Secondary – September 16

On this date in 1620, the Mayflower left Plymouth, England, with 102 passengers bound for the “New World.” Considering the distance and challenges of any future new worlds, describe what would make you decide to make a pilgrimage to one if given the opportunity.

Secondary – September 15

On this date in 1812, Russian soldiers and their leaders set Moscow on fire to deny the city to the invading French army under command of Napoleon Bonaparte. Argue the logic of destroying someone so someone else cannot have it.

Secondary – September 14

Ivan Pavlov, famous for his experiments with dogs demonstrated conditioned reflexes, was born on this date in 1849. Think about something that triggers an automatic reaction in you. What is it, what sense do you use when experiencing it, what happens when you do, and why you want to keep or get rid of it?

Secondary – September 13

“Work accomplished means little. It is in the past. What we all want is the glorious and living present.” -Sherwood Anderson, born this date in 1876. Explain why you agree or disagree with the author of Winesburg, Ohio.

Secondary – September 12

“Any man who afflicts the human race with ideas must be prepare to see them misunderstood.” -HL Mencken, born on this date in 1880. Explain an idea you find fascinating that everyone else doesn’t get.

Secondary – September 11

Erastus Beadle, who with his brother Irwin launched Beadle’s Dime Novels and delivered affordable mass publications for American readers, was born on this date in 1821. Write two paragraphs: One that argues reading pulp fiction is bad for people, and another that argues any kind of reading is good for people.

Secondary – September 10

“The more important the subject and the closer it cuts to the bone of our hopes and needs, the more we are likely to err in establishing a framework for analysis.” -Stephen Jay Gould, born on this date in 1941. Write a short essay about something you believe strongly and why you should doubt it more than you do.

Secondary – September 9

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” -Leo Tolstoy, born on this date in 1828. Describe a change you could make in yourself that would make a change in the world.