Lily's Crossing Part Two

Hello Everyone, Here I talk briefly about the final chapters of Lily's Crossing--with a few words about Domestic Fiction.

Again, class officially concludes on Saturday, July 5; however, I will accept material up to and including Sunday, July 6.

A quick word about grades, which you can see posted, of course. Remember, however, that total points do not mean much at all, so do not go by that percentage. See the Syllabus for the weighted percentages, for weight counts:

Discussion Threads: 16%

Quizzes: 16%

Book Reviews: 32%

Essay ONE : 12%, Alphabet Book

Essay TWO: 12%, Fairy Tale

Essay THREE: 12%, Fiction

Go well this final week of the term, Bill

Lily's Crossing Part One

Hello Everyone,

This week we begin a very popular novel for young readers, grades 5-7 or so.


And in this short (27 minutes) video, I talk about the first ten chapters--you need not listen to all the tape, as I assigned only the first seven chapters for this week.

(I did not sneeze!)

While classes officially close on July 5, a Saturday, I will accept work up to and including Sunday 6 July.

Enjoy the reading, Bill

Feed: Part Two

Burr Oak

Hello Everyone,

Here I highlight issues, themes, characters, and other matters connected with pages 40-166, a tall order for around 30 minutes.

But I want to provide you with a strong foundation for reading this engaging and serious Young Adult novel that has earned high critical praise and continues to garner serious attention.

Read with a good eye for detail and with pleasure.

Enjoy, Bill

Thoughts on Essay Revisions

Hello Everyone,

Here you will find a short video of approximately thirty minutes about revising and writing your essays for the class. Now begins the major writing phase of the term, and all your remaining work will mirror in many ways what you accomplished with your first efforts.

Learn from the process even if you do not have the time right now to revise the efforts; however, I hope that everyone will undertake at least a couple revisions.

Remember that for pretty much all the essays, you will find examples (here) of some excellent work done previously. And to look over some helpful information about grammar, punctuation, and style, check this link. This link, in addition, will take you to a list of the twenty most common errors in all writers (not students alone); study and improve your skills.

Do a good job, Bill

Feed Part One

Greetings and Welcome to Feed.

You will begin reading Feed this week, and the assignment asks that you read the first forty pages.

This short video will introduce to this Science Fiction novel and suggest some areas on which you might focus.

Stick with the reading and enjoy the experience.

And watch out for lesions!

Bill

Skeleton Man, Part Two

Joseph Bruchac

In this brief video, I talk with you a bit about the final chapters of Skeleton Man, pointing out some things on which you want to concentrate your attention.

Like many Fairy Tales, this one clearly threatens violence but also concludes with an uplifting resolution and reinforces some important ideas along the way.

To see a video interview with the author, click here or on this blog entry's title.

Enjoy the reading, Bill

Skeleton Man and Little Red Riding Hood

Hello Everyone,

To watch the video greetings for the week, just scroll down before listening to this short 28-minute presentation that introduces you to Skeleton Man, the novel we begin this week and that talks a bit about the versions of Little Red Riding Hood you will read.

As the notes indicate, you will discover on the internet a wealth of material about this enduring tale. In fact, here you can watch Sum Guize, a bluegrass band that includes Peru State Art Professor Ken Anderson and UNO Creative Writing Professor, Art Homer--to see some of his reading and singing from his April visit to Peru State, click here--perform a song about Little Red Riding Hood.

As usual, we have a lot of reading, but you will find all the material of interest. So read carefully the notes and take in the videos when you have a chance--before or after the reading.

Enjoy a productive week, Bill

Thoughts About The Alphabet Book Essay

Hello Everyone,

Before you write your first essay, give this video your attention; I originally made the video for the spring term of Children's Literature.

The few minutes focus on consideration about this Alphabet essay, the form of which you will pursue in all remaining compositions you put together for the remainder of the term.

If you have questions, contact me right away.

Take a look at this excellent example of an Alphabet Essay, one that goes beyond what you must fulfill his assignment.

Do a good job, and contact me with your questions.

Give the short video of less than fifteen minutes your serious attention.