Writing Across Cultures

Please use your time in the lab today to read about Colombia (from the previous posts), as well as the material posted below. It is important to actually read this information concerning the book, as it will help clarify some key problems students often have when approaching this text. After reading and checking out these links, you may spend your lab time reading, working on your comic book script or completing some work for your portfolio. Use your time in the lab effectively. Authors often use a well designed or imagined fictional setting for many of their stories. A writer who writes a series of work in a specific place is called a "regional writer." Stephen King's Castlerock, Ray Bradbury's Green Bluff, Illinois, and Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha county are examples. Like Dorothy, you don't need to look beyond your back door for an interesting setting--but you may want to. Macondo is draws from García Márquez's childhood town, Aracataca . Aracata...

Today, let's examine and chat about Borges' work, do a few quick writing exercises, pick up our next novel from the library, and go up to the lab to research and take notes on Colombia & Argentina, and write creatively in our portfolios. Colombia (basic information) A unique culture of Spanish culture and other mixed cultures, Colombia is bordered by the Pacific Ocean were their traditions are diverse, with a broad group that have unique customs, accents, social patterns, and cultural adaptations. These groups are classified into three cultures: those in the interior, the countryside, and the coastal regions. Modern Colombian music is a mixture of African, native Indigenous and European (Spanish) influences, as well as more modern American and Caribbean musical forms, such as Trinidadian, Cuban, and Jamaican. The official language is Spanish, which was imposed during the colonial period. All Colombians speak it except some of the indigenous populations ...

Argentina Argentina Argentina This video will lead you to a series of short "travel" videos for the country. You may use them as inspiration for settings. In the lab later today, please view, read, and take notes on these three areas linked below: Argentina Overview Argentina history . Argentina provinces . Argentina Culture Argentina News (current newspaper in English) The poet Alfonsina Storni , a pioneer for equal rights for women, wrote eight books of poetry. Her poetry takes a natural and feminist stance, with sexual metaphors and nature imagery. Here are a few of her poems. WRITING IDEA: Make a list of natural items: grapes, trees, horses, etc. and/or cultural ideas from Argentina: the Tango, gauchos, cuisine, soccer teams, etc. and combine them with startling metaphors. To do this, first make a list of non-related verbs and nouns. Then juxtapose them in surprising ways in the style of Storni's poetry. You may also tap into more sexual imagery, if you...

Today we will start our exploration of other cultures and voices starting with the continent of South America (students overall voted S. America as one of their top 3 choices on the survey). Let's start with a little knowledge. Take the map test on the countries in South America. How did you do? Do you know, for example, where Bolivia is, or Brazil, or Peru? Today we will start our world tour with Argentina. After the quiz (this is not graded), please take a moment or two and read the notes handed out to you with a partner. Find at least one item on these notes that you find interesting or valuable. Consider what you know about the life and culture in Argentina, if anything. Share your ideas or opinions. Then let's get cracking reading some contemporary Argentinian writers. We will read these stories and collection of poems out loud together as a class. After each story or collection of poems, please respond to what you have read. Your response should be a creative one. ...

We are entering the 3rd marking period. Careful, this one's short. You will need to continue writing a portfolio. Any of the previous exercises can still be tried. Don't forget that you want to pace yourself to write at least 1-2 pages per week. This is not a lot of writing, if you pace yourself. Your comic book script (and other assignments) will be included in this next portfolio. Remember, also, that you can revise and rewrite any work for which you have already created a draft. Please complete the simple survey for our upcoming World Literature unit and hand in by end of class today.  IN THE LAB : Please write your script today in the lab. If you get stuck, call me over. Otherwise, advice about the finer points of writing comic books can be found in the articles below. Take a gander. Writing a comic book script (advice from experts) More advice about writing a comic script. Advice about writing Superhero comics (from experts, Superhero Nation ) Five Minute Grap...

Please view this short animated lecture from RSA animate on Education . After a moment to reflect and respond to the video, please move to the 3rd floor lab. Today in the lab, before you move back to your comic book project (see below), please complete the survey linked here concerning the educational project we undertook during the 2nd marking period. Please take the following survey from the CCTE program (Problems in Education Forum Project). https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CraddockFall2012 . After completing the survey, please meet with your partner (or work alone) and continue your comic-book script project. You should have chosen a suitable genre, created a protagonist (if you haven't turned this in yet, please complete and turn in by end of class today). On your character sketch, write words, phrases, descriptions of what other people say about this character, what the character says about him/herself, and any specific details about the character. Give your character a l...

