Week 15: About the writing.

* What did you like best about the writing for this class? What would you like to see more of?

I liked that there was no examinations for this class. It really helps take the stress off. I enjoyed the fact that we were given the opportunity to recreate the stories that we read each week in our own way. It really allowed for us to run wild with our imagination.

* Did you choose the Storybook or the Portfolio? Are you happy with your choice? What information should I emphasize to next semester's students when they make that choice?

I chose the storybook. I think I am happy with the choice that I made. When making the decision initially I was a little unsure with which one I wanted to go with. But I am glad I went with the story book. As each week it allowed for me to create a completely different story. I also like that we were given a revision week to work on our initial postings.

* Do you have suggestions for the commenting process: suggestions about commenting on blog posts? suggestions about comments on Storybooks/Portfolios?

Yes, I think that maybe the word count of the storybook comments should have been 100 words per story/each week/ per person (If that makes sense?).

* What kinds of comments did you find most useful as you working on your Storybook/Portfolio?

For me, the most useful feedback came from you. I think your comments really helped me improve my stories. As I felt that some students didn’t properly critic other students work. But commented to get the commenting part of the assignment done.

* Do you think this class helped you to improve your writing? 

Yes, It helped me remember all my literature writing skills that I haven’t been using in a while. As an engineering major I am more used to writing reports not stories.

* What kind of writing do you see yourself doing in your future career? Will writing be important in that career?

Yes, I think that I will be producing reports. Creating projects when I graduate as a petroleum engineer.

* As you look back on your writing this semester, what advice do you have for students who will be getting started next semester?

Do not leave anything to last minute. It is very easy to fall behind in this class. If you’re not careful.

Week 15: About the Reading

 What did you like best about the readings for this class? Are there any general suggestions you would make about how the readings are set up?

I think that collectively, this class was very well arranged. I think that you have provided us with sufficient information before choosing the reading unit. One thing I would suggest is, if it’s possible to include (maybe on the side along with the notes under each reading unit), the number of chapters each unit consists of. I think that you have chosen a good variety of stories for the students to pick from.

* Did you find some new reading diary strategies that you used in the second half of the semester?

No, as I did all the reading as oppose to half the reading. But I think that it is very helpful to give the students the option of either doing the whole reading or half the reading.

* What did you think of the overall balance between reading - writing - commenting in the class assignments?

I think that they were very well balanced. However, when we started making our own storybooks, I didn’t like that it had to be 200 words long for three students per week. I think that maybe it could have been each story/ introduction per week could have been 100 words.

* Do you think I should offer a reading assignment extra credit option? 

No, I think the way you have the extra credit system set up now is perfect.  But One thing that I would of like is to make the blog comments available before Fridays. For those of us that want to work ahead.

* As you look back from the end of the semester, what advice do you have for students who will be getting started next semester?

Always work ahead. And do as much extra credit as you can. It helps you finish the class earlier.

week 11: Extra Credit - Google Language

I have chosen Spanish for my google search.

Extra credit : Famous Last words.

So we have come to the end of week eleven. So I have posted my third story for my story book. And I think it is safe to say that I think it is progressing very well. I also think that this is going to be last story I will be posting. I think that It has really been an interesting journey collectively. As I couldn’t decide whether or not I wanted to do a reading portfolio or a story book. But I am glad that I went with the story book. It gave me the chance to get in touch with my imagination. I also think that as a class, we all have done some growing in our writing as each week, the writing produced by this group just gets better and better. I am glad that week eleven is over with and it not long before this class is over with. Overall I think this class is getting more and more challenging but in a good way. I think as each week past the demand for creativity is increasing.

The rest of my school semester as also very interesting. I think that as we come closer to the end the intensity of the work also increases. I am doing very well in my other classes also. My math professor doesn’t know the meaning of a break as week after week we are bombarded with a quiz so at any given point can I afford to fall off the wagon. I have already had a chemistry exam which I did pretty well in. This week at school has really been busy and I am so glad we have this long weekend. As for life, life is good. Every day we wake up is a blessing. Eleven down, four to go. Or for some of us one more week to go.

                                                    

                                                 (Source: Pixabay.com, Artist: unknown)

Week 11 - Essay - English Fairy Tales.

For this week I will be assessing the chosen reading unit. This week I have decided to read about English fairy tales. Being eleven weeks into the semester, I think so far this is my favorite reading unit. I thought I had found my favorite unit last week. But I felt more engaged with the stories this week. I think that they were very exciting and a good and easy read.

