poll for the September movie day. Please vote!

• Finally, I received 47 applications and dues as of yesterday. WOHOO!!! If you have not turned in your application and dues, please do so on Monday. I am in T-10 behind the new gym. I will be in my room 7:00-7:10, 6th period lunch, and after school 2:10-3:00pm.

• If you did turn everything in on time, thank you. You will be receiving an invitation to the NEHS Induction Ceremony this week, containing all the information you need!

• Become an NEHS blog follower! At the very bottom right corner of the blog you can sign-in to become a blog follower and receive updates.
  

Have a wonderful weekend!

Final Reminder

Hey guys! This is a final reminder that all applications for membership, dues, and t-shirt designs are due tomorrow by 3pm in T-10. Also, tomorrow is the last day we are taking LA teacher nominations. Beginning on Saturday you can vote for your favorite teacher! The voting for the movie for the September movie day will also begin on Sept. 1st. Looking forward to seeing everyone at our first NEHS meeting!

Just a reminder...

I love to see everyone here on the blog. However...because you're all such enthusiastic posters the blog about the teacher nominations is now way, way down the page! If you are looking to nominate your favorite LA teacher, click here. Also, please, please remember to submit your NEHS t-shirt designs to myself, Mrs. Olsen, or Mrs. Haddock by Friday! Have a great weekend!

Time to Step Up, Miss Treasurer!

Like Seo said before, there are already so many posts! I apologize for introducing myself so late! I blame technical problems and the like. Anyways...


Hello everyone! I am Marrielle Lachica, and as the title says (in a really corny way) I am the treasurer of NEHS! :) That's right. I'm in charge of the finances. (So please make sure to pay your dues on time!) I will do my best to do my duty with the utmost excellence! :D

A tiny bit more on me. I am a senior this year. (Yay!) I love to write, read, bake, listen to music, and be with friends. I warn you that I can be a little slow when it comes to posting things. (It's mainly because I think too much though. :P) Still, I will try my hardest like everyone else! <3

I am very excited about what's to come this year, and I hope that everyone will be able to participate in many of the fun activities that's in store for all of you! :3

Member at Large- SEO KIM

Hello, NEHS~
Wow, we have a lot of posts already!
I am glad that many members (except for me) have already
made great use of this blog.
I am here to vote on the polls, and so far, I am glad that the meeting dates
are set to be on Monday afternoons (according to the current poll statistics).
Now, I am going to vote for my favorite L. Arts teacher.
You know, we should have more posts on this blog, even
the funny ones.
We should come up with more ideas~
Anyways, it was nice visiting the NEHS blog,
and I hope current members and future members make good use
of it too.

Thanks,

Seo

Spicing Up NEHS

Hey members and future members,

My name is Aerielle. I am activities chair of NEHS. My job is to spice up English and make it fun for returning and new members. This year NEHS has tons of amazing trips planned. For example in October we are going to the Fox Theatre to see "Wicked", we are also making multiple trips to the Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta. NEHS has many movie days after school that members will be able top vote for their favorite movie. If all that doesn't sound fun to you maybe a poetry jam would be more your style or tutoring language arts students during your lunch. I am determined to make English and NEHS fun for everyone. I have homework to do so this is all for now =) I hope you enjoyed my blog.

Later fellow members of NEHS

Nominate your favorite English Teacher!

Each month NEHS will be honoring one terrific Language Arts teacher here at North Gwinnett. You (the members of NEHS) will nominate your favorite teacher (with an explanation of why) and then the entire club will vote on a winner!

Respond to this post with your nomination and the reason why you are nominating that teacher. You have unitl August 29th! On August 30th there will be poll, right here on the blog, where you can vote on your favoite LA teacher. The poll will close on September 5th and a Language Arts Teacher of the Month for September will be named!

Please keep in mind a teacher can only win once per year, and this includes all Language Arts teachers in grades 9-12! So go ahead and nominate your favorite now!!!

NEHS: A Great Leadership Opportunity!

Welcome back to a brand new year at North Gwinnett! It's exciting to be on a campus that has national academic status. As part of that community, the National English Honor Society offers you many ways to develop academically, socially, and intellectually. We have so many amazing things planned for this year from our Poetry Jam to visits to downtown Atlanta's Shakespeare Tavern to a new reading lunch club to tutoring opportunities to writing contests, etc. It is so much fun to be a part of the NEHS here at North Gwinnett, and you are an important part of making our chapter an integral part of our school. We are only beginning our third year as an existing chapter here at North, and so you are able to be a part of the foundation building of the NEHS club. What a great leadership opportunity! Make the NEHS a priority on your list of important stuff to do. You won't regret it...and you will graduate with honors!

