In the end, it’s all about connection. Learning is being able to connect with ideas, with people, with new places and new situations, with yourself, with the world around us. Students learn better if their teacher can build a connection with them. We all learn better if we connect socially. Collectively, (connectively?) we are infinitely … Continue reading To blog or not to blog
Category: writing
An Invitation…
Dearest friend, It’s been ages since we’ve seen each other. I’m headed to Scotland for the winter break, but I wanted to have a chance to catch up before I leave. I’m holding a dinner party on the 22nd at 7:30, just you and a few other close friends. I hope you’ll be able to … Continue reading An Invitation…
Combining Nonfiction and Poetry like a Ninja!
Edited to include links to the senior writing class’ found poems at the end of this entry. After the absolute and utter failure of any of my writing students to respond to my poll about whether we should do genre studies with nonfiction or poetry next, I made the unilateral decision to start with nonfiction. … Continue reading Combining Nonfiction and Poetry like a Ninja!
Writing Celebration
We have finished our first term together as a writing community and would like to share the amazing pieces of writing that we (by which I mean they) have created so far. There are poems and short stories to explore in genres such as horror, romance, fantasy, fanfiction and realism. Our authors have worked incredibly … Continue reading Writing Celebration
Blogging for seniors
Senior writing students, that is. You asked what the expectations for your blogs were: I expect them to be interesting. Maybe informative. Perhaps persuasive. Even contemplative. Above all, however, I expect good writing of any genre (as defined by the criteria we set out as a class), checked over, though not extensively revised and edited. … Continue reading Blogging for seniors
Equal or Opposite: Good writing versus school writing
We’ve been talking a lot about what makes good writing in Writing 12, examining mentor texts and analysing the impact our feelings about a book have on whether we classify it as good or not. This examination of writing is not exclusive to our class, however – writers and writing instructors all over have wrestled … Continue reading Equal or Opposite: Good writing versus school writing
Is Pink as Powerful As Purported?
Two years ago, the Power of One group at LTS created this video for Anti-Bullying Day. Despite there being very few words for the bulk of the video, the message came through clearly (which is, after all, the point of communication in all media). However, there remains the question of how much impact that message … Continue reading Is Pink as Powerful As Purported?