We can put discussion topics here - perhaps in the comments below, or links or attachments. This will ultimately be deleted, so it's really just a workspace.
In addition to Ragtime, I think we should both read both of the possible Fitzgerald novels. Reading both of them will help us prepare and be on the same page, as well as letting us make an informed decision about which one to choose for the students. Do you want to make this summer reading for us? And if so, shall we start out early in the summer, and perhaps have them both read by the end of June? Then we could meet after that, talk through the pros and cons about both novels, and that will be a springboard for further conversations.
And do you want to give me an assignment? It could be more than what our students will do. Perhaps a biography of a musician? Or burn me some CDs to become familiar with? I've spent a LOT of time with Ella Fitzgerald (and Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson, and all that gang), but not as much with Miles Davis or Duke Ellington. Is there a specific biography that you would recommend?
Maybe both a recommendation of a biography and also some CDs of music to listen to for when we have our meeting at the end of June?
Mike Boyd - May 29, 2009 4:50 PM
Reading both works is a great idea. I will start class on the 15th and once I hit that point, I will be immersed in coursework for VCU for a couple of weeks. Shall we pick one to start and give a deadline for that?
As far as an artist to listen to as an assignment, let's start with Duke Ellington and I will be happy to burn you disc. Ella is great but Billie Holiday may be even better for our purposes.
Ted Shaffner - May 30, 2009 5:07 AM
ok. This Side of Paradise was his first novel, and it is fairly short. Let's start with that one. If you start on the 15th, do you want to meet to discuss it and Duke Ellington before then?
I'd love a CD to get started. Thanks.
Ted Shaffner - May 30, 2009 5:08 AM
I have family coming in on June 11, so how about meeting at some point on the 10th to discuss This Side of Paradise?
Ted Shaffner - Jun 3, 2009 3:02 PM
Reading through This Side of Paradise, I had an idea. We have talked before about having each student choose an instrument that they will develop throughout the course - like a student would choose the saxophone, and this would be how the student would specialize in certain assignments, from writing poetry to researching biography, etc. What if we connect this with a persona? This Side of Paradise has a huge number of archetypes in it - the "Popular Daughter," "Slickers," the "Big Man," the Yale Graduate, etc. We could have each student create a page on a Ning site where they would research and create a character for themselves. One assignment would be to find pictures of how that particular character would dress, another would be to find music that the character would listen to, a picture of the house the character grew up in, the educational background, literary interests, etc. We could add to these throughout the semester as a way of developing fully fleshed out characters who lived in the Jazz Age. As we come up with characters in books or poems, we could include more details on the character pages. Each student would be responsible for adding to this throughout the semester, and it would count as a major grade toward the end. If we have them comment on others' pages (and even write poetry and music in character), then this could become a gallery of characters of the age that would help us know it in fuller detail.
I'll set up a Ning site and post it here and perhaps get started on my own character. Maybe you want to do the same?
Ted Shaffner - Jun 3, 2009 3:36 PM
Reading through This Side of Paradise, I had an idea. We have talked before about having each student choose an instrument that they will develop throughout the course - like a student would choose the saxophone, and this would be how the student would specialize in certain assignments, from writing poetry to researching biography, etc. What if we connect this with a persona? This Side of Paradise has a huge number of archetypes in it - the "Popular Daughter," "Slickers," the "Big Man," the Yale Graduate, etc. We could have each student create a page on a Ning site where they would research and create a character for themselves. One assignment would be to find pictures of how that particular character would dress, another would be to find music that the character would listen to, a picture of the house the character grew up in, the educational background, literary interests, etc. We could add to these throughout the semester as a way of developing fully fleshed out characters who lived in the Jazz Age. As we come up with characters in books or poems, we could include more details on the character pages. Each student would be responsible for adding to this throughout the semester, and it would count as a major grade toward the end. If we have them comment on others' pages (and even write poetry and music in character), then this could become a gallery of characters of the age that would help us know it in fuller detail.
I set up a Ning site may get started on my own character. Maybe you want to do the same?
The address for the Ning Site is http://thejazzage.ning.com/. You should have received an invite. One of the cool features is a Juke Box where you can create playlists of youtube videos that play right on the page. Check out my page here. http://thejazzage.ning.com/profile/Ted
Here's the link for Getting Started on the site. http://thejazzage.ning.com/forum/topics/getting-started
Ted Shaffner - Jun 10, 2009 8:55 AM
Thoughts from discussion - July 10, 2009
Ning Personalities * Develop fictional character * Write a love letter - by hand * Write a letter to a former teacher
This Side of Paradise is a go * Need to work on the assignment schedule for where this fits.
Structure of weekly homework * Monday - Reading * Tuesday - Listening - written critiques - written on Ning o Have them read and respond to others as well * Blockday - Reading * Friday - Independent Work
Final Exam * Something to be performed in a non-performance venue o Music, Poetry, Short Story, Scene, Play, etc. * Call in another faculty member and other outsiders for a final performance - they help judge. o Maybe a nightclub experience just before exams - o audience comes dressed in costumes from the 20s. o Set it up like a speakeasy. Make them give the password at the door, etc. o Serve snacks, have it set up with cafe tables.
Also work on putting together a couple of these performances in spring semester in assemblies. Maybe include in Black History Month.
In addition to Ragtime, I think we should both read both of the possible Fitzgerald novels. Reading both of them will help us prepare and be on the same page, as well as letting us make an informed decision about which one to choose for the students. Do you want to make this summer reading for us? And if so, shall we start out early in the summer, and perhaps have them both read by the end of June? Then we could meet after that, talk through the pros and cons about both novels, and that will be a springboard for further conversations.
And do you want to give me an assignment? It could be more than what our students will do. Perhaps a biography of a musician? Or burn me some CDs to become familiar with? I've spent a LOT of time with Ella Fitzgerald (and Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson, and all that gang), but not as much with Miles Davis or Duke Ellington. Is there a specific biography that you would recommend?
Maybe both a recommendation of a biography and also some CDs of music to listen to for when we have our meeting at the end of June?
Reading both works is a great idea. I will start class on the 15th and once I hit that point, I will be immersed in coursework for VCU for a couple of weeks. Shall we pick one to start and give a deadline for that?
As far as an artist to listen to as an assignment, let's start with Duke Ellington and I will be happy to burn you disc. Ella is great but Billie Holiday may be even better for our purposes.
ok. This Side of Paradise was his first novel, and it is fairly short. Let's start with that one. If you start on the 15th, do you want to meet to discuss it and Duke Ellington before then?
I'd love a CD to get started. Thanks.
I have family coming in on June 11, so how about meeting at some point on the 10th to discuss This Side of Paradise?
Reading through This Side of Paradise, I had an idea. We have talked before about having each student choose an instrument that they will develop throughout the course - like a student would choose the saxophone, and this would be how the student would specialize in certain assignments, from writing poetry to researching biography, etc. What if we connect this with a persona? This Side of Paradise has a huge number of archetypes in it - the "Popular Daughter," "Slickers," the "Big Man," the Yale Graduate, etc. We could have each student create a page on a Ning site where they would research and create a character for themselves. One assignment would be to find pictures of how that particular character would dress, another would be to find music that the character would listen to, a picture of the house the character grew up in, the educational background, literary interests, etc. We could add to these throughout the semester as a way of developing fully fleshed out characters who lived in the Jazz Age. As we come up with characters in books or poems, we could include more details on the character pages. Each student would be responsible for adding to this throughout the semester, and it would count as a major grade toward the end. If we have them comment on others' pages (and even write poetry and music in character), then this could become a gallery of characters of the age that would help us know it in fuller detail.
I'll set up a Ning site and post it here and perhaps get started on my own character. Maybe you want to do the same?
Reading through This Side of Paradise, I had an idea. We have talked before about having each student choose an instrument that they will develop throughout the course - like a student would choose the saxophone, and this would be how the student would specialize in certain assignments, from writing poetry to researching biography, etc. What if we connect this with a persona? This Side of Paradise has a huge number of archetypes in it - the "Popular Daughter," "Slickers," the "Big Man," the Yale Graduate, etc. We could have each student create a page on a Ning site where they would research and create a character for themselves. One assignment would be to find pictures of how that particular character would dress, another would be to find music that the character would listen to, a picture of the house the character grew up in, the educational background, literary interests, etc. We could add to these throughout the semester as a way of developing fully fleshed out characters who lived in the Jazz Age. As we come up with characters in books or poems, we could include more details on the character pages. Each student would be responsible for adding to this throughout the semester, and it would count as a major grade toward the end. If we have them comment on others' pages (and even write poetry and music in character), then this could become a gallery of characters of the age that would help us know it in fuller detail.
I set up a Ning site may get started on my own character. Maybe you want to do the same?
The address for the Ning Site is http://thejazzage.ning.com/. You should have received an invite. One of the cool features is a Juke Box where you can create playlists of youtube videos that play right on the page. Check out my page here. http://thejazzage.ning.com/profile/Ted
Here's the link for Getting Started on the site. http://thejazzage.ning.com/forum/topics/getting-started
Thoughts from discussion - July 10, 2009
Ning Personalities
* Develop fictional character
* Write a love letter - by hand
* Write a letter to a former teacher
This Side of Paradise is a go
* Need to work on the assignment schedule for where this fits.
Structure of weekly homework
* Monday - Reading
* Tuesday - Listening - written critiques - written on Ning
o Have them read and respond to others as well
* Blockday - Reading
* Friday - Independent Work
Final Exam
* Something to be performed in a non-performance venue
o Music, Poetry, Short Story, Scene, Play, etc.
* Call in another faculty member and other outsiders for a final performance - they help judge.
o Maybe a nightclub experience just before exams -
o audience comes dressed in costumes from the 20s.
o Set it up like a speakeasy. Make them give the password at the door, etc.
o Serve snacks, have it set up with cafe tables.
Also work on putting together a couple of these performances in spring semester in assemblies. Maybe include in Black History Month.