Get Psyched!
Get Psyched for February 18th!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Power of the Spoken Word
Hi, Everyone. I truly enjoyed reading your "a-hah!" moments about what you better comprehended as a result of listening to "Roman Fever." So, as part of our "audio shorts" continued experiment, I'd like for you to post your thoughts about how listening to "The Lottery" before reading it helped or didn't help your reading comprehension. Also, let me know what worked for you best re: comprehension: reading first, then listening ("Roman Fever") OR listening first, then reading ("The Lottery"). Lastly, any other thoughts you have about the recorded version of the story are most welcome. For this assignment you may use the first person. Please post by Monday, April 11th.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Absolute Faves...
Hi, Pumpkins. Yes, I did miss you over the break. Seriously.
Was reading your classmates' strategies for tackling tough spots in their reading lives helpful?
The "when all else fails, ask someone," "re-read the passage," and "look for context clues"
were wildly popular, as they should be since they work. Moreover, I was intrigued by
novel approaches. Alec, your idea to think of all the events that led up to the challenging part
was a new student's response for me. Thank you. And Kyle, your walking away, taking a break
is a good idea; time gives perspective and clarity.
Jimmy, doll, let's see how you deal with difficult parts so that we can wrap-up this thread
(please answer on that post, not on this...thanks) Thank you, too, for your enthusiasm in
making The Crucible come to life. We'll work on getting you that Tony.
O.k., to the point.
Please find a gripping, awe-inspiring, artfully crafted passage. Yes, I've changed what I mentioned today in class. I explain why later.
Next, start your post with the text. Then explain why you LOVE the writing.
For example, I just finished reading Chris Cleave's Little Bee. The blurb on the back of the book reads, "This is a story of two women. Their lives collide one fateful day, and one of them has to make a terrible choice, the kind of choice we hope you never have to face. Two years later, they meet again - the story starts there...." As I said today in class, the book is set in Nigeria, London, and Kingston-upon-Thames (a suburb of London). There's war, love, infidelity, friendship, hope, and betrayal woven throughout the plot. At 266 pages, it's a relatively quick read, as the suspense created by the characters' plights push the reader to the book's end.
Ok, I know, I'm going off on a tangent. Anyway, my example. Use it as a model:
At the beginning of the book, Little Bee, a fourteen-year-old Nigerian illegal alien locked-up in a London immigration detention center, speaks about the moment she was set free:
"I will tell you what happened when they let me out of the immigration detention center. The detention officer put a voucher in my hand, a transport voucher, and he said I could telephone for a cab. I said, Thank you sir, may God move with grace in your life and bring joy into your heart and prosperity upon our loved ones. The officer pointed his eyes at the ceiling, like there was something very interesting up there, and he said, Jesus. Then he pointed his finger down the corridor and he said, There is the telephone.
So I stood in the queue for the telephone. I was thinking, I went over the top with thanking that detention officer. The Queen would merely have said, Thank you, and left it at that. Actually, the Queen would have told the detention officer to call for the damn taxi himself, or she would have him shot and his head separated from his body and displayed on the railings in front of the Tower of London. I was realizing, right there, that it was one thing to learn the Queen's English from books and newspapers in my detention cell, and quite another thing to actually speak the language with the English. I was angry with myself. I was thinking, You cannot afford to go around making mistakes like that girl. If you talk like a savage who learned her English on a boat, the men are going to find you out and send you straight back home. That's what I was thinking" (Cleave 3-4).
Ok, so here's what impressed me about the passage. The writer uses humor via hyperbole (extreme exaggeration) to discuss a serious-as-a-terminal-illness issue, i.e. an outsider blending into a foreign society by mastering that country's native tongue. This reminded me of living in Spain as an undergraduate and asking for "ear" cheese instead of "goat" cheese. I know, not as interesting as Little Bee's story, but I was mortified. Also impressive, is Little Bee's characterization: she is reflective and wise for a fourteen-year-old. This sketch makes me curious to find out what happened to her prior to this moment so that I can learn what events in her life made her this way. Lastly, I liked that Little Bee's inner dialogue was written in italics and was embedded in the text. This formatting decision made it easier for me to read and move along quickly through the story.
