Blog Time!

Big decision to change the course calendar this week! I don't like to make any changes, but sometime they are necessary.

This week is time to work on your blog. The idea is not to wait until October 16, 17, or 18 and try to cram all of the required posts into those three days. The idea is to take time to write your thoughts, comment on the reading, respond to something interesting you read in another blog--while you are going on this journey through American literature.

A little secret? Those who wait to the last few days and post everything at once do not receive as many points as those who blog thoughout the first half of the semester.

Some people haven't created their blogs yet, either. They are missing out on some great opportunities to blog, read, comment, aren't they?

I love to blog, and I am currently participating in an online Bible study that is based on the book A Confident Heart by Renee Swope. I use my devotional blog to write my comments and answer questions. One of my other blogs is titled by a nickname one of my gifted/talented classes gave me, and I use it just to write random thoughts and record various events in my life. The third blog that I created is all about my grandson. Before his adoption was final, I wanted to record all of the moments that were so special to us and post pictures as well, but it was not wise at that time to make that blog public. I shared it with Jwana the other day and realized that once October 6 (Landon's Adoption Day) came, the blogging stopped! I need to work on that! I have so much more to add now.

Blogging for me is a release of emotions, a record of events, and a quick way to journal. Another thing Jwana and I talked about: It is sometimes easier to just type what is in our minds and hearts than to try to write it on paper. And once it is here in the blog, we don't lose it like we do scraps of paper, or a diary, or a notebook.

I challenge you to write at least two posts this week in your blog, to respond to at least two other blogs (including mine---don't be afraid to do so!), and to enjoy time at the computer, just sharing your thoughts about literature.

Happy Blogging!

Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Focus for today:

Sleepy Hollow - I love Washington Irving stories. He is such an imaginative writer, and his stories translate into entertainment for all ages. I remember my daughters watching a cartoon version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow one Saturday morning when they were little. It was around the time of Halloween---perfect time period.

A friend from Ivy Tech's Kokomo campus just returned from a trip to the East Coast. In one of her Facebook Posts she shared some pictures of the real Sleepy Hollow.


This is a picture of the Old Church at Sleepy Hollow.



Self-explanatory----but how cool!

My 'dream field trip' when I taught high school juniors (American Lit of course!) was to visit all of the literary places in New England....Salem, Mass; Tarrytown, N.Y.; Walden Pond; Old Manse; The Whaling Museum; Plymouth, Mass; Baltimore (Poe); and many more.

While I did get to Salem this summer when I was in Boston for the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Institute, I had to miss the other close place (Walden and Old Manse) because of transportation and time issues. One of these days, I will go back. What a fun trip that will be!

In the meantime I will enjoy re-reading the stories, checking the discussion boards for comments, and aniticapte lively discussions on Blackboard IM--and hopefully read some blog entries too!

Another journey.....

I love the start of a new blog! I have three of my own, not always active, but I do post in each of them at some time or another. I enjoy writing my own thoughts on paper, reflecting on daily occurrences, or just commenting on random thoughts.

This blog is the third I have begun for my American Lit courses. What fun it is to see the creativity of the students as they put together a blog to reflect their own personalities. Their posts are always interesting as well. Some are reluctant posters; others attack the activity with enthusiasm.

For now, create a blog. Make it your own. However, it must be literature related, in some way. If you enjoy a particular time period, then focus on it. If there are authors that you particularly enjoy, then create a blog around them. If you enjoy verse, then share your favorite poems.

Happy Blogging!!