Showing posts with label Week 4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Week 4. Show all posts
Monday, February 13, 2017
Tech Tip: Creating a Google Site
For this past week, I created a Google Site with the helpful tips that were provided. Although I was new to it, I found it very easy to create. I was about to personalize my website and add my own picture. Google has really transformed what people are able to create and simplify it for them. I will continue to add to my website as I move forward with my storybook. Feel free to check it out and play around with everything that Google Sites has to offer!
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Feedback Focus
I would rank the strategies in terms of their usefulness in this order: using a timer, copy-and-paste, and reading out loud. I was very surprised by the way these different strategies affected my reading. Each strategy had a different affect and I found them very helpful. I often feel as if it takes me a long time to sometimes read someones story and stay focused. I think setting a timer would be a great idea and something I didn't really even think of before reading these strategies. The second strategy of copying and pasting would be very good for comments and focusing in on detail. That is also very handy for having comments ready to go for the most part. I think the last one is something I sort of do anyways when I am reading alone sometimes. It is very helpful for getting the feel of what is going on in the story. Often times our eyes miss things when we are reading through a story. I think I would try these strategies in the future. They will help make sure I get things finished in a reasonable period of time and also to have good and insightful comments/feedback for people to read. I want to get better at giving feedback to people and these tips are things that will improve my ability to do so.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Week 4 Storytelling: The Unknown
Once upon a time, there was a little family living in among the woods. Through the creaking trees, snapping branches, and water trails the family was well hidden and secure. Their castle consisted of brown and rusted wood piled together to make shelter. It was built by the dad, Billy, who did almost everything for them to help them get by. Other members of the family included the mom, Molly, and the only child, Mike.
Mike was different... He was not like other children his own age. That's part of the reason their family moved to stay hidden in the woods. Mike was primarily a happy and brave young lad. Before hauling out to live in the woods, Mike went to school, played and learned as much as he could. One day, his parents discovered something peculiar after Mike left for school. Molly, his mom was cleaning his room and noticed ruffled under his bed, was a large red box. She assumed it was his special toys at first, but when she opened it, it was nothing she had anticipated.
Scattered in the box were well drawn out plans and papers written by Mike. They always knew he was a smart boy, but didn't realize his mental capacity was well beyond his age, and even theirs. They knew he was planning something big, but weren't quite sure how to handle the situation. Billy and Molly needed to appear neutral as to not scare off their son Mike. They wanted to know what he had planned. Mike seemed to show some signs of his grandfather, and Billy was willing to do whatever he could.
They eventually went searching for help at any place they thought might guide them in the right direction to help with their situation with Mike. After searching for what felt like a lifetime, Billy came across an only lady who sparked an interesting conversation. Billy stumbled upon her at a store and eventually the two got to talking. She said she could help, and for some reason their gut instinct trusted the wise words she delivered to them.
"Come to my place at the edge just before the woods right outside of town. Bring nothing but the boy and yourselves. Do not tell him anything other than you are just visiting an old friend." whispered the little old lady as she slid past Billy on her way down the spice isle.
As interesting as it seemed Billy replied, "I will do just that. This is our last resort to help our son not to let things get out of hand."
Billy and Molly told Mike they would be going on a little vacation and to pack some things. Mike was interested but seemed to have some questions.
"What do I need to bring?" said Mike.
"We have already packed your bag for you. Are you ready to go?" his mom yelled across the house.
Mike annoyingly replied, "I suppose so."
The three went on their way to the woods. They met with the old lady in the woods. Who had a lot of wise words to give to them. She asked about their family life and how things were with the boy. Mike seemed to think something was wrong, but trusted his family. The old lady asked if they wanted to see the rest of their property. Without hesitation, the family was interested because of its beauty. Also, how could they not trust a cute little old lady.
They went on their way and after crossing a creek, Billy, Molly, and Mike began to felt like something was wrong. They didn't know where they were or where they were going. It felt like they were on a never ending trail that just went around in circles. The old lady disappeared.
Suddenly, Mike's persona had changed. He became scared and let go of his brave persona. He realized what had happened and blamed his parents for not understanding what was to come.
The old lady came back when she heard Mike whimper. Out of the woods she appeared. She stated, "You have come to realize, my smart child. This is where you will be afraid. For your parents came to me because they feared you and what you had planned. You shall live the rest of your days out in the afraid of your own ability."
With that, the family was left to fend for themselves..
