MORA

“We each live our stories and we learn most from the stories of others. When you feel alone, you can find community in stories; when you weaken, you can find strength; when you are disheartened, you can find resolve; when you are down, you can be lifted; when you feel pain, you can find comfort; when you question, you can find inspiration;
when you tire, you can find new energy; when you wonder why, you can find inspiration.” – Louis Schmier

Elements of a Short Story video
Short Story of the Day
Figurative Language video
Figurative Language: Idioms
Advice on writing
Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling
Synonyms for words commonly used in student writing
First lines for short story beginnings
16 Literary Techniques explained by Disney
MEMRISE.COM – Literary Terms review (Mora Literary Terms)

“As I see it, a short story is like a child’s kite – a small wonder, a brief, bright wonder.” – Sean O’Faolain

Whirligig

American Revolution
The Road to Revolution Game
American Revolution Timeline
Sons of Liberty
The Declaration of Independence

Poetry
Literary Devices
Poem in Your Pocket Day – 4/24
A Poem A Day: Poetry 180
Poetry Out Loud
Why Poetry Matters
New York City in 17 Syllables

Lois Lowry website
Another dystopian novel:1984 by George Orwell
Another dystopian novel:Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Smithsonian Magazine Article: For 40 years, This Russian family was cut off from all human contact, Unaware of World War II
8 TED Talks about memory
Memories Can Be Passed Down Through Genes
National Geographic – COLOR Brain Games
Neil Harbisson HEARS color
There is no pink light – video
An Amazing Village Designed Just For People With Dementia

Recording of History/Shared Memory:
Jump Back In Time
American Cultural History: 20th Century
American Timeline
Historical Eras – US History
Black History Milestones
Black History Timeline

History of This I Believe
Examples of essays

First, give yourself a context for this assignment by reading a brief history of This I Believe. (click on link above) Record a few notes in your Think/Composition Journal about the focus and intent of the essays and the original project.
Second, please listen to at least 3 different essays. One of those essays should be by a prominent/significant figure from the 1950s click here for the list . While you listen to the essays take notes in your Journal about the use of language and how the story is being told. Is there imagery or symbolism? Good details? Does the story come full circle? What makes this essay work? What do you notice? What kind of ideas does it give you about what you might try when writing your own essay?

10 Things I Know to be True Examples

Why Afghan Women Risk Death to Write Poetry
In A North Vietnamese Prison, Sharing Poems with ‘Taps on The Walls’
Poem in Your Pocket Day, 4/18
A Poem Store Open For Business
POETRY 180
Poetry Outloud
spoken-word poem by Shane Koyczan – “To This Day”
Sara Kay’s spoken-word poem, “B”
Anis Mojgani’s spoken-word poem, “Shake The Dust”
Joshua Bennett’s spoken-word poem, “Tamara’s Opus”
Jamaica Osorio’s spoken-word poem, “Kumulipo”
Daniel Beaty’s spoken-word poem, “Knock, Knock”
Alicia Key’s spoken-word poem, “P.O.W.”
“Scratch and Dent Dreams” spoken-word poem by Eric Darby
“Hands” spoken-word poem by Sarah Kay
Project: FLIGHT
spoken-word poem: Changing The World One Word At A Time

“We each live our stories and we learn most from the stories of others. When you feel alone, you can find community in stories; when you weaken, you can find strength; when you are disheartened, you can find resolve; when you are down, you can be lifted; when you feel pain, you can find comfort; when you question, you can find inspiration;
when you tire, you can find new energy; when you wonder why, you can find inspiration.” – Louis Schmier

Elements of a Short Story video
Short Story of the Day
Figurative Language video
Figurative Language: Idioms
Advice on writing
Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling
Synonyms for words commonly used in student writing
16 Literary Techniques explained by Disney

“As I see it, a short story is like a child’s kite – a small wonder, a brief, bright wonder.” – Sean O’Faolain

Writer’s Block 911
Creative Writing Prompts

“Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.” -Mortimer J. Adler

Need suggestions for what to read next? Maybe ask The Book Seer:click here
Watch how a little bookmark has a great adventure when the book is open:click here
Book lists of young adult fiction: click here
writer, Ally Carter, describes how “The Outsiders” changed her life click here

“The books that help you most are those which make you think the most. The hardest way of learning is that of easy reading; but a great book that comes from a great thinker is a ship of thought, deep freighted with truth and beauty.” -Theodore Parker (1810 – 1860)

Behind the Name
Baby Names