After our quiz on Maus , we will take some time to discuss the book in small groups. By the end of period 1, we will retire to the lab to work on the following project: 1. Alone or in groups of two, brainstorm some ideas about a short comic book you would like to write. Consider genre . 2. What genre would you like to work with? Fantasy, science-fiction, action, comedy, romance, super-hero, drama, how-to, parody, satire, mystery, horror, western, multi-genre, or some other idea. Brainstorm some ideas. Then select one that suits you. 3. Together or on your own, create a protagonist. You may have more than one protagonist, as in Maus or X-Men, but usually one will suffice. You may find this program helpful in creating a concept for a character. HeroMachine 3 4. Flesh out your protagonist a bit. Consider who this person is, give the character a name, an occupation, special traits, consider a personality, and give the protagonist a few details concerning a background. By the end of...

Today, please print out and gather your portfolio materials during the first 10 minutes of class. We will be downstairs in the regular room watching X-Men after this time. HOMEWORK: Please complete Maus (there will be a quiz, yes a quiz) and a discussion on the book next week.

According to Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics, 1993) a comic book is a "series of words and pictures that are presented in a sequential manner to form a narrative that may or may not be humorous." For a very long time in our culture, comics have been read, loved, hated, and controversial. They both celebrate that which is popular and also creep along the edge of a generation's fears, political views, and ultimately shape who we are as a culture. Love them or hate them, comics are part of US. Given its complex cultural and commercial role, a definition of “comic book” raises issues and "debates about sequence, narrative, image, text, genre, and art as well as its relation to other genres, such as children’s literature" (Meskin 2007). More than just a form of entertainment for children (particularly boys), comics can be a serious art form. Since the 1960s the comic book industry has been dominated by the two major publishers—Marvel and Detective Comics (DC...

Today, to prepare for your portfolio being due (portfolio is due on Friday, Nov. 30) please spend at least the first period today working on your portfolio. Check previous posts for ideas for new projects/drafts. Remember that you should write about your progress so far as a writer. Any serious writing/reading issues or important information about your portfolio (such as websites/films, special projects, etc.) should be mentioned in your reflection. A draft of your non-fiction essay should be included in your portfolio this marking period. For other assignments, see below. If we are not using our time in the lab to write, we will return to the classroom during 2nd period and continue our graphic novel unit. HOMEWORK: Please complete your reading of Maus . If we haven't completed it yet, please read the article: "A History of the Comic Book"

After our quiz on the graphic novel "V for Vendetta" we will spend some time in class discussing the novel. As you wait for peers to finish their tests, please use the time to brainstorm some new ideas for stories, poems, sketches, graphic novels, or other writing projects for your portfolio (deadline approaching: November 30!) We will be spending a bit of time with graphic novels, how to write them, and so forth. Today, at the end of class, we will be journeying to the library to pick up Maus . Please read this graphic novel over break. It's a quick read. See homework section below. Graphic Novel Vocabulary: Splash page : usually the first page of a manuscript, with one or two images, includes the title, logo, credits, etc. for the comic. Full-page shot : One box or frame. One picture, also known as a shot. Speech balloon or word balloon : the box that contains words to let a reader know what a character is saying. Thought balloon : Usually a scalloped ball...

Forum debrief: Thank you for participating in the problem based learning event. Soon, I will be giving you a questionnaire about the entire process. But for today, please respond to our last required forum post in Mr. Craddock's Class . When you have completed your response, please work on your portfolio. Some more ideas (see previous post for other ideas): --Write a non-fiction essay based on something that happened or something someone said yesterday (either the MCC forum or the coffee house, for example) --Work with a partner to write either a poem or short story. Take turns writing a stanza (poem) or paragraph (story). If you'd like try writing a short chapter or poem each, then allow your partner to carry on with the theme, characters, or narrative in a poem cycle or longer short story broken by section or chapters. You may also collaborate on a script in this way, with each writer writing a scene. --Find a newspaper or journalism article from a website or maga...

Due to the invalidation of the previous test, this is now just a basic homework assignment. Please turn in your work by end of class today. Today, please post to the question I posted on Cross-Talk Week 3 . If you have done this already, or have completed this post during class, please continue the following tasks: 1. Some of you have not posted your two posts to Cross-Talk, Week 2 or the three posts you needed to respond to in Cross-Talk, Week 1 . Each post is worth points for this project. If you are missing posts, please complete those today. Last day to post on Weeks 1 or 2 is end of class Wednesday, Nov. 14. Get it done, folks! 2. If you have not yet posted to the evaluation question in Mr. Craddock's Class (there are 6 of you who haven't done this yet), you must complete this by tonight by 11:59 for credit. 3. Work on your portfolio. Some ideas (16 off the top of my head) may include: a). a poem, play, scene, sketch, short story about your group's educa...

