Blogging with Summer Institute 2008

Good morning…. Remember our week ends on a Thursday with a celebration. We made it! How does it feel?

Shout out to my mom. She turned 90 this morning!

Writing into the Day:  The History of My Name

Reading: “My Name” from the House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros to begin

Digital Documenter Paulette

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Log Terri:

SCENE I: At 8:30 our entire cast appears refreshed even after two days of shooting. Now all are preparing for another exciting day of writing and learning. There are bagels, juice and coffee, our usual fuel that will keep us going until lunch. Katelyn remembered the granola! That goes so much better with fruit and yogurt than summer squash and chives! Thank you for that! As Bonnie has inspired some to be more tech-savvy, Diane and Sarah begin clicking away at our morning prompt given by Mary. She tells us to “write about your first experience with writing”. When just as we begin….

CUT!!!!!

Jose reminds us that we already had that prompt. Take two! Mary then tells us to, “Write about your most painful writing experience instead!” Ritualistic apologies.

SCENE II: At 8:55 Mary reviewed Peter Elbow’s Book, “Writing Without Teachers”. She shares the basic premise of this book and how the author values the importance of focusing on the content of our writing then on its form in an effort of fostering creativity. Steve introduces his sister Kristen to us and she is graciously welcomed! Mary shares her favorite photo of Katelyn’s TIW, and honors her with well deserved accolades. The log of the day was very cleverly written in itinerary form my Barbara as “The Amazing Race to SI ‘08”. Katelyn thoughtfully reviewed her reflections and got all of her three questions answered! She plans to incorporate those shared ideas into her classroom next year! She comments on the reflections being “extraordinarily useful” and was very appreciative.

CUT TO BATHROOM BREAK SCENE!

SCENE III: Steve begins his TIW titled, “Multimedia Writing: Collaboration, Construction & Reflection.” The terms Media Literacy and Visual Literacy were reviewed prior to his performance. We worked in groups of four advertising teams to design and produce a print advertisement or public service announcement on various controversial topics. We shared the experience aloud, responded to a self-reflection prompt, partner-shared our thoughts, and previewed student reflections. This activity was challenging, engaging, appropriate and provocative. We then watched 6 minutes of the film he and his students worked feverishly to produce BY DEADLINE! The film “Becoming the Media” was a documentary born from the desire of students to learn more about what media is, how is it constructed and how in impacts our lives. The audience was captivated and wanted more. Steve received rave reviews and some offered comments about the process of making a slogan…

“It’s all in your presentation. It can establish viewpoints and opinions.” Paulette

“I thought about who you want to touch or affect”. “What difficult decisions companies who spend millions of dollars on advertising must make”. Gina

“With one or two words you ‘have’ to read it, with a picture,
if your eyes are open – you got it – it’s done! Katelyn

After a round of applause for Steve on an award-winning stellar performance we moved to writing letters of reflections for him to read and ponder over.

CUT TO BATHROOM BREAK SCENE!

SCENE IV: It’s 11:15 and the TIW Groups begin to address questions and concerns about the entire TIW process. The coaches did a fantastic job trying to reduce our anxiety. Then without a moment’s hesitation Paulette leaps from her seat to continue to snap her camera like the paparazzi, determined not to miss the most valuable shot!

CUT TO LUNCH BREAK SCENE!

SCENE V: At 1:40 the Book Groups meet to discuss all the chapters read…..or almost all the chapters read!

SCENE VI: At 3:00 the Author’s Chair looks cold and uncomfortable, but not for long! Paulette takes the plunge and dives right into it! Several follow suit. Some are still unloading their thoughts of the day’s events. Few are still looking for a piece of writing that will motivate them enough to get out of their seat after a long tiring (but valuable) day and share in the author’s chair. No more takers! Mary thanks Nancy for joining us, even for just a brief time. She then reminded us of the articles we must read by tomorrow but stresses the importance of Marisol having enough time to bake that PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE!

Steve’s TIW Reflections.

Diane’s TIW

The Community Reading with Kathy Yeager.

Publishing to the Eanthology????