Comments for TheModernStory http://themodernstory.wordpress.com Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:06:14 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Student work by Piya http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/student-work/#comment-633 Piya Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:06:14 +0000 http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/?p=738#comment-633 Danny, this is a beautiful post about the power of creativity and what environment it best thrives in. I think you should definitely give the boys room to draw and spend less time putting together the story. I am in complete agreement that the content should drive the technical work. A graphic novel piece seems like the perfect project for the boys. We will bring some graphic novels with us when we visit in February. Keep up the excellent work. -Piya Danny, this is a beautiful post about the power of creativity and what environment it best thrives in. I think you should definitely give the boys room to draw and spend less time putting together the story. I am in complete agreement that the content should drive the technical work. A graphic novel piece seems like the perfect project for the boys. We will bring some graphic novels with us when we visit in February. Keep up the excellent work.
-Piya

]]> Comment on Incorporating Individual and Community Stories by Piya http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/2009/11/07/incorporating-individual-and-community-stories/#comment-632 Piya Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:38:02 +0000 http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/?p=731#comment-632 Vidya, Once again, this is a very thoughtful post that addresses one of the major challenges of teaching, which I think is universal. Even today, my eleventh and twelfth grade students were giving presentations on real world references in a novel we are reading, White Teeth. One student was giving a presentation about natural disasters in Bangladesh and another about violence in London during the 80's. Both students kept apologizing for their "depressing" presentations and avoided showing certain clips in their PowerPoint because they were too disheartening. Of course these students have the luxury of ignoring hardship while students in India face it each day. I think in terms of working with your students, you might make the focus " taking action." If they already have the awareness, then can you direct their projects towards taking action in finding basic and small solutions? Can they at least conceptualize ways to begin taking action? This might feel a bit more empowering. As you wrote, creating a balance between personal, celebratory stories and social justice issues is also key. Thanks for the thought-provoking post. -Piya Vidya,
Once again, this is a very thoughtful post that addresses one of the major challenges of teaching, which I think is universal. Even today, my eleventh and twelfth grade students were giving presentations on real world references in a novel we are reading, White Teeth. One student was giving a presentation about natural disasters in Bangladesh and another about violence in London during the 80’s. Both students kept apologizing for their “depressing” presentations and avoided showing certain clips in their PowerPoint because they were too disheartening. Of course these students have the luxury of ignoring hardship while students in India face it each day. I think in terms of working with your students, you might make the focus ” taking action.” If they already have the awareness, then can you direct their projects towards taking action in finding basic and small solutions? Can they at least conceptualize ways to begin taking action? This might feel a bit more empowering. As you wrote, creating a balance between personal, celebratory stories and social justice issues is also key. Thanks for the thought-provoking post.
-Piya

]]> Comment on Language Barriers and Storytellers by Piya http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/language-barriers-and-storytellers/#comment-623 Piya Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:04:37 +0000 http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/?p=669#comment-623 Danny, That is so interesting that someone asked you to define "modern story." When we conceptualized the name, we were referring to the "modern" form of storytelling - digital storytelling, and not to subject matter. We actually want the students to be able to describe, analyze and discuss their traditions through the modern mode of technology and storytelling. This might be worth explaining to the students and the teachers! The point of this project is to spread their ways of life to the world through the vehicle of technology. -Piya Danny,
That is so interesting that someone asked you to define “modern story.” When we conceptualized the name, we were referring to the “modern” form of storytelling – digital storytelling, and not to subject matter. We actually want the students to be able to describe, analyze and discuss their traditions through the modern mode of technology and storytelling.
This might be worth explaining to the students and the teachers! The point of this project is to spread their ways of life to the world through the vehicle of technology.
-Piya

]]> Comment on Language Barriers and Storytellers by punam http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/language-barriers-and-storytellers/#comment-622 punam Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:28:41 +0000 http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/?p=669#comment-622 Danny and Vidya, Really enjoyed your posts on your personal reflections as teachers and your reactions to your students and their responses. Its already a rich tapestry and you have only begun! You have turned the boys into poets - there is an opulent history of urdu poetry in India - maybe the students can recite some urdu couplets to you! Tell them that you have heard that urdu poetry is "mashoor"!! Best, Punam Danny and Vidya,
Really enjoyed your posts on your personal reflections as teachers and your reactions to your students and their responses.
Its already a rich tapestry and you have only begun!
You have turned the boys into poets – there is an opulent history of urdu poetry in India – maybe the students can recite some urdu couplets to you! Tell them that you have heard that urdu poetry is “mashoor”!!
Best,
Punam

