Discussion Forum – A Childrens Book You Cannot Forget
Length of Initial Post – 300-350 words
Deadline for Original or Initial Post – Saturday, Sept. 4, 11:59 p.m.
Tasks:
Get acquainted with our course in Blackboard: taking the online lay of the land. Carefully examine and THOROUGHLY familiarize yourself with ALL introductory materials below.
Memories of books we read as children. Listen to these writers podcasts describing memorable books from their childhood: Anne Lamott on Pippi Longstocking, Powerful Book Encounters, and Reading As Our First Window To The World. Think about your own earliest, most memorable books. Post on Discussion Forum #1 (deadline for Initial Post on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 11:59
Writing Prompt:
The theme of this weeks Learning Module is Memorable Books.
Think back to your childhood, your childhood reading experiences, your most memorable book. Share your story of that memorable book experience that you had as a child.
Go back and listen to the podcasts again. Let their words and stories inspire you.
Anne Lamott talks about the book that changed her life, as a child. Three writersChloe Benjamin, Natalia Sylvester and Rebecca Traistertalk about how people really remember the first books they fall in love with. And how even childrens books they only read later in lifelike the Harry Potter booksfelt cozy, like Christmases. Steve Paulson remarks how, in his opinion, your most powerful readings experiences are when you are young. Pamela Paul, speaking with Steve, also reflects on the power that Harry Potter had for her.
Writer Anne Lamott says she found salvation in childrens books. She goes into great detail about one book in particular, Pippi Longstocking. She recalls how Pippi radicalized the other people in her world, how she got them to do things that were way scarier than she would ever do, got them to go a little farther beyond their guard. Reading that book made Anne feel: Theres a place in this world for me. For odd, strange, strong, me. Even the cover of the book was special to her. As she reflects back, she recalls that she had a safety spot, a place where she did her reading, a place whereas she puts itshe could get away with it, could read without having a grownup come by and ask her to do something. Later, in life, she was able to see Pippi in Maudeanother character in a movie she saw Harold and Maudethat changed her life forever. For ever.
On this weeks Discussion Forum, share your story of your book. Talk about the book, the character, and what made that character so memorable. How did he/she relate to their world, and why did it affect you so much? Was the book cover a part of that experience? The illustrations? Describe whatever you remember and why it was powerful, why it has stuck with you to this day. Do you remember the circumstances, how the book came into your hands? Or did someone read it to you? Include these bits of memory in your story. Did youlike Anne Lamotthave a safety spot, a special place or a special time of reading?
Here are some additional questions to help trigger your reflections:
Did you connect with the story on a personal levelthat is, did it make you make you think about your life, or help you deal with life issues?
Did reading this book prompt you to read other books by the same author?
Did you ever return to the book later in life? If so, did you enjoy the book as much, or more? How did it change for you?
A reminder from the syllabus about Discussion Forum posts: Your post will be evaluated for insight, specificity, and creativity. Little credit will be given for summaries, clichs, and vague thoughts. Standard rules of grammar, punctuation, syntax and diction apply. Keep in mind all you have learned about good essay writing! WRITING IN ALL CAPS is not acceptable, nor is writing in all small letters. Posting is not texting: u and 4 and lol are not words, etc., etc.
Bear in mind, also, that hasty posts are rarely happy posts. Compose your post in a Word document first, editing and proofreading so that the writing is clear, concise, and correct. Only after crafting your writing are you ready to paste your post into the discussion thread for others to view.