After completing the quiz, please log onto the MCC forum and select Cross Talk Week 3 . Post a reply to the question found there for my class. This post is due (along with the test) by the end of class today. HOMEWORK: Please continue to work on your non-fiction project and read V for Vendetta , examining the political and social issues found within the book.

Please get into your reading groups. In the next 10 minutes, evaluate the book you read. What section did you find most interesting? What section could you relate to most? What section can you relate your educational problems assignment(s) to most? What have you learned about writing non-fiction from reading this book? Share your answers with your group. Around 8:30-8:35, please go to the lab to do the following assignments: 1. Log on to the CCTE Forum . Read the new responses to your group's questions (if any). Take 5 minutes to read and think about what other voices have contributed to your question/discussion. 2. Meet with your educational problems group. Discuss what you notice about the responses. Decide on 1-2 further or focusing questions that your "leader" can post as a reply or follow-up question to further the discussion. 3. Examine the list of educational problems in Cross Talk Week 2. Are there trends forming about certain topics? Are some iss...

Educational Problems project: Several of you have not yet posted your required reply with research to the MCC forum. Please do that. Various new topics have been added. Research & Writing: Using the advice and skills of research (see below), I would like you to brainstorm a pop cultural topic to write a "chapter" for what could be a longer "book". The topic may be a memoir, like The Undertaking , a journalistic autobiography/biography like The Other Wes Moore , or a documentary-style expose like Chew on This . Other basic types of non-fiction may include: autobiography, a guide or manual, history, new journalism, memoir, natural history, travelogue, philosophy, or a combination of any of these. Here's a few other samples: The Student Resistance Handbook Bartleby.com: Nonfiction (search list for public domain samples of nonfiction work) The Dangerous Book for Boys To get started, brainstorm an idea: 1. Doodle in your notebook/journal until you h...

Link for forum. For much of your life from now on, you will be asked to conduct research. Being an adult, also means you are responsible for yourself and dealing with a myriad of problems that will come your way. Even as an author, it is no longer enough to "make up" all the details. You will have to conduct some level of research to get the answers you need. "Research" means looking for an answer to a question or problem. Different kinds of questions require different kinds of answers, and different kinds of answers require different kinds of research. Knowing what you need is a first step. If the answer you're looking for is a known fact: What's the percentage of teens who attend public schools in America, for example, then you're probably going to have to search the internet or look in books or articles in a library, or consult an expert. If you're seeking reinforcement, then you may have to conduct a study or experiment of some sort, or...

This morning, please read the article given to you. Then we'll get into our reading groups for 10-15 minutes. 2nd period: we will go up to the lab to continue the following: From last class: Each student (not the group but the individual) should post to 3 other questions posed on the forum. You should select ONE from Ms. Haines' class, ONE from Mr. Abel's class, and ONE from Ms. Johnson's MCC class. You may answer SOTA questions as you see fit, but the required posts are for the other schools/groups. Continue your research on your topic. Share your research and findings with your group. 

About half of you have not been reading your chosen non-fiction book regularly. From now on, for each class assign yourself between 20-30 pages (that's 10-15 pages per day) to read. Try to finish the book by the end of next week. There will be a test grade associated with this assignment. Today in class please do the following: 1. If your group has not posted a question on the forum yet, please do so under Cross Talk Week One. Remember to use your subject as your heading and add SOTA to your subject line. The question should be open ended. 2. Each student (not the group but the individual) should post to 3 other questions posed on the forum. You should select ONE from Ms. Haines' class, ONE from Mr. Abel's class, and ONE from Ms. Johnson's MCC class. Do not answer any SOTA questions (other classes will respond to these if they have not already done so). 3. Continue your research on your topic. Share your research and findings with your group. Summarize your art...

Today, I will post a few important reminders about portfolios and give you grade reports for MP1.

Today, please get together in book groups: The Undertaking, The Other Wes Moore, Chew on This . Discuss your progress with the book so far. If you have questions about the book, please ask your group members. Everyone should hand in an index card letting me know what page of the book you are currently on so that I can pace the assignment correctly. Topics to discuss: 1. The writing style 2. The content 3. The use of facts and research After our book group discussion, please move to the lab to continue your research on your group’s chosen topic. Record any websites and materials you research on your MLA citation note page. Surf the web for resources and information concerning your topic. KEEP TRACK OF WHERE YOU FIND INFORMATION. You will be required to complete an MLA formatted works cited page. We recognize five major social institutions that have been evident in some way in every civilization in history: government religion education economics famil...

Please follow these directions step-by-step and very closely. 1. Please go to the following website: http://www.communitycenterforteachingexcellence.org 2. Select the menu at the far-right of the screen: STUDENT FORUM. (This is for you. The rest of the stuff is teacher-ly things. Feel free to browse, but focus on your project…) 3. At the BOTTOM OF THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, is the META: Please click on the LOG-IN button. Your names have already been submitted to MCC for this program. 4. At the WORD PRESS log in screen, please enter your USERNAME and PASSWORD. Your USER NAME is your first name and last initial (bradleyc, for example). Your name is taken from the school roster, so My, Gracie, and Gus need to use their traditional names: Zoe, Edith, Augustus, etc. Your PASSWORD is: pblstudent (all lowercase, no spaces) NOTE: To protect your privacy, you must log in before selecting your class forum. If you click on your class before logging in, the forum page will not be found! ...

Today, please watch and respond to the film The War on Kids. As you view the film, please list key issues that the film attempts to present. How is the material presented to us? Is there a bias? What kinds of research/support are utilized by the filmmakers? As film, how is the film visually compelling or interesting? What kinds of shots, transitions, music, and/or special effects (like animation) are used in the film to underscore key points or arguments? What viewpoints are missing from the film? Why do you think the filmmakers presented their material in the order in which they did? Which interviewees are necessary/unnecessary or thought provoking? Keep track of some of these questions as you watch the film. You will be asked to comment and respond to some of these questions on the forum. HOMEWORK: Please comment on the film. Use some of the questions presented above in your reflection. Use notes and/or research to support your opinions. Post is due by end of class Friday, Oc...

In the library we have reserved 3 books from which you should choose one to read. Chew On This by Eric Schlosser & Charles Wilson Fast food, health, education, diet, etc. The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore Class system, socio-economics, urban violence, boys growing up The Undertaking by Thomas Lynch Death, poetry, funeral homes, loss/grief, and small town America HOMEWORK: Please start reading your chosen book. We will be using it soonish. During 2nd period we will begin screening the film: The War on Kids . Information about the film can be found here. The Student Resistance Handbook can be downloaded here .

During 1st period, please work to prepare your portfolio. Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled for tonight starting at 6:30. Progress reports will be handed out in class. Any missing assignments must be turned in by next class (Monday, Oct. 15) for minimal passing credit. Your portfolio (with short reflection) is due by tomorrow at 3:00. I will not necessarily see you on Friday, so please make sure you have everything ready to turn in for a grade, or turn in your work at the end of Thursday's class. During 2nd period, we will be picking up our next novel/memoir/non-fiction, etc. See post above for details. HOMEWORK: Begin reading the book you chose. Portfolios MUST be turned in by 3:00 tomorrow or you are late or missing. I will not SEE you tomorrow. Please hand in portfolios in my in-box or mailbox on the 2nd floor. No email submissions! 

A student film by Angela, Shannon, and Desire.

Today, as we begin our brainstorming on the many problems in American Education, I'd like to present to you an example area of study: Problem in Education, example: Tracking .       The following is from Allyn & Bacon's Social Problems Supersite : Statement: America’s schools serve as "sorting machines" by categorizing students on the basis of their intellectual abilities and test scores.  Go to the following website to read about how tracking in middle schools works against poorer children - http://www.psu.edu/ur/2000/schooltracking.html .    What do the experts say? “Tracking is defined as the process whereby students are divided into categories so that they can be assigned in homogeneous groups to various kinds of classes. Essentially, it results in an academic hierarchy within schools of fast, average, and slow learners.  There are three principal reasons why schools use tracking:  1.) the...

Some general advice about your creative essays. Creative non-fiction should be interesting. It is often called expository writing in that it exposes an idea or position about its subject matter. This requires subjectivity on the part of the author. In other words it should reveal the author's attitude toward its subject. It exposes an aspect of our culture, history, background, or the author's personality that reminds us about our humanity.  It should be written with as much exactness and literary skill as fiction. When you tell a narrative story (even if it's true) the details and careful attention to characterization, setting, and plot are essential. Don't forget to use the writing skills you use when writing fiction and poetry. It's all the same. A big difference between fiction and non-fiction is that creative non-fiction is reflective. By the end of the essay or article the author reflects on the subject and tries to answer how the subject makes us who we ...

After our last two presentations, let's chat about our next unit. This is a special project we will be participating in for the NCCTE program. The project will revolve around what is called Problem Based Learning (PBL) or Inquiry Based (IB) questioning and research techniques. The community discussion will be conducted on a special forum so that students from Monroe High School, Rush-Henrietta and MCC can all participate. The project will create an interactive element to the learning, writing, and research going on in our class, but will also be an kind of bridge between schools and between high school and college preparatory work. The following Rochester-area classes are involved with the project: --> Professor Angelique Johnston, English Department at Monroe Community College   (MCC) Mr. Chuck Abell, English Department, Sperry High School, Rush-Henrietta School District   Mr. Brad Craddock, English/Creative Writing Department, School of the Arts  & ...