Reflection on Girl in Translation

Reflect on the novel. What worked well? What didn't? What did you enjoy most? Which characters still haunt you and why? Talk about the symbols and imagery? Be deep.

Post here.

For homework, write a revised ending for the novel. You can alternatively rewrite a scene in the novel where something Kim does or responds to is portrayed differently.

Girl in Translation

Today we looked at student essays from other semesters re: The Dance Boots. Tomorrow we resume our conversation on Girl in Translation. The essay drafts and plans will happen next week.

Homework is to complete the book so students can talk about it in its entirety and look at potential essay questions.

Remember, you have seven days, or 1 week to respond to a graded draft before it turns into a pumpkin or in our case an F.

Translated Lives: A Lexicon

Freewrite

Reflect on Kimberly and what it means to be a "Girl in Translation." What does the term translation mean when juxtaposed with Kimberly adaptation to American life?

Does the noun translation indicate completion while the verb, translate, indicate a work in progress?

Is the translation process ever complete, or is one always just not quite the "real thing"? How does one update the text? How does Kimberly update the translation as she becomes more linguistically capable? When one thinks about translations, new and revised, think about Kim's life new and revised compared to the older version. Is she happier with the new edition? Is happiness a part of the equation? Is happiness a consideration? What does, as Tina Turner says, "Love got to do with it?" Is love Kim's motivation for change? Love of whom or for whom?

What is lost in translation and who picks up or notices what is lost or discarded? How does Kimberly deal with this, or does she?

How does Jean Kwok address this subtlety in the text through characterization? What proof do we have of Kim's language acquisition and how is this reflected in her transformation read: translation?

Respond in 3 paragraphs and use 1 citation per paragraph: 1 free paraphrase, 1 block quote and 1 shorter citation (not necessarily in that order). Respond to 1-2 classmates.

Homework:

Work on revisions to Dance Boots and keep reading Girl. We should talk about where we are in the book. I have read all the essays sent correctly. A couple of students never responded to my emails re: proper submission.

Just in case there was any confusion, all the essays have to be passed with a C or better. At the end of the semester, students will be able to toss the lowest graded paper.

I will post the next assignment and due dates later today.

Freewrite

International Women's Day Reflection

"I'm Every Woman" is iconic re: Woman's empowerment. It might be the unofficial anthem (smile).

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/c/chaka+khan/im+every+woman_20028809.html

Here is Chaka Khan singing with others: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z56l7ZN2w0Q

Party
On the last Thursday of March 29, 2012 we will meet in C-211 for a Women's History Month Celebration. Bring in a favorite song, video, artifact, photo, recorded interview excerpt, poem plus food to share that day.

Any videos need to be on DVD. Any music needs to be on a CD, so we can play it. Technology is not guaranteed.

Lost in Translation

Today students worked on their character profiles. We are up to

Homework is to continue reading Chapter 5, and to bring in an item representative of a woman to reflect on for freewrite for International Women's Day. It can be a poem, a photograph, a play, a work of art, lyrics to a song.

As background do a bit of research on the observance here and abroad.

Post your freewrites here. Also respond to a student's post (2-3). Students will be invited to share with the entire class.

Homework for the weekend is to read Chapters 6 & 7 in Girl in Translation.

Character Profiles

Post your character profiles here, both group and individual.

We spoke about Girl in Translation in groups. Students started developing profiles on key characters like the narrator, Kimberly, her mother, Aunt Paula, Uncle Bob, the bratty cousins, people at work like Matt, the school teacher, Kimberly's school friend.

Students should keep a running tab on Kimberly, Aunt Paula, Ma. . . . Put page numbers next to the characters. We will pick up where we left off in the morning. Post the character profile at the link tomorrow.

Freewrite:

We also spoke about a feminist reading of the character Kimberly (see Writing about Literature). How is she a heroine and how is Girl in Translation a hero's journey?

Event

I mentioned to students about the 5th Annual Hip Hop for Change Conference this weekend, Saturday, March 10, 2012, in the Student Union, at San Jose State University, 1 Washington Square, San Jose, CA 94592. Free! Register at http://bit.ly/hhfc2012 The conference is co-sponsored by the University of San Francisco, Mills, and Santa Clara University.

Perhaps students could carpool?

Today in class students did last week's assignment re: finding a published review of Girl in Translation and writing a summary. Homework is to read up to chapter 4 (63). I think. We'll race through this book. It is an easy read.

This is a late assignment, so make it good. I ask for 250 words and so far no one has summarized an article well. Recall the lessons in Pidd. Look at Hacker for help and visit the Writing Center.