6-4 daily log

The Cherokee Rose Chit Chat or Your Could call It Our Daily Log

June 4, 2009

We had the pleasure of listening to and learning from Chad Davidson.  We introduced ourselves to as a way for him to learn our names.  He stressed the importance of knowing your student’s by their first name; this creates a community among everyone. 

Geary actually taught Chad how to use the Promethium Board.  Way to go Geary.

Some points that Chad made:

* We all have a childlike fascination with poems.

*Don’t analyze a poem as an equation.

* Most poems are more concrete over the abstract.

* Push the limits; write like no one has written before.

* concrete/abstract

*  show don’t tell

*  poem are specificity, specificity, specificity

*  privilege Gremanic or Latinate

* “ Poetry is about the how.”

*Play games with the words. That is what poets do.  If you like the sound, use it again on the next line.

*  “Verbal Economy” – Words can be free

example: stench, bouquet, cockroach

*  When you hear a poem or certain words, they should make your ears perk up like a dog’s ears  would perk if he heard his name being called.

 

 

 

 

 

Eston provided a delicious breakfast of cinnamon rolls and danishes.  Cathleen also wowed us with her amazing meatless “meatloaf”.  Thanks for the breakfast ladies. 

 

Charlene shared her notes from our Wednesday class.  We finally discovered some truths and a few little white lies about each other.  Did you know that Tami is now a matchmaker? She wants Charlene to hook up with a guy that rides his Harley to the square.  I think Tami secretly wants to sit in the side car, but don’t tell. 

I don’t think Miranda really knows her name.

Tami is a little jealous of Cathleen for having her senior prom at Heidelburg Castle, even though the balloons and crape paper made the VFW look very romantic. 

 

Leslie Rutledge and Shoney Brice shared a Teaching Demonstration.

Burning Question:

How can writing memoirs help improve narrative writing?

*They both discussed how gifts of momiors are bright or dark spots in your life.

*They focus on a brief moment of time. These memories help the writer to write about the small moment.

*Leslie and Shoney shared the set of teacher resource books written by Calkins.  They also showed the video of Calkins discussing with a group of children how to use memoirs to help with writing a narrative.  ( Calkins stated: “The first words you write can be anyone’s words. Make them you’re your own.”  Ex.  Make a normal kitchen your kitchen.)

*We also found out that Heineken not only produces beer, but also publish books.   Tami will share her set of books with us.

*We broke into groups and shared the items that we brought. 

                            Cathy shared her magnet from New York City.  It sounds like she got a little wild and crazy in the city that never sleeps. 

                            Sherry shared her experiences about moving from one town to another while in service.  The house was very special.

*We wrote for 30 minutes about our special something.

* Here are a list of authors:

              Cynthia Rylant

              Lee Bennett Hopkins

              James Howe

              Eve Bunting

              Denis Lewis Patrick

              Patricia Polacco

 

 

Chad Davidson continued…

*  After discussing the poem Cigarettes,  we discovered that Tami wanted to marry the Marlboro Man. 

*  He suggested to get a “trigger” subject then get away from it.

*  It’s easy to write about everyday items. 

*  Think small

*  Don’t feel the need to explain, let the reader explain it.

 

CHALLENGES

( They must be ready in two weeks.)

1.  memorize a poem,  (find one that is outside of your comfort zone)

Places to look for your poem:

> Poets.org

> poems.com

> versedaily.org

>fishouse.org

Find a poem that has been written by a Modern America poet

Bob Dylan, Chad Davidson, Aaron Kramer, Weldon Kees, Philips Levine, Frank O’Hara, Charles Olson

2.  Write a “Martian” poem. 

3.  Linguistic challenge

Gobble up                            Tally up

Wolf down                            mark it down

Make  some up and bring them in two weeks.

We broke into our writing groups.  Make sure if you miss group time, you must critique someone’s writing even though you were out.

That is the law of the land!

Penny explained how to upload onto Google Docs, but Tami’s bunny hopped across in front of me and I began to follow it.   You will have to ask Penny how to upload.  Sorry

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Ideas for the classroom when using memoirs:

Memory books

Class memoir box – share at the end of the year

Memory quilt

Tissue box could be turned into a memory box.  Write memories on paper and keep in the box.  Give away as a gift for later.