Saturday, August 28, 2010

Welcome to class, Saturday-ers! I think it's going to be a great class.

Thanks for a great discussion in class today. Guess what I found: a Youtube video based on Annie Dillard's "Death of A Moth." Crazy. Watch video here.

Electronic link to "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brian.

Electronic link to "Homeless" by Anna Quindlen"

In-class writings:
Creative Monsters

At some point in our writing we were given a potentially damaging message. For example, maybe in 2nd grade Mrs. Thompson said that you were a horrible speller, or Mr. Jones said your handwriting was atrocious or Ms. Dillon said you would never be able to write. It could have been a teacher, a parent, another adult or even a peer. Regardless, these messages stay with us. Your writing prompt: Write out the story of one of these “Creative Monsters.” Describe the person, the situation, the setting, what happened, how it made you feel, and how it ended. Try and arrange it like a story, with a beginning, middle, and end. Tell it with enthusiasm and color, as if you were telling a story to one of your friends over dinner. If you want an extra challenge (good for you!)trying beginning the story "Once upon a time" and see what happens.


Journal #1: Character Sketch
(This is the first prompt that should be in your journal.)

In class we paired up. On your own, you should find a stranger, maybe a classmate, maybe a stranger on the bus, etc. The idea is to "sketch" the person with words. Basically you are going to describe them, but focus on the particulars, on the details, on what about them makes them stand out as an individual. Don't just say they are wearing shoes, but what KIND of shoes? What is unique about them? And then take your observations a step further: by just looking at the details, what kind of person might they be? What might they do in their spare time? What might they be thinking about right now...?

The idea is not to be "right," as you will probably in fact be wrong. The idea is to create a character out of them, invent them, make it all up and use your imagination.