]]> Comment on Some More Photo Presentations from the Girls at Railway HS by punam http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/some-more-photo-presentations-from-the-girls-at-railway-hs/#comment-621 punam Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:18:23 +0000 http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/?p=702#comment-621 Dear students, the 4 powerpoint presentations are wonderful. You have captured each of the 4 topics well - I enjoyed all of them. You have to be so proud of your excellent school and your own work so far with the camera. I look forward to your videos and digital stories..... Ioana is moving you along fast. Best wishes, your admirer Punam Dear students,
the 4 powerpoint presentations are wonderful. You have captured each of the 4 topics well – I enjoyed all of them.
You have to be so proud of your excellent school and your own work so far with the camera.
I look forward to your videos and digital stories…..
Ioana is moving you along fast.
Best wishes,
your admirer
Punam

]]> Comment on Railway Girls High School by vputcha http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/2009/10/23/railway-girls-high-school/#comment-620 vputcha Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:40:02 +0000 http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/?p=664#comment-620 Thanks for your comment, Piya! This sounds like a great idea for an exercise. Perhaps this could even be part of a short gender activity that engages the girls in other related questions. You have me thinking now about how to bring this all together! Thanks for your comment, Piya! This sounds like a great idea for an exercise. Perhaps this could even be part of a short gender activity that engages the girls in other related questions. You have me thinking now about how to bring this all together!

]]> Comment on Railway Girls High School by Piya http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/2009/10/23/railway-girls-high-school/#comment-618 Piya Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:24:11 +0000 http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/?p=664#comment-618 Vidya, I found this to be a particularly powerful and well-written post about the conflicts of self that occur while teaching! It would be interesting to share these thoughts with the girls - do they think that being introverted, and not always speaking their mind will allow them to get where they want to in life? Perhaps you could arrange an activity around this question - "have you ever been in a situation when you wanted to say something, but couldn't?" "Have you ever said something that you wish you didn't?" Thanks for sharing your ideas. I really enjoyed reading them. -Piya Vidya,
I found this to be a particularly powerful and well-written post about the conflicts of self that occur while teaching!

It would be interesting to share these thoughts with the girls – do they think that being introverted, and not always speaking their mind will allow them to get where they want to in life? Perhaps you could arrange an activity around this question – “have you ever been in a situation when you wanted to say something, but couldn’t?” “Have you ever said something that you wish you didn’t?”

Thanks for sharing your ideas. I really enjoyed reading them.
-Piya

]]> Comment on First Day at APRS by Bharati http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/2009/10/14/first-day-at-aprs/#comment-616 Bharati Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:34:51 +0000 http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/?p=610#comment-616 It's so great to read about your experiences! Can't wait to know more... It’s so great to read about your experiences! Can’t wait to know more…

]]> Comment on Our boys at Nalgonda by nelldd http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/our-boys-at-nalgonda/#comment-615 nelldd Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:07:40 +0000 http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/?p=615#comment-615 So great to read about what you're up to, Danny! Teaching self-expression is a tough one... It sounds like you manage to develop creative & appropriate ways to do so, though - good for you! Must remind you of some of the kids / classes here in Nablus... Be safe, enjoy, and keep us all posted :) So great to read about what you’re up to, Danny!

Teaching self-expression is a tough one… It sounds like you manage to develop creative & appropriate ways to do so, though – good for you! Must remind you of some of the kids / classes here in Nablus…

Be safe, enjoy, and keep us all posted :)

]]> Comment on Our boys at Nalgonda by Dylan G http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/our-boys-at-nalgonda/#comment-614 Dylan G Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:31:22 +0000 http://themodernstory.wordpress.com/?p=615#comment-614 Never stop moving. If you know you want to do something and you know that you're good at - become better at it. One is never finished learning. If you reach a point that you think you know all the answers you need to think of more questions. Never stop moving. If you know you want to do something and you know that you’re good at – become better at it. One is never finished learning. If you reach a point that you think you know all the answers you need to think of more questions.

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