Where I’m from ~ this is the title of a poem written by George Ella Lyon. The poem captures moments in the poet’s life that begin to tell us something about her history, her values, her cultural background. You may not understand all the terms she uses, because they come from a particular time and……
Rebuilding Arcadia, Book 1, gives students the opportunity to practice steampunk world-building, either through art projects or creative writing. Descriptions of the Capitol are general enough for students to easily add their own details and feel confident experimenting with setting and character development. For Chapter One – Utopia – encourage students to expand on the…
For any discussion of power, privilege or identity, it’s important to establish that the lesson is a workshop or open discussion, rather than an opportunity for indoctrination. While this may seem obvious to teachers, it still needs to be stated, as in many cultures the student-teacher relationship is itself a power dynamic. Teachers take on…
The Teacher -Writer by Christine M. Dawson, Robert P. Yagelski. For those teachers struggling to add creativite writing into their lives, this book is invaluable. Very much a professional development resource, it describes the writing journeys of five colleagues and makes practical suggestions for developing your writing practice. Here’s an opening quote from Chapter 3:…
Define the phrase imperial nostalgia (in your own words). Read Chapter One – Utopia. How might a preoccupation with security connect to this concept? Suggested Readings: The Rule of Empires by Timothy H. Parsons
I can’t create believable characters – they seem to lack their own voice. Here’s a practical exercise that can help you get started: Picture the last time you felt a strong emotion. Now write for 15 minutes about that experience. Don’t correct your writing. Don’t criticize yourself. Don’t change words to make yourself sound smart,…
I’m terrible at managing my time. I don’t know how to get started and I don’t have a writing routine. Time management and motivation are learned behaviors. There are many ways to build these habits. Here’s something you can try: Block off large spaces of time in your week, so you can re-center yourself and…
What will people think? I’m not a good writer, never got A’s in English and I’m constantly making mistakes. Writing is hard work. There’s no magic pixie dust that settles on the author’s desk, signalling a period of inspiration. Hang on there! Are you saying there’s no such thing as talent? Not at all. But…
What is implied by the subtitle of Chapter One – 10 Years after Fallout? Define the term ecotopia. Write a short descriptive explanation linking the two terms. Explore how one reality would lead to the other. Suggested Readings MATHISEN, W. (2001). The Underestimation of Politics in Green Utopias: The Description of Politics in Huxley’s…
Rebuilding Arcadia is set in a steampunk universe. This means that history has taken a different course. Events in the past have led to a radically different future. Take a moment to examine historic events, organizations and political entities. Use reasoning, logic and your imaginations to explore how this world may have developed. Answer those tricky…