Our Narratives….

When we write for assignments with deadlines and “grades”, we are not often afforded the opportunity of the experience of real writers, which is to put away what we have written for a period of time before we come back to it. This distance in time allows us to see our own work in a more detached, objective way. Once we have lost familiarity with something we have written, we are able to read the writing with fresh eyes and open ears. With this distance in time, we can understand our writing with new insight and respect. The words seem less precious and we feel freer to play with them/change them.

I have copies of the narratives you wrote earlier this year. You all have B’s or A’s as assessments. I am collating them together to create a volume of stories like last year. However, I want to give each of you the opportunity, like real writers, to look once more at the words you have written, to read your story with fresh eyes.

Some time over break, find a moment of uninterrupted time. Pull out your narrative, a printed copy, and curl up with your cat (if you have one), or a warm throw, maybe even a cup of hot cocoa or sweetened tea, and reread your words. How do they sound to you now? How does the story feel to you? Does it still work? Are you impressed with what you have put together? Are there any changes you would make or does the story still stand firmly on its own? Read the story aloud. The flow of the words are more readily accessible this way. How do you think others would respond to your story? Is the message clear? Is the reason you wrote the story available to the reader? Have you conveyed your “so what?”

If you feel the need to make any changes to your narrative, please do so and hand in a reworked version when we return from break. I will be interested in hearing about your experience of rereading your narrative and how it felt having a month distance from the intensity of writing it. When we return, we will share (finally) our narratives aloud with each other.

Have a wonderful break! Get lots of rest. Let me know in comments how you like the music on the CD.

Namaste.

Thank you, Elliot!

At the urging of Elliot, I have moved into the 21st century by moving to beta. This will allow me to make more interesting layouts with lots more options. Stay tuned for an even more interesting blog.

Remember to study for that Constitution test!

Remember to respond to the post below.

Here is Alexa and Julian sharing our advisory's ideas for future "Diversity Days." What did you think of the activities last Friday? What worked for you? What did you learn? What did you learn you need to learn? Offer constructive feedback in comments below.

By the way, make sure you are studying each night for the Constitution test on Thursday!

Finish reading the packet. Add the following words to your Nexus and as index cards:

Free Speech
Pure Speech
Speech-Plus
Symbolic Speech
Limits of Free Speech
Obscenity
Defamation
"Fighting Words"
Speech that incites illegal action
Hate Speech
Slander
Libel
Censorship
Seditious Libel
Prior Restraint
Search Warrant
Probable Cause
Grand Jury
Due Process
Eminent Domain
Bail
Patriot Act
Gag Order

Add the following words to your word bank:

Extradition
Amendment
Ratification
Supremacy Clause
Bill of Rights
5 Freedoms
First Amendment
Sedition
Compelling Interest
Establishment Clause
Free Exercise Clause

Finish the First Amendment chapter in Words We Live By, pages 137-150.

For Tuesday, read pages 127-137 in the Words We Live By and pages 41-45 in the packet. Remember to post a response to the post beneath the "frozen" Constitution.

Remember to read pages 29 to 39 in the packet I gave you on Friday. Also remember to respond to the question in the post beneath the picture of the constitutiuon frozen in ice, just under this post.

See you on Monday!