StoryCorp-Main Idea Versus Summary

Facundo the Great:  Click Here

Family Man:  Click Here

QUESTIONS:

1. Predict what the story will be about based on the title.
2. What is the main ides of the story?
3. Write a short summary of the story.
4. Create another good title for this story.

Article about StoryCorps:  Click Here

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This I Believe: The Beatles Live On...

This I Believe...

The Beatles Live On... Click Here

Music, Memory, and Macklin's Dad

What can you learn from listening to the lyrics of the Beatles according to Macklin Levine?

What happened three years ago?

What was the only music Macklin's family could agree to listen to in the car?  Click Here

What did the Macklin family lose?

What did Macklin's dad do to help find what they had lost?

Did they find they had lost?  If so how?

What tragic event happened a few months later?

Why does Macklin believe in the Beatles?

Extra:
 Click Here to listen to Yellow Submarine

Also used in connection with The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton Chapter 3:  Click Here

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The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Nonfiction: StoryCorps "Listening is an Act of Love" & "Icing on the Cake"

Listening Is an Act of Love from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

The first-ever animated feature from StoryCorps celebrates the transformative power of listening. Listening Is an Act of Love: A StoryCorps Special presents six stories from 10 years of the innovative oral history project, where everyday people sit down together to ask life's important questions. Framing these intimate conversations from across the country is an interview between StoryCorps founder Dave Isay and his nine-year-old nephew, Benji, animated in the inimitable style of The Rauch Brothers.

Listening Is an Act of Love will be broadcast by public television stations nationwide throughout the holiday season. Stations will be airing the special on varying dates through February 2014.

Questions:

I will stop the video between each story.  Develop a question to use from each conversation.  

The Icing on the Cake from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

Blanca Alvarez and her husband risked crossing the border to immigrate into the U.S. and then struggled to make ends meet. They hoped to shelter their children from these harsh realities, but Blanca's daughter Connie reveals how much children can really see of their parents' lives—and the inspiration they draw from their struggles.

Questions:

Develop two questions to use after viewing "Icing on the Cake"

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The Writing Whisperer
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Nonfiction: StoryCorps "Sunday's at Rocco's"

Sundays at Rocco's from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

Who is Rocco?

What was his job?

Where did Nick grow-up?

What did Nick and his grandfather do in secret?

What did Rocco do every Sunday?

What did Rocco and his grandchildren do with the coal?

Why do you think Rocco do this?

Do you have a special memory of a grandparent?  Explain?

Is this story fiction or nonfiction?  What is the difference?

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Snake on a plane!

Read the Article: Link to Article

Answer the Critical Thinking Questions:

Critical thinking challenge: Why were passengers given hotel rooms? Why didn't they just go home and come back the next day?

Take the Quiz:

1. Where is Quantas based?

   	Australia
   	Taiwan
   	Tokyo
   	Singapore

2. Define “exotic”

   	Exotic: Asian
   	Exotic: miniature
   	Exotic: foreign
   	Exotic: harmless

3. Why was the jet fumigated?

   	Because it smelled bad
   	Because it was dirty
   	It was merely a precaution
   	Because all flights are fumigated prior to departure

Other Resources:

NPR Article 

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The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Thousands Welcome Giant Duck

Read the article Thousands Welcome Giant Duck

Take the Quiz

1. Why did Florentijn Hofman create this duck?

   	Because he's an artist, and artists do crazy things.
   	Because he likes ducks
   	Because he wants more people to buy ducks
   	Because he wants to help make people happy

2. Define “iconic”

   	Iconic: from another country
   	Iconic: large
   	Iconic: symbol
   	Iconic: dramatic

3. How will the duck generate revenue?

   	People must pay to see the duck.
   	Someone will pay millions to buy the duck.
   	People will spend money on other things, like food and hotels, when they come to see the duck.
   	More people will build more ducks and pay people to build the ducks.

Don't forget to answer the Critical Thinking Question at the end of the article! 

Other Resources:

NPR Article 1

NPR Article 2

Now, Start Scribbling!
Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

A Most Have Book for Writers

I rarely take a Grammar Girl podcast live without at least quadruple-checking my main thesis, and Common Errors in English Usage has quickly become one of my most valued fact-checking resources. When the corners of this book are worn off, the spine is broken, and the fuzzy edges are spiked with Post-it notes marking your most used pages, don't forget to write Brians a note of thanks. By distilling reams of rules and opinions into a usable, entertaining reference book, he's made all our lives a little easier.
—Mignon Fogarty (“Grammar Girl”) 

Don't take our word that Common Errors in English Usage is a must have tool for writers, just read the glowing endorsements by Grammar Girl, Mignon Fogarty, and NPR's Scott Simon who both say this is a must have resource, or better yet listen to what folks are saying by clicking the video below.  You can bet your bottom dollar we have a copy headed our way.  If you want to read more about this  book check out Common Errors in English Usage 

I’d call Paul Brians’ book incredible, fabulous, or fantastic, except thanks to him, I know now that none of those words are what I really mean. Let’s just say thatCommon Errors in English Usage is the most cheerfully useful book I've read since the Kama Sutra.—Scott Simon, National Public Radio

Have a Creative Weekend!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!