This semester's readings were really enjoyable and interesting! These readings were a saving grace among other readings for my courses, but I learned even more from these while also having a great time!
My favorite readings this semester were the units on Dante's Inferno, the Russian Folktales, and the Classical Units. I think that the common thread is the historical theme. However, while Dante's Inferno and the readings in the Classical unit had themes that I was familiar with through my major, the Russian Folk Tales were brand new for me! I really enjoyed them for the informal style in which they were written. It really connected me to the culture!
For reading diaries, I most enjoy giving a small summary of the stories. Then, I like to include my thoughts as I read. It helps me to remember my ideas for storytelling posts later on!
I think there is a great balance between the different kinds of assignments. However, I would also have enjoyed even more opportunities to read! That's why I enjoyed taking advantage of the extra credit reading option this semester.
Monday, May 2, 2016
Week 15 Reflections
It seems unreal to me that this semester is coming to a close!
Every year, it seems like the weeks go by more quickly. Now,graduation is just a little over a week away!
It's hard to summarize the impact that this course (and Indian Epics last semester!) has had on my college experience. I initially enrolled in the class last semester because I wanted to take something that I would enjoy learning about; however, I never expected that it would remind me what is was like to really, truly enjoy the process of learning. Throughout the past two semesters, I overcame fears of rejection and criticism, expanded my perspective and understanding, and have a much happier outlook on what education can be in its best form.
This semester, my favorite part of the curriculum was definitely the reading sections. I loved getting to read about all different parts of the world through folk tales and mythology. It is so interesting to learn about a culture through traditional stories! I also really enjoyed getting to do the research behind my storybook project, especially since I got to travel to some of the locations that the source stories came from!
As always, the best part of the course was getting to interact with my fellow students, and, of course, Laura! Thank you all!
Every year, it seems like the weeks go by more quickly. Now,graduation is just a little over a week away!
It's hard to summarize the impact that this course (and Indian Epics last semester!) has had on my college experience. I initially enrolled in the class last semester because I wanted to take something that I would enjoy learning about; however, I never expected that it would remind me what is was like to really, truly enjoy the process of learning. Throughout the past two semesters, I overcame fears of rejection and criticism, expanded my perspective and understanding, and have a much happier outlook on what education can be in its best form.
This semester, my favorite part of the curriculum was definitely the reading sections. I loved getting to read about all different parts of the world through folk tales and mythology. It is so interesting to learn about a culture through traditional stories! I also really enjoyed getting to do the research behind my storybook project, especially since I got to travel to some of the locations that the source stories came from!
As always, the best part of the course was getting to interact with my fellow students, and, of course, Laura! Thank you all!
Week 14 Review
This painting is Botticelli's Primavera which is on display at the Uffizi museum in Florence, Italy! I got the chance to see this three years ago. Wow, has it really been that long?? The symbolism is extremely important in this painting, albeit debated. I most enjoyed the theories that it had to do with the goddess Venus! Of course, as noted in Friday's announcements, this painting is also representative of the ancient Roman festival, Floralia!
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Week 14 Famous Last Words
Wow, I cannot believe that dead week is already here. Tomorrow is the beginning of our last week of class! It's bittersweet to be bringing a close to all the things that have played such a big part of my life, not only this semester, but also for the past four years!
This week in class, I read Italian Popular Tales! After studying abroad in Italy my freshman year (and being a life-long lover of all things Roman history), my ears always perk up at the opportunity to learn anything new about this ancient and complex culture. I particularly enjoyed these stories because they combined elements of familiarity with plots that were new and exciting! I think my favorite moment from the reading though was in the story where the ground opens up and leads to a mystery person that ends up being Pontius Pilate! I loved the element of suspense throughout the short story. Also, I thought that, like Dante's Inferno, the piece conveyed a lot about Italian changing culture over time.
While I did not do a storytelling this week, I did post my final story for my storybook. I found it a little more challenging than usual to write this story because the original stories were hard to mold to fit my writing goal. So, I challenged myself to think creatively to combine small elements of each of the source stories to fit in with my larger storybook story! I am proud of the result, and truly like the characters much better now without their not-so-nice attitudes!
Most of my other classes are also wrapping up for the semester. I finished one class last night, actually! Now, my main focus will be on completing my honors research paper and my capstone paper. My laptop and I are about to spend a lot of quality time together!
12 days until graduation!
This week in class, I read Italian Popular Tales! After studying abroad in Italy my freshman year (and being a life-long lover of all things Roman history), my ears always perk up at the opportunity to learn anything new about this ancient and complex culture. I particularly enjoyed these stories because they combined elements of familiarity with plots that were new and exciting! I think my favorite moment from the reading though was in the story where the ground opens up and leads to a mystery person that ends up being Pontius Pilate! I loved the element of suspense throughout the short story. Also, I thought that, like Dante's Inferno, the piece conveyed a lot about Italian changing culture over time.
While I did not do a storytelling this week, I did post my final story for my storybook. I found it a little more challenging than usual to write this story because the original stories were hard to mold to fit my writing goal. So, I challenged myself to think creatively to combine small elements of each of the source stories to fit in with my larger storybook story! I am proud of the result, and truly like the characters much better now without their not-so-nice attitudes!
Most of my other classes are also wrapping up for the semester. I finished one class last night, actually! Now, my main focus will be on completing my honors research paper and my capstone paper. My laptop and I are about to spend a lot of quality time together!
12 days until graduation!
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| Okay, I'm getting sentimental! I'll miss this place! Image Information |
Week 14 Tech Tip: Google Site Clean-Up
This week, I wanted to learn how to clean up my storybook Google site.
Since I just added a new page this week, I wanted to be sure to first disable the comments on the page. Next, I went in a took away the search bars that were once prominently featured at the top of my page. It looks so much more clean now without the bright white search bars in the middle of my carefully colored title bar! Finally, I did a once over to see that all of the images were sharp and fitting to the size of the template.
It feels great to look over the little details as I finish up my storybook! Check out the cleaned up version here.
Since I just added a new page this week, I wanted to be sure to first disable the comments on the page. Next, I went in a took away the search bars that were once prominently featured at the top of my page. It looks so much more clean now without the bright white search bars in the middle of my carefully colored title bar! Finally, I did a once over to see that all of the images were sharp and fitting to the size of the template.
It feels great to look over the little details as I finish up my storybook! Check out the cleaned up version here.
Week 14 Learning Challenges: Reading Kama Sutra
This adorable graphic was featured on this morning's Learning by Heart post! It's my lucky day! As I tuck into the many, many books I'm using as sources in my capstone paper and honors research paper, I've found myself in quite a few of these hilarious reading positions. Reading truly involves getting 100% in your element so that you can learn from and experience the text. I've been trying to be less mindful of how I read and more mindful of what I feel and think during it.
My friend recently created an instagram collection of images with the joy of reading (in whatever way in whatever place is comfortable!) in mind. I instantly thought of it when I saw this picture! You can keep up with her posts here. P.S. I'm in a few of the photos!
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Week 14 Growth Mindset: Use your Brain...Draw and Color!
This week, I chose to look back at the Growth Mindset memes for my challenge, and I was so happy to see this cat representing Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences! I read his theory last semester and revisited it very recently. I've been doing my best to expand my mastery of all of my intelligences! This cat meme was perfect for this week because, for the first time, I tried to learn to draw calligraphy! I found that I'm not very good at it yet, but coloring in my adult coloring book helped me feel better about my efforts afterward!
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