Blog Post #8: Essay Exam Practice - 2

Since the 1980s, there has been “a gradual climb upward in both enrollment and participation” of high school sports. I think this is happening for a few reasons. I think the students want an opportunity to get scholarship money, to meet friends with similar interests, and to get exercise. These three things have influence students all around the world.

The first reason why high school sports have become more common is because you can gain scholarship money. This can be very important to a student graduating. Because our economy is not in the best shape right now, students feel pressure to find other ways to pay for college. A sports scholarship can be very beneficial. Sports scholarships can, based on you abilities, give you a “full ride” to that school. This means that the school will pay for your tuition so that you can play for that school. I think this is a great thing. It allows people who would not be able to pay for college an opportunity to play a sport at the college level while also getting a great education.

The second reason why high school sports have become more common is because you can meet new friends with similar interests. For most high school students, going to a new school can be scary an intimidating. Even though this is true, school sport allow for the students to meet others with the same passion in that sport. Most sports teams have long practices, making the students on the team spend a lot of time together. This helps them become close and become great friends.  High school sports also allow the students to meet older students to help them with the transition from middle school to high school.  Coaches can also become good friends to students in school sports. Because they spend a lot of time with the coaches, the coaches start to help and guide the students throughout their high school careers.

The third reason why high school sports have become more common is because you can get exercise. In the past couple year’s obesity has become a problem in America. This also causes health problems like heart disease and diabetes. With more kids joining school sports, it is allowing kids to get exercise and stay fit. The problem with children now a day is that they are more concerned with video games and the internet instead of going outside to play. The students want a way to stay in shape and get exercise so they feel that by joining a sport, it will push them to stay in shape throughout their high school careers, while also teaching them how to properly stay in shape for the rest of their life.

I think that high school sports have become more common for different reasons. They allow kids to gain scholarships for college, make new friends with similar interests, and also stay fit with exercise. In the future, if there is more of a climb like there is now, there will more positive reasons why students enjoy to participate in high school sports

Blog Post #7: Essay Exam Practice

QUESTION 1: The excerpt below points out, “One in seven children is a bully or the target of a bully.”  In your view, are schools doing enough to address the problem of bullies at school?  Be certain to include specific examples and details in your discussion. 

THESIS 1: I believe that schools aren't doing enough to address the problem of bullies at school. This is because kids are asking for help, they are getting as much punishment for bullying and parents dont stop bullying when they hear about it.

INTRODUCTION 1: I don't think schools are doing enough to stop bullying. I think this because kids are asking for help, who are getting bullied, kids aren't getting as much punishment for bullying, and parents don't stop bullying when they hear about it.

CONCLUSION 1: In conclusion, schools should pay attention to the kids more. They are asking for help, the bullies aren't getting as much punishment and parents aren't doing anything about the problem either

QUESTION 2: The article excerpted below reports the increased involvement of boys and girls in high school athletics.  Why do you think that since the 1980’s high school athletics have seen “a gradual climb upward in both enrollment and participation?”  Explain at least three, but no more than five, reasons in your discussion, and be certain to include specific details and examples.

THESIS 2: I believe that high school students have become more involved with athletics because it keeps them in shape, its an outlet, and they can make friends with the same interest as them.

INTRODUCTION 2: In the past couple decades, more and more students has started to become more involved with school sports. There are a few reason I  I believe this is because it keeps them in shape, its an outlet, and they can make friends with the same interest as them.

CONCLUSION 2: In conclusion, i believe that many students have decided to join a school sports team for a few reasons. They want to stay in shape, have an outlet and lastly meet new friends.

QUESTION 3:The school administrator who wrote the excerpt below states that “our priority must be to focus on the quality of the teachers we hire.”  If you were in charge of hiring high-quality teachers for a school, what characteristics would you seek in your candidates?  Examine at least three, but no more than five, characteristics, and be certain to include specific examples and details in your discussion.

THESIS 3: Teachers should be hired with higher qualities.  They should be a good motivator, a good speaker, and understand ability. 

INTRODUCTION 3: Many teachers are hired without focusing on the quality of the teacher. I think this is completely wrong. I think administrators should hire teachers with good qualities like motivating, well spoken and someone who understand ability.

CONCLUSION 3: In conclusion, I believe that administrators need to focus more hiring someone with good qualities rather than someone who will be able to start as soon as possible. The administrators should focus on characteristics like someone who is motivating, well spoken, and understands ability.