Today:
We looked at the popular NPR series: This I believe. I challenged you to write 1-2 sent. on an index card defining what you believe. We voted on the best one, which will be read at a future assembly.
We defined mortality plays.
We looked at using character names to symbolize.
We read the mortality play, Everyman.
Friday, October 14, 2011
See me if you want more info:
This I Believe Essay-Writing Guidelines
We invite you to contribute to this project by writing and submitting your own statement of personal belief. We understand how challenging this is—it requires such intimacy that no one else can do it for you. To guide you through this process, we offer these suggestions:
Tell a story: Be specific. Take your belief out of the ether and ground it in the events of your life. Consider moments when belief was formed or tested or changed. Think of your own experience, work, and family, and tell of the things you know that no one else does. Your story need not be heart-warming or gut-wrenching—it can even be funny—but it should be real. Make sure your story ties to the essence of your daily life philosophy and the shaping of your beliefs.
Be brief: Your statement should be between 350 and 500 words. That’s about three minutes when read aloud at your natural pace.
Name your belief: If you can’t name it in a sentence or two, your essay might not be about belief. Also, rather than writing a list, consider focusing on one core belief, because three minutes is a very short time.
Be positive: Please avoid preaching or editorializing. Tell us what you do believe, not what you don’t believe. Avoid speaking in the editorial “we.” Make your essay about you; speak in the first person.
Be personal: Write in words and phrases that are comfortable for you to speak. We recommend you read your essay aloud to yourself several times, and each time edit it and simplify it until you find the words, tone, and story that truly echo your belief and the way you speak.
For this project, we are also guided by the original This I Believe series and the producers’ invitation to those who wrote essays in the 1950s. Their advice holds up well and we are abiding by it. Please consider it carefully in writing your piece.
In introducing the original series, host Edward R. Murrow said, “Never has the need for personal philosophies of this kind been so urgent.” We would argue that the need is as great now as it was 50 years ago. We are eager for your contribution.
Submit Your Essay
We invite you to contribute to this project by writing and submitting your own statement of personal belief. We understand how challenging this is—it requires such intimacy that no one else can do it for you. To guide you through this process, we offer these suggestions:
Tell a story: Be specific. Take your belief out of the ether and ground it in the events of your life. Consider moments when belief was formed or tested or changed. Think of your own experience, work, and family, and tell of the things you know that no one else does. Your story need not be heart-warming or gut-wrenching—it can even be funny—but it should be real. Make sure your story ties to the essence of your daily life philosophy and the shaping of your beliefs.
Be brief: Your statement should be between 350 and 500 words. That’s about three minutes when read aloud at your natural pace.
Name your belief: If you can’t name it in a sentence or two, your essay might not be about belief. Also, rather than writing a list, consider focusing on one core belief, because three minutes is a very short time.
Be positive: Please avoid preaching or editorializing. Tell us what you do believe, not what you don’t believe. Avoid speaking in the editorial “we.” Make your essay about you; speak in the first person.
Be personal: Write in words and phrases that are comfortable for you to speak. We recommend you read your essay aloud to yourself several times, and each time edit it and simplify it until you find the words, tone, and story that truly echo your belief and the way you speak.
For this project, we are also guided by the original This I Believe series and the producers’ invitation to those who wrote essays in the 1950s. Their advice holds up well and we are abiding by it. Please consider it carefully in writing your piece.
In introducing the original series, host Edward R. Murrow said, “Never has the need for personal philosophies of this kind been so urgent.” We would argue that the need is as great now as it was 50 years ago. We are eager for your contribution.
Submit Your Essay
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Today we finished The Knight's Tale.
D Block: I passed back your Beowulf exams. I asked you to store these in your writing folders, but as I mentioned in class, you are welcome to bring them home and let them visit the fridge for a bit for some parental recognition :-) Please make sure that they come back.
No HW.
D Block: I passed back your Beowulf exams. I asked you to store these in your writing folders, but as I mentioned in class, you are welcome to bring them home and let them visit the fridge for a bit for some parental recognition :-) Please make sure that they come back.
No HW.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A + B + D
Today we looked at The Knight's Tale from the Canterbury Tales.
Please pass in your Pilgrimage Assignment if you were unable to finish it withing the time given this week ASAP.
HW: Please read and review The Pardoner's Tale.
Please pass in your Pilgrimage Assignment if you were unable to finish it withing the time given this week ASAP.
HW: Please read and review The Pardoner's Tale.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
D Block:
Today:
Journal Prompt: Greed is the root of all evil. 1 page.
We defined simile and looked at examples from Chaucer.
We went to the computer lab to type your Pilgrimage assignment.
I passed back your papers and gave you writing folders to store your work.
HW: Read The Pardoner's Tale in the anthology.
Journal Prompt: Greed is the root of all evil. 1 page.
We defined simile and looked at examples from Chaucer.
We went to the computer lab to type your Pilgrimage assignment.
I passed back your papers and gave you writing folders to store your work.
HW: Read The Pardoner's Tale in the anthology.
A + B Block:
Today:
Journal Promt: Explain your greatest regrets. 1 page
We went to the computer lab and finished the writing portion of your Pilgrimage Assignment.
I collected them at the end of class.
HW: Please read the Pardoner's Tale in your anthologies. Please expect a quiz Wed.
Journal Promt: Explain your greatest regrets. 1 page
We went to the computer lab and finished the writing portion of your Pilgrimage Assignment.
I collected them at the end of class.
HW: Please read the Pardoner's Tale in your anthologies. Please expect a quiz Wed.
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