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.

Assigned categories are:

1. Name:

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:

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:

Culture Grams

History Resource Center

eLibrary

Britannica Online

Also, check the Library Catalog!

3. Totems & Symbols:

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.

News Resources

eLibrary

Opposing Viewpoints Database

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: