Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The truth is stranger than fiction...

Hey all!
This week our focus is slowly transitioning into Creative Nonfiction. "What is that?" you say...Well it is pretty much what it sounds like. The Creative retelling of a real event, sort of like "flavor enhanced" water. It's still water, just more palpable to the taste. We are going to take the skills that we have worked with over the first semester and apply them to factual events. The end result is usually a great story centered around a real event. Here are the slides for the first day with more to follow.



P.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

The Oakdale High School Book Club...LIVES...AGAIN!!!


Ok, Ok, I know that it is super pretentious, but I can't help it! It's like the scene from Night at the Museum 2, an otherwise riddiculous film EXCEPT for the introduction of it's main villan, the real life comedian Hank Azaria (the voice of Moe from the Simpsons...)who, when monologuing, states that he has ,"COOME BACK TOOOO LIIIFFEE!". Very funny,stuff!

Anyhow, the bookclub is back in session and anyone interested in joining should come and check out what we are going to read this next month.

Cheers!
P.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Makin bee-utiful music!

I stumbled across this great children's choir, PS222 out of NY. If you haven't heard them or haven't seen them, check the link and enjoy! Guarenteed that you will find something that you like.
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http://www.ps22chorus.blogspot.com/

Gatsby online....

Hey, I thought that it would be good to give you busy teens an audio referance for The Great Gatsby. I updated my links. Here it is! Just follow the directions and you can play it at home or ipod or whatever!

Click the Link to get the book download for FREE!!!
http://greatbooksaudio.com/?cat=31

Here's lookin at you Old Sport!
P.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Flash Fiction...


This first week back has been a good reminder for me that stories are everywhere. i found much of my freetime (what little I had) lamenting at not having either of my Flash Fiction writings done yet. Though I do have the most fantastic picture picked out, I will write it over the weekend for certain!

Here is the weeks slides with the lessons that we covered! Good luck on that last one!



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Monday, January 4, 2010

Whoah, We're Half Way There...(you know the rest)

Hey! Don't ask me why I choose to Title this blog post with a Bon Jovi rock ballad bar none. It just seemed funny and appropriate at the same time. I think that is a rule that I subconsciously live by, funny and appropriate, though funny often gives appropriate a monster wedgie in it's quest to be the center of attention. Appropriate rarely gets to be the center of attention and is usually so only due to funny's inability to remain appropriate....Now for something painfully appropriate.

Tis the beginning of the second semester and the learning machine is being cranked back up to 11 with the possibility of new expanding territory. I will remain hopeful, as always, that both the students and I are coming back with our deals "worked out" and ready to take on the challenge that is 2nd Semester.

For Freshmen that means getting your Greek armour on and traveling to battle for King Menelaus and the return of his bride Helen of Troy. Your return voyage will be with King Odysseus, Master Mariner, the Cunning Warrior. Expect delays up to 20 years.

For Juniors that means Jazz music and spending it like you got it attitude. F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is modern staple of what made the 1920's so roaring in the first place.

For Creative Writing that means looking at non-fiction writing, but through a "creative" lens. Thus Creative Nonfiction is born. Don't freak out on me, the same rules apply to nonfiction writing that apply to fiction writing. Lots of other interesting stops along the way to the end of the year.

Now for funny. Our very good friends, Let's call them, The Pac-Man's because that's how I roll. Well the Pac-Man's had a scavenger hunt in the Modesto Mall for their son's 6th and daughters 10th birthday party. I was very skeptical at first, being that most of the kids parties I have been to involved being outside so the cupcakes don't get ground into the carpet (which coincidentally is why we put in hard wood floors) so this almost qualifies in that you can make a mess and have the hired help clean up, as long as you don't mind sharing your birthday atmosphere with the rest of Post Holiday Modesto. I was pleasantly surprised. We had 1 hour to find over 50 items, and could only "buy" up to $3.00 worth of anything. We took pictures with strangers, rode small automated cars, "liberated" french fries, stole straws and napkins, and generally committed several other silly acts in the name of a good time. Here is the highlight photo from our day out. The rule was that you had to do the silliest family photo that you could do (your family gift was the photo). We though it would be great to take the picture facing the wrong direction. I love this photo!

See you in 1 week kids!
P.