Bibliography:
Forty-four Turkish Fairy Tales by Ignacz Kunos, link to web source
Author's Note: My idea for this story was from one of the Turkish fairy tales that were written by Ignacz Kunos. The fairy tales in his books were very different than ordinary tales. The story I got my idea from was about a boy looking for fear and eventually someone scaring him. Although it was a lot different, my story is also about a boy. However, the boy in my story does not posses fear. His parents are trying to figure out what is wrong. They eventually stumble upon an old lady who knows what she is doing. She traps the family into her woods where the boy is becomes scared and isn't able to process things like he usually is.
Mike was different... He was not like other children his own age. That's part of the reason their family moved to stay hidden in the woods. Mike was primarily a happy and brave young lad. Before hauling out to live in the woods, Mike went to school, played and learned as much as he could. One day, his parents discovered something peculiar after Mike left for school. Molly, his mom was cleaning his room and noticed ruffled under his bed, was a large red box. She assumed it was his special toys at first, but when she opened it, it was nothing she had anticipated.
Scattered in the box were well drawn out plans and papers written by Mike. They always knew he was a smart boy, but didn't realize his mental capacity was well beyond his age, and even theirs. They knew he was planning something big, but weren't quite sure how to handle the situation. Billy and Molly needed to appear neutral as to not scare off their son Mike. They wanted to know what he had planned. Mike seemed to show some signs of his grandfather, and Billy was willing to do whatever he could.
They eventually went searching for help at any place they thought might guide them in the right direction to help with their situation with Mike. After searching for what felt like a lifetime, Billy came across an only lady who sparked an interesting conversation. Billy stumbled upon her at a store and eventually the two got to talking. She said she could help, and for some reason their gut instinct trusted the wise words she delivered to them.
"Come to my place at the edge just before the woods right outside of town. Bring nothing but the boy and yourselves. Do not tell him anything other than you are just visiting an old friend." whispered the little old lady as she slid past Billy on her way down the spice isle.
As interesting as it seemed Billy replied, "I will do just that. This is our last resort to help our son not to let things get out of hand."
Billy and Molly told Mike they would be going on a little vacation and to pack some things. Mike was interested but seemed to have some questions.
"What do I need to bring?" said Mike.
"We have already packed your bag for you. Are you ready to go?" his mom yelled across the house.
Mike annoyingly replied, "I suppose so."
The three went on their way to the woods. They met with the old lady in the woods. Who had a lot of wise words to give to them. She asked about their family life and how things were with the boy. Mike seemed to think something was wrong, but trusted his family. The old lady asked if they wanted to see the rest of their property. Without hesitation, the family was interested because of its beauty. Also, how could they not trust a cute little old lady.
They went on their way and after crossing a creek, Billy, Molly, and Mike began to felt like something was wrong. They didn't know where they were or where they were going. It felt like they were on a never ending trail that just went around in circles. The old lady disappeared.
Suddenly, Mike's persona had changed. He became scared and let go of his brave persona. He realized what had happened and blamed his parents for not understanding what was to come.
The old lady came back when she heard Mike whimper. Out of the woods she appeared. She stated, "You have come to realize, my smart child. This is where you will be afraid. For your parents came to me because they feared you and what you had planned. You shall live the rest of your days out in the afraid of your own ability."
With that, the family was left to fend for themselves..
Bibliography:
Forty-four Turkish Fairy Tales by Ignacz Kunos, link to web source
Author's Note: My idea for this story was from one of the Turkish fairy tales that were written by Ignacz Kunos. The fairy tales in his books were very different than ordinary tales. The story I got my idea from was about a boy looking for fear and eventually someone scaring him. Although it was a lot different, my story is also about a boy. However, the boy in my story does not posses fear. His parents are trying to figure out what is wrong. They eventually stumble upon an old lady who knows what she is doing. She traps the family into her woods where the boy is becomes scared and isn't able to process things like he usually is.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Reading Notes: Turkish Fairy Tales, Part B
The first story in the part was quite interesting and I enjoyed the first half, but then it got a little confusing. The story was about a maiden who was in a way summoned by a bird to find her "kismet". I didn't know quite what that word was, but once I looked it up, I found out that it meant destiny or fate. Continuing on with the story, there was a lot of really good detail that made you picture the surroundings. In my story I want to try to incorporate more detail. I feel as if really good stories make you feel a part of them. I did not like the second part of the story, I felt a little confused and like it didn't connect with the first part entirely. Somehow there was someone called Bey who granted presents for the servants and the maiden requested a brown patience-knife and a yellow patience-stone. I don't exactly know what they meant by "patience" there. They Bey wasn't quite able to deliver on his promise, but somehow ended up with them for the maiden. She used them to describe a story and in the end she eventually found her kismet. I thought it was weird how she stabbed herself with the knife and the Bey jumped out and said that she was his kismet. Overall, I thought it was an interesting tale. Maybe in my stories I can include more magical aspects.
