Scott McCloud

This guy absolutely loves comics! The best aspect of his book Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels was the whole book being written in comic form. Scott has a web page with supplemental information on the chapter "Tools, Techniques and Technology" that he calls chapter 5 1/2. I like the fact that the online supplement talks about color, and the reader can actually see the color. The book doesn't have any color in it.

I never really realized how much detail goes into drawing a comic. Also, I never imagined how much information and detail can be given through just the picture and not the words. For example, page 84 shows the vast array of facial features to show emotions. There are sooooo many! I would never be able to draw that many emotions on just a face without the guidance and detail Scott gives in this book.

As I was looking up Scott on the Internet, I found something he did that might be something fun to try with students. Scott and a friend had a contest to create the 24-hour comic. He describes it in detail on his site.

Class Reflection

I have enjoyed our class this semester. The strategy demonstrations were my favorite part of the class. More classes throughout the college requirement sheet should do activities like this. I felt that it came to late in my college career. This assignment gave the class a lot of really good ideas to use in the classroom. Furthermore, I think it would be even better if the lessons/ideas were collected into one document and emailed to the class listserve.

Also, I enjoyed parts of the writing workshop. In the beginning, I was a little reserved about sharing any of my writing with the class; however, after reading the pieces from my peers, it wasn't as scary. The length of the assignment was daunting until I actually began to write. When I made the time, the words just seemed to flow out onto the page. The class discussion was the only aspect of this process that I didn't enjoy. I felt as though the track changes were enough for me. It might be good for some people, but I'm not the tell-people-what-I-think type. In my own class, I would allow class discussion on the pieces of writing, but it would not be part of the grade.

Finally, I really appreciated the time Dr. Kist devoted to answering student questions and listening to our comments or stories at the beginning of each class. This helped me feel more relaxed and less stressed out about the semester. I enjoyed hearing about my classmates' experiences and their own struggles.

Paying Students for Grades

I know that many people do not agree with giving students money as a reward for good grades; however, I think it is a good idea for many reasons. First of all, teachers are preparing students to become functional, tax-paying citizens. This means that students will need to be able to find and keep jobs! Also, they will be getting paid to do their work. So why not have the incentive of money for doing good school work. Workers get bonuses for a job well done; therefore, students should get a bonus for a job well done. I'm sure that math teachers can use the fact that students are getting paid for some type of educational benefit! Have the students calculate interest if they keep their money in a savings account...lol!

Secondly, I believe that this type of reward system might be better used in low-income communities. When parents do not make enough money, sometimes their children will have to find jobs as early as thirteen years old. Working and doing school work is not an easy task, and some teenagers are trying to work as close to forty hours as possible. Maybe if students didn't have to worry so much about getting a job, they could focus more on academics.

Image Grammar

I absolutely loved Harry Noden's Image Grammar lesson last semester. I think using visual aids to help students become better writers is very useful. I have problems getting started on writing something when I have nothing to start with. I believe that the pictures or visuals used with image grammar have to say something also. I have used certain images to assist with writing that weren't very useful. The visual didn't stimulate the writing part of my brain in the right way. Therefore, I don't think just any visual item can work the way the teacher expects it to.
I also like some of the activities that can go along with image grammar. Learning about grammar and writing doesn't always have to be sitting at a desk with paper and pencil. For example, strategy number 5 deals with students becoming detectives and solving a murder. This allows students to be involved in learning at the same time as moving around and talking with peers. Also, I would have never thought about the benefits of using a magic trick to learn concepts of grammar. This book and its ideas will definitely hold a place on my book shelves!

Want Your Opinion

One part of my 10-day unit is having the students create their own public service announcement based on a theme from the novel we are reading, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie. To introduce this project, I wanted to show the students a variety of examples from PSAs already on television. I chose topics such as breast cancer, smoking, drinking, and bullying. I am not able to show one of the PSAa, and I wanted some opinions from others.
Furthermore, my cooperating teacher viewed my first PSA while trying to play the DVD I created. Her response was to let me know that I couldn't play it in school because the students would tell all their friends, and the principal would not be happy if he found out. So, watch the PSA and tell me what you think......Save the Boobs!
I questioned the value of it before deciding to add it to my collection. I wanted the students to view a variety of tactics used to make get a point across to an audience. I believe that the PSA was very weel done and creative. I have heard more conversations recently about breast cancer than I've ever heard. And most of those conversations begin with this PSA or some of the other similar tactics used. Check out their site. It's not about sexy women, it's about breast cancer. They are simply trying to make younger women, and sometimes men, think about a subject they don't realize can happen at their age, or gender.
I don't understand the objection to using it with seniors.

