Black Beauty

Approximately 1 week before Lupita Nyong'o won an Oscar, she gave this speech after winning the Essence Magazine Black Women In Hollywood Breakthrough Performance Award.  


Watch the video of her speech below:

Consider the video you just watched and choose from the prompts below to spark your writing:

• Imagine yourself growing up with a different skin colour. What are some of the negative things you might experience?
• Explain why you think Lupita would have prayed for God to lighten her skin colour. What are some of the things that you can picture her thinking would have been different in her life?
• Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you felt 'unbeautiful', like Lupita? What (if anything) happened to change your opinion?
• Lupita had a life changing moment, with another young black woman being called beautiful and inspiring by Oprah Winfrey. Who do you consider an inspiration in your life, and why?

Write your post on your blog and copy/paste the link into the comments below.

Now, if you were to choose one or two sentences to quote and create a visual image (like our 6 word memoirs or our Tuck quotes from last year), which words would you choose?  Can you create a visual to represent what you took away from Lupita's speech?  Create your visual and post in your blog post.

The Social Media Experiment

You are growing up in a time of social media experiments.  Literally.  Many of the social media sites you use today have only existed for under 10 years...and apps like Instagram have only existed for 4 years!  As a result, our society is constantly experimenting with social media and how it changes the way we can share and communicate.

http://www.tenthwave.com/blog/social-media-a-history-infographic/

http://blog.peoplebrowsr.com/2011/03/illustrating-the-evolution-of-social-networking-a-history-for-the-media-research-industry/

Watch the video below titled "The Social Media Experiment."

http://youtu.be/5P_0s1TYpJU

Consider the video you just watched and choose from the prompts below to spark your writing:

• Do people have the right to call those who find information about them on social media "creepy"?  Why/Why not?

• What risks do you take when you put yourself online?  Do you have the right to call the police for people finding your information on social media?  Explain your answer.

• How do you protect yourself online?  Do you think you are at risk for someone 'finding' you on social media?

• What are some of the benefits of being on social media?  Do you think they outweigh the risks?  Explain your answer.

Post your response on your blog.  Link your blog post in the comments below.

John Tavares comes through for 11-year-old

John Tavares comes through for 11-year-old



And that's the power of writing and sharing. Sometimes, it even makes a difference! :)

Listen to the audio clip of Ace Burpee speaking to the writer of the letter and mom to the 11 year old at https://m.soundcloud.com/1031virginradio/sue-comments-on-her-experience

All fans deserve respect

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 10, 2014

Letters to the Editor

A recent experience at a Winnipeg Jets game leads me to believe fans could use a course on respect in sport.

My 11-year-old son idolizes John Tavares. He was disappointed he wouldn't have the opportunity to see Tavares play on March 4 against the Jets, but proudly wore his #91 jersey to the game.

Upon entering the arena there was some teasing for wearing the "wrong colours," but it was good-natured and fun, and my son took it all in stride.

The tone changed when the Jets lost to the Islanders -- my son became a target. As we tried to make our way through the crowds, there were taunts and even profanity. My son, the great little sportsman that he is, kept walking and ignored the jeers -- until a man ran up to him and shouted in his face "Boo! You suck! Go home, loser!"

The night ended with me leading my crying son out of the arena with a treasured jersey balled up in his hands.

Minor hockey has received a lot of attention regarding the behaviour of spectators and fans. Is anyone looking at the big leagues? This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and shouldn't be tolerated in any arena, big or small.

SUE LOTOCKI

Winnipeg

Post your comments below.  Some questions to consider include:

• Do you agree that there is a problem here? What can we do to address issues like these?
• Have you witnessed examples of this behaviour? 
• How can we be 'fueled by passion' but ensure that our passion doesn't go too far?
• How might a parent deal with a situation like this? 
• What do you think when you hear news like this? 

How do I add transition words into my essay?

As we write, we want to help guide the reader from one idea to the next.  Strong writers use transition words to connect ideas and introduce new ones.  They are a signal that readers use to prepare themselves for new information.

Transitions to avoid?  

The first reason I think dogs make better pets than cats is...

The second reason I think dogs make better pets than cats is...

The third reason I think dogs make better pets than cats is...

BORING!

Even using first, second, third can be quite boring to read!

Once you are finished writing your first body paragraph, try to spice up your writing using a variety of transition words suggested below.  Remember though, too much spice isn't effective either!  You'll lose the reader's interest by using too many or by repeating the same one over and over.  

Since transitions show relationships among sentences and paragraphs.  Different transition words are effective for different purposes.  

• Words that can be used to add or introduce information and clarify ideas:
• Also, indeed, alternatively, further, furthermore, on the other hand, in addition, additionally, as well
• For example, for instance, in particular, to illustrate
• Similarly, likewise, in the same manner/way, also, in the same way
• Specifically, namely
• In other words

• Words that can contrast two things: 
• But, in contrast, however, conversely, on the other hand
• Indeed, more importantly, in either case, in any case, in any event, at any rate
• Nonetheless, nevertheless, regardless
• Still, yet, although, even though

• Words that can be used to conclude or summarize your ideas.  These transitions are good to use in your concluding sentences and/or in your concluding paragraph.
• Due to or due to the fact, for, as, since
• Granting, granted, on the condition, unless
• As a result, consequently, therefore, thus, otherwise
• In conclusion, for this reason

• Words that show the reader the order of events or sequence of ideas:
• Initially, first, to begin with, to start with
• Afterwards, subsequently, previously, finally
• To summarize, therefore, briefly, in short

List of transitions edited/adapted from http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/for-students-and-parents/how/how-do-i-include-transition-words-in-my-essay.html