Writing Across Cultures

After watching Persepolis , please take a moment to respond in writing to the film. We will then switch over to our socratic discussion on Sunrise Over Fallujah . Have a happy and safe holiday break! Remember that your portfolios are due the week of January 20. Use your break to rest and relax, but also to get caught up and play around a little with your notes/journal. The 3rd marking period portfolio will include a ghazal, the middle east narrative project, and other interesting bits of writing. HOMEWORK: None.

Hafez : Ode 44 TRANSLATED BY  RICHARD LE GALLIENNE Last night, as half asleep I dreaming lay,     Half naked came she in her little shift,          With tilted glass, and verses on her lips; Narcissus-eyes all shining for the fray,          Filled full of frolic to her wine-red lips,          Warm as a dewy rose, sudden she slips     Into my bed – just in her little shift. Said she, half naked, half asleep, half heard, With a soft sigh betwixt each lazy word, ‘Oh my old lover, do you sleep or wake!’ And instant I sat upright for her sake, And drank whatever wine she poured for me –    Wine of the tavern, or vintage it might be Of Heaven’s own vine: he surely were a churl Who refused wine poured out by such a girl, A double traitor he to wine and love. Go to, t...

The following pictures are not all positive images or ideas. You should google Islam images and see both positive and negative images. You could also do this for Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, etc. Religion is a touchy subject and one that both creates cultures, promotes culture, and at its extreme seeks to control cultures. Basic Beliefs of Islam 1. Allah, is the only God, and Muhammad is his prophet. 2. Prophets and Messengers: While Muhammad is the sole prophet in Islam, the religion recognizes many of the prophets from Judaism and Christianity, such as Noah, Moses, Abraham, Jesus, and others. Whereas Jesus is thought to be the final prophet for Christianity, Muhammad is God's last prophet according to Islam. As most prophets, Muhammad is chosen by Allah to deliver his message to humankind. 3. The Guidance from Allah & the Qur'an: Muhammad left behind the Word of Allah, the Qur'an, and his teachings, Hadith, were collected by his companio...

This morning please print out a draft of your Middle East narratives and get into 2 groups of 4-5 depending on who is in attendance. 1. Read, share, and comment on each other's work. Suggest ways to strengthen the draft. 2. Discuss Sunrise Over Fallujah in your small groups. Evaluate the book so far. What have you learned or liked or disliked? 3. Break away and read the handouts. Reflect upon them. Keep them close for your homework. During second period, please return to our room in 238. Take notes on my lecture about Islam (see post above). Use your notes and your reading to write a REACTIVE creative piece (draft) for Tuesday's class. HOMEWORK: Please continue reading Sunrise Over Fallujah . Try to finish this book by Thursday, when you will take the exam and have a Socratic seminar/discussion on it. Additionally, look over the handouts today and react to one or more of the ideas found therein by writing something creative. Your draft need not be long, but should e...

Today, please write. Research. Then write some more. Read Sunrise Over Fallujah . Write. Research. Write again.  Use your time in the lab to progress on your Middle East narrative project. You should have a draft completed by Friday. To help you, consider these beginnings of stories that you have learned from previous classes: 1. Get in there! Start a story in media res or with an interesting hook. 2. Don't wallow in backstory (not in the beginning anyway). We don't need to know the history of your protagonist just yet. Start with action. Start with a decision. Give your protagonist a goal and a time limit! 3. Start a story in any of these ways: Setting :  setting sets the stage and raises our expectations, introduces us to location, time, and supports character, tone, mood and POV. Ideas :  While this can sometimes be dry or essay-like, it can also characterize a speaker, a place, an important motif or tone of a story. Imagistic or Strong Sensations:  ...

