Journaling/Writing/Storytelling
Below: David Sedaris Breaks Down His Writing Process: Keep a Diary, Carry a Notebook, Read Out Loud, Abandon Hope.
100 Benefits of journaling:
www.appleseeds.org/100_Journaling.htm
Below: David Sedaris Breaks Down His Writing Process: Keep a Diary, Carry a Notebook, Read Out Loud, Abandon Hope.
100 Benefits of journaling:
www.appleseeds.org/100_Journaling.htm
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Above:
Andrew Stanton is an American film director, screenwriter, producer and voice actor based at Pixar. His film work includes writing and directing Pixar's A Bug's Life, Finding Nemo, and WALL-E, and the live-action film, Disney's John Carter.
Andrew Stanton is an American film director, screenwriter, producer and voice actor based at Pixar. His film work includes writing and directing Pixar's A Bug's Life, Finding Nemo, and WALL-E, and the live-action film, Disney's John Carter.
Assignment #1
WRITING PROMPT and ASSESSMENT
#1: Narrative/Unit 1
Nothing captures our attention like a good story.
Long before there was television, movies, radio, and even books, people told stories as a way to entertain and educate. Storytelling was as important to prehistoric cave-dwellers eating antelope around a fire as it is to corporate executives doing lunch. It's in our human blood. We love the development of plot and character, the climax, the resolution, the vicarious thrill of living and learning through tales of other's challenges, sufferings, and triumphs. All of literature and media is but an extension of the basic urge to tell a good story.
It's personal
The advantage of storytelling is that you do it in person - right there, right in front of people, so you get to see, hear, and feel their reactions. Unlike books and television, storytelling is much more interactive and personal.
In the past you have studied the narrative elements of plot, foreshadowing and conflict. You have also read various stories that show how characters’ have learned important life lessons as a result of the conflicts they faced.
Personal Statement/Narrative Design
Write a narrative essay describing a time in which you learned an important life lesson as a result of facing a conflict. The conflict you choose to describe may be internal or external. Make sure that your narrative includes a defined plot structure, theme, dialogue, and a connection to life?
Choose your story design from one of the two examples from below:
#1
There is an old story about a monk was traveling home on a narrow county path one evening. It was becoming dark quite quickly. Suddenly the monk spied something in his path ahead. Unable to make it out, he proceeded with caution. The thing was long, thin, slightly coiled. "Snake!", thought the monk and stopped dead in his tracks. Yet, this was his only path to get home before it was completely dark. The monk experienced a moment of fear and panic, "I must get home soon, before dark! But, the snake is perhaps poisonous. I’m stuck!" he bemoaned to himself. Having some fire making tools, the monk quickly fashioned a crude torch and proceeded carefully forward. Just as suddenly ‘snake’ became ‘rope’. Some previous traveler had obviously dropped a portion of rope on the trail. And, the monk could have easily passed by it without fear. With this realization, the monk started to laugh at how quickly the mind deceived him.
#2
There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically. "May be," the farmer replied.
The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "May be," replied the old man.
The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. "May be," answered the farmer.
The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. "May be," said the farmer.
This teaching story has a very obvious surface teaching. It seems to be saying that once we perceive things as they really are, such as perceiving the rope to really be just a rope, our fear and suffering can cease. Once we are no longer ignorant and instead have a true knowledge of things, there is no need to be afraid and we can continue on our way. The reason for this is that true knowledge will tell us that all things are transitory, coming from nothing and returning to nothing. It is like having guests staying at your house...Before you know it they will be on their way.
The lesson of the snake rope story is also meant to extend even further, to the deceptive idea that there is an “I”, the self, or the mind/ego. The I/mind made real the snake that was only a coiled rope, made the present situation bad or good. Our thoughts created the fear that it was a snake, that the situation was bad or good, as well as the joy that it was only a rope. All of these components of the mind/ego working to create a reality. The monk’s mind/ego could have easily continued to worried all the way home a real snake could be further up the path and creating another illusion. Ignorance about the true nature of the world causes us much suffering.
When the ‘snake’ was a snake, where was it? And when the rope was rope, where was it? Should the monk have found a way around the ‘snake’, and would there, forever after, have been a ‘snake’ in the road in that same spot?
One need only to examine the snake and see that it doesn’t truly exist after all, that it is an illusion caused by false perception. The same examination should be done with this concept that we are an the mind/ego.
Some traditions believe the mind is a rope and not a snake.
If we believed everything the mind/ego tells us we may be trapped in a fearful illusion full of suffering and despair.
What is your Rope and Snake story!!
What happened 1st, 2nd, 3rd,…And, most importantly: what did you learn?
Practice using some irony, foreshadowing/flashback, hyperbole, metaphor, and simile in your writing
WRITING PROMPT and ASSESSMENT
#1: Narrative/Unit 1
Nothing captures our attention like a good story.