Star Girl

I recently went to Borders on a shopping spree. I bought a few different books and this is my review:
Stargirl
This was a really great book. Even though it is for teens and young adults, I wanted to read the book from start to finish without any interruptions. I wanted to figure out who and what Stargirl was other than the enigma she seemed to be. I think it is a great book to use in high school. My first year coaching has shown me how teenagers band together based on who is who and who is wearing what and who is doing this or that. This one girl represents a part of being human that a lot of people lack today: kindness. I recommend this book to adults and teens!

I'm now working on reading Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Meyers. I have heard some of the students at my high school make positive comments on the book.

Modern Library Writer's Workshop

The idea that writing isn't going to be perfect as soon as the writer starts putting words on paper is inspiring. I look back at some of my own writing projects and become discouraged. If the piece that I am working on isn't exactly right, I put it aside; however, my 'aside' amounts to a very long period of time. This book recommends, "...you must sit down and write. It doesn't even really matter if you feel like writing" (5). I am known for the "I'm not in the mood to write; therefore, I can't" excuse more often than not. I also tend to be very critical of what I write and not like it very much.

Furthermore, I like how the process of writing isn't very machine-like. In a school setting, writing is a strict process with specific guidelines. The Writer's Workshop explains how the story and the characters are in control, not necessarily the writer. If the elements in the story are being shaped and created in the middle or end, that is okay! The thought of letting a character tell the story before the writer does is a new concept to me. I have always felt that I needed to be in control of everything instead of trying to become the character. The Writer's Workshop says, "To create a character is to play that character's part in your mind, and acting is a good metaphor for the process" (103).

I still want to make excuses and claim that the advice is unrealistic..lol. The book discusses time as though the writer can just make more of it whenever needed. Joyce Carol claims, "I have forced myself to begin writing when I've been utterly exhausted, when I've felt my soul as thin as a playing card, when nothing has seemed worth enduring for another five minutes...and somehow the activity of writing changes everything" (5). When my soul is that flimsy and I feel like crawling into a hole, I imagine a soft blanket around me while I'm curled up in bed, hopefully having a good dream that makes me realize I want to wake up again!!!

Hungry Minds

"In talking about the soup kitchen, Father Greenlaw generally does not mention Jesus. That's only natural, given the ecumenical nature of the enterprise." I know that personal and religious views are not acceptable in most public ventures, especially in schools; however, a church should be the one place where Jesus should always be mentioned. I know most people probably don't care about my views in religion, but I do believe in God and try to model that behavior for my children. On the other side, I don't like being preached to in a grocery store or hair salon for 30 minutes by someone who doesn't know me (which I've witnessed before). But in a church? That's where people go to be preached to. My personal beliefs make God responsible for the success of something like the soup kitchen.
Anyway, I think the writing workshop is a great way for some of the homeless to express their thoughts and feelings. It gives them a chance to be something other than homeless, and I don't mean becoming a classic writer and making millions of dollars. They can be writers during the workshop. They can use their creativity to take them anywhere in the world even if just in their minds. I used to write poetry to help me through some of my angry teenage years, so maybe, writing can help some of the homeless get through another tough day. And yes, the workshop has the potential to help some of those attain employment.
I wanted to read more about how the workshop itself functioned. Did they teach, what did they teach, and how? I guess I just wanted some more of those details.

Nancie Atwell

I am glad that Dr. Kist chose "In the Middle" by Nancie Atwell for this semester. I can relate to her sentiment "I have almost overcome my anxiety about revealing to the world how hard and slow writing is for me, and how wildly off-base my first attempts can be" (p 26). In junior high, I was asked to attend a writing contest with a small handful of peers. We were given a set amount of time to respond to the prompt/topic given to us that day. I did not enjoy this. My own process of writing can be very time consuming. At first, it takes me a long time to focus my thoughts into one idea. This idea can then change many times through the writing process. I can relate to students who might not work well with forced topics and short time schedules. This was one reason I never entertained the idea of going into journalism.

