Writing Across Cultures

Take a look at the poems by some Middle Eastern poets (many of whom are now living and writing in America today). After reading some of their poems, choose 1 author/poet and 1 of their poems to read out loud and record yourself reading their poem. Send me the recording through Google Classroom for credit. Due May 1. 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 And several others: Raza Ali Hasan Mohja Kahf Mahmoud Darwish  Fady Joudah See full assignment in Google Classroom!

Need a little spirituality in your life at the moment? Let's learn a little about Islam here at the link and read some "mystical" poets from the Middle East. Take a look at Hafez, Farid al-Din Attar, and the master poet Kahlil Gibran. More info on Islam coming in the next few days. Once you do that, try writing your own poem in a similar style. Spend some time in contemplation and meditation then grab a pen/pencil, paper (or your computer) and write with a clear mind with your focus on God and the Infinite Universe (and, of course, love). 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 asl

You should have started reading the graphic novel Persepolis . Please aim to finish that book by the end of the week. Details about your assessment based on that will be forthcoming. Additionally, if you have not yet turned in your response to The Life of Pi ...please do that! This assignment will count for the fourth marking period.  Just a reminder: Don't procrastinate this marking period. All required materials posted from now until May 15 are due by May 18. Also, this marking period you will have your final senior portfolio for this course. You can start working on that today! Contact me with any questions/concerns (the sooner the better...!) The Middle East & Middle Eastern Literature: Our image of the Middle East often comes from antiquity. We are largely outdated in our understanding of this area of the world and romanticize exotic aspects of this "foreign" land. Arabia (the ancient middle east) has a particularly rich literary histor

All work for MP3, up to March 13 must be in today (or email me about an extension if you need one). Otherwise, I need to start closing my MP3 grade book. Thanks! Welcome to Marking Period 4! While our closure has certainly done a number on our progress, it is the expectation that you continue with your classes (including assignments). We know that we will not be returning to the physical classroom until after May 15, so any assignments here will ultimately be required of you by the end of the marking period. Please make sure you work on these assignments/activities periodically to avoid having a raft of work to complete at the very end of the academic year. As always, please email me, ask for a Zoom meeting with me if you need one, and keep in touch. I am available throughout the week (daily) and will get back to you within 24 hours if I receive your email or contact. Weekend responses may be a little longer. I have a life too.

Persepolis (2008) by Marjane Satrapi (see resources in your Google Classroom for copies of the book!) Our next cross-culture pick is the graphic novel  Persepolis  (2008) by Marjane Satrapi. For those interested, take a little look at the  history of Iran  (another example of a documentary...) Watch this crash course video and learn something about Iranian culture/history for context. Also, at the link below, learn about the pop-cultural phenomenon that is  comicon . Resources for comic books (and writing one) can be found here and here . You can find sample comic book scripts here. And here's the proper format (Dark Horse)  for a graphic novel/comic book. Take a look!

By now, you should have finished The Life of Pi. If you haven't, please try to do so in the next day or two--certainly by Monday. As your final evaluation for the book, here's the "exam"--record a video review of the book. Something similar to this one. The district is recommending the use of the Screencastify Chrome app for video and microphone recording. You will need to go to the RCSD Chrome Web Store in order to install and use the webcam and microphone. In order to do this, please see the directions below: 1. Go to the following link à RCSD Chrome Web Store 2. From the RCSD Chrome Web Store, click on the app they are interested in installing (in this case, Screencastify) 3. Click on the button 4. A popup will appear, have them click on “Add Extension” You should see an icon in the top right side of their Chrome Browser for Screencastify. ß 5. Follow the online steps to setting up Screencastify. You will need to do this after clicking on the button à