Short Stories: Sept. 29 - Oct. 2

Fri. Oct. 2/09
Review:
"House," the short story written by Jane Rule, is about a young couple with two children who live a little differently than other families in their community. The parents, Harry and Anna, decide to change their lifestyle, and finally buy a house.
Read:
"God is Not a Fish Inspector," by W.D. Valgardson, is a story about family conflict and issues related to aging (or ageing). The story is set in Manitoba, and it has been developed into a film.

Thurs. Oct. 1/09 - Work in the Computer Lab J219 today.
-Read "House" by Jane Rule on p. 20 of Inside Stories II.
-Complete terminology notes on this story (from the long blue handout). Get information from the Glossary of Terms. You can write or type your notes on the computer.
-When finished, you can start watching the movie version of Harrison Bergeron.

Wed. Sept. 30/09
"Ashes for the Wind" was written by Colombian journalist and author Hernando Téllez. Although Téllez wrote this story around 1945, the problems of Colombia's internally displaced persons (IDPs) persist today.

This Refugees International YouTube clip, produced in 2008, outlines the scope of the IDP problem in Colombia.

An April 2008 news agency report provides another view on Colombia's IDP crisis.

Tues. Sept. 29/09
- Today, we begin our short stories unit.
- Review the short story plot diagram activity.
- Read Harrison Bergeron.
"Harrison Bergeron" was written by American author Kurt Vonnegut. In this YouTube clip, Vonnegut offers advice for short story writers. After reading "Harrison Bergeron," do you think that Vonnegut has followed his own advice?