A self-portrait of you as a writer

As you think about topics that occupy your thoughts, your memories, and your curiosity, remember that the more complete your writing territories are, the easier it will be to get started. We only scratched the surface in class today. Don't be afraid to explore new ideas, to free write about your ideas, or even to draw up a timeline of major events (personal and historical) that have happened in your lifetime. The more you have, the better choices you'll find, and the easier it will be to find areas of interest to explore.

Be ready to write. I'll be anxious for you to share some of your territories. TGIF!

The Season Opener

I don't usually watch a whole lot of television, but being stuck at home like I've been, I have to admit I've developed a couple of favorite shows. I'm hooked on watching the stars dance, the wanna be rock stars, and even a ridiculously nonrealistic medical drama about surgical interns. I guess it's time for me to get back to my own reality, so as the season premieres are underway, my own "season premiere" is slated for tomorrow. My pets will be able to rest at last. The dogs have literally become service dogs. Katie, the golden mix, helps push my wheelchair by lowering her head and pressing the back of my chair as she walks behind me. The border collie runs interference in the lead. The cats will finally get the house back to themselves tomorrow.

So, as I say goodbye to a sedentary lifestyle, complete with a few TV shows, I wonder what television, if any, my students watch. For free writing today, discuss your opinions of television. How much TV do you watch? What do you watch? Does your family share TV programs, or do you have your own TV and watch alone? Which shows, if any, are you looking forward to? How do you balance entertainment and homework?

The Rules of the Road

Tomorrow you will have a chance to explore what you may already know about some of the rules of grammar, punctuaton and so forth. It will give us a starting place for some of our mini lessons, and you'll keep track of your strengths and weaknesses and goals for improvement. I am looking forward to my Thursday return and getting our reading and writing workshop underway.

Tomorrow you may also have a chance to do some quiet free reading if there is time left after your diagnostic quiz. If so, please write the title and author of the book you are reading (and it must be with you in class) and with the last five to ten minutes of class (again, if there is any,) please free write your response to your reading. This can be anything from your opinion of the characters, the plot, setting, and so forh, to your speculation about what is going to happen, what the book reminds you of, and whether it is good, exciting, or difficult. There may not be a lot of time for this tomorrow, but use what time you have, and there will be more time on Friday.

Continuing Our Journey With New Direction

You are wrapping up your study of Odysseus's journey and your introduction to mythology. You may choose to read more on your own, but as a class, we have new directions to go. On a personal note, this journey in a wheelchair has been somewhat of an odyssey for me. It was amazing to finally meet my second and third block classes today. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet my first block class, but I will later this week. I'm glad you have started our semester with Greek mythology and The Odyssey because this will give us a background to other reading we'll do.

You may look at the rest of our study together as our journey, and I hope you know that we are all marking our course. We will learn as we go, and we may change direction as we need. Like Odysseus, we may run into challenges, but we will also find wonderful surprises along the way.

Penelope's Point of View

The theme of loyalty is illustrated through a number of characters in The Odyssey, but possibly the most memorable character known for steadfast loyalty is Penelope. You will get a chance to explore Penelope's character when you read the play Penelope, a story of Odysseus's journey through her point of view. What do you notice about the relationship between Odysseus and Penelope? Is it too much to ask someone to wait twenty years? I wonder about Odysseus's obligation to his family. When reading the epic poem and the play, what do you notice about priorities? How do your own priorities compare?

Thanks for your patience on your grade checks. I understand that some of them had to be reentered in the computer system and reprinted. Kudos to those of you who efficiently calculated the numbers and politely brought this to Mr. D's attention. I appreciate you all.