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Favourite novels…They were all written by someone!

9engf — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:56:53 +0000

Over the holidays I have had the chance to do a bit of reading. Among others I picked up Tim Winton latest novel, “Turnings”. Again a beautifully written, if somewhat confronting narrative that I am enjoying immensely. I love the language that Tim Winton uses: He describes scenes and experiences so vividly. His particularly Australian turns of phrase are sensational. That is true of all his books, from “Blueback”, through the “Lockie Leonard” series and his most famous “Cloudstreet” and “Dirt Music”. The first few are written with adolescent audiences in mind and are a great place to start reading his works. The other reason I enjoy his writing is because he is my age. Many of his experiences and perceptions draw on a similar life stage to me, so I’m happy to register his insights as ways of illuminating my own journey. With all the discussion of good novels to choose this term, I wonder if people can nominate their favourite author and explain why you like their work. It may be that you have read only one of their texts and are looking for more (perhaps they have written only one!). Perhaps you have read a number of their works. What makes them a good author – why dio you think their work is so readable. Take the time to tell the world!

Happy reading!

Literature Circles

9engf — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:45:53 +0000

As a class we have been using literature circles as a way into looking at specific texts. As a general observation, most students seem to have found the experience an opportunity to read a novel they had some choice in selecting and sharing this with a small group. Blogs offer another way to share thoughts and insights into particular texts. Rebecca has already been experimenting wuth this idea in her blog. I’d love to see some comments blogs posted about the text that you have read to open that discussion to a wider audience. Share some of your experience of the literature circle experience by commenting on this blog.

Happy reading!

Berniep

Issues

9engf — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 12:14:31 +0000

An interesting class today. A chance to look at the issues that are current in the world and that class members are passsionate about. Lots of issues identified. Could it be that there is very little passion for the goings on of the rest of the world. I had an interesting discussion today with a lecturer in a course I am doing. She said that she was concerned by the seemingly unconcerned approach oif young people to the world around them. The argument was that, provided that young people have ipods and phones and MSN they will not look at the world around them. I argued that the gadgets represent a desire to be connected with the world. She wondered if that went beyond their close friends. Now, my obswervation is that generally the group of friends stretches and concern for others can take on some extraordinary forms. I’d love to hear what does concern the members of the class. (And anybody else passing this way)

Shalom

Berniep

The continuing Saga of blogging

9engf — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 02:47:49 +0000

Most of the students in the class seem to have mastered the nut and bolts. Actually writing to your audience is the challenging bit. Try to find things that other share as inteerests so that they can add to your post.

Teacher Auction

9engf — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 02:02:33 +0000

I have just been auctioned at a school fundraiser and the students who have been successful in hiring me are unsure of how to use this time. I think it should be fun but manage something like respect at the same time. I’m interested to hear what others think they should do with this time.

It is an extraordinary experience to be auctuioned. Almost every teacher I spoke to had the same concern: What if noone is prepared to put in a bid. We are an insecure mob!

See ya

Berniep

Help!

9engf — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 01:31:57 +0000

Thanks for reading my blog. This is my first experience at blogging and I have really enjoyed others in th class being able to show me what to do next. What I’m really interested in is thinking of what I might write about. In other words, what do you think people would be interested in hearing about.. Any suggestions?????