Long before there was television, movies, radio, and even books, people told stories as a way to entertain and educate. Storytelling was as important to prehistoric cave-dwellers eating antelope around a fire as it is to corporate executives doing lunch. It's in our human blood. We love the development of plot and character, the climax, the resolution, the vicarious thrill of living and learning through tales of other's challenges, sufferings, and triumphs. All of literature and media is but an extension of the basic urge to tell a good story.
It's personal
The advantage of storytelling is that you do it in person - right there, right in front of people, so you get to see, hear, and feel their reactions. Unlike books and television, storytelling is much more interactive and personal.
In the past you have studied the narrative elements of plot, foreshadowing and conflict. You have also read various stories that show how characters’ have learned important life lessons as a result of the conflicts they faced.
Personal Statement/Narrative Design
Write a narrative essay describing a time in which you learned an important life lesson as a result of facing a conflict. The conflict you choose to describe may be internal or external. Make sure that your narrative includes a defined plot structure, theme, dialogue, and a connection to life?
Choose your story design from one of the two examples from below:
#1
There is an old story about a monk was traveling home on a narrow county path one evening. It was becoming dark quite quickly. Suddenly the monk spied something in his path ahead. Unable to make it out, he proceeded with caution. The thing was long, thin, slightly coiled. "Snake!", thought the monk and stopped dead in his tracks. Yet, this was his only path to get home before it was completely dark. The monk experienced a moment of fear and panic, "I must get home soon, before dark! But, the snake is perhaps poisonous. I’m stuck!" he bemoaned to himself. Having some fire making tools, the monk quickly fashioned a crude torch and proceeded carefully forward. Just as suddenly ‘snake’ became ‘rope’. Some previous traveler had obviously dropped a portion of rope on the trail. And, the monk could have easily passed by it without fear. With this realization, the monk started to laugh at how quickly the mind deceived him.
#2
There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically. "May be," the farmer replied.
The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "May be," replied the old man.
The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. "May be," answered the farmer.
The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. "May be," said the farmer.
This teaching story has a very obvious surface teaching. It seems to be saying that once we perceive things as they really are, such as perceiving the rope to really be just a rope, our fear and suffering can cease. Once we are no longer ignorant and instead have a true knowledge of things, there is no need to be afraid and we can continue on our way. The reason for this is that true knowledge will tell us that all things are transitory, coming from nothing and returning to nothing. It is like having guests staying at your house...Before you know it they will be on their way.
The lesson of the snake rope story is also meant to extend even further, to the deceptive idea that there is an “I”, the self, or the mind/ego. The I/mind made real the snake that was only a coiled rope, made the present situation bad or good. Our thoughts created the fear that it was a snake, that the situation was bad or good, as well as the joy that it was only a rope. All of these components of the mind/ego working to create a reality. The monk’s mind/ego could have easily continued to worried all the way home a real snake could be further up the path and creating another illusion. Ignorance about the true nature of the world causes us much suffering.
When the ‘snake’ was a snake, where was it? And when the rope was rope, where was it? Should the monk have found a way around the ‘snake’, and would there, forever after, have been a ‘snake’ in the road in that same spot?
One need only to examine the snake and see that it doesn’t truly exist after all, that it is an illusion caused by false perception. The same examination should be done with this concept that we are an the mind/ego.
Some traditions believe the mind is a rope and not a snake.
If we believed everything the mind/ego tells us we may be trapped in a fearful illusion full of suffering and despair.
What is your Rope and Snake story!!
What happened 1st, 2nd, 3rd,…And, most importantly: what did you learn?
Practice using some irony, foreshadowing/flashback, hyperbole, metaphor, and simile in your writing
Assignment #2
Make a Vision Board
Make a Vision Board
What is a Vision Board?
Vision Board Guidelines:
A vision board, treasure map, or vision book is an actual physical picture of our desired reality. It forms a clear sharp image which can then attract and focus energy into our goals or Vision of Success. These tools can help organizations and individuals clarify and achieve their Vision, Mission, Purpose and goals. A vision book, which is geared more toward the individual is essentially a book in which each page is a mini-vision board. This article offers some frequently asked questions and answers about the purpose and how to behind vision boards.
1) How can a Vision Board help an organization or individual be more successful?
Creating and using a vision board helps one be successful by activating the principles of Creative Visualization to include what Shakti Gawain, author of Creative Visualization, calls “the law of radiation & attraction” and what Deepak Chopra calls the “law of intention & desire.” These laws basically state that whatever energy we put out into the Universe will be reflected back to us. On a practical level this means we attract into our lives what we think about or imagine the most, expect and believe in most strongly. We can manifest our Visions and goals by visualizing things just as we want them to be. A vision board helps us to think about and visualize our success in a very concrete way. It provides a sort of blue print for our success.
For example, if your vision is to produce an award winning show you might create a picture of yourself and your show ideas with a few Emmys. The vision board does not need to show the process by which you will win these awards but rather the goal in its fully realized state.
