ASSIGNMENT #1 - TELL A STORY

If you can use language to speak, and know how to form sentences on the page, you can develop as a writer. Once you identify something you want to write about, it gives you a sense of direction and you will become involved in making that as clear and interesting as possible. Write down an “appropriate” story that you have told in the past to entertain your friends. You can change names if you need to. Feel free to embellish and exaggerate for added impact. Relax and write the story as if your were telling it to our friends. (Rubric is on Google Docs)

FIRST DRAFT BY END OF CLASS MONDAY AT THE LATEST.

SECOND DRAFT BY END OF CLASS WEDNESDAY AT THE LATEST

FINAL DRAFT BY SATURDAY, SEPT. 19th.

The path to success is through editing of drafts. That's where the learning happens.
Don't forget to check your class email.

WELCOME - LET'S BEGIN

Your tasks: 

1. Submit your email.

2. Set up a blog and submit the address.

3. Open the class blog (obviously you've done that) and bookmark it.

4. Check that you can access the course documents on Google Drive.

Write your first posting which should be a response to the the following questions. Watch your spelling and grammar. Find a suitable image to make it appealing. The goal is to present insightful comments over long superficial rambles. Do it promptly.

QUESTION: 

What is your intention for this course? 

What do you think writing skills could offer you?

ALMOST DONE

If you've been watching the class calendar then you will know that our time together is coming to an end. You've got a bit of a reprieve on the blog deadline of Jan. 16th because I am still unpacking boxes after moving, but please try to focus on these dates to help us keep our sanity as exams approach;

Mon., Jan. 19th - I will start assessing blogs. I am looking to see that all posting are present and that edits have been made. If you leave my comments it will make it easier for me to check:)

Mon., Jan. 19th - The two groups  working on songs are hoping to present their work. It won't take long and there will be time to continue collaborative work.

Tues., Jan. 20th - Final edits and publication should be completed.

Wed., Jan. 21th - Collaborative projects should be completed. I would like to have groups share their work with the class.

Mon. Jan. 26th - We do not have an exam, but all culminating folders must be complete by this day. It helps me if your done earlier and let me know. I have a lot of reading to do.

Class Anthology - Our book is on the way to the printer. I need to know how many copies you would like. The cost will be slightly higher than expected due to the size of the book. It will cost between $5 and $10.

PREPARING FOR THE NEW YEAR

There will be no new blog post over Christmas. Breathe... enjoy time with your family and friends. If you have an inclination to do some work for this course, here's what your energy should be spent on:

1. CULMINATING PORTFOLIO - be sure all your marked assignments have been corrected and placed in a folder marked with your name and the title Culminating Portfolio. Share this folder with me if you have not already done so. It is due Jan. 21st or Jan. 25th at the latest.

NOTE - I would like to publish 2 or 3 pieces from each class member in a class book. These should be creative prose or poetry, and can be course assignments or something new. I will be asking you about this when we return.

2. YOUR BLOG - Take the time to go back to each of your past posts and make the suggested corrections if you have not already done so. This does not mean rewriting anything, just corrections to spelling, grammar and punctuation. It is due Jan 16th.

3. COLLABORATIVE WRITING - Each member should take a share of the agreed upon task. Get the text into a computer, get the images and layout organized. When we have draft versions of the children's books ready I will arrange to visit kindergarten classes to test the stories. Finished products by Jan. 21st.

JANUARY NEWSLETTER - We were caught with a very short submission timeline for the next school newsletter, and there will be little news in the way of school events. So we are doing an issue on "Student Voice". I have submitted the following;
- Emma's Mission article in an abbreviated version
- Toby's value of exercise article in an abbreviated version
- Matteo, Sierra, Jackie, Kim & Nadia - excerpts from your blogs on Grit and Growth Mindset
- Shelby, Renzel & Megan excerpts from your blogs on The Future

TO PROTECT AND SERVE

"Hey, hey. Ho, ho. These killer cops have got to go." (chant on NY streets this evening)

Ferguson, Missouri protestors

"Protect and Serve" is the motto of the LAPD, the OPP's motto is "Safe Communities, A Secure Ontario" and the Guelph Police Service  slogan is "Pride - Service - Trust", but can citizens feel safe when confronted with police officers? The Free Thought Project website suggests that Americans are more likely to be killed by a US police offer than a terrorist. Mint Press News, an online news service, reports that US police have killed 5,000 civilians since 9/11. This week protests erupted in New York City because a white police officer was not charged for the choke-hold death of an unarmed black man named Eric Garner. For the past several weeks the town of Ferguson, Missouri has suffered violent rioting because a white police officer shot Michael Brown, an unarmed black man, 12 times.

Just in case you think this only happens to black citizens and residents of the United States...

In July 2013 a bystander video recorded a Toronto police officer shoot Sammy Yatim (a white youth who was on a Toronto streetcar with a knife) 9 times and then tasered his inert body. Then in August 2013 RCMP officers went to the home of Josee Valiquette on Cold Lake Alberta’s First Nation’s reserve with the intent of arresting him, when a fight broke out Valiquette was shot dead. And just in case you think using tasers instead of guns is the answer, Robert Dziekanski was tasered to death at the Vancouver airport in 2010. Robert did not speak English and a witness video documents the aggressive police response to his failure to comply.

NYPD body camera pilot project

British police officers traditionally do not carry guns. New York City police a testing body cameras, initially to protect officers against wrongful accusations of excessive force, but knowing they are on camera has been found to modify police behaviour. 

Here's your reflection question: If you were on a consulting committee to a police force, what would you suggest as a means to address the problem of police officers killing unarmed citizens? Is this a matter of improved training, restricted weapons, stronger consequences following incidents, or something else?

Don't rant. Don't ramble. Develop a clear, concise statement of opinion.

Facing The Future

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. - Malcolm X , Muslim Minister and Human Rights Activist

American Diplomat

President of the U.S. and abolitionist.

THE TASK - As a graduating student you are facing a myriad of decisions that will impact your future. Post a reflection on "Facing The Future". Find a quote about the future and identify who the individual is. Explain your philosophy and how the chosen quote holds meaning for you.

Children's Author

EXAMPLE:

I have measured my life path against siblings and peers. I believe that the decisions I have made, about education, relationships and employment have led me to a life that I treasure. I had parents who tried to tell me what career to pursue, life partner to select and how to raise a family. I made my own choices, often contrary to their preferences, because I know that only I can create my future. I was raised to believe in myself and make conscious choices that will lead me to my goals. I don't think that one's FATE is predetermined, I think opportunities present themselves, sometimes in a very serendipitous manner, and it is in our power to act upon those chances or not.

Slammed By Poetry

Truth Is, Beth Anne and Fannon Holland

Kaitlyn, Megan and Sierra served as judges at the Guelph Spoken Word, Poetry Slam on Saturday night at the E-bar. Among the ten competitors, Fannon Holland knocked us off our seats with his content and delivery, and was awarded the $100 prize. Dan Murray was close at Holland's heels with his angry memories of elementary school track-and-field meets. A memorial video tribute to Zaccheus Jackson Nyce and spotlight performance by Guelph poet Amelia Meister added to an already entertaining evening.

The next Slam is Saturday, December 20th and will feature humourous poems.