Sue McKnight’s ninth-grade class at Corner High School recently wrote essays about building strong families. The topic was “Entertainment Tonight.”

See below to to read several quality student essays.



Entertainment Tonight

By Katie Hambright

Corner High School

It is a fact that the amount of time a family spends together directly influences each family member. According to Potter & Perry’s “Developing Through the Lifespan,” children with families that spend time together frequently perform better in school, are more likely to graduate high school and are less likely to get into trouble. The American Academy of Pediatrics posts on their web site a study that debates whether it is the quality or quantity of time that families spend together that is most important. However, all agree that any time spent together enhances that lives of all.

There are many ways that families can plant o spend time together. One way is to start family dinnertime. Choose a time that works well for all. Make sure there are no distractions such as the television or telepph0one. Then everyone can discuss their day’s events while eating. If your family envoys movies, you may choose a specific day and time to go to a movie together. Just make it a routine event. This will ensure that you are all getting the important time together that you need.

It is up to each individual family to decide how to make their time, quality time. How will you entertain tonight?



Entertainment tonight

By Alex Perricotte

Corner High School

Every family should spend time to least one hour together every day. To spend time with your family you can always sit at home and talk abut how your day was. And you could ask them the same thing.

Your family could have a game night where you play games that ask question. Or you could even eat dinner together. You could sit and talk. Watch TV. show that your family likes to watch together or go out of town and while you’re riding in the car you could play 20 questions. Even going to church is spending tome with your family. That is how you should spend time with your family.



Entertainment Tonight

By Ambley Chambers

Corner High School

Extra, Extra!!

Strong families are important in today’s society. Without them society will fail. What is great about building strong families is that it can be simple. It can be as simple as eating dinner with each other at night or respecting your elders. Though it may be easy at times, it can sometimes require work. You should work at it because it is worth it in the end and provides you with what you need. A great time to do this would be around the dinner table. Try it! Soon!



Quality Family Time

By Breanna Skinner

Corner High

In my observations I realized that you should really spend time with your family. The reason I say this is because I have seen a lot of families who don’t their kids that well. Also I have seen parents neglecting their kids and letting them do whatever they want such as drugs and so on. I think that every family should spend time together whether you are eating breakfast together of just communicating with them face to face or over the phone. All families should express their feelings to each other, try to understand the changing roles of each family member, and always spend as much time as you can together because that is really important in a family. In conclusion a family that shares responsibilities and works together shows a loving and caring functional family forever in unity.



Entertainment

By Christa Long

Corner High School

It is important for families to spend time together because then they learn about the other members. If something is wrong you can comfort them. People need to know there are people who love, care and support them. Families need to be together so they can grow closer. Then if you’re not feeling well or your stressed you know you have someone to help you and take care of you. In a family you need to spend time together individually as well as in a group. Family get togethers can be fun but spending time with family members individually can bring you a lot closer.



Entertainment Tonight

By Danielle Tyler

Corner High School

I Danielle believe that there are a few ways you and your family can spend quality time together. Even I thought this would be really boring but it is actually okay after you do it. You can plan to spend time with your family and it’s not hard; all you have to do is plan.



Family Time

By Erika Hodo

Corner High School

How much time do you spend with your family? When I asked myself this question, I found myself struggling with the answer. I did not realize until I participated in the FACS “Entertainment Tonight” project. With this project I produced an outline of the time my family and I would spend together, and then documented it. When I realized how little amounts of time I was spending with my family, I decided that this project was helpful and in the future I will plan more activities without involving TV with my family time.



Families

By Erin Veitch

Corner High School

Families do not spend quality time together like they should. They are all so bushy with their own lives, that it gets put on the back burner. Families need to try and at least eat one meal together. That will give them some time to catch up on each others day. Car rides are also excellent ways to talk to each other, they can be more personal. Try to make some time together before it becomes too late.



Entertainment Tonight

Haliann Busby

Corner High School

In recent studies it show more and more families spending less time together. This can be a very devastating effect on families over a long period of time. It has been proven that teens have become more independent over the years which make them feel less obligated to seek their parent’s assistance. This hurts some parents and even teens. Some teens who don’t spend time with their families lash out on their peers or parents. They become less social or could even get into drugs and alcohol. This is a very negative affect of such a simple but effective way to keep families strong.

One way we could change this horrible fate is to plan family outings or just a family dinner to get conversation flowing and interest in each others life. One game of Monopoly, Life, Scrabble or any other game could bring any family closer. You could bike, swim, hike, just get out there and do something!



Entertainment Tonight

Hollie Cooner

Corner High School

Spending time together as a family is important. You have to communicate to work together. Everyone in the family has to do their part. I would say I spend more time with my family than a lot of people. We eat dinner together often and Saturday morning breakfast is a tradition. We almost never miss a Sunday at church. My family communicates well and always laughs together. How can you live in the same house with someone you barely know?



Family Time

By Jaden Allred

Corner High School

It is good for families to spend time together so the children can feel as though they have someone they can talk to and feel as though their parents care about them. If there was more time spent together with families I feel as thought the world would become a better place because the parents would know what their children are doing and keep them out of trouble.

There are plenty of ways for families to spend time together such as: going to the movies, eating dinner tougher, or planning a family game night. But if that’s just impossible it would be nice to just try and start up conversation on the way to school or parents ask how their child’s day went and what’s happening at school. Just to let them know you care would change families a lot, and when families get closer it could make the world a better place.



Entertainment Tonight

Jordan Entrekin

Corner High School

Do families spend enough time together? Families become strong by spending quality time together. My family recently had a meal and game night. The meal was important because we got to sit and talk. It brought us together and it can do the same for you. After our meal we played Uno. Overall the night was a success.



Family Time

By Sara Langston

Corner High School

Spending time with your family is actually very important. These days people are so busy tat they don’s even think about it. They play roles in their lives with friends/ jobs/ etc. Actually family is the most important thing in your life. Simple little actions can make your parents/ sibling’s days go a lot better. Examples include: eating dinner together, cookouts, rides, and especially vacations. Everyone seems so happy at vacations! It’s crazy how much spending the smallest amount of time can erect family’s happiness. If you don’t spend enough time with your family you need to because it’s extremely important in keeping; your family strong and healthy.



Entertainment Tonight

By Stacy Poe

Corner High School

Parent involvement is associated with a decrease in adolescent’s behavioral problems. Teens that have bonds with their mothers are less likely to be violent. Regularly eating dinner with your family lessens the likelihood of abusing drugs. Some teens would rather have their parent’s home and other teens just need their own space. Spending time with your dad often results in better grades. Good communication with your mom can result in better grades. Planning fun and successful family activities shouldn't be a chore. Most just require a little thought and a little planning to be successful. Alternate between planned and unplanned activities, just hanging can be just as fun. Make sure the family activity is something everyone can enjoy. All members should have input for planned activities. Plan family activities on a family calendar and make them a priority. Following through with planned activities lets everyone in the family know they can rely on and trust each other. A strong family life creates a sense of belonging for parents and kids alike, providing security in an often harsh world. Feeling like you belong is a fundamental human need and if that goes unfilled both kids and parents will look elsewhere to fill that emptiness.