Writing Across Cultures

This morning, please watch the following video: Intro to Psychology . As you watch please take notes on key points in the video. What is psychology? The science and/or philosophy that attempts to understand human behavior and development.  Psychology studies environment, culture, how we think, learn, and remember; how we communicate, and how we differ from one another in personality and abilities. It often uses experimental and observational science to measure and observe behavior. It is not simply the study of mental illness, but a scientific approach to understand the human mind. Like philosophy, there are various branches of psychology where each type attempts to address questions or problems in a specific way. The major branches of psychology include: 1. Abnormal psychology : examines abnormal behavior and mental disorders. Counselors and clinical psychologists often study this branch of psychology. 2. Behavioral psychology (Behavioralism): popular in the early 20...

Indonesia Indonesia Geographic Challenge (video) Only in Indonesia (video) Indonesia news Indonesia & Java History/Culture (video, 23 minutes) Research: Indonesia & the Philippines Papua New Guinea Please read one (or more) of these articles, using anything found in them for ideas for stories, poems, plays, etc. Papua New Guinea: National Geographic Article Papua New Guinea: Witchcraft Papua New Guinea: Trail of Murder & Revenge From your notes and inspiration from poetry exercises, please use the time in the lab to research Indonesia, the Philipines, and Papua New Guinea. HOMEWORK: Begin reading your psychology novel. Write.

During period one, please use the time in the lab to work on your original writing. See posts below for inspiration concerning a story, poem, scene, play, essay, etc. set in or dealing with Australia and/or institutions. During period two, please return to 238 to read the short story "Descent" and begin reading the play The Sum of Us by David Stevens .  Please get into groups of 4-5 and begin reading the play The Sum of Us together. As you read, please complete the handout discussion questions with your group members names. Next class you will spend your time reading (and completing) this play and answering more discussion questions. NOTE: Thursday is our fall coffeehouse at 7:00 in the Ensemble Theater. HOMEWORK: None. Please bring your play scripts back with you to class on Thursday.

Use these resources and research ideas for stories, plays, poems, essays, articles, etc. Information about teenagers can be found here ... Read this article about Australian FAMILY here ... Government & Families (taxes/welfare information)... Family Facts & Figures Australian education system Australian parliament (government) Australia: popular children's names (great resource for character names!) Mira Jacobs (author)

Our coffeehouse is Nov. 20 at 7:00 in the Ensemble theater. We are now in Quarter 2. There will be a portfolio due this quarter and we'll increase the reading requirements. Toward this end then, please set a deadline of at least 1-2 pages of writing to be completed each week. If you set this deadline, you will find coming up with ideas not too difficult (although see my advice concerning issues with portfolios below). You will also want to make sure you have the time to workshop, revise, and edit your work! We have a masterclass this afternoon from 7-8 period. All students are excused from their 7-8 period classes. Please bring your notes/journals, a writing utensil, and questions about how to make it as an author or other author-type questions you'd like answered. Before we get to our main event today, please spend 5 minutes reflecting about your field trip. How is a college culture different or similar to a high school environment? Discuss with a partner, and jot down...

Going about the room, please summarize what you found out about your Australian research. What are the key or important points for us to consider regarding this culture and its institutions? After we share, 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? Furthermore, what changes in education still need to be made? What do you value in the public education you have received?...

Portfolios are due today. Before we tackle that, please take note of the following: We recognize six major social institutions that have been evident in some way in every civilization in history: government  religion  education the Arts  economics  family We will be focusing on education in the next few classes, but as you research (see below), please take notes how these institutions influence the country, history, and culture of Australia. Sign up on the research sheet and conduct this research to share with the class on Thursday. This morning we will start by reading some Australian fiction then retire to the lab to turn in portfolios and to work on this Cultural Research. Australia Waltzing Matilda (song) History of Australia  (animated satire) Australian Federation  (film clip)  General information:  Australia More information:  Australia Map of Australia Australian Education (Life as a Teenager) Australian Schoo...

This is a reprint from early September: I will be using the following rubric when assessing your portfolios. A portfolio is due each quarter and comprises the major part of your quarter grade (along with attendance, participation/homework, reading, quizzes/tests, presentations and class activities). 4 = Exemplary 3= Accomplished 2= Promising 1=Beginning 0=Failing Exemplary : Thoroughly and artistically developed characters, plot, structure, conflict, theme, and setting. Uses vivid description, effective diction and word choice, tone or voice, POV, imagery, and compelling dialogue throughout portfolio. Uses a variety of effective literary devices. Writing can be considered “art,” effectively communicating issues central to the human condition in a compelling way. Has few errors in spelling punctuation, syntax, and usage. Sentence structure and overall effect of the work is artistic. Format is carefully and correctly followed. Work includes evidence of several revised drafts that...

Please take the first 10-15 minutes to complete your discussion of the novel Jennifer Government . You may use the rest of the period to write drafts for your portfolio. Your portfolio is due Tuesday. Please remember to add a 1-2 page reflection on the writing you have completed this quarter. Not to distract you too much but here is a Halloween popular culture clip from the Simpsons: The Simpsons The Bennington Young Writers Contest is looking for non-fiction, fiction, and poetry (you probably have some) and the deadline is today! Check out this website and submit for x-tra credit! HOMEWORK: None. Prepare your portfolio to turn in next class.

