Literary Devices...

Good day to you all,

      Today is November 4, 2011.  Procedural writing is a specific genre that serves a specific goal.  Procedural writing teaches.  Procedural writing guides.  Procedural writing is concise.  It starts with a purpose, and arranges a method as a series of steps that provide exact instructions.

Below you will find a piece of procedural writing I have tried to complete for you.  Your task, should you choose to accept it, is to go back over the other 2 mini syllabi presented in the learning modules and evaluate me.  Grade me.  You will be provided with a checklist.  On the checklist, make comments and provide feedback on how I'm doing as a procedural writer.  What are your thoughts? 

- Does my writing have a purpose?

- Does my writing list a series of steps?

- Could a reader complete the task by following the instructions? 

                                                      LITERARY DEVICES

Description/Purpose

Survey, read, and follow this mini syllabus to identify Literary Devices and to use a wiki. 

For this Learning Experience you are presented with LITERARY DEVICES.  Literary Devices, for this lesson, are broken down in to two categories: Literary Techniques and Figurative Language.  (NOTE: Depending on who you speak with and/or what you read, Literary Techniques are often times substituted for "Literary Devices".  This can cause some confusion. For this learning experience please think of Literary Techniques and Figurative Language as two parts the make up Literary Devices.) 

     

      1.) Literary Techniques are tools and strategies that enhance a story in order to make is meaningful.  Techniques deal with the way a story is STRUCTURED.    These are the items in a story we love and remember.  From flashbacks to forshadowing, along with sub plots and plot twists, LITERARY TECHNIQUES are what make literature rich and engaging.

      2.) Figurative Language is a literary device that talented writers, film makers, and story tellers use to add depth and voice to their work.   

      -The wiki page is our way to demonstrate learning and share our new schema with each other.

A wiki ( ⁱ/ˈwɪki/ wik-ee) is a website that allows the creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor.^[1][2][3] Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used collaboratively by multiple users. Examples include community websites, corporate intranets, knowledge management systems, and note services. The software can also be used for personal notetaking.
Wikis may serve many different purposes. Some permit control over different functions (levels of access). For example, editing rights may permit changing, adding or removing material. Others may permit access without enforcing access control. Other rules may also be imposed for organizing content.
Ward Cunningham, the developer of the first wiki software, WikiWikiWeb, originally described it as "the simplest online database that could possibly work."^[4] "Wiki" (pronounced [ˈwiti] or [ˈviti]) is a Hawaiian word meaning "fast" or "quick".^[5]

Learning Objectives/Targets
I can produce clear and coherent writing appropriate to task, purpose and audience.

Method/Procedure & Materials
1. Read through the mini syllabus to understand the task layout and learning target.
2. Click and "SURVEY" (scan/skim) the wiki page to see what is there. 
3. View the videos laid out for you in the order they are presented.
4. As you watch, pay attention to your thinking and post new learning, thoughts, schema, or questions on the wiki.
      Note: please post at least one comment for "Literary Techniques" and one comment for "Figurative Language"
5. Read through other peoples contributions and see if you can make any connections. 

From the cluttered mind of C, Teacher

School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy

6 Word Memoirs...

Dear Teenie-Boppers,

      Today is Wednesday, November 2, 2011.  We will end our journey into the Holocaust with a memoir.  Below are some thoughts I've found about memoirs: what they are and what they are not.  Below you will also see a model of the writing process.  This is something we will visit many times over the rest of the academic year.  At the very bottom of the post you will see the memoir writing process.  There are three phases to writing a good memoir.  Those three phases fall into the writing process, but are just a little more specifically geared for memoirs. 

This brainpop is a great place to continue our memoir journey since we have already watched a digital memoir together:  http://www.brainpop.com/english/writing/biography/

Memoirs are deep thoughts that touch the essence of an experience.   

Memoir is your memory and your study of an experience in life. 

Memoir is your thinking really deeply: the meaning below the meaning…  The meaning below the meaning you thought you found. 

Memoirs are not biographies or autobiographies.  They are something similar, yet not exactly the same.  The subtle differences make memoirs more like a narrative: a story about a particular experience in someone's life. 

Memoirs are a part of a life: not the whole life of a person. 

Writing Process:

Step	Description	Strategies
Prewriting	An activity that causes the writer to think about the subject.  The writer organizes his thoughts before he begins to write.	Drawing Talking Brainstorming Graphic organizers Research Listing Field Trips
Drafting	The process of putting ideas down on paper.  The focus is on content not mechanics	Taking notes, Organizing thoughts into paragraphs, Writing a first draft
Revising	The process of refining the piece of writing.  The writer adds to a writing piece.  The writer reorganizes a piece of writing.  The writer shares his story and gets input from peers or teacher.	Peer editing Conferencing Share Chair or Author’s Chair
Editing	Mechanical, grammatical and spelling errors are fixed in the writing piece.	Checklists Rubrics Editing Checklists Proofreading
Publishing	The writing piece is prepared in final form, including illustrations.  The writer shares his writing with others.	Reading aloud Reading to a group Displaying in the room Printing the books Web publishing

Memoir writing process. 