This morning, along with your portfolios, a little grammar feedback: Headings: Use the MLA standard heading: Student Name Teacher's Name* Class Name* Class Assignment Date Draft* Numbers : Writing numbers is largely a matter of style. Some editors and professors will be bugged that you tend to ignore certain rules. The most important thing is that you are consistent, and you follow one of the following traditions/expectations, while realizing that the professor or teacher you have may count you WRONG if you do not write numbers correctly in your essays, papers, stories, etc. Modern Language Association: MLA is often used in most colleges in English/literature and arts classes. Our department here at SOTA stresses the use of this style guide. The rule for #'s according to the MLA guide is as follows: Spell out numbers that are comprised of one or two words. Generally, you ALWAYS write out numerals below ten, and most of the time, you spell out words under 100....

Let's read a few sample stories & poems from the United Arab Emirates & Saudi Arabia. Then, after responding to these works, let's gather to chat about the first 58 pages in Walter Dean Myers: Sunrise Over Fallujah. 1. Discuss the circles of power you have noticed so far in the novel. Who or what groups have power over others? How does this create tension, conflict, or even resolve struggles for the characters? 2. What is the significance of Robin Perry's background? What do we learn about him? How might this compare/contrast to some of the other characters' backstories? (Major Sessions, Captain Coles, Corporal Marla Kennedy, Corporal Charlie Jones ("Jonesy"), Sergeant Harris, Danforth, Jean Darcy) 3. Discuss the scene pp. 42-57. What events occur across the border? 4. Discuss the concept/metaphor of borders. How might this apply to the situation? How does it affect culture? After discussing, let's retire to the lab to work on our Middle Ea...

During period one, please select a middle eastern country for a writing activity, then research your chosen area. Take notes on details about the country, then prepare your portfolios. Portfolios are due today. During period 2, please go to the library to pick up Sunrise Over Fallujah, then gather to discuss The Pride of Baghdad and read the literature packet handouts. With time remaining begin planning a story that takes place in your chosen country. HOMEWORK: Please read to page 58 in Sunrise Over Fallujah . 

Portfolios are due next class (Tuesday, Dec. 3). Poll results: Most votes: Middle East, followed by Philosophy, Gender, Europe and finally Asia. Low interests were More Pop Culture, Race, Africa, North America, and South & Central America. Looks like you're tired of American Pop Culture at the moment...so now for something completely different! Plans for redrawing Middle East borders... And the real thing at the moment: Well, not that different. Let's start by noting some Middle Eastern American poets and the ghazal form. Palestinian-American poet: Naomi Shihab Nye How Palestinians Keep Warm Two Countries Arabic Blood Kindness Making a Fist Streets Iraqui-American poet: Dunya Mikhail (b. Iraq, 1965) The War Works Hard Pronouns Your Email The Airplane Iraquis and Other Monsters Shoemaker Assyrian/Iraqui-American poet: Sargon Boulus (1944-2007) A Man Fell on His Knees I Came from There A Refugee Talking An Elegy for Sindbad Cinema How Eas...

Today, after our "Be Thankful" prompt, please mosey up to the lab and work on your portfolio. Please make sure you vote for your preferred path in this course by taking the poll at the right hand side of this blog page. HOMEWORK: None.

These resources for New Zealand can be helpful in getting to know the place and its people. There are so many more resources and information about the country, but this is a start for the uninitiated. Use the links to learn, consider, dream, and eventually write stories/plays/scenes, essays, poems, etc. that take place in New Zealand. New Zealand: National Geographic The Amazing Life and Astonishing Death of Captain Cook List of authors Collection of New Zealand Films New Zealand History in the Making (1938 documentary) Rugby Team: The All Blacks Public Holidays Pure New Zealand  (clip) Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings Trilogy  (interview) Peter jackson's Hobbit (interview) The CineFiles:  Couple of guys talking about Peter Jackson's films (tv series)

After our short quiz on The Rabbit Proof Fence , please gather in your assigned groups and conduct a traveling jigsaw activity/discussion about the book. Afterward, we will discuss some Australian fiction, and retire to the lab to work on our responses from last Thursday's class, prepare for the coffeehouse this Thursday, and work on our portfolios. Please post your comments about our field trip experience in the posting comments section below. Australia History of Australia (animated satire) Australian Federation (film clip)  General information:  Australia More information:  Australia Map of Australia Animals of Australia Literary Figures The Proposition  (film clip) Presentation Photos One World Online  has a lot of information concerning most cultures in the world. Authors: Patrick White  (Nobel Prize winning author) Max Barry List of Australian poets and writers HOMEWORK: None.

