Novel Study - The Alchemist: Sept. 29 - Oct 2

Fri. Oct. 2/09
- Watch Will Smith's endorsement of The Alchemist.
Discuss:
-- Is focus, hustle and hard work enough to achieve a dream?
-- Does this celebrity's endorsement influence how you receive this book?
-- How much should we invest in our dreams? (time, money, energy)
- Listen to the Wiretap (CBC) podcast of the episode We Are But The Stuff of Dreams
Discuss:
-- Is Santiago more realistic than the Wiretap interviewee, Adam, who is seeking the woman of his dreams?
-- How do we rationally evaluate our dreams?
Discuss:
-- Thesis statement development for the biographical essay outline.


Thurs. Oct. 1/09 - Research Instructions
- Work in the computer lab J219 this class.
- Do more research on the author Paulo Coelho. Use the article you are given and information below:
- Finish watching part 2 of the "One on One" interview (Al Jazeera) Part 1 - Part 2
- Joost Interview - Celebrity: Paulo Coelho
- Paulo Coelho has a Web site and is on Facebook and Twitter.
- There are plans for a movie version of The Alchemist
- Use the Expository Biography Essay Outline. As you research, add information to the outline.
- You can use pencil for ease of editing.

Tues. Sept. 29 - Wed. Sept. 30
- Review the elements of fiction.
- Become familiar with the author Paulo Coelho.
- Read to p. 21 of The Alchemist and do up to questions 4 & 5.

Media Educaton: Sept. 21 - 25

Fri. Sept. 25/09 - Projects
We are working in the JP library computer lab today. Finish all projects for due dates.

Thurs. Sept. 24/09 - Media and Fraud
Using the RCMP Student Fraud Guide, solve the crossword puzzle

Wed. Sept. 23/09 - Media, Celebrity and Global Activism
View and discuss the video "The Bonoization of Aid."
Complete these two tasks in the computer lab:
- **Review the media representation piece from the United Nations Refugee Agency. Write point form responses on the deconstructing media handout.
- **Visit Look to the Stars and complete the celebrity information chart for any five people.
**Both tasks due as homework for Thursday, Sept. 24th's class.

Tues. Sept. 22/09 - Projects
Today, we're in the library computer lab working on journal responses and the My World at 7 and 14 project. Email completed projects to en8a at yahoo.ca
If you are finished everything, explore http://www.netsmartz.org/

Mon. Sept. 21/09 - Media and Celebrity
Today, we're examining the concepts of "celebrity" and "hero." We'll craft definitions for these terms and explore the construction of media "hype" surrounding celebrities/heroes through a couple of group activities. These activities will prepare students to critically evaluate the role of media in the transformation/elevation of celebrity to hero via global activism.

Media Education: Sept. 14 - 18

Friday. Sept. 18/09 - Documentary
- View the documentary "Rip: A Remix Manifesto."

Thurs. Sept. 17/09 - Documentary
- View and discuss selections from the Frontline documentary "Growing Up Online."

Wed. Sept. 16/09 - Project ( My World: Me at 7 and 14 ) * Due Sept. 30 (20 marks)
We are working in the library computer lab to create biographical profiles focusing on each student's world at ages 7 and 14.

• Students create media collage biographical profiles using their choice of handcrafted paper or computer generated displays (poster, PowerPoint, Impress, Animoto). If you want to use Animoto, the all-access promo code is A4Elab5362 (copy & paste code into promo window when you register).
• Use your own images or collect images from sites such as Wikimedia Commons.
• Do NOT use any photos of yourself or other people. Focus on the time, places, things, activities, etc.

Tues. Sept. 15/09 - Documentary Genre / Creative Commons
Today, we are viewing "Techno Babies: The Making of a Documentary."
We will also discuss Creative Commons and copyleft licensing, which is now a popular means of sharing creative work on the Internet. Many people are sharing their work through copyleft license terms, while others select copyright and public domain options.
We will introduce Animoto as a multimedia option for our project, My World: Me at 7 and 14. We will be working on these biographical profiles in the library on Wednesday. Wikimedia Commons is a good resource for photos and video clips.

Mon. Sept. 14/09 - Documentary Genre
Today, we continued with our focus on documentaries. We discussed media bias and privacy issues. We watched the documentary, Web Warriors, and discussed an opinion article about the reality TV show Jon and Kate Plus Eight. Please continue to work toward completion of your three journal responses, which are due on Sept. 28. Find specific information in last week's blog entry.