My favorite this week was the story that I chose for my story telling assignment - Tim Tit Tot. I just felt that this story entertained me the most. I think that the girl in the story was rather fortunate. One: she was married to the king. So I’m sure she was lavished in every way possible. Then, even though she was unable to spin, she miraculously found someone to help her. However, everyone that came to her aid set conditions on her. The king wanted her to spin on the twelfth month of the year, and Tim Tit Tot wanted to keep her if she didn’t guess his name right. I also like how the story ended. I thought that it was quite a coincidence that the king randomly saw this creature singing his name, whilst he was spinning. Then he came to tell his wife. Not knowing that he had just saved her.

I also really enjoyed, The Rose tree, and Mr Fox. I think they too were marvelous stories. Also I like reading the story of the three little pigs. Although, it was not my favorite of the bunch. But it was interesting to read the difference in the story, in comparison to the one we are all used to. I strongly recommend this reading unit to anyone who hasn’t decided on a reading unit for week twelve.  I think the information provided prior reading the unit was sufficient to base a decision on. It really is a short and sweet reading unit.

 

 

 

Link: English Fairy Tales

Week 11: story telling - Tom Tit Tot

Once upon a time, in a land far away. There lived a girl named Madison. Madison lived with her mother. Madison and her mother lived in a village and couldn't afford much.

One day Madison’s mother made five pieces of pies. However, they were not soft enough once they were baked. So her mother told her to let them set out a little so they may soften. Madison, didn’t allow for them to sit and soften. So, instead she ate them all.

It was tea time, and Madison’s mother wanted to have a bit to have with her tea. “Can you fetch me a piece of pie,” said Madison’s mother.

“No mother, they haven’t been sitting out long enough” replied Madison, “they aren’t yet soft.”

“Soft or not soft, I’ll have one to go with my tea now,” ordered her mother.

“You can’t have any,” said Madison nervously.

“And why not?” asked her mother.

“I ate them all,” answered Madison.

And so all afternoon Madisons mother sang.

'My darter ha' ate five, five pies today.

The king was riding by and heard her singing. “Good God, What on earth are you singing,” asked the king.

Madinso

ns mother hesitated. She didn’t want the king to know her daughter ate all those pies.

“Ah, I was singing my daughter spun five skeins”

“Well, that’s great,” said the king excitedly.” I shall marry her at once, so she may spin for me”

Madison’s mother was thrilled to hear this. This was grand gesture. And so she married her daughter off to the king.

For eleven months in the year Madison had everything she could ever want. But, for the twelfth month she had to spin five skeins every day. Madison wasn’t able to do this. She didn’t know the first thing about spinning. When the twelfth month came, she didn’t know what to do. A little black figure appeared at her window. It had promised her that he will help her. However, she had only three attempts to guess his name correct. If she didn’t he would get to keep her. And so she made a deal with him.

Every night, he would come and say, “Well what’s my name?”

“Gregory.” She guessed.

“No,” replied the black creature. “You have only one attempt left.”

One night the king came to see his wife. While she was pretending to spin.

“I saw the strangest little black creature in the forest, this afternoon. He was also spinning and singing TOM, TIT, TOT is my name” said the king.

Madison was thrilled. And so she waited for the creature to come see her one more time.

“So, have you figured out my name?” asked the creature.

“Tom, Tit, Tot, is you name” she said happily.

So, the black creature went away. And she was never to see him again.

Author’s note: I picked this story because I enjoyed it the most. I thought that it was very funny. I kept the plot the same as the original. But decided to take something’s out to shorten the story,

The Black Creature

Link : Tom Tit Tot

Week 12- Reading Diary : Nursery Rhymes

Nursery Rhymes: Tales - The nursery rhyme about the babies in the wood was sad. Thank goodness for the robin. Who gave them the strawberries. I like how singing in this unit is used to symbolize happiness.

The crooked man. Everything in this nursery rhyme is crooked. I guess that’s why the probably all got to live happily ever after.

I don’t understand how tom was beat when he stole the pig. I ccouldn'tunderstand why he went roaring down the street.

I enjoyed reading the rhyme about the man with the gun. That shot the duck. I like the repetition in that poem.

My favorite so far in this book of rhyme. Is the nursery rhyme about jack and the goose. I like that he became friends with the goose and in return the goose laid him a golden egg. It’s sad that the Jew cheated him of his golden egg.

Nursery Rhymes: Proverbs - I like the riddle of if wishes were hours. I would never had guessed that it was referring to the hours of sleep. I thought that this was very clever.

I don’t agree with the rhyme about the needles and pin. When a man marries his troubles begins. I thought it was quite funny. But I think that this is true for both husband and wife. The troubles can go both ways.

I liked the rhyme about sneezing. Each day in the week you sneezed, meant you had to do something. It reminds me of something you would get in a text message.

Nursery Rhymes: Songs, Part 1 - The fox in this rhyme is cunning. As he picked the farmers bones and the goose on his farm. The farmer let him stay out of good gesture. But in return he killed his goose. I don’t think the farmer should have gone after the fox. As he deceived the farmer again.

