Two Birds- One Book
Introduction:
When trying to decide what topic to write my I- Search paper on, I took into account two things. First I thought back to what I remember my teachers doing to prompt a writing activity, it usually involved a reading of some sort- whether it be a book, poem, or textbook information. Then I had to think of an idea that I would actually enjoy doing research on and one with which I was somewhat familiar. After these two factors collided, my topic became apparent. I have decided to write my I- Search paper on the use of children’s literature to teach and inspire children to write.
I-Search
Journaling in the Classroom
What I Know
As far as journaling goes the only information that I truly know and understand about it is what has been discussed in class and read in the two assigned text for the Summer Session. Needless to say I do not know a lot about the topic, hence my desire to further explore the subject with my I-Search paper. I have used journaling as a student in different classrooms with different teachers. Each teacher had their own way of doing things. So there in lies my confusions of the subject. I want to be able to use journaling in my classroom, but use it in an affective way. Ways in which the students can grasp the most benefit from. I do not want it to be something that they just come into the classroom doing, just because Ms. ------- said so. I want it to have a benefit to their writing in the class or even a benefit to their lives. My question to myself is this, what is journal and how is it used in the classroom?
Introduction
Throughout my years of schooling, I was rarely given the
chance, if any, to free write in the classroom. Honestly, I do not recall ever
hearing the word “free write” used by any of my instructors. I finally
discovered what free writing is once I began attending a class over the summer called
Teaching and Evaluating Writing
(English 309W) at the State University College at Buffalo with Dr. Ralph
Wahlstrom, who is not only a professor and chairman of the English Department,
but also an author of many books.
How can teachers help students write better DBQ essays?
Introduction
When I first
started taking this class, I was having a difficult time trying to understand
the connection between writing and social studies class. I think that, like many students, I had
always viewed writing as a skill that is better left to be taught in English
class. But then I realized, that often,
we do write in history classes. After
all, on the regent’s exam we are required to write a DBQ essay. So, that led me to wonder what could a teacher possibly do to help students write better
DBQ essays. If many students view
writing as a topic better left to English class, then they might find it
strange that they will have to do a lot of writing in a social studies
classroom. In High School, the classes
are set up in such a way as to promote separation between classes. In a typical day, students may spend fifty
minutes in math class, fifty minutes in social studies, and fifty minutes in
English class. This very separation of
time devoted to the different subjects promotes the idea that each subject is
clearly distinct from one another, even when there is some overlap. For instance, writing is a skill that is
primarily assigned to English class. Yet
sometimes it is used in social studies classes, as is the case with DBQ
essays. It seems that, at least, when I
was in High School, students completely separated the skills that were needed
to write a good paper in English from the skills needed to write a good paper
in social studies. To me, this is
disappointing. In social studies,
especially in DBQ essays, it seems that all the effort that was put into
developing writing skills in English class is wasted in history class. It almost seems that writing skills, such a
fluency, voice and organization, take a hard blow upon entering a social
studies classroom. In a social studies
class, teachers don’t seem to care much about fluency or a voice, as long as
the correct dates, people, and historical facts are included in the essay. To me, this is very disheartening because a
subject that could be used very effectively to further develop writing skills
tears down the very skills it should be building up. Since I would like to
teach social studies, I would like to know what can be done to help students
develop fluency and voice in DBQ essay.
Is there anything I could do to help my students improve the quality
their writing in DBQ essays? I think the question is too slightly off base. Writing DBQs isn’t meant to develop writing
skills, although it can make students better writers. Writing is an important tool in learning
across the disciplines. Through
reflection, freewriting, essays and a range of
strategies, students can more easily and completely learn history, etc. Better
writers are better students, and DBQ writing will show that.
