I will never forget
The memories I charish.
I will never forget
Our trips around town.
Getting lost on driving lessons.
You helping me with my math homework.
Watching sci-fi movies.
Learning the lessons of life.
I will never forget
How much you have taught me.
I will never forget
How much you have given me.
I will never forget
How much you loved me.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
This isn't easy and it's not much fun.
While everyone says "move on"
All I want to do is "hang on."
One more day
One last conversation.
Please.
Accompanying my mother
With my head held high
(As if I am confident)
We plan, choose and stress
Over every arrangement.
Decisions after a death seem to be the most important decisions of our lifetimes.
All I want to do is "hang on."
One more day
One last conversation.
Please.
Accompanying my mother
With my head held high
(As if I am confident)
We plan, choose and stress
Over every arrangement.
Decisions after a death seem to be the most important decisions of our lifetimes.
Is this really happening?
Is this really happening?
I sink to the sterile floor
Not quite sure what to do with myself.
Salty streams flow down my cheeks
As memories wash across my mind.
Is this really happening?
I can no longer hear
I can no longer feel
My surroundings are dull.
Is this really happening
I ask myself as I face my fear.
I am not ready to say good-bye...
To my best friend
My mentor
My rock
Who I called "G."
I sink to the sterile floor
Not quite sure what to do with myself.
Salty streams flow down my cheeks
As memories wash across my mind.
Is this really happening?
I can no longer hear
I can no longer feel
My surroundings are dull.
Is this really happening
I ask myself as I face my fear.
I am not ready to say good-bye...
To my best friend
My mentor
My rock
Who I called "G."
Definiton of Young Adult Literature
What is Young Adult Literature?
This genre of text can be defined in an assortment of ways and with an array of terms and descriptions; so in essence, the definition of young adult literature is determined by the reader. As a prospective educator, I believe that young adult literature is the genre of texts that is suitable for young adolescent readers, ages 12-18. Works that are to be described as YAL are texts that fit the reading levels of this age range, and whose main characters are typically within the same age range, dealing with struggles and triumphs readers can easily relate to. I also think that the genre of Young Adult Literature is changing as quickly as our society/culture is changing with time. Each generation of young people sparks new topics and styles, while some aspects of YAL make a more prominent impression on the genre. Through his article, "Young Adult Literature in the 21st Century: Moving Beyond Traditional Constraints and Conventions," Jeffrey Kaplan explores the changes and the consistencies of YAL. He states, "The trope that all young adult literature has in common is the search for identity. The dilemma though, is that in our new post-human age, young people are questioning not only their emotional identity, but also their biological identity or just 'what does it mean to be conventionally human?" (in discussion of science-fiction), (12).
As young adult literature is always changing, interpretations and reviews of the genre are also changing. Young adult literature authors need to always be writing with the times and for the current generation of young people if they hope to receive any response to their work. Kaplan also identifies with this need, "In a world of constant movement and flow, media images of advertising and commerce seep into our lives and strongly influence identity development. Hence, young adult literature and our interpretation of it as a genre of literary study have been profoundly altered as a result of this dramatic shift in world affairs," (16). Young adult literature to me, is a grouping of texts that people ages 12-18 are able to read and connect with; while authors of these texts accommodate to the cultural changes that surround this demographic of readers.
Kaplan, Jeffrey. "Young Adult Literature in the 21st Century: Moving Beyond Traditional Constraints and Conventions." The Research Connection. (Winter 2005): 11-15. Print.
This genre of text can be defined in an assortment of ways and with an array of terms and descriptions; so in essence, the definition of young adult literature is determined by the reader. As a prospective educator, I believe that young adult literature is the genre of texts that is suitable for young adolescent readers, ages 12-18. Works that are to be described as YAL are texts that fit the reading levels of this age range, and whose main characters are typically within the same age range, dealing with struggles and triumphs readers can easily relate to. I also think that the genre of Young Adult Literature is changing as quickly as our society/culture is changing with time. Each generation of young people sparks new topics and styles, while some aspects of YAL make a more prominent impression on the genre. Through his article, "Young Adult Literature in the 21st Century: Moving Beyond Traditional Constraints and Conventions," Jeffrey Kaplan explores the changes and the consistencies of YAL. He states, "The trope that all young adult literature has in common is the search for identity. The dilemma though, is that in our new post-human age, young people are questioning not only their emotional identity, but also their biological identity or just 'what does it mean to be conventionally human?" (in discussion of science-fiction), (12).
As young adult literature is always changing, interpretations and reviews of the genre are also changing. Young adult literature authors need to always be writing with the times and for the current generation of young people if they hope to receive any response to their work. Kaplan also identifies with this need, "In a world of constant movement and flow, media images of advertising and commerce seep into our lives and strongly influence identity development. Hence, young adult literature and our interpretation of it as a genre of literary study have been profoundly altered as a result of this dramatic shift in world affairs," (16). Young adult literature to me, is a grouping of texts that people ages 12-18 are able to read and connect with; while authors of these texts accommodate to the cultural changes that surround this demographic of readers.
Kaplan, Jeffrey. "Young Adult Literature in the 21st Century: Moving Beyond Traditional Constraints and Conventions." The Research Connection. (Winter 2005): 11-15. Print.
Poetry Assignment
Over the course of the third unit, Facing Adult Situations, you will be expected to produce a short poetry portfolio of 3-4 poems inspired by the formats used in The Surrender Tree and Bronx Masquerade. The poems should explore either the format of telling a story across the poems or personal poems about struggles in the students' lives. Each poem should be posted as a new entry on the blog that you will create in class. This assignment will be evaluated based on the relevance that the poems have to the unit's material and on how much effort and creativity was put into the assignment. Punctuation and spelling will not be neglected, so pay close attention to the details and feel free to post several drafts before committing to your final products.
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