Day Seven. Wed. 9/27. Sensory Details.

Mmmmmm. Potato bugs....so tasty!
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/images/jcrick3.jpg

*** Special Note: Grade sheets showing all received assignments are now posted in the window to the room (B7). ***

Today's Writing Workshop Theme: Descriptive Writing

1. We did some journal writing, imagining an internal conflict for one of the characters you created for today. Faced with the opportunity/challenge of drinking snake's blood, how would your character react? What thoughts would be going through his/her mind?

2. You got a chance to try a new gastronomic delight (tamarind, marmite, durian candy, stinky cheese, edible ocean plant, pickled plum sauce or fried grubs) and then try your hand at writing paragraph describing your experience using sensory details for sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. I even gave you all a special gift: a Sensory Details Word Bank to kick-start you into creative writing mode.

3. Next, we read "The Deep Fried Potato Bug" and identified the internal conflicts and sensory details.

HOMEWORK:
Literature:
1. Research sheet (blue) - due Fri. 9/29
2. Story rough draft - due Tues. 10/3

Projects:
1. Introductions (see pink-ish sheet) - due Fri. 9/29

If you were absent today:
Pick out a new food. Challenge yourself; choose a food you have a little bit of anxiety about tasting. Foods that have strong flavors/odors work best. Then write one paragraph describing how it feels, sounds, smells, looks, and tastes. Due next class.

Day Six. Monday 9/25/06. Characters.

Check out these quirky characters! (courtesy of: http://www.washington.edu/alumni/columns/dec04/images/assocnews_costume.jpg)

***SPECIAL NOTE ***
PROGRESS REPORTS WILL BE COMING OUT ON 10/8.
PLEASE TURN IN ANY LATE WORK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Today's Writing Workshop Theme: Characters.

1. Journal writing using props (feather boa, hat, gloves, etc.) to describe a character

2. Homework check (Conflict Story due, Travel Book for some, Bookmark due - PM only)

3. Vocab Test (for Days 1-4)

4. Christine mini-dramas (Thanks again to all those brave souls who volunteered and participated!!)

5. Research Sheet instructions

6. Time to begin work on developing characters

HOMEWORK

Global Lit.

1. Bookmark - Due Wed. 9/27 (AM only)

2. Character Section of Research Sheet - Due Wed. 9/27

3. Research Sheet - Due Fri. 9/29 (**Note to AM class: in class I said it would be due Wed. 9/27. I decided to extend this deadline.**)

4. Travel Story Rough Draft - Due Tues. 10/3 (**Note to AM class: in class I said it would be due Fri. 9/29. I decided to extend this deadline.**)

Projects

1. Description - Due Wed. 9/27

Day 5 Wednesday 9/20

Il carnevale d'Ivrea - Ivrea Carnival, Italy
http://www.2camels.com/photos/ivrea-carnival.php

Day 5 Wednesday 9/20

AM class
1. Vocabulary Review – Days 1-4
2. Checked off travel books
3. Lecture/class discussion/brainstorm about conflict
4. Diagramed plot line and brainstormed possible conflicts using cultural taboos
5. Gave out “gift” – bizarre customs, festivals, etc. sheet
6. Showed slideshow of festivals around the world as brainstorming for story ideas.
7. Gave students each a copy of “Mega Chicken” story to use as a reference and help with their own writing.

PM class
1. Vocabulary Review – Days 1-4
2. Read “Mega Chicken”
3. Lecture/class discussion on conflict. Diagrammed “Mega Chicken” plot line.
4. Diagrammed/brainstormed possible conflicts using cultural taboos.
5. Showed slideshow of festivals around the world as brainstorming for story ideas.

** Special note ** All late work must now be submitted with a late slip. These are bright pink and will be stored in class on the back shelf.

HOMEWORK
Literature - Study for Vocabulary Test (Days 1-4) on Monday 9/25
1-page Conflict story showing: * character * setting * conflict * choice * result Due Monday 9/25

Projects - Begin reading Travel Book
PM class only – Bookmark due Monday 9/25

Day 4. Mon. 9/18. Beginnings!

http://www.101com.com/images/pub/syllabus/0503syl_DT.jpg

Today’s awesome literature theme: Beginnings!
Today was the first day of our writing workshop and, quite literally, we started at the “beginning.”

