Lesson 57

 

 We wrapped up our conversation on Brother - specifically, we talked about the techniques used by Chariandy in his narrative work that make it engaging to the reader.

Students were introduced to Elamin Abdelmahmoud, and listened to an excerpt of his memoir Son of Elsewhere. 

While listening, students were asked to keep track of various "writerly moves" made by the author (on a handout) and had the remainder of the class to answer the questions of the reverse of the page. Note: students are not expected to do the writing practice at the bottom of the sheet, but are welcome to try it out at home in preparation for our upcoming work. 

The interview assignment, due next week, is already on Teams - students should get started on this work if they feel they will be pushed for time over the weekend. 

Students also got a look at the "Welcome Home" Tim Horton's ad referenced by Abdelmahmoud in the chapter.

If you missed today's class, you need to come to tutorial to pick up materials.

Lesson 56

 

Most students received the notes they handed in before the break (once block held back until a full complement has been handed in).

We talked about some very Canadian symbolism via:

• Margaret Atwood and Ann-Marie MacDonald
• Carney and Mike Myers (first minute)
• Fight between a Canada goose and an eagle
  

We transitioned toward our text with a look at:

• An elementary teacher with an "Everyone is Welcome Here" poster being directed to take it down (first 2 minutes)
  
• Maya Angelou offering advice to a young Dave Chapelle on what to do with anger, other than allowing it to make one bitter

Finally, we watched:

• A young Rev. Jesse Jackson on Sesame Street - and connected the poetic reading to our novel.

Students then set about answering the following questions:

1. Who is this text written for?
2. How does Chariandy mislead/confuse - WHY/ to what end does he doe this? (Provide some examples of moments you believed one thing, or were left questioning something - what did you learn from your confusion?)