Those of you who have not yet presented your presentations will do so today. If you are absent, please send me your file electronically. You will not get full credit, but you will not have to present either. Oh, if we had world enough and time... Anyway, with the time we have remaining in the day after the presentations, please work on your portfolios or complete your reading of the two articles/essays I asked you to read. You may also read The Rabbit Proof Fence . There will be a quiz and discussion on the book next class. HOMEWORK: Please complete the Rabbit Proof Fence . Identify the cultural institutions in the book and how they help and hinder the protagonist(s).

This morning, please summarize the video you and your partner watched. The rest of us will listen and take notes where appropriate. Turn in your medical/field trip forms if you have not already done so. 1.  The Key to Success, Grit  &  Do Schools Kill Creativity?  (a selection), &  Keep Your Goals to Yourself 2.  How to Avoid Education's Death Valley 3.  Why Kids Hate School 4.  The Self Organizing Child 5.  The Art & Science of Great Teaching After participating, I will take volunteers to present their visual presentation today. Please read the following two articles in preparation for our field trip Thursday: The Cult of Success Redefining Success HOMEWORK: Complete your reading of  The Rabbit Proof Fence (for discussion Monday) .

I will take volunteers to present their visual presentation today. After, please count off and watch one of the following videos. Be prepared to share the major points the speakers had by the end of the video. Education/Success: 1.  The Key to Success, Grit  & Do Schools Kill Creativity? (a selection), & Keep Your Goals to Yourself 2.  How to Avoid Education's Death Valley 3.  Why Kids Hate School 4.  The Self Organizing Child 5.  The Art & Science of Great Teaching Please read the following two articles in preparation for our field trip Thursday: The Cult of Success Redefining Success HOMEWORK: If you didn't have your cultural visual project completed, please do so and be ready to present your work to the class on Tuesday. Keep reading The Rabbit Proof Fence . Turn in your medical/field trip forms.

This morning, please read the following material about education and occupations. Spend a few minutes writing a response (see the writing prompts below) and read or watch some of the poems below for inspiration for your own work. When you finish, please continue to work on your visual projects. These visual projects will be due to present next class. Spotlight on education: Professional career or just a job? Our culture stratifies certain occupations. While all people are useful, there is a lot of prestige or lack of respect depending on the kind of work you end up doing. Sure, we all romanticize the wandering vagabond with nary a care or responsibility, but it may not be what you're looking for as a longtime career. To many people, a vagabond is just a fancy word for bum or homeless hobo. Top legal job careers for people who do not have a high school degree: 1. Restaurant worker or manager 2. Truck driver 3. Diesel mechanic 4. Heavy equipment operator 5. Carpenter 6. Welder 7...

Please continue working on your visual project as requested below. Read and write a response to the article: "Learning Power". By the end of class today, we'll set a deadline for the project. Upcoming field trips and important dates: Geva's 39 Steps . We recently received tickets to attend Geva's production of the 39 Steps for Thursday, Nov. 7. We would be missing periods 3-7 and walking to Geva. I'd love to invite you, but this is not a requirement. All field trip information must be completed in order to attend. Please bring a bagged lunch (we eat during intermission), and prepare weather-wise to walk to the theater (about a 20-30 minute walk with a group o' you). We are taking an educational field trip to MCC-Brighton Campus on Nov. 14 to attend a CCTE Educational Seminar. You will be asked to listen to a panel presentation about education and participate in a candid discussion between your class and MCC professor Mrs. Johnston's English 1...

