Wednesday, October 24

Today is Wednesday of Week 10. Here is a link to this week's assignments plus a link to Week 11 for those of you working ahead.

Class Procedures and Reminders

Reading like a writer. Now that you have completed six weeks of reading and storytelling, you are probably getting a better sense of just what it means to read like a writer, looking in every story you read for things you can use in your own stories. That applies to the reading you are doing in the UnTextbook, and you can also read like a writer when you are reading other people's blogs and projects for class too!

Canvas error fixed. I am pleased to announce that the Canvas error that was affecting some (but not all) Chrome users has been fixed. If you run into any errors with navigation buttons, let me know, but I think that weirdness is now happily over.

Project Stack. I'm back at my desk today, so I should be able to finish the Saturday items in the stack and get started on the Sunday items. As always, you can check the stack to make sure I received your email.

The following items are for fun and exploration:

Blog Stream. I noticed something really cool in Erin's reading notes this week; she wrote up what she had learned about a Blackfoot heroine when she visited Montana this summer: Running Eagle.

Featured Storybook. This project is inspired by the Ramayana, but it goes in a totally new direction! The Trials of the Four Warriors. There is a battle to fight against Ravana, although it is not Rama who goes to face the king of the rakshasas, but instead four unlikely warriors.

India Video. This video is about Kathy Foley's work as a storyteller and the masks she uses for telling the stories of India: Masks.

Myth Video. This is a Crash Course video about Flood Myths of the Americas.

Myth Item. Here is a Latin proverb: A serpent, unless it devours a serpent, will not become a dragon. And for those of you who have studied Latin: Serpens, ni edat serpentem, draco non fiet.

Writing. Some thoughts about stories and storytelling: Stories Have to Be Told.

So, just let your creativity go wild! Benefits of Creativity:

Growth Mindset Cats. Creativity is a way to grow: I plan; I design; I create.

And here's a video on the power of creative constraints.

Event on Campus. There will be a presidential debate at 7PM tonight in Beaird Lounge (details).

Find out more about this and other events at the Campus Calendar online.

October 24: Gene Roddenberry. Today marks the death in 1991 of Gene Roddenberry, the visionary creator of Star Trek; he was born in 1921. You can read more about Roddenberry's life and  accomplishments in Wikipedia, and also in this wonderful cartoon: It's Going to be Okay. Here is Roddenberry watching the Space Shuttle Enterprise in 1976 (image source).

And here's a Roddenberry quote about his vision for Star Trek:

Check out the Twitter stream for information and fun stuff during the day, or click here for past announcements.