Thursday, May 22, 2008

Demo Idea

Greetings!

I've been kicking around a couple ideas for my demonstration this summer and am leaning toward one that explores blog-like activities that don't require any technology. I have been interested in getting my classes online for quite a while and have researched blogging in the classroom fairly extensively only to find that even a minimum amount of blogging would be impossible with the current state of technology in my school. To keep some of the ideas of writing for an audience and getting responses from peers, I have used a couple different in-class writing activities that imitate what one might do with a journal-style weblog. Though I have had some difficulties, overall I have seen writing that shows more extensive thinking than our regular journaling routines and students respond very well to having such interactive class periods. It is definitely something that I will be experimenting with more next year. Any thoughts?

Monday, May 19, 2008

Summer Institute

Hi Everyone!



I have really been debating with myself about what to do for my summer demo. I have decided to work toward a demonstration on writing therapy in the classroom. I have had small successes with this in my own classroom and I'm excited to learn how to incorporate it more often.





Rachel Lechner

Summer Demo

Hello all : )

I'm happy to be part of the OWP, woohoo! It's a beautiful day, birds are singing, woodbees are hovering, the trees outside my house are full of jasmine-smelling white flowers, and the fish are calling siren-like. Really, I can hear them.

The demo I'm planning is a technology project using stop-motion / clay animation film-making with literature. To bring literature to life is the basic idea. I think the angle would work well with literature such as poetry and fiction, and of course drama is ready-made for the staging. A fine example of an animation can be found at wingedsandals.com . Check out "Storytime" and look at the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. There are also some clips on Youtube, but beware-- some of the "claymation" films aren't academic. One to look at is the 1985 Claymation film "The Adventures of Mark Twain."


See ya soon! : )


Summer Demo

For my demonstration we will compare philosopher Nel Noddings' Care Ethics to the documentary The Teachings of Jon. The writing sample will address the following question: What is the worth of an individual who makes $12.96 a year?

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Demo Idea

First, I’d like to say that I’m very excited about being a part of the Ozark’s Writing Project. I have been reading the blogs others have submitted about possible demos and are looking forward to the exchange of ideas.

For my demo, I would like to borrow a lesson developed by Erin Lassiter from San Diego, CA. The lesson promotes the understanding of personification through reading and responding to classic poetry.