Open Mike Mondays
Remember: the primary goal of our Open Mike sessions is the same as the Open Mike sessions in the book, Bronx Masquerade: to allow you to share a piece of yourself with your classmates for creative expression and – perhaps - deeper understanding.
The work completed this week will provide the basis for your Open Mike performance, so please use your time wisely.
- ♥ Our Open Mike presentations will occur in four consecutive classes instead of Fridays. Open Mike presentations will be during the last week of April.
- ♥ Open Mike performances are mandatory and will be scheduled. (*If students are absent on their assigned day, they will perform on the school day of their return.)
- ♥ Some of the content of the performances will vary, but certain aspects are required (length of the performance is a minimum of 2 minutes, mandalas must be incorporated, voices should be clearly heard, etc.).
- ♥ You are required to turn in written or typed out notes that address each of the five (5) assigned categories.
Assigned categories are:
1. Name:
- What is the meaning of your first and middle names? Nicknames?
- Are there stories behind how you received these names?
- Is there a specific tie to your family heritage or history that your name reflects?
- What are the names of the primary adult figures in your life (parents, grandparents, guardians, etc.)?
- Chat with the adults in your family to gather information.
Also, use the links provided by Ms. Harris on the Open Mike project page. Check with me FIRST before moving on to a free web search to find more information.
Resources:
Ancestor Search (surname - last name - research). This site is free, but is connected to other sites that might not be. You don't need to pay to locate this information. Check with Ms. Harris if you get stuck.
Behind the Name Info on just about every name you can think of. This is a great place to start.
Also, check the library catalog for books on the origins of names.
2. Family:
- What are some key elements to your family make-up? (number of people, etc.)
- What are some of the ethnic, racial, and/or religious ties that your family has?
- How important are these ties to you individually?
- What are some of the traditions that your family has?
- Which ones are your favorites?
- Did your family always live in Washington and/or the US?
Chat with the adults in your family to gather information. Also, use the links provided by Ms. Harris on the Open Mike project page. Check with me FIRST before moving on to a free web search to find more information.
Resources
ASK A FAMILY MEMBER FIRST. (Remember, an INTERVIEW is an option as well). Begin at home. Ask family members for informtion about your family history, traditions, etc. Once you have some great ideas, use some of the databases we use for history and culture research to find out more:
Also, check the Library Catalog!
3. Totems & Symbols:
- What is a totem?
- If you have a totem already, what is it? If you don’t, what totem do you think would best represent you?
- What totem do you think would best represent your family?
- In Chinese and western astrology, what are some of the different symbols with which you are connected? (These are connected to your birth date.)
- Do these symbols accurately reflect elements of your personality?
- What are some other symbols that reflect you, your personality, and things going on in your life? (For example: if you were an animal, what animal would you be? What fruit, song, place, or other inanimate object would you be? Etc.)
Chat with the adults in your family to gather information. Also, use the links provided by Ms. Harris on the Open Mike project page. Check with me FIRST before moving on to a free web search to find more information.
Resources
Northwest Totem Symbols From the Manataka American Indian Council, scroll down for a list of totems and their meanings.
What's your sign has lots of information on the meaning of symbols, including mandalas, totems, astrological signs, cultural symbols and more.
eLibrary and Britannica Online will also have information on specific astrological signs.
and..wait for it....check the LIBRARY CATALOG. :)
Issues - Personal
What is going on in your life right now? What are some of the things that are affecting you personally? What do you wish your peers knew about the real you? What do you wish your family knew? The notes written in reflection for this category can address items as deep or superficial as you like.
Issues - Global
What is going on in your world right now? What are some of the things that are affecting young people in the world? What are some of the political, social, and/or environmental issues that are important to you? Think about your school, neighborhood, state, and beyond.
Use the links provided by Ms. Harris on the Open Mike project page FIRST, then you may also use a free web search if you need to find more information.
Resources
Newspapers, both local and national, are great places to discover what's going on in your community, state, nation and the world.
Masks or Mandalas
More information on masks/mandalas will be given separately.
Poems
♥ Poems: You will create drafts of three (3) separate poems during this prep week based on any of the prompts given. You will present ONE of them. At least one of the poems needs to be a pantoum. The other two poems that you create can be in any format that you like (rhyming, free verse, metaphorical, concrete, pantoum, etc.) EXCEPT a list poem.
Poems must meet the following requirements.
1. The poem must be an original piece of work written by and about you for this project using the prompts given.
2. It must be at least 150 words long, but can be broken into as many stanzas as you like. (How can you check the word count? In Microsoft Word, highlight your text, click on Tools, then click on Word Count.)
3. Poems should be turned in both electronic AND paper format. (If your poem is one that you would NOT like your family or those outside of your class period to hear or see, please let me know. All other poems written for Open Mike presentations may potentially be compiled in a small booklet and distributed to 7th Grade families and advisors.)
Additional Items:
- If music, costume, and/or props would make your performance stronger, please consider their additions. These items, however, are not required.