2) What should I put on my Vision Board?
Put only that which you want to manifest. Put your Visions or goals on the board in their finished state, as if they already exist. Only positive images should populate your board. You can paint draw and collage using images and words from magazines, cards or pictures found from the internet.
Although there are no rules there are a few simple guidelines people may find helpful:
1. Do a Vision board for one goal or area or your life or organization at a time. This allows you to focus and keep it simple.
2. Size does not matter-make it any size that is convenient for you. You may wish to create a poster or a book using a 3 ring binder and plastic sleeves or make it small to carry around with you.
3. Put a picture of yourself in the scene. A photo is preferable but a drawing will suffice.
4. Show your vision in its ideal state as if it already exists. Don’t worry how your vision or goal is going to come to be, just make it look believable to you.
5. DON’T show anything negative or unwanted.
6. Use lots of color to increase the impact on your consciousness and to excite your imagination.
7. Put positive affirmations on your vision board such as “we are number one in customer service in our industry”
3) Why is it important to have something like a Vision Board?
A Vision Board, treasure map, or vision book helps you to clarify exactly what your Vision, Mission, Purpose and goals are. When done as a group such as in a business organization it can help your team collectively determine and focus on what these things are. It can also help your organization get on the same page. It helps to affirm what you are about and where you are headed. For example vision boarding can be used strategic planning sessions or on a yearly basis to help organizations chart their course for the coming year.
4) How does creating a Vision Board help an organization or individual clarify their goals?
You necessarily have to clarify your definition and Visions of success in order to create the Vision Board. The process of creating the Vision Board involves the act of clarification because you must decide exactly what it is you want to represent on your board. When done in a group it can also help you to examine your core values and that of your business. Once this is clarified you also need to ensure that the values and goals of the individuals in the organization are aligned to the larger organizational values and goals.
I suggest that before you make a Vision Board or treasure map that you first write out your Ideal Scenario or Vision of Success. This is often useful if you need to clarify your goals a bit before you create the Vision Board. The act of writing out your Vision of Success employs and ignites many of the same principles as that of Vision Boarding or treasure mapping. Write this statement in the present tense as this affirms that it is actually already manifesting for you.
I have used treasure mapping when working with a diverse range of organizations and success coaching clients and people report not only getting a lot out of it, but that it is enjoyable. People who have done this as a team usually find that other’s have visions very similar to their own. Teams are stronger when they start from a place of creating a collective vision. Creating vision boards together and sharing them with your team can act as a fun and helpful team building exercise, by allowing people to play and relax which is very important when doing Creative Visualization because we cannot force our Visions of Success. We have to put our Visions and goals out there and let them go. Of course we also need to do the work to manifest these goals but this work is done not in the spirit of striving and struggling but rather allowing and enjoying the process. This is related to what Deepak Chopra calls the “Law of Least Effort.”
So let's give it a try! All you need is scissors, glue, magazines, internet pics, and a picture or drawing of yourself to get started. Have fun with this! You might be surprised at all the positive energy that will begin to guide you.
How and Why We Read
by Crash Course
by Crash Course
Unit 1
Essential Question:
What are the different literary elements and how do authors use them effectively in their writing?
Common Learning Targets:
Students will be able to
-Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
(Research Based Writing)
-Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
(Richard Carlson Essays)
-Analyze how complex characters develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
(See Character Development Below)
-Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone.
-Analyze how an author's choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
-Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
-Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
(Business Letter)
Language Targets
Identify dependent and independent clauses pertaining to comma usage.
Continue using correct MLA format.
Vocabulary Targets:
Point of View
Conflict
Character/Characterization
Tone/Mood
Foreshadowing/Flashback
Irony
Plot Structure
Theme
Genre
Setting
Allegory
Symbolism
Essential Question:
What are the different literary elements and how do authors use them effectively in their writing?
Common Learning Targets:
Students will be able to
-Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
(Research Based Writing)
-Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
(Richard Carlson Essays)
-Analyze how complex characters develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
(See Character Development Below)
-Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone.
-Analyze how an author's choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
-Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
-Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
(Business Letter)
Language Targets
Identify dependent and independent clauses pertaining to comma usage.
Continue using correct MLA format.
Vocabulary Targets:
Point of View
Conflict
Character/Characterization
Tone/Mood
Foreshadowing/Flashback
Irony
Plot Structure
Theme
Genre
Setting
Allegory
Symbolism
Dependent and Independent Clauses
Characterization Development Vocabulary:
Character Development/ Round vs. Flat/ Dynamic vs. Static
Character Development/ Round vs. Flat/ Dynamic vs. Static
John Wooden-Values, Victory, and Peace of Mind
Wooden Video
What is Character?
How do we use John Wooden's Pyramid of Success/character traits to develop and analyze a character in a narrative?
We will be reading:
I Know Why The Cage Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Audiobook below:
I Know Why The Cage Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Audiobook below:
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How to develop a narrative/story?