Act 1 Downloading Phase

Act 2 Sorting Phase

Act 3 Framing Phase

I hope you take these lessons and concepts with you as you create your own memoirs this week and the next.  Enjoy!

Yours Truly,

C

From the cluttered mind of C, Teacher

School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy

Hola mis alumnos!

      Today is Camel Day, October 12, 2011.  You have heard me say before that good readers INTERACT WITH TEXT.  Good readers interact with text just like having a conversation with the author.  As we interact with text, we need to leave tracks of thinking.  This makes our thinking visible.  It brings it to real life OUR INNER VOICE that is so hard to hear sometimes. 

       Think about the tracks animals leave in the snow or the mud.  You can't see the animal.  You can't even touch the animal, but you know it has been there from the tracks it's left.  Readers need to leave tracks so that other readers and teachers can see the thinking.  Thoughts are invisible unless you leave tracks that they have been there. 

      Here is how we are going to start to leave tracks...
L         
Q or ?  
??      
!   
R     

That's it.  Have fun! 

Wait, I haven't told you what those tracks mean.  Silly Mr. C! 

L   new learning(At times this will be the answer to our questions.)
Q or ?  questions we have(These are the things that go on our Q and A forms.)
?? you are confused/gaps in knowledge
!  exciting or surprising information(These are very similar to the L, but they could be just random facts that surprised us.)
R for a connection (reminds me of...)

Tracks like these hold our thinking so we can come back later to see it.  If you are reading an article that is yours you can write these TEXT CODES right on it.  If you are reading a book that isn't yours feel free to use a post-it.  Have fun interacting with text and leaving tracks. 

Sincerely,
C
P.S. I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.
Do your best and forget the rest!

     

From the cluttered mind of C, Teacher

School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy

Happy Camel Day Everyone!

      Today is Wednesday, September 28, 2011.  By the end of class today we should be finishing up our Life Maps, and thinking about what we want to share tomorrow.  As we finish, there are a few things we need to do...

1. Check our work by using the rubric.

2. Think about talking points/nuggets that we want others to know about your history.

3. Check out the link below if you finish early. 

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/worldhistory/holocaust/

      I do realize the link is a bit childish, however, it is packed full of additional readings, activities, and a short quiz that tests your background knowledge.  Play around and click on some of the things you see.  Remember, we will be launching into our HOLOCAUST exploration on Friday.  Enjoy.

Yours Truly,

C

From the cluttered mind of C, Teacher

School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy

Welcome to the Blogosphere my friends...

Howdy Ya'll,

      Today is Tuesday, September 20, 2011.  If you are reading this you are interacting with a blog I started for all my special students.  So, consider yourself special in my eyes.  Anyways, down to the nitty gritty.  You all have embarked on a project that explores the Second Industrial Revolution.  Once you have conducted a few days of research with the online U.S. History textbook and other resources online, you will be required to create a blog of your own.

Take a few minutes to watch the link below on your own.  As you watch, think about the blog you will be creating.  Your blog will be yours to show your learning by expressing your voice and ideas with others.  Your teachers hope you enjoy this project not only for the product you will be creating, but also for the content we are focussing on. 

Here is your link to a video on blogs:
http://www.brainpop.com/technology/computersandinternet/blogs/

Here are some links that may help you connect with the U.S. History content:
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/industrialrevolution/

http://www.brainpop.com/technology/scienceandindustry/assemblyline/

Have fun with this project and make it yours! 

Yours truly,
C
P.S. I hear and I forget.
I see and remember.
I do and I understand.
Do your best and forget the rest!

From the cluttered mind of C, Teacher

School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy

Online Learning Guide: Video, Document, & Photo Reflection...

Take a look at these self-assessment and reflection questions: 

Self-Assessment

Check Your Understanding §  What questions did the photographs, videos, and readings raise in your mind? §  Where could you find the answers to these questions? §  What can we learn about this time period in history from what we have seen and read? §  I used to think, but now I know…

After you have read through the questions scroll down and find some of the links pertaining to slavery.  As you view and analyze these sites think about the feeling and reactions they stir in you.  Write down those thoughts and feelings.  If you feel so inclined, feel free to post a comment as well.  PLEASE ANSWER ALL 4 OF THE ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS.   