The Advantages of using Graphic Novels
in the Classroom
Introduction:
What I already know about graphic novels is that it is a type of comic book. I know that many of the comic books that were and are created are based on children’s cartoons. I know that many teachers and educators today use graphic novels in their classrooms. I know that since the beginning of time man has used pictures to tell stories just as comic books do. I know that the Egyptians are a great example of how graphic storytelling has been a means of communicating thoughts and ideas.
What I want to know is when did the term graphic novel become popular? I want to know when the very first graphic novel was created. I want to know what qualifications have to be met in order to define a graphic novel as such. What could be the advantages of using graphic novels in the classroom? Lastly, I want to know how graphic novels can be used in the teaching of writing strategies and literary elements.
The reason I want to know more about the advantages of graphic novels in the classroom is because I am currently an education major at Buffalo State College majoring in Secondary English. In my education prep courses my professors have mentioned graphic novels from time to time stating that they are a good tool to incorporate in a lesson. My professors state as well that graphic novels are a good way of getting students to read.
Growing up I never liked to watch cartoons. It was a common thing for my siblings and I (me) to fight over the television on a Saturday morning. Because of this you can probably guess without me stating it that comics growing up were of no interest to me. I never saw comics as a means of communication or as a way to tell a story. I thought they were as ridiculous as the cartoons on television every Saturday; images running around without a purpose. Now that I am older being a person who loves to read pursuing a career in education. I feel I missed out on a lot by not reading comic books as a child. Because I will be in front of a class someday I want to know just how many children are into and enjoy comics. My main goal is to find out the advantages of using graphic novels in the classroom.
I KEEP
such music in my brain
No din this side of death can quell;
Glory exulting over pain,
And beauty, garlanded in hell.
My dreaming spirit will not heed
The roar of guns that would destroy
My life that on the gloom can read
Proud-surging melodies of joy.
To the world’s end I went, and found
Death in his carnival of glare;
But in my torment I was crowned,
And music dawned above despair.
-Siegfried Sassoon
World War I poet
1886-1967
Introduction
I’ve been thinking a lot about freewriting since beginning this class. I’d never heard of it before, except as a sort of brainstorming exercise for generating paper topics. Now, I’m coming up with all sorts of applications for it. Of course, it’s still a good tool for generating paper topics, but now, I think it should be done before starting a new topic in a school setting to get students thinking about the new topic. There are some students at every grade level who don’t want to think about whatever the teacher is talking about, just as a matter of course. But directed free writing forces the writer to think about the subject at hand. Therein lies the beauty of it: it forces the writer to think, even if you’re just writing what you think is nonsense, truth will emerge. It might take a while, but sooner or later, a person free writing will begin to write something that matters to them, something important.
I’ve been keeping a journal for a few years, and I decided to write more in it, more regularly. I’ve begun to free write nearly every day in my journal, and it really helps me clear my head and keep track of my goals and progress toward them.
That started me thinking how useful free writing/journaling could be to other people. At first, I tried to add it to my husband’s daily routine. He’s a builder with several projects going on at once. His burden is that he’s made his reputation by always being there: he’s on every site, every day; he alone answers every phone call; he alone meets with potential clients; he alone figures estimates; he draws up contracts; he puts on his tool belt every day and works. His head is overloaded. He’s a perfect candidate for free writing; it would help him sort things out and prioritize, but more importantly, it would provide a much-needed creative escape. I even bought him a notebook and talked to him all about it one night. He said, “Sure, that sounds good,” and then he fell asleep! As soon as I find an extra ten minutes in his day, I’ll try again.
Then I read an article in an old “Rolling Stone” about a vet from the Iraq War who is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Apparently, this guy was photographed in full combat gear with a blood-spattered, dirty, grim face. He looked like one tough mother, and his face became the face of the war. He was like a poster child of a soldier, in a positive, sign-um-up way. In reality, his life is very difficult because of the PTSD. He is desperately unhappy and, like many vets, unable to get help (Eliscu).
That was it. My I-Search topic was born. Can free writing/journaling be used in a therapeutic manner to help people suffering from PTSD?