The first week of each semester – coming fast! – I ask my students to connect with their online and/or in-class peers. They are unique individuals that come to my course with varied experience and diverse ideas. With Jay’s “About Me” Page, I encourage them to share WHO they are and WHAT they are about.
Currently, I’m preparing for my Secret Frida K Semester. I’m calling it “Secret” because I have assigned a historical novel based on Frida’s Love, Life, Pain, and Art. The title: The Secret Book of Frida Kahlo.
In the Spirit of Frida K, I ask my students to represent themselves in a visual way on our class discussion board. This semester they will be asked to create a Visual Analysis for one of Frida’s famous self-portraits. In their About Me pages, I will be looking for symbols, drawings, and words that represent WHO THEY ARE and WHAT THEY ARE ABOUT. In addition to creating their self-portrait, they will follow with a 300-word introduction to their classmates. Below think, What Would Jay Do?”
Half of my waking hours, I spend preparing lessons – like this one – for my English classes. The other half, it seems, I’m grading them. When I’m not preparing lessons or grading student work, I’m reading Spanish-language novels. I take this time to get far away from my computer as I can. To avoid online distraction, I take my books and pens to a coffee shop, or VIPs, a nearby gasolinera; this place works for me. I like the large tables they have inside where I can spread out my study materials and drink my coffee. I live in Mexicali, Mexico. It’s not rare when someone, sees see me highlighting my books that they ask me if I’m studying the bible. Jaja. That’s when I tell them, “No, estoy estudiando Mexico.” This is where my real Spanish language practice begins.
Without scaring anyone, I will do my best to emphasize the purpose of what we are doing. I mean, this will take place maybe the first day, or first week of the semester. I say to them: This is a WRITING CLASS – Please be thoughtful with your reflections, ideas, and descriptions regarding YOURSELF. Their ABOUT ME pages will contribute to a DYNAMIC and ENGAGING learning atomosphere this semester.
For many of them, this English class may be the first English class they take in their college experience. To learn how to read and write according to the standards of the course will be a great challenge, to say the least. I know that. My goal this semester in the design of my assignments is to offer something for everybody. The more we engage, the more we learn.
I’m looking forward to our Frida Kahlo Spring Semester. I’ve read our class novel, The Secret Book of Frida Kahlo, like FOUR times: TWICE in Spanish; and TWICE in English. To prepare for this class, I’ve been reading many of Frida’s biographies and artbooks. I use a lot of HIGLIGHTERS. Jaja. I copy juicy bits of FK information into my classroom journals and blogs that I can share with my students. On my shelves here in Mexicali I have a copy of Frida’s personal diary. I once saw the real copy – safely enclosed in a glass case – upon a visit to Frida’s home in Mexico City. Her house in Coyoacan has been converted into a museum. They call it La Casa Azul.
I hope Frida has the same effect on my students as she had on me on me. I’m inspired by her courage and spirit. Despite a lifetime of physical and emotional pain Frida lived the life she wanted. Nothing got in her way. She once said, “Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?” I know. I know. This submission is supposed to be About Me, and not About Frida, but here is what I have to share: I have painted my house blue here in Mexicali. I have a huge garden in front and back where I grow my chiles for cooking. During the summer months, I grow habaneros that sparkle like christmas lights. I learn a lot of Spanish in the kitchen. I feel the spicier the food, the better I speak the language. Like Frida, I keep a journal. These days it has taken the form of a blog. When I’m done submitting this on Canvas, I will create a new post; then, I will probably dig down into my new Spanish-language novel.
THERE IS NO ONE WAY OF CREATING AN ABOUT ME PAGE
- I will be HAPPY to see a little bit of CREATIVITY and/or ORGANIZATIONAL skills.
- All I ask is to use the space wisely.
THIS IS WHAT I TELL MY STUDENTS:
- Use what works best for you – Go with what you know – If you want to go High-Tech, go High-Tech – If you want to Draw, go ahead and Draw.
- How are you going to represent your passions, interests, dreams, and ambitions?
- Use symbols that reflect your identity that are creative and interesting
What Images or Symbols Could Represent:
- Love for your family – Passion for music – Exercise routine- Love for travel -Career ambition.
WHY DO WE DO THIS?
- In each of my classes I assign a research project based on the novel we are reading.
- Over the course of eight weeks, my students can expect to develop a college-level research paper using the current technology available.
- The About Me Page will appear on the back-cover
- The written portion will be required to appear inside the binder.
On Canvas, I practice with my own “About Me” page. Along with a graphic organizer template, I’ve provided my students with suggestions to express their goals, ideas, music, activities, etc. How will they represent themselves in order to grab out attention? I look forward to a semester of engagement. My hope is our reading and writing will bring us closer together. I hope this works.
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