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"

Now, Start Scribbling!

Happy Writing!

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

Nonfiction: StoryCorps "John and Joe"

John and Joe from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

How did you feel after hearing John Vigiano's story?

As a child, what did Joe do for his birthday each year?

Describe the cake the fireman made for Joe.

Were you surprised that Joe chose to become a policeman? Why or Why Not?

John, Joe's brother, admired what celebrity businessman?

What happened in 1984 to change John's mind about which profession to enter?

What is special about the number 3436?

How many generations of fireman were in this family?

On the evening of September 10, 2001, John talked with his father on the phone, and on the morning of September 11, 2001 Joe spoke with his dad by phone.  What were the last words that each heard from their father?

If this piece were in written form, what genre would we categorize it?  What sub-genre?

Now, Start Scribbling!
Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

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

Ray Bradbury: "All Summer in a Day" Author Review

We have studied the life and accomplishments of Ray Bradbury.  Now it's time to put your knowledge to work.  Write one True/False Question and one Multiple Choice question for our Ray Bradbury quiz.  Make sure to include the answer.

Now, do the same for his short story "All Summer in a Day".

Now, Start Scribbling!
Happy Writing!

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?

Now, Start Scribbling!
Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

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Smile Continued Again

Smile from Juge Heikkilä on Vimeo.

How is this video different from "School Portraits"?

What literary technique (which is also used in films) is used in this video?

Have you ever had to "smile" through a bad situation?  Explain your answer.

What is the message or theme of this video?

Now, Start Scribbling!
Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

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

Smile Continued

Everything is going to be ok from Kieran Donaghy

Second Video Link:  Smile Continued

Watch the video and list the positive effects that smiling has on your life based on the research presented in Ron Gutman's TED Talk.

Now, Start Scribbling!
Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

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

Ray Bradbury: The Ravine

In class we have studied Ray Bradbury's short story "All Summer in a Day" now we will listen to "The Ravine" by Ray Bradbury.  This dramatization of his short story which is very different from the audio we heard to  "All Summer in a Day".  

Make some judgments about and the difference between a dramatization and literal reading of a short story.  

Now, after hearing two of his stories what judgments can you make about Ray Bradbury as a writer?

Now, Start Scribbling!
Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

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