Secondary – February 13

“People aren’t supposed to look back.” -Kurt Vonnegut in Slaughterhouse-Five, based on his survival of the Allied firebombing of Dresden, Germany, which began on this date in 1945. Argue true or false.

Primary – February 13

Chuck Yeager, the first person to travel faster than the speed of sound, was born on this date in 1923. What record do you want to break, and why?

Literary – February 12

“Then again, maybe I won’t.” -Judy Blume, born this date in 1938. Writing prompt: Write a scene that concludes with your protagonist doing exactly the opposite of what s/he intended when the scene opened.

Journaling + Fiction – February 12

“Be curious, not judgmental.”Walt Whitman Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the important distinctions between curiosity and judgment. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s lack of curiosity causes him/her to miss the opportunity to make a good judgment.

Big Questions – February 12

What’s the best dream you’ve ever had? Journaling prompt: Spend 15-20 minutes writing your answer in the spirit of exploring yourself and the world around you. If you can answer with a simple “yes” or “no,” explain the sources or implications of your response. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene that forces a character in your story to answer the question, or spend 15-20 minutes answering the question...

Romance – February 12

Franco Zeffirelli, who became a  movie powerhouse after his version of Romeo and Juliet became an international sensation in 1968, was born on this date in 1923. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s stereotypes of love cause confusion and pain instead of romance.

Mystery – February 12

“I have learned a lot about good and evil. They are not always what they appear to be.”- Charles Van Doren, born this date in 1926. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers the perpetrator of the crime is someone who had no reason to commit the crime — and every reason not to commit the crime.

SciFi/Fantasy – February 12

“The impossibility of conceiving that this grand and wondrous universe, with our conscious selves, arose through chance, seems to me the chief argument for the existence of God.” – Charles Darwin, born this date in 1809. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must confront a controversial heretic and ends up learning the heretic is right and your protagonist is...