So, to sum up:
1) I transcribed a passage...you'll find that a passage will give your blog readers more of a sense of the author's writing style and what you appreciate about it.
2) I used a parenthetical citation.
3) I wrote, in paragraph form (as you should), three reasons, each explaining why I found the passage memorable.
Now, pumpkins, you do the same. Get this done by Friday, January 7th, please, or I'll tell Abigail that you're witches.
Thank you.
The Queen of 235 (xo)
Was reading your classmates' strategies for tackling tough spots in their reading lives helpful?
The "when all else fails, ask someone," "re-read the passage," and "look for context clues"
were wildly popular, as they should be since they work. Moreover, I was intrigued by
novel approaches. Alec, your idea to think of all the events that led up to the challenging part
was a new student's response for me. Thank you. And Kyle, your walking away, taking a break
is a good idea; time gives perspective and clarity.
Jimmy, doll, let's see how you deal with difficult parts so that we can wrap-up this thread
(please answer on that post, not on this...thanks) Thank you, too, for your enthusiasm in
making The Crucible come to life. We'll work on getting you that Tony.
O.k., to the point.
Please find a gripping, awe-inspiring, artfully crafted passage. Yes, I've changed what I mentioned today in class. I explain why later.
Next, start your post with the text. Then explain why you LOVE the writing.
For example, I just finished reading Chris Cleave's Little Bee. The blurb on the back of the book reads, "This is a story of two women. Their lives collide one fateful day, and one of them has to make a terrible choice, the kind of choice we hope you never have to face. Two years later, they meet again - the story starts there...." As I said today in class, the book is set in Nigeria, London, and Kingston-upon-Thames (a suburb of London). There's war, love, infidelity, friendship, hope, and betrayal woven throughout the plot. At 266 pages, it's a relatively quick read, as the suspense created by the characters' plights push the reader to the book's end.
Ok, I know, I'm going off on a tangent. Anyway, my example. Use it as a model:
At the beginning of the book, Little Bee, a fourteen-year-old Nigerian illegal alien locked-up in a London immigration detention center, speaks about the moment she was set free:
"I will tell you what happened when they let me out of the immigration detention center. The detention officer put a voucher in my hand, a transport voucher, and he said I could telephone for a cab. I said, Thank you sir, may God move with grace in your life and bring joy into your heart and prosperity upon our loved ones. The officer pointed his eyes at the ceiling, like there was something very interesting up there, and he said, Jesus. Then he pointed his finger down the corridor and he said, There is the telephone.
So I stood in the queue for the telephone. I was thinking, I went over the top with thanking that detention officer. The Queen would merely have said, Thank you, and left it at that. Actually, the Queen would have told the detention officer to call for the damn taxi himself, or she would have him shot and his head separated from his body and displayed on the railings in front of the Tower of London. I was realizing, right there, that it was one thing to learn the Queen's English from books and newspapers in my detention cell, and quite another thing to actually speak the language with the English. I was angry with myself. I was thinking, You cannot afford to go around making mistakes like that girl. If you talk like a savage who learned her English on a boat, the men are going to find you out and send you straight back home. That's what I was thinking" (Cleave 3-4).
Ok, so here's what impressed me about the passage. The writer uses humor via hyperbole (extreme exaggeration) to discuss a serious-as-a-terminal-illness issue, i.e. an outsider blending into a foreign society by mastering that country's native tongue. This reminded me of living in Spain as an undergraduate and asking for "ear" cheese instead of "goat" cheese. I know, not as interesting as Little Bee's story, but I was mortified. Also impressive, is Little Bee's characterization: she is reflective and wise for a fourteen-year-old. This sketch makes me curious to find out what happened to her prior to this moment so that I can learn what events in her life made her this way. Lastly, I liked that Little Bee's inner dialogue was written in italics and was embedded in the text. This formatting decision made it easier for me to read and move along quickly through the story.
So, to sum up:
1) I transcribed a passage...you'll find that a passage will give your blog readers more of a sense of the author's writing style and what you appreciate about it.
2) I used a parenthetical citation.
3) I wrote, in paragraph form (as you should), three reasons, each explaining why I found the passage memorable.
Now, pumpkins, you do the same. Get this done by Friday, January 7th, please, or I'll tell Abigail that you're witches.
Thank you.
