Secondary – August 23

On this date in 1814, US Presidential wife Dolley Madison saved a portrait of George Washington from the White House before it was looted and burned by British troops. If you were going to save one object from your house from destruction, what would you choose and why?

Primary – August 23

Poet Edgar Lee Masters, who wrote the Spoon River Anthology about the kinds of towns in which he grew up, was born on this date in 1869. Write a 6-line poem about your town.

Secondary – August 22

Don’t write about reverse psychology.

Primary – August 22

When you feel sad, what do you do to cheer yourself up?

Secondary – August 21

Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, was born on this date in 1973. Think about the ways you find information compared to the ways your parents and grandparents found information. Write a short essay about how those differences affect your daily life.

Primary – August 21

Winnie-the-Pooh’s Christopher Robin was born on this date in 1920. Christopher once told his bear friend, “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” What would you tell your best friend to always remember?

Secondary – August 20

“Every great change in individual and social conditions begins small, among simple, earnest people, face to face with the facts of life. Ask yourselves seriously, ‘Why should not the coming change begin with us?’ ” -Kevin Baker, born on this date in 1958. Answer Kevin Baker’s question.

Primary – August 20

The 23rd US President, Benjamin Harrison, was born on this date in 1833. He defeated President Grover Cleveland to win the office in 1888, and then Grover Cleveland defeated Benjamin Harrison in 1892. Who do you sometimes think you’re sandwiched between people, and how does that make you feel?