9-30/10-1 Details, details, details!!

Lesson:
Today was a day all about sensory details.
We had a number of sensory experiences in class.
If you were absent, pick up the short story, "Deep Fried Potato Bug", or check it out at this link:
Deep Fried Potato Bug

In addition, we wrote about our experiences in class using three descriptions. If you were absent I would like you to try three new things. They could be food, music, activities, etc and write a short paragraph for each describing your experience. Use showing details. Don't say "the pepper was waxy looking and spicy". Say: "The pepper, like a sculpted piece of wax scorched my vocal chords as it skidded down my throat".
Do something cool. Go to an ethnic grocery store and try something you've never heard of. Go to CD World and listen to some world music from a place you do not know (or find some music on-line, but don't steal).

HMWK: Vivid descriptions of things (see above if absent)

Projects: Assignment #3

9-28/29 2009 You gotta have conflict

Lesson:
Vocab Test #1--If yo were absent make sure you schedule a time to make this up.
Shared our "Where were you last night" writing
Read "The Adventures of Mega Chicken"
Discussed internal and external conflict
Practiced writing internal and external conflict using a video with traveler "Justine" drinking snakes blood in Vietnam
If absent, try writing a page about a character tasting snake's blood for the first time in Vietnam. Use the internet to see what Vietnam would look like and what this experience might be like.
HMWK:
Write a slowed down moment of someone (we used a woman named Justine) drinking snakes blood. Include lots of internal conflict and sensory details.
Travel Vocab Part Day 1 and 2
Projects: Assignment #3

9-23/24 2009 Begin with the beginning

Lesson:
Collected the "Sharing in Africa" critique
Went over vocab---STUDY for the test next class!!!!

Beginnings-
We looked at examples of beginnings in class

Beginning #1
Start in the middle of the action and/or dialogue
Example:
Lola gripped Adam’s hand during another one of Adam’s midnight back spasms.
“Oh man,” he said, squeezing his fingers, pumping his legs under the covers.
Lola thought of Mary, giving birth in a manger. Her own baby was due any minute.
“Oh Lord,” said Adam. He turned from her and slammed his free hand down on the bed. “Bloody Hell.”

Beginning #2
Start with a description

Because my father fixed everything with a soldering iron, the inside of our house looked like a dental nightmare. The fillings were numberless, blobs of silver applied to the toaster, to the washing machine--lines of stuff binding cracks in mother’s white walls. All of it stood for decay, for the cruel games of bacteria.

Beginnings #3
Start with a statement

Trevor never could find happiness, though he looked for it around every corner. His eyes had a shifty little bend to them, as if he were always checking for the next thing coming along. Maybe if he had paid attention to the passing moments themselves, he would not have missed the happiness tripping by almost daily, as she did on her way to work.

If absent, look at what these beginnings accomplish.

We then critiqued other beginnings by a number of travel writers.

Then, practice using the "Taking the Leap" assignment on the homework page. You should use your travel story brainstorming sheet and choose two ideas to develop.

HMWK:
"Taking the Leap"
Vocab Review - TEST NEXT CLASS!!!!
Basmati signed form

9-21/22-2009 Sharing in Africa

Lesson:
We checked off our brainstorming sheets. Hang on to your stamped copy as you will be turning it in with your final story.
In honor of International Peace Day, we read a story by a former Peace Corps volunteers, "Sharing in Africa" by Micheal Tidwell.
You can find the story on the assignments page.
If you're interested, here's a link to activities coinciding with International Peace Day:
http://www.peaceoneday.org/en/welcome

HMWK:Finish reading "Sharing in Africa"
Complete the critique paper.
If you have not brought me your basmati form TURN IT IN!
Vocab Review--TEST NEXT WEEK (Monday for Sheldon/ Tuesday for South)
Projects: Assignment #2 due next class

9-17/18 2009 Travel Brianstorming!

Lesson:
Went over vocab
Talked about homework quality
Today is all about brainstorming to begin our own travel story.......How do you start?
Personal memories, pictures in magazines, objects, funny incidents, taboos
Historical Angle: Went over the history of travel.
If absent, I have a reading you can use to find out what you missed. See me before class next time.
Philosophical approach. you could ask these questions to start your story:
1. What is the difference between traveling and tourism?
2. What are the positive/ negative aspects of tourism?
3. List three ways travel has affected our world’s history?
4. Overall, do you believe that traveling is a positive or negative force in our society?

Showed Globe Trekker clips to spark ideas
Shared interesting customs and festivals from around the world to spark ideas
Do you have anything you could use for a travel story???

HMWK:
Vocab Day 3 and 4
Brainstorming sheet (at least 10 ideas for a travel story)

Projects: Assignment #2 Due 9/23 (Sheldon) and 9/24 (South)

9-15/ 9-16 Travel Unit Begins!

Lesson:
Shared "My Name" writing
For classes in projects we passed out Projects due dates
Read "The Size of the World" excerpt by Jeff Greenwald
Vocab Day one and two assigned
The Grand Tour assigned

HMWK: Vocab Day one and two due next class
Parent Questionnaire due next class (if not already turned in)
Signed syllabus due next class (if not already turned in)
The Grand Tour due next class
Projects HMWK: Parent signature
Assignment #1

9-11/9-14 Yarr! Ye found me blog!

Introduction to Literature class
Class Rules
About Mr.K
Discussed the difference between Projects and Global Literature class
Discussed names and read "My Name" by Sandra Cisneros
You need to click on the link to "Grades" to get to basmati. Click on the South Eugene link and type in your student ID and the code you received in class.

HMWK:
(Copies of all can be found on the assignments page)
Signed Syllabus
Signed Parent Questionnaire
Student Questionnaire
"My Name" assignment
I am poem (directions can be found on the assignments page)