For your research today, please choose one of the following social institutions to examine: Government Economy Religion Education Family Arts (select a specific art form) Then examine your topic as it relates to culture in the United States. Find out how the institution has changed over its history, how it affects our culture, and how it leads or connects to pop culture and pop cultural topics. You will need to start somewhere online and get a basic understanding of what it is you are attempting to research. Once you've done that, keep track of key issues and side-issues in your topic. Take NOTES. Your notes will lead you to further research. Eventually, you will want a combination of text and visual images to present your social institution project to the class. During class we will select our next novel, sticking with Australian authors.

We will continue our pop culture presentations today. Here is another site for articles on Pop Culture  (a good source for media) and Mashable (a good site for culture, style, tech & business). To test your knowledge, play this game: You Know It! Where does this get us? Our next task is to do a little research. Our goal is to examine one of the following major social institutions and explore its history in America. You will want to research and create a graphic design to share with the class based on your research. You may select any of the following suggestions to visually capture your work: a padlet , a time line, a collage (or online collage: fotor photo collage  or ribbet , glogster , kerpoof  studio, mindomo mind mapping , animoto (make and share videos), or good old poster paper or arts/crafts stuff, etc. We recognize five major social institutions that have been evident in some way in every civilization in history: government  religion  e...

After our discussion on the book Jennifer Government , we will begin our Prezi presentations on our pop culture topics. When you present, please address the entire class. You should try to make eye contact with us, although to advance your frames and topic, you may find it helpful to refer to the screen. Viewers: as we watch the presentation, please provide some feedback to the presenter by completing the handout. Additionally, take notes on aspects of the presentation that you might be able to use in your own projects or writing in the future. Use this presentation time to think about ideas central to pop culture and its issues in forming culture. HOMEWORK: None.

Notes on portfolios: Rubric and feedback Pacing Revision in MP 2 Questions/Concerns Some writers had specific questions about how to deal with these issues in their writing. To help you, take a look at these links and read the material presented. You'll be glad you did. Titles. How to come up with an appropriate title . Help with conflict tropes Plot tropes 7 Different types of plot: Overcoming the monster/evil obstacle : protagonist learns of a threat to humankind and sets out to defeat or destroy it. Rags to riches : protagonist starts off inadequate (weak or even economically poor) but through a series of events that help the character mature and become responsible, the protagonist gains wealth and/or power. The Quest : protagonist starts on a journey that will help develop and strengthen some aspect of the character in search of a macguffin (an object of little importance ultimately, although much importance is attributed to the object in the beginning of th...

This morning complete any missing and/or work due. Work on your Prezi projects (last day to do so before they are due!) and/or read Jennifer Government . There are a lot of links, clips, articles, etc. that we have covered this marking period. Some of you haven't looked at these things, so please take some time today to refresh your memory and reinforce some of the ideas of this course. If you haven't yet turned in your portfolio, you must do so today by the end of class or you have received a '0' for your portfolio grade this marking period. This is a major assignment. HOMEWORK: Complete Jennifer Government . Complete your Prezi projects.

Please turn in your portfolios today. They are due. See previous posts for details. In the lab, please continue your pop culture prezi. Your deadline for this assignment is Tuesday, Oct. 22. Continue reading Jennifer Government . Aim to complete this novel by next Tuesday. Pop Culture Food for Thought. As you watch note how pop culture references, allusions to classical texts, and high culture meets low culture: Maggie Simpson: The Longest Daycare Logorama (Oscar winning animated short film) Thugnotes: 1984 Quentin Tarantino's References to Pop Culture in His Films South Park: The Avengers Bugs Bunny: Barber of Seville

This morning, please use the lab to further the following projects: --The cultural settings story --The pop culture prezi --Your portfolio --Reading Jennifer Government Your portfolio is scheduled to be due today. In your portfolio you will need the following drafts: 1. The cultural settings story 2. Any other work you have written up (poems, scenes, articles, essays, stories, etc.) 3. A marking period reflection (a 1-2 page reflection on the work and projects you are writing, or an explanation of the work you have put in your portfolio, or identification of what you want feedback on in the portfolio (apart from the general rubric: see below). Portfolio Rubric: 4 = Exemplary 3= Accomplished 2= Promising 1=Beginning 0=Failing Exemplary : Thoroughly and artistically developed characters, effective characterization, compelling or creative plot, structure, conflict, theme, and setting. Uses vivid description, effective diction and word choice, tone or voice, POV, imagery, a...

