Junie Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Ed help please. Dd's lit assignment today was to write a "nature themed poem". (Assigned by the Oak Meadow syllabus). She handed me a Roses are Red, Violets are Blue ditty. So I said "nice try but no cigar". So she handed me a second verse to the Roses are Red, Violets are Blue ditty. So I said, "forget poetry.". Give me a prose description of our back yard and bird feeder with lots of adjectives and adverbs. She handed me a list of adjectives and adverbs. Sigh. Do you think that fourth time is a charm? In the past I would have given up because in the past she would have been melting down. But she's in 10th grade. I'm not expecting Emily Dickinson etc. but I do expect her to do the assignment in either poetry or descriptive prose. OK - while I wrote this post, she wrote on a piece of paper: "Cats are hunting birds, while they eat. The backyard is like a jungle, overgrown, green and somewhat dead." I'm leaving this for today because she threw the syllabus at me (which I made her come back and pick up) and has retreated to her room. If I push more, I will not get any work from her but will get a meltdown. (She's had what I call "writing mutism" in all preceding school years. This year I'm getting more writing out of her but it is still a struggle.) Anyway. . . next week (probably Tuesday because Monday we will be occupied with the doctor) I have promised her that we are going to work on this descriptive paragraph. So what do I make her do to this? And how? I've heard people refer to "dress ups" from IEW? What does that mean in practical terms? :grouphug: I think Krissi was on the right track with helping her to create free verse. Maybe she can see the yard from the cat's point of view. Or the bird's. Think about not just visual elements, but sounds and smells. What does the grass feel like? I don't require poetry writing of my own kids (even though I was a high school English teacher). Truthfully, I don't know that poetry writing can be taught to someone who doesn't want to do it. I may be wrong on that, but it's my working theory at the moment. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junie Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Critterfixer and I were posting at the same time. I'm glad to see that the writer on our thread had similar ideas to mine. :) 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 You can tell her there are much worse things to write than poems. Query letters for instance. :laugh: 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I have three more of the things to send out, and I'll be done with December's quota. I'll probably take two weeks off from querying for the Christmas break, and then get after it again in January. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I have three more of the things to send out, and I'll be done with December's quota. I'll probably take two weeks off from querying for the Christmas break, and then get after it again in January. I'm behind on my writing production schedule. :svengo: I was supposed to have another Singing Time class completely written (only halfway done), and the first two weeks of a semester class done (haven't started). I guess I should get busy. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Hey people, you don't have to agree too enthusiastically with this. :lol: Well, it has been immortalized by being placed in the ITT iNote archives. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 We were supposed to finish A Midsommer Night's Dream and the last lesson in the writing book today but only started them. We'll finish up Monday, I guess. It's been a crazy week. Next week the kids only have to do math and instrument practice. Whew. I am ready for a break! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I think I'm falling in love with Critter. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luuknam Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Well, it has been immortalized by being placed in the ITT iNote archives. Maybe I should change the text above my avatar to "renowned writer and poet", huh? 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luuknam Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 (edited) Other thought: what if you were to ask her to write a song about nature? (thinking a lot of teens might respond better to that idea, but I have no clue) Edited December 9, 2017 by luuknam 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMJ Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Ed help please. Dd's lit assignment today was to write a "nature themed poem". (Assigned by the Oak Meadow syllabus). She handed me a Roses are Red, Violets are Blue ditty. So I said "nice try but no cigar". So she handed me a second verse to the Roses are Red, Violets are Blue ditty. So I said, "forget poetry.". Give me a prose description of our back yard and bird feeder with lots of adjectives and adverbs. She handed me a list of adjectives and adverbs. Sigh. Do you think that fourth time is a charm? In the past I would have given up because in the past she would have been melting down. But she's in 10th grade. I'm not expecting Emily Dickinson etc. but I do expect her to do the assignment in either poetry or descriptive prose. OK - while I wrote this post, she wrote on a piece of paper: "Cats are hunting birds, while they eat. The backyard is like a jungle, overgrown, green and somewhat dead." I'm leaving this for today because she threw the syllabus at me (which I made her come back and pick up) and has retreated to her room. If I push more, I will not get any work from her but will get a meltdown. (She's had what I call "writing mutism" in all preceding school years. This year I'm getting more writing out of her but it is still a struggle.) Anyway. . . next week (probably Tuesday because Monday we will be occupied with the doctor) I have promised her that we are going to work on this descriptive paragraph. So what do I make her do to this? And how? I've heard people refer to "dress ups" from IEW? What does that mean in practical terms? I really like that second sentence. Can she expound on that further? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luuknam Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I Linear Algebra'd. And now my ear hurts (only slightly thus far). I don't know what's up - I've been wheezing a ton this entire week, the tiniest bit of coughing, and the occasional sore throat, the tiniest bit of needing to blow my nose, so it's like I'm getting sick, but it's staying right at that superficial level (other than the wheezing - there have been a couple of times that that got pretty bad). I wish I'd either just actually get sick and then better, or (preferably) that it'd just go away, instead of just lingering. