Lesson 16

15 Novembro 2016, 10:00 • Katarzyna Dominika Karpowicz Osowska

- "Teenage wasteland" - a short story by Anne Tyler (pp. 120-129)

Narrative English - Part 1

14 Novembro 2016, 16:00 • Hilda Alexandra Prazeres Eusebio

You are going to be given a narrative writing homework assignment.

Here is a prime example of what I DON'T WANT you to hand in:

I was riding my bike down the hill. My friends were with me. We came to this hill all the time. I went off the jump. My arm broke. It hurt a lot. My friends took me home. My parents took me to the hospital. The doctor put my arm in a cast.

Source: http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=31180

Tedious, isn't it?

Here is the kind of thing I want:

It was a beautiful, summer’s day.  I was five years old and I skipped out to my swing.  The swing was based on my favorite cartoon, Sesame Street.  I loved to swing so high that I’d almost throw up.  As I skipped out the door, I saw something very wrong.  My older sister was on my swing.  She smiled at me and kept swinging. 

Her long brown hair swung behind her and then in front of her again.  Her legs pumped even higher.  I could tell from the expression on her face that she was mocking me.  She knew that the swing was mine and yet she was on it.

“Get off my swing, right now!” I shouted at her.

She smiled, “Nope,” and then kept on swinging.

“Get off now or else,” I stated between clenched teeth.

“Or else what?” she smirked and then stuck her tongue out at me.   

Next, blood filled my face.  My fists tightened until my fingernails dug into the palms.  I ran at full speed for her.  My stubby, little legs gaining speed.  I felt like Batman flying through the air.  I threw my body at her, knocking us both onto the ground. 

I had always been a biter.  I was the type of kid that bit the neighbor’s kid and chewed on tables.  It was my defense mechanism.  I would bite on something whenever I was frustrated or wanted to get someone’s attention.  It always worked.

My sister, Mel, was crushed on the ground and still disoriented from me jumping on her.  I took advantage of the situation and sunk my teeth into her smooth, pink cheek.  Blood filled my mouth and I could hear her screaming. 

I felt my mother’s arms wrap around my waist.  She pulled me until I was completely off of my sister, so I unclenched my teeth.  Mel held her face while the blood spilled between her white fingers.  I climbed onto my swing while they rushed her inside.

Miraculously, she didn’t need stitches, but she and I both learned something about one another, which took a long time for us to get over.  We learned that I would use violence to get what I wanted and that she would continue to bait me until I got there.  

Source: http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=31180

Homework assignment

You are going to write a story about something that has happened to you, i.e. a memoir or a memory – this can be pure fiction but should still be told in the style of a memory or memoir;

–Use descriptive details – use the five senses so that we can feel like we're there.

–Write about one event that lasts between 1 - 5 minutes,

–Try to include some background information (which should come with the details);

–Aim for a catchy beginning that sucks us in and grabs our attention.

–Narrate the events in a clear order – otherwise it will be confusing;

–Show us what this event means to you by adopting a specific mood or tone;

–make sure the writing is smooth – the sentences should follow each other naturally so that the reader is experiencing exactly what the narrator is experiencing, in a linear way;

–350-400 words, double-spaced, SIZE 12 ARIAL;

–DUE 23rd November, NO LATER THAN 23:59.

Students went on to learn about narrative viewpoints (please choose one for your piece!). This information is available in the coursebook.

Students went on to read - in class - The Flowers by Alice Walker.

Oral Presentation Proposals

14 Novembro 2016, 16:00 • Paula Alexandra Carvalho Alves Rodrigues Horta

One-to-one discussion of students' oral presentation proposals.

Test

14 Novembro 2016, 12:00 • David Alan Prescott

Written essay or comprehension exercise in class

Oral Presentation Proposals

14 Novembro 2016, 10:00 • Paula Alexandra Carvalho Alves Rodrigues Horta

One-to-one discussion of students' oral presentation proposals.