When I first started recording my observations, I was unsure of what to write. I thought, "oh great, a lake and some trees, how am I going to write about a darn lake?" But as I thought about the small details and how I really loved nature, I was able to mold my observations and feelings into creative writings. I had to really observe every little thing, using all of my senses, if I wanted my writings to come alive.
I found that recording my observations did make me more mindfully connected to the place I had observed. As I said, in my previous post, I found tweeting to be helpful in preserving my thoughts and observations, but I can't say it is any different than using a pen and piece of paper to maintain everything. [I can't really say much about this because I do not have internet or texting on my phone and I had to use a pen and paper while I was at my place so maybe that is why I am a bit biased.] But, I suppose if I were to pretend my pen and paper were a cell phone, I believe that the process of noting my observations made me a bit more aware of my surroundings and more observatory to small details. Obviously, I did not have any technology to distract me so I was able to really focus on what I saw.
When I first started recording my observations, I was unsure of what to write. I thought, "oh great, a lake and some trees, how am I going to write about a darn lake?" But as I thought about the small details and how I really loved nature, I was able to mold my observations and feelings into creative writings. I had to really observe every little thing, using all of my senses, if I wanted my writings to come alive.
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"Telling our own stories is one way to hang on to these memories, to preserve the details, to save and treasure things that really mattered to us." - Gian S. Pagnucci
The writing, "Living the Narrative Life" by author Gian S. Pagnucci, is a powerful example of how narratives are an important part of teaching, preserving, and sensitizing life events. I really enjoyed Pagnucci's perspective of writing narratives. He has motivated me to write about my experiences and memories from life and to treasure each moment. One story he shared, has really touched my heart and mind as a writer. It was his story about a friend he met in the hospital who shared his common interest in comic books and who had leukemia. His friend idled Professor X, a superhero who was bound to his wheelchair, but used mind powers to fight bad guys. Professor X served as an inspiration to the boy where he felt he could look beyond his illness and still conquer life. This story showed me life will always hand us obstacles, always say we can't achieve, and always knock us down when we are already low. However, life is about getting back up and inspiring others. Our failures and trials can serve and relate to others through our writing. Pagnucci has shown me that it is the simple things in life that can influence others. When writing to different audiences, it is important that I consider the way that I conduct and express myself.
When I wrote to my Professor about my feelings and opinions about Rowan's CGCE program and preferences in writing, research, and technology, I did not voice my opinionated, harsh, truthful concerns. During writing to professors or anyone in an authoritative position, I prefer to appear professional. As I shared my views with my professor, I was able to be completely honest without appearing negligent in who my audience was. However, if I were writing to a friend, I most likely would have told my exact personal views of how I felt because I know that my friend would not judge or measure me on a scale of professionalism. Therefore, my writing can be kept very casual. As I considered ways to approach writing on this website, I found I wanted my readers to view my writing as revised, well-thought out, and scholarly. Therefore, I revised what I had wrote to my Professor, rewording my statements but not changing my opinions, to more accurately express what I was trying to say the first time. Writing_________________
I am interested in writing creative stories but only when I am into the assignment. I am not always great at making up elaborate stories but when I am given a theme or topic that is applied to the writing, I enjoy it. I also enjoy writing poetry and humorous songs. Sometimes I enjoy writing essays if it is for an interesting argumentative or persuasive topic. I am not a big fan of blogging or writing journal entries about class. I do not like texting nor do I have it. I also do not like writing repetitive research papers. Research________________ Some areas I'd like to research include classrooms especially ones that include special need children, animal shelters, writing, organizations that promote Eco-friendliness, and charities or rescue missions. Technology______________ I enjoy using Facebook, Google Doc, Wiki, Wordle, Photobucket, and anything that involves taking pictures or video taping. I do not enjoy using Twitter, Blogs, Tweetdeck, and anything that involves texting or a cell phone. However, I am willing to try Twitter for this course. |
AuthorElementary Education and Writing Arts Student Archives
December 2010
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