After our quiz today on Jennifer Government , please gather in small groups of 5-6 to discuss the novel. While you are waiting for students to finish, please use the time in the lab to write drafts for your portfolio. HOMEWORK: None.

This morning, please regale the class with information about popular culture. Then, it's off to the lab to work on your upcoming portfolios! We will have a quiz and discussion on Jennifer Government next class. HOMEWORK: Complete Jennifer Government . Prepare your portfolio: due Tuesday, Nov. 4.

To start off, please take the first 5 minutes of class to read the article: "Snap! Crackle! Plot!" by Roy Rivenburg. After reading, please respond in writing. Then, let's take a look at some advertising techniques. As you watch the slide show, please take notes about advertising strategies.  Creative Advertising Techniques . Please make a list of things you'd like to buy if you were given a blank check and the sky was the limit. Now annotate the list with brief explanations for why you want each item. --How much of what we buy is who we are? --How does what we buy help us connect, compare, or create homogeneous groups (hegemonies). --America: why are we so greedy? --What's up with all this consumerism? Is capitalism to blame? Then check out the 2010 Oscar award winning animated short film:  Logorama . I think it captures the events in  Jennifer Government  pretty well. After viewing, let's respond. Jennifer Government : Please read  Jennifer Gov...

Pop culture in 2013 There is a difference between a fad and popular culture. Often objects, people, and events (or inventions) continue to influence our own culture from age to age or even from centuries in the past. Depending on your education level, your background, your own culture, and various other traditions or interests, some things never seem to really fade into obscurity, something likely to happen to a fad or a person who might be popular today. As a writer, it is important to familiarize yourself with some common popular cultural icons and consider why these things are still popular after all these years. We've touched on some items, but here are a whole host of others. In the lab, read these articles. Consider how familiar you are with them. Enjoy them for what they're worth, but also consider how you might use them to create your own writing. Perhaps you will reflect on the topic in an essay, or use an idea found here in a story. After researching and reading ...

Key points in the presentations: What is this? Where did it come from/what influenced this phenomenon? Who is involved? Why is it popular NOW? How does it affect our culture? HOMEWORK: Please read Part III of  Jennifer Government .

Please take the first period of class today to put the finishing touches on your presentations. If your work is completed, please use the time in the lab to write work for your portfolio (this class) or read Jennifer Government . Then, it's back to our classroom to present some Popular Culture. Key points in the presentations: What is this? Where did it come from/what influenced this phenomenon? Who is involved? Why is it popular NOW? How does it affect our culture? HOMEWORK: Please read Part III of Jennifer Government .

This morning please take a few minutes (about 5) to study the different logical fallacies and propaganda terms from your notes and refresh your memory about Part One of J ennifer Government . We will then have a short quiz on these terms. For the rest of class today, please prepare your prezi presentations for Wednesday, Oct. 15. If you finish early, please create note cards if you need them for your presentation, and rehearse your speech with a peer or friend who is also done. You may also spend your time reading or writing if you have completed your Prezi presentation! HOMEWORK: Please read Part Two: Jennifer Government . Get caught up if you have not read part one. There is no school on Monday.

EQ: What is Capitalism? What is Materialism? Terms: Look up and define these 3 terms. Compare your definition as instructed by your teacher. Capitalism Consumerism Materialism Please read the two articles and look at the group of pictures in the handout this morning. Use the articles to spark your own response. Write a creative response to something in these pictures or articles. Keep your draft in your portfolio. [This is an ongoing assignment]! Other key terms you should be familiar with: propaganda, testimonial, name calling, glittering generalities, plain-folks appeal, argumentum ad populum, argumentum ad hominem, post hoc ergo propter hoc , transfer or guilt by association, bandwagon, false analogy, begging the question, two extremes fallacy, card stacking, and testimonial. These terms can be found in your article: "How Not to Be Bamboozled." During the rest of the class, please continue to work on your Prezi projects. By the end of 1st period, you should...

Please turn in your homework from last class (see HOMEWORK on previous post for details). Period 1: Prezi & Library research Please pick up the book: Jennifer Government . You are likely not to find a book directly on your topic. You might, however, find something related from a broader context. Remember to check out the following sections using the Dewey Decimal System: 000  – General works, Computer science and Information 100  – Philosophy and psychology 200  – Religion 300  – Social sciences 400  – Language 500  – Pure Science 600  – Technology 700  – Arts & recreation 800  – Literature 900  – History & geography Period 2: Prezi & Research As you research, please make sure you answer: What is this? Where did it come from/what influenced this phenomenon? Who is involved? Why is it popular NOW? How does it affect our culture? Your Prezi should be between 3-7 minutes. Consider timing if yo...

After voting the units we will cover this year appear in this order: Popular culture Australia/New Zealand (including Aborigines)  Psychology Feminism/Women's Studies Philosophy Africa/African American Canadian/Native American Queer: Gay & Lesbian Europe Asia Middle East Central/South America Latino/U.S.