Reflection and References!!!!

So, here we got to the end of our blog!!! Did you like this weblog??? What did you learn? Please, let me know!!

However, I did learn something!!! This was my first time creating a weblog and I admit that it was a blast. At first it was kind of hard to organize everything the way I wanted to organize it. Nevertheless, I got the hang of it and really learned how to use this tool correctly.

Students, as you can see, a weblog is a great tool and it can give emotion and uniqueness to our class. Remember that you can also develop many skills through this tool.

As for my fellow teachers...
I strongly recommend that you incorporate this tool in your class. It's not that hard. You just have to create a Gmail account and click on the "Blogger" option. Once you access you can begin creating posts with lessons for your students. In this tool, you can incorporate other technological programs such as: Youtube, Real Player, and Microsoft Office. Additionally, you can stop worrying about making copies for your students and stop wasting time looking for a good activity. Good luck!!

References:

Landy, A. S. and Rodney Allen, W. (2000). Introduction to Literature. USA: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Cisneros, Sandra. (1984). The House on Mango Street. New York: Vintage Books.

All About Adolescent Literacy. (2013). Classroom Strategies: Story Maps. Retrieved on September 24, 2013, from http://www. adlit.org/strategies/22736/

Webquest. (2013). Writing my own memoir. Retrieved on September 24, 2013, from http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=208079

Identifying plot and conflict!!

The plot in a story or in a memoir is the sequence of events that occur. A story or a memoir needs to have a plot in order to have action.

The plot is divided into five parts:

• Introduction: The character (s) and the setting is revealed. The introduction also describes what is the situation at the beginning.
• Rising Action: The conflict or problem is revealed.
• Climax: The highest point or most tense event is happening.
• Falling Action: The conflict or problem begins to solve.
• End: Everything works out. How everything ends.

For this analysis you can identify the plot using the following diagram...

However, in order to have a plot a story needs to have a conflict.

The conflict refers to the problem or complication in the story. There are four types of conflict...

• Man vs. Man: The character is facing another character.
• Man vs. Himself: The character has a inner struggle.
• Man vs. Society: The character faces a struggle with a community, a belief, or a social problem.
• Man vs. Circumstances: The character faces a situation in his/her life that isn't his/her fault.

Here's a look to more information about conflicts...

http://www.slideshare.net/caitlingillmett/types-of-conflict-5478403#btnPrevious

Identifying theme and point of view!

As you may remember the theme is the main idea, message, or lesson of a story or memoir. It refers to what can be learned from the story or memoir.

Some examples of theme can be...

• Things are not always as they appear to be.  
• Love is blind.
• Believe in yourself.
• People are afraid of change.
• Don't judge a book by its cover.

Here's an interesting video that can help you understand what a theme is. Take a look!

The point of view, on the other hand, is the angle from which the story is told. The perspective from which the story is told. 

There are two main types of point of view:

• 1st person point of view: When the protagonist or someone inside the story tells what happened.
• 3rd person point of view: When someone outside the story tells what happened.

Here's another explanation!

How can I identify the setting?

The setting refers to where a memoir takes place.

The setting includes five aspects:

• Place: Ponce, house, building, school...
• Time: Date, day, week, night, afternoon, month...
• Weather condition: Sunny, cloudy, earthquake, snowy...
• Social condition: Poverty, violence, fear, racism...
• Mood: Sad, happy, excited, sarcastic...

To expand your knowledge about the setting read the following information...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setting_(narrative)

How can I analyze the characters and characterization in a memoir?

As you know the character of the memoir is who is doing the action.

There are two main types of characters:

• Protagonist: The central character.
• Antagonist: The one that opposes the protagonist.

Characters also have characterization. Characterization refers to how a character is or behaves. It includes the traits of the character.

The following video, explains a little bit better these aspects.

When you analyze the characters of the memoir you read, you can use the diagrams presented in this webpage... 

http://www.educationoasis.com/curriculum/GO/character_story.htm

Learning Activity: Reading a Memoir!

Now that we have reviewed the story elements used in memoirs do the following...

1. Read one of the memoirs posted in the link below: "My Name" or "Marin". http://theliterarylink.com/mangostreet.html 
2.  As you read, look for the seven story elements used in memoirs: characters, characterization, setting, theme, point of view, plot, and conflict.

Reviewing memoirs and its elements!!!

As you already know, a memoir is a piece of writing in which the author writes about an experience he/she had. A good memoir:

• connects to the audience.
•  is in 1st person point of view.
• features a hook to attract the reader.
• uses descriptive language.
• uses dialogue.
• expresses the author's thoughts and feelings.
• reveals the importance of that experience.

Additionally, you may remember that memoirs have seven story elements:

• Characters:  Who is the story about.
• Characterization: How a character is or behaves.
• Setting: Where a story takes place.
• Theme: The main idea or lesson.
• Point of view: The angle from which the story is told.
• Plot: The sequence of events in a story.
• Conflict: The complication or problem in the story.

Use the web quest from the last class as a reference.

http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=208079

What is a weblog???

A weblog is a technological tool similar to a webpage. It is a web site on which an individual or group of users record opinions, information, etc. on a regular basis. 

Imagine that the weblog is similar to our class. 

• First, I give you a review or explanation of the topic we're covering.
• Second, I give you a task or an assignment to develop that topic. 
• And third, I give you examples for you to understand what you have to do.

The only difference is that you use a computer.

Additionally, in a weblog you can find graphics, videos, pictures, documents, among others.

Relax, and enjoy!!!

Read the following information if you still don't understand!! :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog