Good first day, and a list of links to use for teaching performative poetry...




Well, winter's definitely dug in. We have plenty of snow. We have the cold temps back in force, with even colder ones on the way. Yay. Highs in the single digits by Saturday. I'm glad I have a writing class to be in most all day.

I yearn for sunshine, warmth, not having to wear a/ boots, b/ coats, c/ gloves, etc. I don't like scraping my car windows, Sam-I-Am. 

But it's second semester, and the first day went well, I think. I am down to five (from seven) students in my creative writing class, but they are a nice crew, and we'll get on well. I have a full house for AP Lit, and they seem willing to get on with the whole biz, so that's good, too. Most of them have had me for at least one class (some two) before now, so they know the drill. The new three will catch up. 

I got my grades done quickly (even the requisite parent emails telling them that their kids who did no work did not pass), and had plenty of time to eat lunch. This new term will be better in a lot of ways because it's more my favorite stuff (writing and literature), good kids, and a little breathing room in my schedule. I sure hope so. I'm still exhausted from the first one. 

I need to figure out how to embed the AP practice into the lit curriculum; it's not as flexible as the composition one last term, but I think I can figure it out. I'll spend a little bit of that open time working on that this week. 

So, in AP Lit, we are starting with a type of lit circle: kids are reading one of three possible Mosher short stories, and we are going to have a conversation tomorrow about how he creates character, setting, and how the setting is a type of silent character as well. Then, Thursday and Friday, we'll watch Where the Rivers Flow North. Some watched it with me last year, but it bears re-watching, especially with the short stories in mind, and the focus elements in the forefront. The main goal is to start thinking critically, and being able to identify the complexity in the narratives in order to explore how those work for the story. 

But first block is creative writing, and that's coffee, muffin, music, and writing time. Amen. Great start to the day, mostly. We'll explore spoken word poetry/ lyrics/ rap/ recitation today, and figure out what the elements are that make certain poems really work well for performance. Then, maybe they can write one that would be good for performance. We'll see. The list of links I'm going to use is below. Enjoy!

Sounds fun, eh? Wish you were here. 

Have a good day, hold your favorites close, and stay away from the icy bits...

C


Joaquin Zihuatanejo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQcTqJWYuhk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm6d9nByyjk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJH2-xhZGHE

Sarah Kay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WEaoVDWDYM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGDB3ZqSTwM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=387xDaK_VAo

Sinead O'Connor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ8BYNS1VYU&list=RDxZ8BYNS1VYU&start_radio=1

U2/Gospel Choir:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8Wt3dhF4fU&list=RDM8Wt3dhF4fU&start_radio=1

Rudy Francisco:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3F0FfNiFss

Fady Joudah:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXeWWk_cFXk

Padraig O'Tuama:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgZT6UJocRs

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