Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Getting Creative With the Introduction

Choose 1 of the following excerpts from the Introduction to The Motorcycle Diaries, and use it as either the first or last line of a short creative written piece: a poem, story, diary entry, letter, etc... Post this creative piece to your blog.

1. "The person who wrote these notes passed away the moment his feet touched Argentine soil again."(16)
2. "It was one of the coldest times in my life...human species."(22)
3. "There is nothing lonelier than adventure."(22)
4. "The patients cast off and to the sound of a folk tune...giving the people a ghostly quality."(27)

If appropriate given the nature of your piece, find an image to go along with it.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Che's Ideology

Ideology: 1. The body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group. 2. Such a body of doctrine, myth, etc., with reference to some political and social plan, as that of fascism, along with the devices for putting it into operation. 3. Philosophy 4. Theorizing of a visionary or impractical nature.

What do think Che's personal mission statement/ideology could be? What doctrine or set of beliefs seems to have guided him?

Please write 100 words and use specific examples from the documentary so far to support your ideas.

Monday, February 9, 2009

If blogging about documentaries is cool, consider me Miles Davis!

If you were given the chance to make your own documentary, what person or topic would it be about? Why?

In your post today, make a case for your topic by citing specific reasons why your documentary would be interesting and relevant to today's audiences--or at least to you...

Here's a video of my subject:



Please write 100 words and find an image or video to make your post come alive!

El Che - Investigating a Legend


Today we begin our Che documentary.

But we before we begin, take a few minutes and imagine that you are making a Che documentary of your own. Based on what you've learned so far about Che, what would you cover? What questions would you ask? What aspects of his life and legacy would you focus on?

Respond in a blog post. Include an image.

Have fun!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Road trip!


Ever taken a road trip? Tell us about it! Where did you go? Why? What did you see and do there? Or, if you've never taken a road trip, where would you go if you could? Across the USA? Europe? China?

Please write a description of this real or imaginary road trip. Be as vivid and detailed as possible. You have a lot of time, so why not be specific? Feel free to provide an itinerary, list of sights, or possible destinations. How would you travel? What means of transportation would you use? Would you go solo, or with someone else?

Descriptions should be at least 150 words. Be sure to include an image, video, or song with your post--as well as an interesting title.

Once you've finished--please take a blog-trip and see what your friends have planned. Leave comments on their journeys.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Don't judge a book by it's cover-unless doing a Book Preview activity!


Please open a Word document and respond to the following prompt:

How do you judge books before reading them? What characteristics of certain books catches your attention? Can you give an example of a particular book that caught your attention early and maintained it through reading? Please write 100 words and include an image of a book cover (if you have one) that has caught your attention.

Have you added yourself to my blog as a "follower" yet? If not, please do so--it will help you find easy links to your classmates' blogs.

And if you get a chance, add a photo to your profile so your friends and peers can find you!

Have a great day!

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Glen Beck: Che Guevara - 40 Years Later

Take a look at the following video of an excerpt from Glen Beck's TV show. I think you'll find it quite provocative. (Feel free to use some headphones while viewing.)

Before you watch however, open a Word document so you can record your thoughts. What are Beck's key points? Which of his comments stick-out the most to you?



After you've finished. Write a 150-word response in a post on your blog. Maybe you can find a relevant image or video clip of your own? Be sure to an interesting and/or provocative title of your own.

Please include the following:
1. Your reaction to Beck. Do you agree or disagree with his claims? Why?
2. A description--in your own words--of Beck's style and voice. How does he get his point across to his audience?

When you've finished and your post has been published. Spend some time surfing around the blogs of your classmates. Leave substantive comments on the blogs of at least 5 of your peers.

You can find blogs listed under "followers" of my blog--be sure to add yourself as one of my followers so others can find you easily. (Later this week, we'll get set-up with an even easier way to follow one another posts.)

And while you’re visiting them, be sure to add yourself to their blogs as a "follower". This will make it easier to find their blogs and keep track of their posts in the future.

That's it for now. Have a great day!