Furthermore, I like her idea of giving students silent reading once a week. I know how busy life can be outside of class and work. My own habits reserve personal reading time for right before bed. This allows me around 15 minutes until I can't hold my eyes open any longer to read the words!

As with any teaching strategy that seems good while reading, I wonder how it actually works in the classroom. Is silent reading a waste of class time? Should students be writing their assignments at home and not during the school day?

Trying to Stay Awake

Education between 1864-1916, when students were required to recite lessons and articles, they were not learning important critical thinking skills. Teachers had complete authority. Students in poverty only learned the basics that allowed them to understand what their country expected of them. They weren't gaining the skills necessary to change that country into something better. It seemed as though learning enough information to go to work was enough.

The changing ideas that came between 1916-1983 made it possible for more people to become further educated. Educators still had a difficult time letting go of some control they had over students. Their 'toe-the-line' idea gives the impression that students were machines instead of free thinkers. The change to teach higher order thinking skills came closer to the end of the 1900s.

We still have many issues to work out with the roles of students and teachers...and how to balance those roles in a classroom.

Blocked

I just want to let everyone know how bummed I am that most of the technology we learn about in class is blocked from my school. I can't access my blog or the Ning from the high school I student teach at. This really disappointed me. The computers are also not very up-to-date. I was hoping to use Movie Maker during my time there, but the computers are too old to accept the program. I found it oddly amusing that one of the very first ads I opened the Internet to was for Michelob beer....but I can't access my class Ning....

Graphic Novels

I recently read The Complete Persepolis and was amazed at how it held my attention. At first, I was dreading this long, comic book type read. It's going to be difficult, confusing, or just plain boring. Comic books were never really my type of literature to read. This graphic novel was actually hard to put down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next as if reading any other novel. Cool! It's definitely a new experience trying to read the text and look at all the artwork. It took more time to read through than just text. This type of novel might help those students who are visual learners. The pictures give clues to feelings and thoughts of the characters that some might not pick up on with text alone. Before reading, I thought this type of novel wouldn't be part of my curriculum. Now, I think it's a nice change from the text-only novels. I'm curious to know how many English teachers use graphic novels because this was the first time I've encountered one.

Cell Phones

I recently read an article in the Tribune Chronicle about a school using cell phones instead of computers.(not the Tribune article, but relevant)(another article) At first, I thought...kinda neat! Then, I kept thinking about it. I wondered how this would help a student with disabilities. A student with low vision might have problems reading on a tiny screen. Students with cerebral palsy might have a hard time holding a cell phone in their hands. Also, I don't understand the need to eliminate the use of a computer. I know it takes up space, but is that a major problem schools are facing today? This relates to the article in class about cell phone novels. I don't think they are a bad thing like some of the critics in the article claimed. Creating a novel on your cell phone is a unique twist to the typical book novel. I don't think there is anything wrong with having both in our world. If students, or anyone else, will write a novel through their cell phone instead of a word processor, then...GREAT! But let's not take away the merits of our big computers and word processors just yet. Instead of focusing on how these novels came to be, we should celebrate the creative minds behind the words!!

Media Writing

I am currently thinking on how to incorporate a teaching idea into a news story for my Media Writing class. The professor wants us to write a news feature dealing with the media. Since I am a INLA major, I would like to somehow link the two ideas. My first idea is to say that the media portrays a negative image about our educators and educational system. My second idea was to discuss how teachers might incorporate the media into learning. I remember cutting out news articles from the paper to bring into class in high school. I'm just not sure what purpose that served. At the moment, I can't even remember if it was for English class or Government....My third idea is to say how teachers can implement new media into their curriculum.