It is strange to me that, Johnny the boy was given a blue ribbon to tie his hair. I thought that that was something you would do on little girl’s hair. Maybe I’m wrong.

I think that Elsie Marley, Is a good example of a lazy person. Someone who is self-centered, and only cares about how beautiful she has become.

London Bridge is falling down – this is not the rhyme that I was brought up to now. As this has its own characters and twist to it.

Nursery Rhymes: Songs, Part 2 – I thought the idea of brandy in a spoon was rather interesting.

My wife tells me that, hot cross bun is a traditional English bon. With a cross on it literally. It is often ate during, Easter.

I have been to Piccadilly a time or two. I have also been to Bristol. So to see rhyme written about these places is interesting.

I liked the rhyme of the queen of hearts. I felt like it really flowed. I felt that It was a lot more easier to understand than the some of the other rhymes. And it told a story.

Nursery Rhymes: Riddles - I liked reading the riddles in this chapter. A lot of them I tried to guess but they were actually quite hard. I think that they were very well put together in having the readers guessing.

My favorites were “LONG legs, crooked thighs,
Little head, and no eyes”. [Pair of tongs.]. I would have never guess that.

And….

FORMED long ago, yet made to-day,
Employed while others sleep;
What few would like to give away,
Nor any wish to keep.

[A Bed.]

Nursery Rhymes: Paradoxes - I liked the riddle song. As when she went on to list all the things her true love got her. There was questions asked of i.e. how could she have a goose without a bone, or a bible no man can read. And I also liked how clever the answers were.

Nursery Rhymes: Charms and Lullabies - The Peter Piper rhyme, reminds me of being in elementary school. We called them tongue twister. We all tried to say it the fastest. I enjoyed going back and reading these nursery rhymes. It really reminded me of growing up as a child. Or hearing these lullabies in school or in cartoons.

Nursery Rhymes: Games* - I like how the men in this rhyme thought that the hedgehog was a pin cushion with the pins stuck in the wrong way. I thought that was quite funny.

My wife is from London. And so when I read her the rhyme about oranges and lemons. She sang me the rhyme and she told me how they used to sing it in the playground whilst jumping rope.

Nursery Rhymes: Jingles - I liked the jingle about rub-a-dub-dub, with the three men in the tub. I’ve always heard it but I never knew who the three men were until today.

Nursery Rhymes: Love and Matrimony - I am not familiar with these rhymes. Except for Jack and Jill. However, what I did find quite interesting was the description of London, given by the man who went to look for wife. Because it is it small, and has narrow roads today.

Nursery Rhymes: Natural History, Part 1 &  Part 2 - I liked the rhyme about the pussy cat and the mouse. I thought it was quite funny that the mouse went all the way to London to see the queen. Then to scare a mouse under her chair. And also Ba Ba Black sheep. Although I felt that it was told a little different to how it is sang.

Nursery Rhymes: Accumulative Stories – I liked the one about the keys of the kingdom. And how in everything there is something else. However, I did not understand what c & c meant at the end. I thought that we were going to actually find something in the end.

Nursery Rhymes: Relics – I remember the rhyme about little Miss Muffet. And the one about the rain. The rest was interesting to read about.

Link: Nursery Rhymes Unit

Week 11 - Reading Diary : English Fairy Tales.

Tom Tit Tot  - I really enjoyed reading this story. She seems to keep getting herself into sticky situations. At first her mother lies to the king saying she can spin five skeins. But then the king sets a condition on her. When she finally gets the help she needs to Tom Tit Tot. He too has a condition on her. Luckily, her husband told her about his encounter with the little black thing.

The Rose-Tree - This story reminds me of snow white. It has a destiny like plot. The evil stepmother envying the girl for her beauty. I am so glad that, when the girl became a bird she took revenge on the evil step mother.

The Old Woman and Her Pig - I liked the pattern in the story. I think that it was very creative making a link between each thing.  But in the end in order for her to get the favours she requested. She too had to do favors for the cat and the cow. In the end it worked out for her.

Binnorie - I think that the younger sister is crazy. She didn’t need to kill her sister in order to get Sir William. He should have chosen the right sister in the first place. I enjoyed this story though. At least, she was able to tell the story of how her sister killed her, through the harp the man made.

Mouse and Mouser - I like the style in which the story is written. I think it makes it easy to read. And really makes it interesting. It is a quick and easy dialect to follow between the cat and the mouse. It is almost very poetic.  The cat is very cunning, as the mouse comes to tell her a story and then the cat responds. In the end she eats him like she ate his pie.

