Jane Austen Backlash

For those of you who are reviewing Pride and Prejudice, you might want to read this article from Sirens Magazine:
Jane Austen Must Die!
which argues that Jane Austen’s heroines (including Elizabeth Bennett) are hopelessly outdated for today’s women.
What do you think? Is Jane Austen anti-feminist?

Students 2.0

Here’s a blog that just launched that I immediately added to my feed reader:
Students 2.0
It’s being written by eight students from all around the world who are questioning how education should change with the changing times. These are really great models of the kind of enlightened writing blogging can produce. Here’s an article that I [...]

Haitian Immigrants in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Weekly has a compelling story of a few people who are trying to help Haitian immigrants in Philadelphia:
You Can’t Go Home Again

I wonder how you feel this story jives against the stories and experiences you’ve read about in class?

Hot Zone: Ebola Outbreak in Uganda

Of interest to those of you reading The Hot Zone:
Don’t know if you’ve heard this on the news or not, but an ebola outbreak is developing in Uganda. 29 are confirmed dead because of the virus and 113 are suspected to be infected. There’s some worry that this will spread to the capital city of [...]

Foil Phishing

This morning I received this e-mail:
Dear MasterCard Member,
For the User Agreement, Section 9, MasterCard may immediately issue a warning, temporarily suspend, indefinitely suspend or terminate your Credit Card and refuse to provide our services to you if we believe that your actions may cause financial loss or legal liability for you, our users or us. [...]

Movie Posters

First of all — you guys are doing a pretty great job with your blog posts. Keep it up — and don’t forget to comment on your group-mates’ posts!
Second of all — those of you who posted your My Space vignettes: I’m blown away. You guys exceeded my expectations, and you really should read some [...]

What’s happened to the blogging, guys?

Dude, 7th graders: What happened to all the blogging you guys were supposed to do?
You guys should be discussing a specific aspect of storytelling in class, and then analyzing that aspect in a story on your blog that night (taking turns, of course). Is that happening?
And why aren’t you guys commenting on each other’s posts? [...]

7th Grade Short Story Assignment

Short story due Thursday, Dec. 13. Any topic, any genre. It’s rare that I’ll give an assignment this open-ended so take advantage of it, and show me your creativity!
At least 5 pages, typed, double-spaced, 12-point font. I’ll be collecting it by hand on Thursday, Dec. 13.
Make sure your story has all the elements of [...]

Memoirs Assignment: My Space

Due Friday, Dec. 7. Write a descriptive vignette about a place that you have strong feelings for. Show, don’t tell as you fill your vignette with sensory details about the place. Avoid direct statements; instead, let your description indirectly communicate to the reader your personality and feelings.
Your vignette should be 2-3 pages, typed, double-spaced on [...]