In-Class Writing

Take the first 15-20 minutes of class to write about this topic. Post your response to your course blog.

In the interview you read at home, Uwem Akpan makes the following statement:

Yes, I believe artists should be able to step into other people’s situations, contexts and cultures and work from there. If artists don’t have that freedom, then, as someone has said, are we all writing our autobiographies? Why shouldn’t a man write about a woman or a black man a white character?

Do you agree with his statement? Why or why not? Do you think Immaculee Ilibagiza, the woman interviewed in the news segment we watched last week would agree? Why or why not? How do you think she would feel reading "My Parents' Bedroom" as a genocide survivor?

A REQUEST

Hi All -
I am trying to make a plan for addressing the computer shortage in our classroom. Do any of you have your own laptop that you'd be willing to bring and use?

I have two laptops that could be used, but I figured some people might have their own that they'd be more comfortable using. It would be easier if a few students brought in their own laptop to work on, that way no one would have to go to the trouble of getting comfortable on the ones I have.

If you do have your own and would want to bring it in to do your work this semester, please let me know by leaving me a comment below.

Thanks,
Kara

Notes for First Assignment

TOPIC SENTENCE = main point (topic + INTERPRETATION)

*Restating the question.

Monique’s father’s actions were not a matter of choice because _______.

This paragraph is going to be about symbolism ….

I’m going to tell you about

According to me

In my mind I think

I believe, I feel

MUST BE SOMETHING YOU CAN SHOW, EXPLAIN, OR PROVE. (i.e. SUPPORT)

1.

2.

3.

CONCLUSION –

Sums up – recaps

“So what?” statement

I wrote this because I wanted you to know

QUIZ - 9/18

Complete the following quiz on a sheet of notebook paper. Bring it up to the desk when you are finished. Then begin the in-class writing posted on the course blog.


You do not have to phrase your answer in complete sentences. If you can't remember a character's name, a short description is fine.

1. What does Maman tell Monique to say if anyone comes to the door?
2. Monique is left alone with a family member when her mother leaves. Who is it?
3. Monique's parents were hiding Tutsi people from the Hutus in their house. Where were the Tutsi hiding?

Read these links before class for Tuesday, 9/25

Article on UN troops involvement in Rwanda.

Interview with Uwem Akpan.

Handout on summarizing and paraphrasing.

In-Class Writing for 9/18

In the article you read last week, a doctor cuts a woman in half to save her. In this week's story, a husband kills his wife to save his children. Do you think the doctor and the man in the story might have experienced similar emotions? Write about emotions that you think each might have experienced.


If you finish writing early, view the links on paraphrasing and summarizing.

Writing Sample (In-Class Writing for Tues. 9/11/12)

Read the following article practicing the reading strategies you were introduced to earlier in the class period. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-rieckhoff/my-911-story_b_29144.html

In this article, Rieckhoff writes about a dramatic rescue attempt that he witnessed in the aftermath of 9/11. A doctor is forced to make a difficult decision about how to save a young woman. Do you agree with his decision? Use evidence from the text to support your argument. Then, compare this event to a time in your own life when you have made a difficult decision or sacrificed something for someone else.

In your answer, include:
An introduction that clearly states whether you agree or disagree.
Specific examples from the reading and your own life to show, explain or prove why you agree or disagree.
A conclusion that recaps your introduction.

You should post your answer to your OWN course blog and hit publish when you are finished.

You have the rest of the class period to work. When you are finished, you may leave for the evening.

Homework #2 - Due 9/18

As you read "My Parents' Bedroom" in Say You're One of Them. Take note of the everyday details that find their way into the story. Note the following:

Sights:
Sounds:
Smells:
Tastes:
Textures:

Then answer the following question. Which details help you to relate to or identify with the narrator of the story?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR HOMEWORK ARTICLE

• What is the main point of this article?
• What support does the author use to show, explain or prove the main point of this article?
• What is the purpose of this article?

Warm-up for 9/11

Read the following tips for critical and active reading:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/study/focus.html

Re-read last week's essay on paper (see handout).
As you are reading, practice the strategies given in the link above. Make a list of unfamiliar words and use this dictionary to look them up: http://www.merriam-webster.com/

Reading Assignment for 9/11

In this course, we'll be studying Uwem Akpan's Say You're One of Them. Though Akpan's stories are fiction, they are based on the genocide that occurred in the African nation of Rwanda in 1994.

Click here to read article for more information about Genocide in Rwanda.

For Homework #1, write a short response answering the following question. Why do you think widespread violence like war and genocide happen?

Post your response as an entry on your blog.

Hello and Welcome to the Course!

Hello All,

Welcome to the course! I'm excited to have you on board. Please take a moment to look around the course blog and get familiar with it. To practice commenting, please leave a comment on this post.

Thanks,
Kara