Cap O' Rushes - This story reminds me of Cinderella. Except Cinderella’s father didn’t banish her. I think that the young master most of had some great sort of love for her. His love for her has him in bed sick for her love. I think Cap O’ Rushes was very clever in slipping the ring he gave her into his gruel. Now, he knows that she is in the same house as him. Then maybe she could be rich and beautiful again. I like how the salt on meat was used to symbolize her love for her father. In the end it was a win-win situation for them all.

The Story of the Three Little Pigs - Growing up, I always enjoyed the story of the three little pigs. The third little pig was by far the most clever, as he was afraid of the wolf. However, he didn’t let his fear get the better of him. So he remained a step ahead of the wolf each time.

The Master and His Pupil - This was an intense story. Had it not been for the master the boy would have drowned, due to the order he had given the dark spirit. Classic example of doing what you are not supposed to do, then having to pay for it. I don’t think the boy meant any harm. It was more due to curiosity.

Henny-Penny- I like the names used for the characters in this book. It really has a childish theme to it. I knew that foxy-woxy would be deceitful to them. As fox’s are in all stories.

Molly Whuppie - Molly Whuppie had a very lucky escape here. Luckily she was the cleverest of the sisters and she managed to escape.

Mr Fox - Could you imagine how scary this was for Lady Mary? Seeing her fiancé dragging women into his castle. What is soon to be their home?  At least her brothers sought revenge for all those ladies Mr Fox had killed. I am glad that she confronted him about what she had seen. Otherwise, that might have been her fate also.

Johnny-Cake- The fox was very clever. In out smarting Johnny- cake. I thought it was quite strange having a cake out run everyone.

Mr Miacca - I thought that this story was quite funny. I am glad that in the end Mr Miacca taught him a lesson.

The Laidly Worm of Spindleston Heugh - Its good that the king found love again. After the loss of his wife. As usual most kids don’t take well with having a step mother. So you can already see that the replacement of her mum is going to be an issue. I knew the step mum would be envious of the princess beauty. I think turning her into a dragon made the story even more interesting.

The Ass, The Table and the Stick - I think that it was so sad that Jack went away for twelve whole months. Worked very hard for the lady. And when he was given his wages to give to his father. It was all stolen from him. As a parent he should have accepted his son no matter what, instead he decided to punish him. At least Jack got a happy ending.

Fairy Ointment - I liked how the ointment let her see the truth about everything. But, I thought that it was rather sad that the old man blinded her after she had helped his baby.

(Tom Tit Tot and the girl)

Link: English Fairy Tales Unit

Week 10 Extra credit - Famous Last words.

This week has been a very hectic week at school. I have had back to back examinations, and assignments to do. My wife and I usually have very busy schedules. Both work and school related. I just can’t wait for the day that I graduate and actually start pursuing my career. Even though I am now as well.

I work two jobs, one as a math tutor and the other as a salesmen. Balancing that along with school is hard work. But with the support of my wife I feel like I can do anything.

Besides school, my wife and I are both looking forward to our December vacation. I will be visiting Seattle. I cannot wait to spend time with my family like the good old days. It has been a year since I went back home. My schedule has not allowed me to do. My wife on the other had will be visiting her family in London. She is super excited.

Last night we went to go watch “Gone girl”, at the AMC Theater in Pennsqaure mall. My oh my, that was one hell of a movie. I think that it was by far one of the best movies I have seen so far. And trust me I have seen my fair share of those. I recommend that everyone should go watch it if given the chance to.

In terms of this class, I feel like it is getting more and more hectic. I have published my third story so far. I really am enjoying this class. But I feel like it requires a lot of time and thought. Then again so does every other class. I just can’t wait to be done with this semester. It feels like such a long and hectic semester, and I am sure everyone else can also relate.

(Chasing Rabbit is hard work. By dancingwaters97. Date: unknown)

Week 10 extra credit - Google search Tech tip

For my google search tech tip, I decided to use the African sacred text website, and google search Monkeys. This is what I came up with.

South-African Folk-Tales, by James A. Honeÿ, [1910], at sacred-texts.com

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THE MONKEY'S FIDDLE

HUNGER and want forced Monkey one day to forsake his land and to seek elsewhere among strangers for much-needed work. Bulbs, earth beans, scorpions, insects, and such things were completely exhausted in his own land. But fortunately he received, for the time being, shelter with a great uncle of his, Orang Outang, who lived in another part of the country.
When he had worked for quite a while he wanted to return home, and as recompense his great uncle gave him a fiddle and a bow and arrow and told him that with the bow and arrow he could hit and kill anything he desired, and with the fiddle he could force anything to dance.
The first he met upon his return to his own land was Brer Wolf. This old fellow told him all the news and also that he had since early morning been attempting to stalk a deer, but all in vain.