The Queen of 235 (xo)
Monday, November 22, 2010
Strategies When Challenged
Hi, Everyone.
The purpose of this thread is to help us negoitate the "tough spots" in our books. You know, the parts that we just don't "get."
So, there are three questions here that I'd like you to consider:
1. What is your immediate reaction to a challenging section of your book? What do you think and feel
when you "hit the wall," so to speak?
2. What action do you take to "get over the wall?"
3. What do you do if you can't "get over the wall?"
If you have yet to start your challenge book, then use our in class reading selections.
Looking forward to hearing from you all.
Happy Thanksgiving! :)
Mrs. Drance
The purpose of this thread is to help us negoitate the "tough spots" in our books. You know, the parts that we just don't "get."
So, there are three questions here that I'd like you to consider:
1. What is your immediate reaction to a challenging section of your book? What do you think and feel
when you "hit the wall," so to speak?
2. What action do you take to "get over the wall?"
3. What do you do if you can't "get over the wall?"
If you have yet to start your challenge book, then use our in class reading selections.
Looking forward to hearing from you all.
Happy Thanksgiving! :)
Mrs. Drance
Friday, September 17, 2010
Let's Talk about Our IR Books
So, we've made it. One week down. Exhausted? I am. But, I'm happy to be back.
For this thread, please think about the characters in your IR book. Who stands out? Why do you feel connected to him, her, it (for you sci-fi lovers)?
In SKIM, the graphic novel I'm reading, the title character reminds me of the teenage angst I felt during high school. Actually, my high school experience was pretty wonderful. More angst - continual angst - actually happened later, in college, which contradicts the "American experience." However, I'm glad that's over! This is not to say that I don't have pull-the-comforter-over-my-head days, days when my limbs are so heavy, my head and heart achy, well, you know the rest....
Anyway, the intensity of Skim's pain makes me breathe more deeply to rinse her sadness from my soul... from the reminder of how tough growing up can be. Skim, though, reminds me to be more understanding and patient of those with a tsumami overhead.
O.k., enough bleakness for now.
Please post by Monday, September 20th.
And, remember to post a profile picture if haven't already done so.
Thanks, pumpkins.
Enjoy your weekend.
Ms. D
For this thread, please think about the characters in your IR book. Who stands out? Why do you feel connected to him, her, it (for you sci-fi lovers)?
In SKIM, the graphic novel I'm reading, the title character reminds me of the teenage angst I felt during high school. Actually, my high school experience was pretty wonderful. More angst - continual angst - actually happened later, in college, which contradicts the "American experience." However, I'm glad that's over! This is not to say that I don't have pull-the-comforter-over-my-head days, days when my limbs are so heavy, my head and heart achy, well, you know the rest....
Anyway, the intensity of Skim's pain makes me breathe more deeply to rinse her sadness from my soul... from the reminder of how tough growing up can be. Skim, though, reminds me to be more understanding and patient of those with a tsumami overhead.
O.k., enough bleakness for now.
Please post by Monday, September 20th.
And, remember to post a profile picture if haven't already done so.
Thanks, pumpkins.
Enjoy your weekend.
Ms. D
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Are You Ready for the 10X Challenge...?
... of course you are!
First things first...please create an account and post a profile picture.
It does NOT have to be of you, but it has to represent you (i.e.
if you LOVE the beach, you could post a picture of the coastline,
waves, etc.). You can, of course put up your mugshot...WAIT...did
I say THAT? Seriously, put up a picture of yourself if you like.
You will be prompted to create an account if you don't have one
once you respond to this thread and it will ask you to login or register.
If you're having any problems, you can email me at ldrance@babylonufsd.org,
and I can try to help you figure it out. If we're unsuccessful this way, come
see me and we can work it out together on the computer.
O.k., so sign up by Monday, September 13th.
Say "hello" on the blog, i.e. ("that is") TELL US WHAT YOU'RE
GOING TO READ - your independent book and on-deck book,
and post a profile "pix" by Monday.
Be sure to use the guidelines of last year's 10X thread that we
reviewed in class.
Enjoy the long weekend.
Peace,
Mrs. Drance
First things first...please create an account and post a profile picture.