The next story I enjoyed was "The Imp of the Well". Again, I did not know what an imp was, so I looked that up as well and found out that it meant some sort of devil or spirit. The story started off very well. I thought it was funny how the many left his wife in the well. She seemed to not let him do anything on his own and always took from him, so that was bad karma when she fell in the well. The story had a twist to it when the woodcutter left his wife in the well and came back for her the next day. The imp appeared and the woodcutter had to sort of go on a mission for saving the imp from the well instead of his wife. Somehow they ended up back at the well and the woodcutter felt bad for not saving his wife. The imp didn't know if he believed the man so the story sort of left off in a mystery. I could use something like that in my story and leave things off with a mystery and people wanting to find out more. Cliffhangers are a good twist because they leave people to their own imagination and interpretation of the story.
Bibliography:
Forty-four Turkish Fairy Tales by Ignacz Kunos, link to web source
(Patience-Stone and Patience-Knife, link to web source)
The next story I enjoyed was "The Imp of the Well". Again, I did not know what an imp was, so I looked that up as well and found out that it meant some sort of devil or spirit. The story started off very well. I thought it was funny how the many left his wife in the well. She seemed to not let him do anything on his own and always took from him, so that was bad karma when she fell in the well. The story had a twist to it when the woodcutter left his wife in the well and came back for her the next day. The imp appeared and the woodcutter had to sort of go on a mission for saving the imp from the well instead of his wife. Somehow they ended up back at the well and the woodcutter felt bad for not saving his wife. The imp didn't know if he believed the man so the story sort of left off in a mystery. I could use something like that in my story and leave things off with a mystery and people wanting to find out more. Cliffhangers are a good twist because they leave people to their own imagination and interpretation of the story.
Bibliography:
Forty-four Turkish Fairy Tales by Ignacz Kunos, link to web source
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Reading Notes: Turkish Fairy Tales, Part A
The first part of this reading was very interesting. I wasn't sure what to expect before I started reading the stories. I don't know a lot about the Turkish culture. The first story was about fear and a boy trying to find it. I like how the author included a lot of dialogue into his story. I think for my stories I need to do that more. I also liked the theme of the boy searching for fear, but not really being afraid of it. There were some fairytale aspects to the story, but it was not what I was anticipating. There were some maidens that found the boy and offered him some nice things, but he was still on the search for fear. As the boy was still in search, he was offered to be the Shah, but declined as he wished to find out what fear was first. I liked thought it was interesting that something landing on his head meant that he was the Shah. Eventually he sat down with the Sultana who was able to scare him by placing a bird in side the dish that when he opened it, it flew out. I thought the ending was pretty basic though. They all lived "happily ever after", and I thought something more dramatic was going to happen.
The next story that I liked from these was about a fisherman. The intro to the story really drew me in to it. The fisherman was able to discover his passion and from that he gained a fish. I like how the fish was brought to life. It really added a new dynamic to the story. I think it would be cool to bring something to life in one of my stories. I also thought it was unique what things the fisherman had to bring to the Padishah. He requested some extravagant things the fisherman was able to deliver so he wouldn't have to give up his maiden. My stories could use a little more creativity like these.
Bibliography:
Forty-four Turkish Fairy Tales by Ignacz Kunos, link to the reading online
The next story that I liked from these was about a fisherman. The intro to the story really drew me in to it. The fisherman was able to discover his passion and from that he gained a fish. I like how the fish was brought to life. It really added a new dynamic to the story. I think it would be cool to bring something to life in one of my stories. I also thought it was unique what things the fisherman had to bring to the Padishah. He requested some extravagant things the fisherman was able to deliver so he wouldn't have to give up his maiden. My stories could use a little more creativity like these.
(The Fish-Peri, web source)
Bibliography:
Forty-four Turkish Fairy Tales by Ignacz Kunos, link to the reading online
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