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMJ Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I'm with Krissi - have her use what she's already got. I like Krissi's poem. Also, maybe you could find some examples online of bad nature poems to show her, just so she can see you don't need publication-worthy stuff - that stuff like that will do. I don't know that it's a hill to die on though, especially since it is so hard to find a legit real-life purpose, and she did manage to come up with two roses are red ditties. When I was a kid (circa K-1st grade), we had poëzie-albums (poetry albums), which we mispronounced as poezie-albums (kitty albums), and which you'd have all your friends and family members write a poem in, along with some pretty stickers. of course, many kids had their parents write stuff, or copied a poem, since in NL they don't even begin to teach writing until 1st grade, but anyway... it was neat. not sure that's related, other than as something popular from about 1989/1990 that could maybe have a retro resurgence moment at some point. Very poorly written poem I just wrote using the "just start with something and then think of words that will rhyme"-method... obviously not a recipe for great poetry, but it will do the job for an assignment like that (or I think it will... I mean, it's obviously not worth an A, but it can get a C, right?): It is dark out. The wind howls. Please don't pout Put away your trowels And have a pint of stout Tomorrow is another day To work out in the garden So please go put the tools away And let the plants harden In the wind coming from the bay Come morning the many birds will sing The sun will shine so bright The flowers'll bloom and vines will cling When it no more is night Displaying nature's own bling-bling. :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luuknam Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Also, I thought colds and the like were supposed to linger *afterwards*, not prelinger. (I think I just invented a word - not sure if there's a better word already in existence). 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMJ Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Also, I thought colds and the like were supposed to linger *afterwards*, not prelinger. (I think I just invented a word - not sure if there's a better word already in existence). That's a good word! You could even make a sign: Prelingering Not Allowed. THAT would catch peoples' eyes! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMJ Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Laundry beckons. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Laundry beckons.My messy kitchen beckons. We just came back from a walk around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights. In years past our subdivision was quite famous for its abundance of decorated houses. Now... not so much. There is one “Griswold Houseâ€, though, which is pretty cool. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I think I'm falling in love with Critter. Well that’s awkward. Who’s going to tell Mr. Critter? And Matt? 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I am so mad at Stupid Cat. He nibbles on a couple of pieces of pizza [emoji487] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lots of little ducklings Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I don't require poetry writing of my own kids (even though I was a high school English teacher). Truthfully, I don't know that poetry writing can be taught to someone who doesn't want to do it. I may be wrong on that, but it's my working theory at the moment. I think SWB was kind of meh about creative writing in a thing she did once. Not that it isn't valuable, but that it isn't the best approach to learning writing for most kids (does poetry constitute creative writing?? ). Anyway, with so much pushback, I'm inclined to think that reading poetry is probably more valuable than writing it at this point? And that poetry may not be a hill worth dying on. Take this with a huge bucket of salt, though. I haven't got teenagers yet and know nothing about poetry (except the exceptional collection of haiku I've enjoyed here on ITT). 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lots of little ducklings Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Pizza pizza chomp Chomp chomp chomp chomp chomp chomp chomp Stupid stupid Cat 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I don’t like it when manufacturers pronounce the names of their products wrong- ok differently than the way I have been pronouncing it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I saw Renai today! I saw Renai today! I even waved! Online? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lots of little ducklings Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I saw Angi today! I saw Angi today! (Well, actually her brilliant child. Because my kid was spilling food all over the kitchen floor and then demanding I take him to go potty. So I missed most of the class, including Angi's wave, apparently.) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 (edited) Conversation with baby. Baby is 4, btw, but the youngest so we still call her Baby. Dh eating a cookie. Baby: what you eating? Dh: biscuit. Baby: mommy make bistuits. With tocolate chips. Dey yummy. Can I have a bistuit? I found some sugar wafers for her. Me: here. Only eat 1 or 2. Baby: or a thousand??? Baby opens the bag. Baby: ummm!! Dese are soo dood!! I still call my 7 year old Baby.😜😜 Edited December 9, 2017 by KrissiK 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 My messy kitchen is messy no longer. Now, Latin!! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Did Oak Meadow just say, "Write a poem," and give no further scaffolding? I know my kids would have a problem with that. DS(16) may be able to handle it but only because we did MCT poetry when he was younger and some other poetry related stuff after. I would find her an easy (short) poem model to follow, maybe a cinquain or even a haiku and call it a day. Or a limerick! I wouldn't go for a sonnet unless she feels ambitious. All she has to do is follow the formula and it doesn't have to be good or inspired. Poetry is art and not everyone is an artist. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I'm going to have ITTers always do the first in all my series, so they can tell me when I screw up, and still leave great feedback, lol! Nah, jk. Actually, of the 6 kids (not counting mine), only two were new. The other 4 were ITTers. I had a blast! It was a cool class though: there was an age range of 4-12, and they all said they liked it! Singing is a real unifier. :) 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luuknam Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I don’t like it when manufacturers pronounce the names of their products wrong- ok differently than the way I have been pronouncing it! DW can't stand Hyundai commercials, because they DO mispronounce it for the American market. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lots of little ducklings Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I'm going to have ITTers always do the first in all my series, so they can tell me when I screw up, and still leave great feedback, lol! Nah, jk. Actually, of the 6 kids (not counting mine), only two were new. The other 4 were ITTers. I had a blast! It was a cool class though: there was an age range of 4-12, and they all said they liked it! Singing is a real unifier. :) I love how vocal my dd's are getting! Especially Dd8. She was so shy in the first class she took with you, but now I think they all realize that you are a real person (as opposed to, say, Daniel Tiger). They are interacting so well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lots of little ducklings Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Landon loves your classes! I need to go write a review! I'm terrible with words! Dare you to write a haiku. :laugh: 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 You sure MY child was brilliant?!?! I didn't realize your child was there!! I was running through doing work. Yes, your child is brilliant! He just jumps right in there, and accepts correction easily. He is ... quite enthusiastic, lol! And, you canNOT miss the three little ducklings that were there!!!! Cutest little mallards you'll ever see :D 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lots of little ducklings Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 You sure MY child was brilliant?!?! I didn't realize your child was there!! I was running through doing work. The trio of girls are mine. :hat: I knew to look for your ds because Renai gave me a heads-up that you'd enrolled. Didn't know for sure who belonged to you, but I guessed right! And yes.... it was glow of brilliance that tipped me off. ITT kids are known for that. :coolgleamA: 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I love how vocal my dd's are getting! Especially Dd8. She was so shy in the first class she took with you, but now I think they all realize that you are a real person (as opposed to, say, Daniel Tiger). They are interacting so well. I know, they've grown so much! And I try to remember to call each student's name at least twice, so they know I'm paying attention to them. I think it helps make a connection. But, now I don't remember if I did that in this class... :confused1: And I didn't say goodbye to that other little kid before he left. :sad: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lots of little ducklings Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I know, they've grown so much! And I try to remember to call each student's name at least twice, so they know I'm paying attention to them. I think it helps make a connection. But, now I don't remember if I did that in this class... :confused1: And I didn't say goodbye to that other little kid before he left. :sad: Which was probably my fault! I jumped in to chat, thinking others had signed off. Didn't realize until later that you were still live. Landon loves Renai He even talks in her class Renai is awesome! Perfect!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Landon loves Renai He even talks in her class Renai is awesome! I think I'm going to frame this. :D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lots of little ducklings Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 (edited) Lament of a BWG Alas, 'tis midnight To bed I must promptly go Pedicure at 9 Edited December 9, 2017 by Lotsoflittleducklings 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I still call my 7 year old Baby.[emoji12][emoji12] I call my 20 and 15 year olds my babies. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 (edited) I think I'm falling in love with Critter. :blush: It's my curly metaphors, isn't it? ETA: Booya. Just for you, Slache. Edited December 9, 2017 by Critterfixer 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Insomnia Bubble and boil, Trouble and toil, The sound of the kettle at four Insomnia bites, And so I won’t fight, I’ll just get up and write some more. Random Musings 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 It is freezing in this house. I wish I could go back to bed. But it's no good trying. I'd have to get up in forty minutes anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Imma nap when I get home from work today. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I think I'm falling in love with Critter. Well you have to share her. Otherwise there may be duels. I saw Renai today! I saw Renai today! I even waved! I saw Angi today! I saw Angi today! (Well, actually her brilliant child. Because my kid was spilling food all over the kitchen floor and then demanding I take him to go potty. So I missed most of the class, including Angi's wave, apparently.) Jealous! I still call my 7 year old Baby.😜😜Me too (dd8). She said she doesn't mind. :D My messy kitchen is messy no longer.!! Mine is still messy. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Good morning! Dd15 has her midstate audition this morning and everyone has Children's Choir Christmas Concert this afternoon. The Middles have a church youth group Christmas party tonight. Things are winding down! Y'all were on a roll last night with the poetry! How are you feeling, Slache? Coffee! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 🎈🎈🎈🎉 Happy Birthday, Bookworm! 🎉🎈🎈🎈 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Lynn Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Happy Birthday Bookie! 🎉🎉🎉 (Same day as my 2nd ds! 🎉🎉🎉) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Lynn Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 An afterthought for Jean... what if EP were writing a descriptive paragraph of activity at the Y for a marketing campaign/brochure? Would she be more descriptive of something near/dear to her? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 🎈🎈🎈🎉 Happy Birthday 2nd Son of Lynn! 🎉🎈🎈🎈 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Insomnia Bubble and boil, Trouble and toil, The sound of the kettle at four Insomnia bites, And so I won’t fight, I’ll just get up and write some more. Random Musings See, Critter, this is the type of stuff that will keep you a following on facebook. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 My FIL sends out a weekly email to the whole family to keep in touch and this week he kept talking about his primary care doctor who was a "womb" expert and he was going to be seeing her once a week for "womb care". I wonder if anyone will let him know that he has a "wound", not a "womb". :D 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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