It does NOT have to be of you, but it has to represent you (i.e.
if you LOVE the beach, you could post a picture of the coastline,
waves, etc.). You can, of course put up your mugshot...WAIT...did
I say THAT? Seriously, put up a picture of yourself if you like.
You will be prompted to create an account if you don't have one
once you respond to this thread and it will ask you to login or register.
If you're having any problems, you can email me at ldrance@babylonufsd.org,
and I can try to help you figure it out. If we're unsuccessful this way, come
see me and we can work it out together on the computer.
O.k., so sign up by Monday, September 13th.
Say "hello" on the blog, i.e. ("that is") TELL US WHAT YOU'RE
GOING TO READ - your independent book and on-deck book,
and post a profile "pix" by Monday.
Be sure to use the guidelines of last year's 10X thread that we
reviewed in class.
Enjoy the long weekend.
Peace,
Mrs. Drance
Monday, March 1, 2010
Welcome 2010 10Xers!
I'm sooooo excited about restarting the blog so that we may
share our discussions about books via this rich, quick medium.
So, then...
...let the "games" begin (fitting, since the Olympics ended last night).
Tell us, what book are you reading or plan to read that challenges you
or will challenge you? What were some of the obstacles that you had
to overcome during your "challenge read(s)?" What strategies
were particularly helpful? Please explain why....
Also, just a few quick "guidelines":
1. Use capital letters when appropriate, esp. when capitalizing "i."
2. Use the other conventions of standard written English: GUMS (i.e. grammar,
usage, mechanics - punctuation - spelling).
3. Use italics for titles of long works (e.g. books, feature films, cds, etc.)
4. Unless making a simile, do not use "like" throughout your post!
You may use acronyms, but not anything inappropriate, such at WTF just, well, isn't appropriate.
This post is due by Thursday, March 4th, no later than 8:00 p.m.
Any questions, ask me!
Looking forward to chatting.
Best,
Mrs. Drance
share our discussions about books via this rich, quick medium.
So, then...
...let the "games" begin (fitting, since the Olympics ended last night).
Tell us, what book are you reading or plan to read that challenges you
or will challenge you? What were some of the obstacles that you had
to overcome during your "challenge read(s)?" What strategies
were particularly helpful? Please explain why....
Also, just a few quick "guidelines":
1. Use capital letters when appropriate, esp. when capitalizing "i."
2. Use the other conventions of standard written English: GUMS (i.e. grammar,
usage, mechanics - punctuation - spelling).
3. Use italics for titles of long works (e.g. books, feature films, cds, etc.)
4. Unless making a simile, do not use "like" throughout your post!
You may use acronyms, but not anything inappropriate, such at WTF just, well, isn't appropriate.
This post is due by Thursday, March 4th, no later than 8:00 p.m.
Any questions, ask me!
Looking forward to chatting.
Best,
Mrs. Drance
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Vacation Getaway
Hi, Y'all.
I'm headed down to the South, not as far as Scout's Alabama, but South Carolina this Saturday, which will be the perfect setting to finish rereading TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. I have MANY books on my "to read" list. One of them is called LAST SHOT, by John Feinstein (an award-winning author-journalist), about two ninth grade journalists - go figure-on the March Madness basketball scene. This book might replace the DEREK JETER bio on the 10th grade summer reading list, as students have shared that they're so keen about it. In addition, I also have a stack of graphic novels that I need to dive into to prepare for a new genre study. Mr. Burgoyne, Mr. Schappert and Ms. McGrorty are helping me out with this endeavour. So, I'm busy...what will you be reading?
Drop us a line, a post, a nod.
Mrs. Drance
I'm headed down to the South, not as far as Scout's Alabama, but South Carolina this Saturday, which will be the perfect setting to finish rereading TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. I have MANY books on my "to read" list. One of them is called LAST SHOT, by John Feinstein (an award-winning author-journalist), about two ninth grade journalists - go figure-on the March Madness basketball scene. This book might replace the DEREK JETER bio on the 10th grade summer reading list, as students have shared that they're so keen about it. In addition, I also have a stack of graphic novels that I need to dive into to prepare for a new genre study. Mr. Burgoyne, Mr. Schappert and Ms. McGrorty are helping me out with this endeavour. So, I'm busy...what will you be reading?
Drop us a line, a post, a nod.
Mrs. Drance
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)