Square of Shame

I have an 8-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter. They both attend Maplewood Elementary school where I am having some problems with their discipline policy. My son would not obey the no-talking rule in the cafeteria when the lights went out. I'm sure he has done other acts to warrant punishment in the cafeteria also. His teacher sent me a note explaining that he had to stand in the "Square of Shame" in the cafeteria for his misconduct. He was also sent home with a detention. I gladly took him to his early morning detention; however, I was shocked that an elementary school would allow a punishment called the "Square of Shame". I could not imagine making any of my students feel ashamed of what he/she has done. I once observed a teacher tell a high school student not to leave her class for a college presentation. The student was told that her grades weren't good enough to even be accepted and the college was one of the most expensive around. I then watched this student fight back tears the rest of the class period. I want to educate students, not embarrass or criticize them. In college, I don't recall being taught the best ways to humiliate your students or make them feel like less of a person.
I know this has nothing to do with multi-modal literature, but it is still a worthy topic to think about for future teachers.

Film Festival

I attended the film A Place To Live today in Cleveland. It was not the original movie I had intended to see; however, Alternatives To Slitting Your Wrist was sold out. The documentary was about men and women over the age of 62 who gay or lesbian trying to relocate into Triangle Commons. This is a gay and lesbian senior citizen community for low income seniors. I felt it was very hard to separate my personal thoughts and opinions from writing an objective review. Aside from the issues involved, I would love to take my students to the film festival. I enjoyed some shopping afterwards. Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience. Check out the Cleveland Film Festival website.

Film

I have been searching for links about film. I have found some sites dealing with film use in the classroom and one site is about film in general. These are for class; however, I will add the links to my blog. I liked this site about films because it classified them into the greatest 'something' of film. Anyone who enjoys things like-the best movie kiss or the greatest movie death-will enjoy this site. The first educational link to film comes from Rick Beach and his 12 module creation on how to teach film, television, and media. Robert Yahnke provides some film summaries, notes, and exercises on some classic films. Next, Karin offers some lessons using film, discussion, and a variety of other links. This final link is an article called "Teaching Psychology Through Film, Video" and explains some of the benefits of using film to teach. Some people might think film is only used by teachers for relaxation time. I'm sure that might be true sometimes; however, if chosen correctly, the film can be a part of the lesson also. Hope you enjoy some of these sites.

Multi Genre Autobiographies

Everyone did a great job on their projects. I do wish that Dr. Kist would have planned this as a two day event instead of one. Some shouldn't have been rushed at the end of class; it took away from their presentation. I agree with so many others in class about forgetting a lot of films and text from my younger days. Maybe some of it would've come back to me if time wasn't such a big factor. I can't wait to do something like this with students. If I'm correct, most of my classmates enjoyed this project, so I believe high school students will too.

Project

I am attempting to show my multigenre autobiography here. I'm not sure how to do it, but I'm gonna try! It's taking forever.....and ever....and ever.............If it works, here is the rundown of what's on it. It begins with my early film, game, and text experiences. I included 3 portions of different shows I grew up with. The video moves into my teenage years and the film, games, and text that represented that portion of my life. It ends with the latest adult years of my life. These are important to my future as an educator. I would love for my students to create their own films based on the texts we read. I hope to give them the opportunity to produce their own creative writing projects. I want my students to understand that literature is not just words on paper.

New Book

The Game of School by Robert Fried. I have seen some quotes from this author on certain blogs. They seem very interesting. Has anyone else ever read it? I'm wondering why we haven't read it in college. Here's a place to blog about the book.

Classic Literature

I have a question for anyone who may come across my blog. If you had to choose modern literature to become a classic long after we are gone...what would it be? Will Twilight make it as a classic? We seem to love reality television, so will reality novels become classic...do those even exist? I think Stephen King will be a classic...can we use his novels to teach in high schools? I've never read one before. Well, I would love to hear what others think about modern literature becoming a classic.

Film or Text?

Ok..Here is my first blog! YaY!! Lately, I have been watching more movies than reading books. I really love the Harry Potter films, Lord of the Rings, and other movies that have really great books associated with them; however, I usually watch the movies and never make it to the books. Furthermore, I now have Twilight sitting in my room waiting to be read. I decided to wait on the movie until I can read the book (which is killing me b/c the movie is at the cheap seats and I have free tickets). This leads me to the question....does it matter which one comes first, the film or the text? Am I waiting to watch

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