august 18

JOURNAL TOPIC: (today's tunes: "Learning to Fly" performed by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and "Learning to Fly" performed by Pink Floyd)

What did you learn in this class last week?


AGENDA:
**COURSE BLOG AUDIT/SET AGENDA
1. Journals
2. Observations on Week 1/feedback on journals & assignments so far
3. Vocabulary
4. Poetry
5. Review "The Right to Your Own Opinion"
5. Creation myths and the beginnings of American literature

HW:
1. Read "White Buffalo Calf Woman" and this commentary on the story
2. In a post to your blog entitled ANCIENT STORIES, answer the following questions:

• How is the language in these texts similar to and/or different from the language you use in everyday conversation?
• Because it began as an oral story, "White Buffalo Calf Woman" can be found in multiple text versions.  How important is it for a story to be repeated word for word?  Is meaning embellished, distorted, lost, or enhanced in the retelling?
• [BONUS] Find your own early (pre-writing/1492) American myth and compare it to "White Woman Buffalo Calf Woman"-- come to class Tuesday prepared to discuss.

2. Now that you've had a chance to use some digital tools and think about how we'll use them, answer the following questions in a post on your blog entitled REFLECTIONS ON WEEK 1

1. Are there any factors that you think are going to affect your participation or experience in this class? (Access to a computer, cell phone, transportation? Family that can help or hassle? Friends that can help or hassle? Scheduling factors that can help or hassle?) 
2. Think of an awesome (or the best ever) learning experience (or an experience where you changed) What was it you learned?  Where were you? What happened? Who else was there? Did it teach you anything about how you learn (or pay attention... or think?) How did you know what was happening? 
3. What are you most [excited/concerned] about in this class? What do you look forward to in learning?  How do you think it can/will make a practical difference in your life?