AM class
1. Shared and turned in Grand Tour and Outsider Encounter assignments
2. 4-Corners activity about beginnings
3. Reviewed Beginnings Handout – 3 types of beginnings and what a good beginning should accomplish (noted how these are tied to characters and setting)
4. I read some examples of good beginnings - one from a travel book and perhaps my favorite beginning: from the novel Fahrenheit 541 by Ray Bradbury
5. In class, in journals, students wrote one example of each of the three beginnings

PM class
1. Shared and turned in Grand Tour and Outsider Encounter assignments
2. 4-Corners activity about beginnings
3. Reviewed Beginnings Handout – 3 types of beginnings and what a good beginning should accomplish (noted how these are tied to characters and setting)
4. Students shared their travel book beginnings with a partner and then with the class; we discussed what each of the beginnings accomplished and what type they were
5. In class, in journals, students wrote one example of each of the three beginnings

HOMEWORK
Literature - “Taking the Leap” Beginnings practice – Due Wed. 9/20
Projects - Travel Books – Bring to class Wed. 9/20

Day 3: Thurs. 9/14. Simulation: Cultural Lens

Hand with Reflection Sphere (Self-Portrait in Spherical Mirror)
( M.C. Escher/ Cordon Art-Baarn-Holland. All rights reserved )
http://www.slcc.edu/schools/hum_sci/physics/tutor/2220/optical_instruments/hand_with_sphere_large.jpg
Hooray! We all survived our first IHS simulation today! Class started with an experiential learning encounter with a hypothetical school situation. Afterwards, we all breathed a sigh of relief when things went back to normal.

Next, we shared a rich discussion about the simulation culture and how it was different from what we're used to. Using the differences they had just experienced, students examined the cultural lens they bring to school; we talked about the expectations they have for their teachers and classes and how these come out of the culture they've been raised in.

Next, I upped the ante and assigned the "Outsider Encounter" - challenging students to write about a time when they were the only outsider and to stage and outsider encounter if need be.

To end the class, we watched some travel clips to get ideas for The Grand Tour assignment and brainstormed ideas with each other.

HOMEWORK:
Literature
Outsider Encounter - Due Mon. 9/18
Projects:
The Grand Tour - Due Mon. 9/18
Travel Books - Ideally by Mon. 9/18; Absolute deadline: Wed. 9/20

Day Two. Tues. 9/12. We Embark!

A school in Nepal. Courtesy of: http://www.nepal-school-projects.org/

And we’re off into the land of travel writing!
Yes, that’s right and we’ll be making plenty of stops along the way, to see the sights and sample the delicacies.

On the Projects train, this means that you’ll be writing a persuasive letter for your very own Grand Tour, choosing and reading a travel book, writing a travel story, and doing a final travel book project.

Our Literature route will include plenty of class time preparing you to write your story. We’ll read short travel stories, talk about the elements of a good travel story, and you'll have time to practice skills and brainstorm ideas on your own and in groups.

In class today, after sharing our “I Am” poems and “My Name” stories, we set out on the trail, pausing to feel the flush and glow of potential travel adventures (and to talk about what makes good travel writing) as Jeff Goldsworthy described how an incident in Nepal helped him discover “The Size of the World” and realize that he needed to travel the world by foot.

Homework
Literature:
Vocabulary (Not due. Test will be given at the end of the unit.)
Projects:
1. Begin work on Grand Tour – final draft due Mon. 9/18
2. Find your travel book –
Ideally, you’ll have your book by this Mon., 9/18. The final deadline is Wed. 9/20.
You must finish reading your book by 10/16.

Day One. Fri. 9/8. Welcome!

Some friends and me near Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam.

Welcome to 9th Grade Global Literature!
Friday was an awesome first day. As you may remember, I asked you to do a little writing about your middle school selves and then - whether choosing to revise or start with a blank canvas - envision who you want to become this year.
We reviewed the syllabus together and you listened to me talk a little bit about myself, the class, and the procedures and ideas we'll be working with this year.
We even got to get up, move around a little, and get to know each other when you moved around the room to answer questions about yourselves.
Homework and due dates are listed below.
I'm looking forward to seeing you all on Tuesday.
JO

Literature Homework:
ALL of the following are due on Tues. (9/12)
1. Get course syllabus signed & have parent(s)/guardians answer questionnaire(cream sheet)
2. Complete "My Name" assignment (day-glow orange sheet)
3. Complete "Customs: Introduction" questions (yellow sheet)
4. Get a journal to keep in class

Projects Homework:
ALL of the following are due on Tues. (9/12)
1. Get course syllabus signed (white sheet)
2. Complete "Who I Am" Poem (green sheet)