Multi-genre Literacy Autobiography

Initially, while I was brainstorming my multi-genre literacy autobiography, I was unsure of how to piece together the texts that have influenced me over a span of 20 years. There was just so much to cover because upon starting this project, I realized that texts are everywhere. Reflecting upon all of the books, comics, movies, video games and television shows into which I have submerged myself, I was perplexed about how I could choose and compile the meaningful ones in a way that could be aesthetically pleasing and still make sense. Then, it hit me; I'd make a comic book!

In all of the texts that have played important roles in my life, their most influential components were the images involved, whether they were material images or words that helped me paint my own images. What I have always loved about books is the way a writer can give the gift of a image to a reader without actually painting it. Additionally, what always fascinated me about illustrations was the magnitude of emotions and meanings that could be associated with an image and how two people could interpret the same image in completely different ways. Therefore, as I have always learned through images and my own illustrations of texts, I felt it was most appropriate that I illustrate the collection of the texts which influenced my life in a way that would help my peers visualize my memories the way I do.

This was one of the most enjoyable projects I have ever been assigned. I loved looking back on my life in a unique way and piecing together the explanation of who I am today and the teacher I will be from the earliest influences of my life. Although I was absent on the first day of presentations on the account of illness, I look forward to presenting my comic book of memories this week. Additionally, I am looking forward to seeing the other remaining presentations to establish a connection with my peers who have been influenced by similar texts and to learning from those who have different backgrounds than me.

Little Brother Post for Multi-Modal Course

I have to say, Cory Doctorow's book Little Brother is one of the most unique novels I have ever read. As I have been reading it, I have been drawing some parallels to the books 1984 and The Hunger Games because of the theme of governmental control. However, I am also reminded of historical events in the United States, as I remember being taught in my Education in a Democratic Society course that after World War II, schools were conditioned to teach patriotism, and subjects such as the German language were excluded from some schools. I was reminded of this when Marcus was suspended for speaking up in class against the views of his teacher. This leads me to some questions:

• How can we as educators handle classroom debates in a way that students are able to express themselves without facing repercussions from their peers?
• Further, how should we respond to anarchical statements?
• When is the right to free speech a hinderance in the classroom, and can/should it be revoked in the case of student protection?
• Surely, we cannot censor students, but how can we help students form educated opinions instead of irrational comments?
• Finally, in what ways can we promote to students a sense of responsibility with their rights?

Pop Culture Post: "Castle"

As a junior working my way through college, I do not have much time to watch television. In order to do so, I usually allot time throughout the week, during which I watch a sporting event, a movie, or something that catches my eye through an advertisement. However, one television series has me hooked. The Castle series has changed my outlook on my schedule. Never before have I studied in advance or planned my daily schedule around one specific hour of one specific day of each consecutive week before.

Since I am not pampered by the graces of DVR while I'm at school, my top priority on Mondays at 10 p.m. are to make sure that I have a snack and that the television is set to ABC so I can enjoy the newest adventure of Rick Castle, a character named after a real-life murder mystery novelist, as he works with sergeant Kate Beckett to solve murders while gaining inspiration for his new novels. This show is action-packed, and as an English major, I love the color commentary Castle adds to each case. The wit and hilarity that ensue between he and Beckett create what I find to be a unique treasure, a comedy-murder mystery hybrid.