What is  Popular Culture ? Popular culture studies popular culture from a critical theory perspective. It is generally considered a combination of communication studies and cultural studies. Barriers between so-called high and low culture have broken down, which encompasses such diverse media as comic books, television, mass media, and the Internet. The theory of progressive evolution : Capitalist economies create opportunities for every individual to participate in a culture which is fully democratized through mass education, expansion of leisure time and cheap entertainment, media and paperbacks. In this liberal view, popular culture (low culture) does not threaten high culture, but is an authentic expression of the needs of the people. Click above at the link (a very pop culture idea in the first place) and read about Popular Culture on Wikipedia (another pop culture idea). Take notes to define, understand the component parts of the subject area, and its char...

This morning, please share your Pop Matters articles with the class. Afterward, take the quiz on the book The Stone Gods . Then we'll discuss the book. After our discussion, we will return to the lab to choose a popular cultural topic for our Prezi projects. Here is the padlet we created that may give us some ideas concerning topics. Padlet: Pop Culture After selecting a topic, begin researching it. Remember that you must cite your sources. If you use a particular website for information, please make sure you write down the address, author of the site, and date you consulted the material. If it is a journal or article, you will need to know the title, author, original publication information, etc. HOMEWORK: None. Portfolios are due next week.

 After our sharing of the Pop Culture articles, please turn in you homework for participation credit. In the lab, add pop culture examples from padlet. Click here and add visual pictures of pop culture, counter culture, trash culture, sub culture, progressive evolution, high/low culture, & fads. After our brainstorming, make a personal list of popular cultural topics you might like to research. After writing your list, go ahead and choose a topic, then research your topic. After researching your topic, you will eventually be asked to create a Prezi and class presentation to share your topic with the class.  HOMEWORK: The Stone Gods : Please read part three and four and complete the novel by Monday, October 7. Work on your portfolio, Pop Culture project/research, read the article "The Simpsons".

This morning, please gather in one of the two groups and complete the discussion questions. During the second 1/2 of class, please return to the lab to investigate these crucial key terms. In your notes, please identify and define the following 10 terms: Pop Culture  Counter culture Subculture Trash culture Theory of progressive evolution High culture/low culture  Mass media Folklore Urban legend Fads After researching and defining these concepts/terms, go on to the following assignment: Please link to the website:  Pop Matters  (a popular culture on-line zine). During class: please peruse this site. Choose 3 articles in any of the following categories: television, movies/film, music, gaming, dvds, books, comics, multimedia, events or culture and read them. Afterward, see the homework section. HOMEWORK: To turn in for participation credit, please write a short 1-2 paragraph summary of each article. Make sure to include reference to title and autho...

In the novel The Stone Gods by Jeanette Winterson, the author uses a variety of allusions. The character's names, for example, are allusions to other literary works. For your own education look up the references to Billie (Billy), Crusoe, and Manfred, for example. Sometimes the allusion is a direct quotation from a famous poem or literary work. For example: THE SUN RISING b y John Donne             Busy old fool, unruly sun,              Why dost thou thus  Through windows and through curtains call on us?  Must to thy motions lovers' seasons run?              Saucy pedantic wretch, go chide              Late schoolboys and sour prentices,        Go tell court huntsmen that the King will ride,        Call country ants to harvest offices;  Love, all alike, no season knows nor clime,  N...