Slavery and Civil Rights:

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/civilrights/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernmentandlaw/billofrights/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/slavery/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/undergroundrailroad/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/brownvsboardofeducationoftopeka/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/famoushistoricalfigures/jackierobinson/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/famoushistoricalfigures/martinlutherkingjr/

CIVIL WAR:

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/civilwarcauses/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/freemovies/civilwar/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/famoushistoricalfigures/abrahamlincoln/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/famoushistoricalfigures/frederickdouglass/

YOU TUBE

http://youtu.be/YPXHrMDvBm0

http://youtu.be/Jc1RbUxQv4E

 

Underground Railroad Interactive Map

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/books/applications/imaps/maps/g5s_u6/index.html

Underground Railroad Map and Information

http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/underground/routes.htm

Slavery in America maps

http://www.slaveryinamerica.org/geography/ugrr_1860.htm

Scholastic Interactive Underground Railroad Website

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/index.htm

National Geographic Underground Railroad

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/

From the cluttered mind of C,

Teacher School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy

8th Grade Historical Literacy

Horsemanship: the journey continues...

Hey cowpokes!!

This is my Lady.

      The horse is rich in lore and mythology.  The 
Norse god Odin rode upon an eight-legged steed named Sleipnir.  Horses have been revered as symbols of freedom- oftentimes without the proper restraints.  It is associated with both burial rites and birth-with individuals riding into and out of this world. 

      Horse people in Chinese astrology are friendly and adventurous, and they can be very emotional.  In Greek Mythology, the chariot of Apollo, the sun god, is pulled by stallions, as is the chariot of Surya in the Hindu tradition.   

Lady girl and I have spent
 a few years together.

No one single animal has contributed more to the spread of civilization than the horse.  Before the horse’s domestication the distance between people and societies was great, and there was little interaction.  The horse served humanity in travel, in war, in agriculture, and in most other major areas of life.  ITS ENERGY IS EXPANSIVE. 

The symbolism of the horse is complex.  It can represent MOVEMENT & TRAVEL.  More than one historical legend speaks of the CLAIRVOYENCE of horses and their ability to recognize those involved in magic.  They are symbols that can express the magical side of humans.   

That there horse looks
perty in a saddle!

HORSE BRINGS WITH IT NEW JOURNEYS.  IT WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO RIDE INTO NEW DIRECTIONS TO AWAKEN AND DISCOVER YOUR OWN FREEDOM AND POWER.   

Horse fact #2: Horses are "PREY" animals.  This means that they are the food of predators. 

This, taken from Animal Speak by Ted Andrews

This day, June 21, 2011 in Kiel, WI

Home of my first horse experiences.

Horsemanship: when horses attack...

To those that care to listen,

      It is midday of day 2 here on Golden Bear Farm where I have decided to take a break in order to think and reflect.  Day 1 and Day 2 brought a lot so far.  Normally when I visit here, Lady is the horse that gets my attention.  However, I have decided to take on a new horse to focus my attention and affection.  The horse's name is Bo.  Here are a few pictures I took while he was attacking me.  He wasn't really attacking me; I'm just trying to see if you are paying attention. 

      I have learned a lot in the short period of time I have spent up here so far.  There are many things to keep in mind when you are training a horse.  In all actuality "training" a horse is nothing more than CREATING A RELATIONSHIP with a horse.  
      In order to start a conversation with a horse a human takes time understanding horse psychology and horse language.  I'll get into horse psychology another time if anyone is interested, but for now let me say that horse language is made up of 7 GAMES. 
1. The Friendly Game      2. The Porcupine Game
3. The Driving Game       4. The Yo-Yo Game
5. The Circle Game         6. The Sideways Game
7. The Squeeze Game

These games are the games horses play with each other when they are out in the middle of a pasture grazing or in the wild on the open plains.  If a human can understand the language and speak it back to a horse a LINE OF COMMUNICATION can be opened.  Then, let the fun begin!

Random horse fact #1:  Horses have BILATERAL VISION.  For those of you who would like more details on bilateral vision send me a comment.    

I hope you all enjoy reading this.  More to come.  I CAN'T STOP LEARNING!!

Yours truly,
C
P.S. We shall not cease from exploration and, the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.  -T.S. Eliot

Grayson, Lola, and Bridget...

Hey gang!

      I love to see all these comments even though the summer is well underway.  Keep up the comments so we all may keep in touch.  Since so many of you have expressed interest in continuing the blog, I am working on a new post that will be found here this evening.  As of now, I am up here on Golden Bear Farm with my friends Steve and Marie Deibele.  Today is day 2 of horse training.  More to follow...

Yours Truly,

C

P.S. I hear and I forget.

I see and I remember.

I do and I understand.

Do your best and forget the rest.  

From the cluttered mind of C, Teacher

School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy

STEREOTYPING...

Some of you have expressed continued interest and confusion about stereotyping.  Here is a short clip that may help you make connections and build understanding.  After watching this, think about how this applies to your moment in history. 

http://youtu.be/_hJFi7SRH7Q

This should be able to help you with #4 as well. 

From the cluttered mind of C, Teacher

School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy