Truisms-Thematic Connections

I am a true believer in teaching students about theme through the use of truisms. I learned about the use of truisms or aphorisms from Barry Lane, Gretchen Bernabei, and Alana Morris about 8 years ago. Alana and I worked on using truisms in a writing framework that we put together. I believe that this practice must be revisited and utilized.
Today in my Face Book newsfeed, I found someone refer to Michael Phelps's new Under Armor commercial. Riveting and moving it was. I immediately saw a connection to reading and writing. This commercial also connects to the use of media and media literacy.
Since I haven't had much time to post, I decided to put everything I was doing to the side, including watching the Texans play the 49ers, and post. I have told my students and many teacher colleagues many a time  to never let an idea get away.  Today, I am going to take my own advice.

There are great commercials that we can use in our classrooms to analyze. We can analyze them for theme and the use of media. What did the producer want us to learn about life? What did he/she use to convey that?  What images and parts of the video go along with the truism?  What details support the theme?  It all goes together.  I want to include some really neat videos that we could use in our classrooms to support the use of theme/truisms.

When thinking of theme, the reader must consider a few questions:

• What is the main message the author wants the reader to learn about life?
• Is the theme that you propose true for you and true for most?

One way to get the brain ready for truisms and theme is to study photographs and commercials. I find it helpful to use the word sometimes. (This idea comes from Gretchen Bernabei.)  Sometimes what is learned in the dark, becomes evident in the light. (Paraphrased version of Under Armour commercial.) Sometimes, you have to put in the work, to get the results that you desire. (That is my truism or theme.)  It is not enough, though, to include the sometimes alone. The reader must also go back to the video to provide textual evidence to support his/her thematic statement.

Below you will find a group of my favorite
videos that have truisms and thematic statements included or may  work really well for discussing theme:

Spending Time with The Analysis Pyramid

My students and I spent some time using The Analysis Pyramid with Cajas de carton (The Circuit) by Francisco Jimenez. While using The Analysis Pyramid, my students were able to have a deeper understanding of  the text. They began bridging the gap between reading and writing. They responded as reader and approached the text as writers as they focused their attention on the word, tone, language, and craft elements. They highlighted different parts and then used The Analysis Pyramid to help them in their discussion. They wrote about their experiences. They returned to their writing and looked  for areas of the pyramid that they could use to analyze their own writing. What fun! Thanks Alana Morris for sharing this great way to read, analyze, and write text! It bring reading and writing together so well.

Ample Revised

I remember writing this poem after spending an evening with Alana Morris putting together stress balls at Panera. She was helping me make stress balls out of rice and nice balloons for my Abydos Writing certification presentation. We sat and put together a number of these rice stress balls that  evening. We received some very interesting looks from the people dining that night. Alana brought her rice tin. I brought a bag of brown rice. Alana didn't know if the brown rice would suffice because all she ever used was white rice. I am glad I didn't buy any Uncle Ben's Wild Rice. That would have been interesting. I wrote this poem (Ample)  after spending time with my good friend. I certainly missed working with her. We shared an office closet for 6 1/2 years. I never thought that there would be a day when I wouldn't see her daily. Now, when I get a chance to see her, I am overjoyed. The memories flood my mind. There are numerous memories. The fondest ones are the late evenings working on projects and eating Domino's Pizza. I also remember making numerous trips to Murphy's Deli and getting her the stuffed veggie pocket and Grandma's Peach Iced Tea. Those were the days. Who knows, maybe someday we can work together like that again. I certainly hope that we can in some form or fashion. I feel that way about all the people that I worked with at the SBISD's Administration Building. Many have moved onto places like Austin and  the Bayou with a cute little dog named Archie. They may even be from Michigan and that is okay. There is ample room...ample.


Ample

by Maureen Ucles

So nice

to hear your voice

thoughts

laughter

Pick your brain--

Just be--

Delightful

So nice

to see you

once again

expressions

genius

locura...

Nicety

Just plain relaxing

shooting the breeze

collaborating

satiating

my brain

bouncing ideas

puts me at ease

Engaging

Ya know--

we gotta

do this again

Soon...okay?

Ample

I am a Princess Expository from the Archives

I Am A Princess-Expository

  Alana Morris showed me this video the other day.  She showed it to me without the visual of the video. I only heard the voices in the video. I was critically listening to find  the central or controlling  idea. Listening in to the video provided opportunity to pause and find place to fill in the gaps for the reader.  There were places where an anecdote used to prove a point would have been perfect.  However, when you watch it, the visuals used are the examples that you would find in the writing.  The author the writing (without the visuals) would need to support their beliefs with examples.
  The video itself, with the visuals, is very touching.  However, if you just listened to the words you would want to find out more.  This would be  good one to do with Analytic Talk or Say Back.  Alana alluded to fact that in hearing it, without the visuals,  this would be an excellent way to see where the author could include anecdotal examples. He/she would do this to solidify and support their belief. There are always places to revise. I really like this idea.  Alana has such great ideas but it doesn't end there.  Nope.  Wait for it....she makes her own yogurt! CRAZY, right?  No, it's quite simply Alana, a woman of many talents!  Thanks Alana!  Have fun with the video and the idea.

Welcome to America by Lecrae

I have been listening to Lecrae's new album.  It has some really thought provoking tracks in it. Welcome to America is nicely written. I like how he takes on many different speakers in this poem/song.  It shows many different people's plights in America from different cultural backgrounds and social strata. One of the speakers family is from China. Another is selling drugs and wishes for a better life. He also talks about human trafficking. I especially like the POV of speaker who is a soldier and has given his life for America, but feels betrayed by people's indifference.  All the speakers struct a chord.  His music usually brings to light many different issues.  I liked the tone, word and the craft of the lyrics.  The theme is pretty deep. Makes you think. What is his message? Some people think that America is this perfect place and by living here, it is easy. It is not and many people are just surviving the best they can.  Greed, making it on the streets, being a patriot that feels betrayed by people who don't seem to care, people wishing for a better life, are some of threads that weave into Welcome to America.

He brings out the face that right under our noses, in this great land, people are suffering.  Human trafficking is a problem. Just because we may not witness it, doesn't mean it isn't happening.  He calls attention to the plight of the silent, the ones who really don't have or can share their voice.  Pretty deep! So what is his message? To me, not everyone is experiencing the American Dream. It is more of an American nightmare. To me, maybe he trying to paint a realistic picture that, for some, America is not all that is cracked up to be.  Welcome to America? The marginalized aren't really welcome. The welcoming to America is relative. It all depends on your circumstances. It is nice to walk a little in other people's shoes. It helps you see their plight and point of view. What is the tone? Anger, frustration, and hopelessness, and for some stark reality. Alana Morris, we could definitely use the Analysis Pyramid on this one!

Archives: Fanboys March-Coordinating Conjunctions March

Alana demonstrated her Coordinating Conjunction March today during Grammar Week.  We all had fun doing this.  I recorded her doing this later for all of us who would like to see it again.  Enjoy!

Analysis Pyramid and Multigenre Review with Alana Morris and Maureen Ucles

Last week Alana Morris and I worked together in multigenre workshop.  We analyzed different text using the Analysis Pyramid.  Teachers analyzed their writing using the analysis pyramid using Ralph Fletcher's work. Alana adapted it to use with Reading and Writing.  There are photographs of the pyramid in the halls of Edgewood Elementary.  Omaly Sandoval took the time to represent what she has learned in the form of a bulletin board.  We went on a walk-about to snap photos.  I also had a chance to share my poem called Tip. Alana modeled the teacher student conference with me and how to apply the different aspects of the pyramid.  I thought it would be great to see it in action, plus I had a wonderful opportunity to talk about my writing.  That is always a bonus.  Here are some photos from that day: