Wipeout!

In class on 1/24 and 1/25 we discussed allusions, similes and metaphors. Please give two examples of each from the video we watched and post them in the comments section like this:

Allusions: 1, ___________________ 2,_______________

Similes: 1,_____________________ 2,_______________

Metaphors: 1,___________________ 2,_______________

Then give me the definition for each vocab word so I know that you really understand what they mean!

Happy 2011! What are your New Year's Resolutions?

For your first assignment on the class blog, write down three things you will do differently this year! Or write down three goals that you have for the upcoming year.

Pictures 2009-2010 - Good Job Dancers!

Family Stories

When my father was five years old, my grandfather wanted to help pull his first-born-son’s first loose tooth out of his mouth. Well, my dad wasn’t having it. My grandpa promised him that it wouldn’t hurt. My dad didn’t believe him. Another tactic was used. “If it hurts at all you can hit me on the head with that hammer,” said Grandpa. That little boy was finally interested in the minor surgery.

Grandpa tied a string onto the tooth and pulled, but the tooth didn’t come out. Blood filled my dad’s mouth, mixing with saliva. Grandpa tried to pull the tooth again before the bottom lip released the mixture and spilled onto my dad’s arm resting on the table beneath them. Grandpa tried a second time. This time the tooth was loosened more but it didn’t come out. The intense jerk forced a bit of bloody spittle out of my dad’s mouth and it splattered on his arm. Upon seeing this display for the first time in his life, my father squealed and pulled away from the menacing sport. That is when the tooth came out and dangled on the string in front of him.

After my grandmother cleaned up her first son’s mouth, justice came calling from this future lawyer’s mouth. “My turn, Daddy!” he yelled!

Grandma said, “Oh Ralph! You aren’t really going to let him hit you on the head with a hammer are you?”

“Yes, I am,” he said. “I told him if it hurt, he could hurt me. I stand by my word.”

The tall and strong World War II veteran crouched down in front of his son in that kitchen and handed him a hammer. “Besides,” Grandpa said with a sly smile, “how much damage could a five-year-old do?”

Grandpa was released from the hospital the next day with a minor concussion, but he never made a bargain like that with any of his seven children after that.

What did you think of this story?

Blog #3 - 5 Lines of Free Verse!

Give me 5 lines of Free Verse that shows all that you are grateful for in your life. Think about things that kids around the world do not have that you do. Think about places you've been and experiences that you may have had that are unique.

Or, is there anything that you have experienced in your life that has changed you for the better? Sometimes bad things that happen to us can make life better in the end. Has that ever happened to you? The picture above shows a sprained ankle after the guy slipped playing basketball. How can this bad situation be turned into a good one? Have you ever been hurt like this? Did it make you thankful just to be able to walk normally?

Remember, this is an assignment for a poem, not a story. You need to have rhyme and reason with what you are talking about. Even though it is Free Verse, you still need rhythm and figures of speech.

Heroes!

Heroes come in many shapes and sizes. Not everyone is a hero even if they look like one, though. Super Villains wear tights and capes, too, right? Just because they dress up to look like a Super Hero doesn't mean their intentions are the same. On the same note, some people might look up to other people only to get disappointed, later. How do we figure out who a true hero is? Who do you look up to? Do you look up to someone because they have money or nice clothes?

For this blog, I want you to write a Free Verse Poem with 4 or more lines. If you can't remember what Free Verse is, look on myuen.org/94330 and check out the Poetry Power Point again. Write down some thoughts first before you publish your poem here on the blog. Check spelling, punctuation, and grammar before you publish as well. When you publish something it should be your absolute best work. This blog/poem is worth 25 points, so do your best.

Poetry

Poetry by definition is a literary work in metrical form or patterned language. It is the art of rhythmical composition which is designed to produce pleasure through beautiful, elevated, imaginative, or profound thoughts. Answer the following questions:

1. What are a few thoughts that you have immediately after someone says, "Poetry"?

2. Please write an original poem (one you create) and post it here. Have your poem be an example of what you view poetry to be. What do poems talk about? What do poems look like? What should be in a poem? Answer these questions by producing a poem of your own and post it here.