The Sponsor - Mrs. Lusher

I would like to welcome back all our returning members and welcome all our new, prospective members! I am looking forward to another fantastic year. If you ever have any questions, stop by room T-10. My door is always open! I also would like to thank the officers and the other sponsors, Mrs. Olsen and Mrs. Haddock, for all their hard work over the summer getting ready for this school year. We're going to have a blast!! Spread the word and get all your friends to join!

Esther Kim - La Presidente

Hm. I'm still trying to figure out why I wrote the title in spanish. This is National English Honor Society...

Anyhow, hello present and future NEHS members! I'm Esther Kim, and I have the privilege to serve as your president this year! I am a junior, an English geek with many random passions, including music, photography, food, volleyball, fashion...and the list goes on and on. I could bore you guys with an entire life story beginning with my first breath on May 10, 1992 at 12:25pm, but that is very fortunately unnecessary. The only thing you really need to know about me is my dedication to NEHS. I promise to give you my best. Please feel free to approach me with questions, feedback, and ideas

I have high hopes for a great year! c:

Your Trusty Vice Prez

Hi members [or future members =O]

This is your trusty Vice Prez. I am a junior in high school and very excited to be helping out the club this year. I suppose I'm supposed to talk about myself, but since I'm not very good at that, I suppose I'll see you all at meetings and you can determine what kind of person I am from there. I can tell you that I'm very passionate about many things: reading, writing, tae kwon do, firefox, root beer, and cinnamon gum. Don't expect to be able to bribe me with any of these things though, I stick to a strict code of honor. Just know that if you have any ideas or suggestions, you can tell me and I won't shoot you down. I'm there if you need something, so please know that you can count on me.

-Sheena Patel

=]

End of the Year

It is the last week of school and everything NEHS is wrapping up. I would like to welcome all the new Officers to the blog. Over the next few weeks they will all introduce themselves and tell you about their goals for the upcoming year. Everyone have a fantastic summer and we will see you back in the fall!!

New Info - 1/16/08 Meeting

I. Point Probation
a. Distribute letters

II. NG’s Literary Magazine
a. 10 points per submission
b. Copy of submission must be given to Mrs. Lusher or Mrs. Olsen for you to receive points

III. Book Sale
a. Saturday, Jan. 18th from 9am-3pm
b. Sign-up to volunteer to help out
i. Bring camp chair
ii. Dress warmly! The high temp. for the day is 42! It will be very cold in the morning.
c. Make a poster to advertise
i. List date, location, time
ii. List theme: “Warm Up With a Good Book!”
iii. List book price: Paperbacks $0.25, Hardbacks $0.50
iv. 5 points per poster, all due before school on Friday to Mrs. Lusher or Mrs. Olsen (T-10 or 614)
d. Even if you don’t volunteer – come out to support NEHS and buy some books!

IV. Movie Day
a. Friday, Jan. 17th at 2:30pm in Room 614
b. We will be watching “The Devil Wears Prada”

V. Volunteering at Sugar Hill Elementary
a. Sign-up with your email and you will be contacted by Mrs. Hullender
b. You will receive 5 points per hour for volunteering

VI. Trip to the home of Margaret Mitchell (Author of Gone With the Wind)
a. Saturday, Jan. 26th at 10am-2pm
b. Please pick up permission form today and return it signed by Jan. 23rd
c. Admission costs $7 per person ($9 for adults)
d. We will be meeting there, and going to lunch together after (you will need money for lunch as well).
e. 10 points

VII. Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare Tavern
a. Sunday, Feb. 17th at 5:15pm (Monday is no school!)
b. Please pick up a permission form today and return it signed by Jan. 25th
c. Tickets are $12 per person (students and adults)
d. We will also be having dinner, so you will need to bring money
e. We will be meeting there, parking is approx. $4
f. 10 points

VIII. NEHS Valentine’s Day Poetry Jam
a. Saturday, Feb. 9th at 7pm-9pm
b. Location: TBA (if you know of a good place, let us know!)
c. Please sign-up if you are interested in performing poetry (there is a “love” theme and the poetry can be yours or something already published) – 5 points per poem performed
d. You will receive 5 points for simply coming to listen!

IX. Writing Contests
a. See attached sheet
b. 10 points per contest – a copy of submission must be turned in to Mrs. Olsen or Mrs. Lusher

X. NEHS - Fall 2007 “Museletter”
a. See attached copy and please read!
b. NEHS Scholarship info enclosed
c. We need members to submit articles for our chapter! Please write and summit to Mrs. Lusher or Mrs. Olsen and we will mail it in!
d. 10 points per submission