Up Ahead (Deadlines)

We turn the corner this week and pick up the pace.  Here are some important dates and assignments:

April 8--The second and third reviews are due.
April 15--Photographic essay of neighborhood and first video interview of area resident.
April 22--Analysis of neighborhood challenge and second video interview of area resident.
April 27--Annotated reflective essay.

Keep in mind that the reviews are individual efforts.

The photographic essay should have at least 20-30 images and at least 250 words of text to accompany the images.  Use the images and the text to tell a particular story of your section of Calle Ocho.  Use a simple and unformatted PowerPoint file to create your story.

• Tips
• Sample

Your video interviews should not be more than five minutes long.  This means that you will have to record more than five minutes and edit the video to the five minute length.  Think how these interviews will help visitors to our project page to better understand and "feel" your section of Calle Ocho.  Videos should be saved to a DVD disc for me to later upload to our project page.

The analysis of the neighborhood essay is an opportunity to focus on one particular challenge that your group identified.  Aim for an examination that is sharp and critical.  The text should be no less than five pages long; feel free to incorporate the research you have done in your bus report.

Your last essay is a reflection paper which you will complete on your own.  The aim of this paper is to bring together what you have learned as a writer and investigator by looking back at the different projects you have put together.  You will need to have at least five sources.

Next Stop!

Class Activities

We will take time today to share the stories that developed out of last week's interviews.  Let's share these with care, as we know that each person is a sacred universe, one that at its core is mysterious and unnamable. I'd like for the dyads to reconnect and listen to the stories and offer constructive commentary.  After sharing, I'd like for each person to write a one to three  paragraph reflection of the interview, story writing, and sharing experience.

I also want you to share your bus notes as a group.  Your task before the end of class is to create one group report from the notes and observations from our bus trip and subsequent discussion.  I'd like for you to include a graphic (a table, pie chart, or some other visual) that takes into account 2000 Census statistics on your particular section of Calle 8.  Make sure that your report provides more than 'facts'.  Include reasonable interpretation based on the information and observations.  I'd like for you to send me your report.  Include everyone's name on your paper.  Have it to me by Thursday, March 25.

Homework

1. Determine who is going to review what in your group.  Plan your approach for Tuesday's class.  You will be able to work on your section of the street from 11:15 to 1:00 pm.  We will meet in class at 1:10 pm for a check in.  (I will provide a check-in grade for everyone that makes it back and provides a productive report.) Don't leave class today without planning accordingly with your team.
2. Read pages 30-45 in Telling True Stories.  Pay close attention; take notes.

Past Thursday and Tuesday

Carryover from Thursday's Class

I was very moved by the quality of the discussion we had in class this past Thursday.  The sharing we did, although limited by time constraints, pointed to a depth of experience that makes teaching a pleasure for me.  I went home thinking about Wendy Call's article and my own experiences with ailing parents.  Life is difficult beyond measure. We carry stories that are often so very heavy and difficult; maybe sharing them is one way of making the burden lighter.  Here's the song that I played on the way home as I thought about our conversation.



For Tuesday


-Bring your stories based on the interviews we did in class.
-Don't forget that we will be taking our bus ride; have your $4 with you.
-Bring your book!  (We will have a book check.)

Thursday's Class

Classroom Activities

Writing a True Story:  Sample

•  What stood out from the story?
•  Did you get a sense of the person behind the story?
•  What questions might you ask if you had Wendy Call next to you?
• Think about a difficult time in the life of someone close to you; what have you learned from this experience?

Sharing True Stories:  We will spend a good portion of our class time sharing with each other.  We will do this in dyads.  At the end of our sharing, each person will write a one page story of their partner's experience.

Homework

• Get the book.
• Read through page 32
• Complete Coordination/Pronouns/Shifts Exercises on MyCompLab.  Use the Resources tab to get help with the questions.
• Come with $2 for bus fare on Tuesday.  We are going on a field trip on Route 8.

Preliminary Plans from Groups

Team International Five

Places to visit:
  - Art Gallery (14th ave)
  - Dominoes Park
  - Con-Tutto Pizzeria (Noelia)
  - Viernes Culturales (15th ave)
  - Cigar Shop (15 th ave)
  - La Casa de Tula

Goals:
  - Tuesday go visit area from 9th ave to 17th ave and explore.
  - By March 16th visit a restaurant per group member.

Team Hoy Como Ayer 

• What do we need?

Familiarize ourselves with the area and check places.

• Calendar.

 March 16th (Restaurant review)
 March 23rd (Business review)
 March 30th (Whatever is left from our section review)

• Who is doing what?

Aymee- Reporter
Carissa-Photographer
Juan- Videographer
Michel- Translator
Irania- Critic

Some of the businesses in our section.

Restaurants
-Hoy como ayer
-Casa Juancho
-KFC/ Taco Bell

Businesses
-San Juan Motel
-Joyeria
-Telas
-Lory's transmissions
-Sedano's
-Pep Boy's
-Market Value

Tuesday's Class

We are off to a good start.  I liked the planning that took place.  Make sure to send me your notes as soon as possible.  This coming Thursday we will be working on some information gathering techniques, writing warm-ups, and more planning.  Come to class with your MyCompLab diagnostic completed.  I will be giving credit to those who complete this assignment.  Don't forget to order your books.  You should have done so by now.  There will be a book check next Tuesday.

We Start

Unfinished Business

• Report on MyCompLab
• Question about ordering of book
• Questions regarding syllabus and course

Areas to Explore in Class

• What we know
• What we need in order to complete the work
• A preliminary outline of tasks for the group

Teams

Group #1 (BMTV) 
Vanessa
Mary
Teo
Brian
Will explore 1st through 8th avenue.

Group #2 (3 Men and a Lady)
George
Denise
Jose C.
Irving
Will explore 9th through 17th avenue.

Group #3 (Team Hoy Como Ayer)

Aymee

Michelle

Juan

Carissa
Irania

Will explore 17th through 25th avenue.

Group #4 (Team PETA) 
Jose P.
David Herrera
Annie
Jose R.
Will explore 25th through 32nd avenue.

Group #5 (Team Carreta)
Robert M.
David
Rosa
Yassiel
Will explore 32nd through 38th avenue.



View Larger Map

First Class

We blink and open our eyes and it is April 23rd.  Watch for this!  I thoroughly enjoyed our first class together.  I look forward to an excellent and memorable 8-week semester.  Remember to sign up with MyCompLab.  I emailed everyone the complete code.  Purchase the book and start reading.  We will meet in IAP20 on Tuesday.