Literacy Project Examples for 2019 Students

Today, I am assigning the literacy program project. This project's goal is to help inspire reading, either through a poster campaign, a twitter campaign, or a video commercial. However, before students can begin their projects, they must write a proposal and get them approved, just like in a real job.

The proposals should answer questions like:

• Video commercial: Why have you chosen this option for yourself? Why is this a good way to reach the students? What will the video be of? What will happen? What will it look like? What type of information will it include? Are there characters? Will there be text? Do you have a special plan for colors? For sounds? For editing techniques? How and where will this video be seen?
•  Poster campaign: Why have you chosen this option for yourself? Why is this a good way to reach the students? What will your posters look like? Will they all be the same or will it be a series of posters? What information will the posters include? Will it have images? Text? How many posters will be made? Where will they be posted? Will they all appear at the same time?
• Twitter campaign: Why have you chosen this option for yourself? Why is this a good way to reach the students? How many tweets will there be? What will the tweets say? Will there be a hash tag (and what will it be and why)? Will there be any links to images, websites or videos? Why those sources? When will these tweets be posted and why at those days and times?

Here are some examples of finished projects and their owner's proposals. Not every student got 100%, but it might be helpful to get you started.

RYAN: Poster Campaign

Ryan's Proposal: Click Here

ALEX: Twitter Campaign

Reading is cool! Retweet if you agree! Don't believe me? Take a look at some of these really life celebrities enjoying books! #ReadingIsCool

— Alex Toma (@alextoma1234) September 14, 2015

Alex's Proposal: Click Here

TEDDY: Video Commercial


Teddy's Proposal: Click Here

I can't wait to read all of this year's proposals on the student blogs on Thursday!

High Five

I am excited to be teaching my fifth semester of the Contemporary Literature elective here at U of D Jesuit High School for the 2019-2020 academic school year. To start off the first unit on Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Robin Sloane), I am asking my students to reflect on the following questions below. It's only fair that I answer them, too, right?

1. What have your previous experiences with English classes been like?
2. Do you like to read? Why or why not?
3. What do you hope to get out of this Contemporary Literature class?

I have always loved my English classes. Sure, there have been some anomalies that stood out, but overall each English class was a positive experience that led me to some title or other that was special to me. I remember My Father's Dragon with Mrs. Carolin, Great Expectations with Mrs. Carapellotti, and The Sun Also Rises (my favorite) in both high school and college. I love English classes because it is a group of readers being able to discuss books. What's not to love about that?

I love reading. Ever since my mother started reading to us when we were little, reading has been one of my favorite activities. I always found reading to be a wonderful escape. I love this quote: "Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere." In each book, there is a world to explore: Camelot in King Arthur, Westeros in Game of Thrones, Hogwarts in Harry Potter, and more! I love to read because I am a collector of stories. I love to open myself to new experiences, and reading allows me to do that without leaving the comfort of my own home (or corner Starbucks table).

I try my hardest not to play favorites, but no matter how hard I try Contemporary Literature ends up being my favorite part of my day. I'm hoping that this group of eight students will be as strong of a community as years past. Eventually, we become a tight-knit book club, and my goal is to ensure that these relationships based on books and reading continue during this semester. I look forward to working with this great group of students and having an awesome semester.