Friday, January 25, 2013

The Path to Enlightenment or Buttering-Up: 101

This weekend's challenge from Trifextra is a timely one for me because it deals with the lovely concept of personification.  In the Grade 5/6 class that I help teach Language to, we are studying Personification right now!  True story.   We have covered simile and metaphor and so on down the line.  Personification is on tap, as I write this.  So, now that the prompt isn't a word that is banned at my school (like this week's prompt ), I will be able to share the excellent work of my fellow Trifectans, if you so allow.  Please let me know if you are comfortable having Grade 5/6 students attempt to discern the personification incorporated within your piece. I will not display anyone's work unless you expressly permit me to do so.
However, your work is a gold mine and my kids are in need of uncovering some treasure so, if you can help a guy out then, please give me a shout this weekend.  Thanks, in advance for your understanding and co-operation.  :)






The Path to Enlightenment or Buttering-Up: 101

Words
that pour forth
from the souls of Trifectans
burn brightly,
illuminating a path
for my students to follow.
May I warm their young minds
by the flames of your creativity
come Monday?

49 comments:

  1. Personifying trifectans seems popular!

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    1. Well, that beats pigeon feces any day of the week, including the weekend. :)

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  2. Hehe, a request and a personification - nice :) Who could say no to that? Sure, you can use mine if you feel it's appropriate :D

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  3. Wow!Beautiful personification!Love the lines,"words that pour forth..burn brightly,illuminating a path":-)

    In case you think my submission is ok for the young minds,please feel free to do so-it will be an honour for me:-)

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  4. Thank you, Atreyee, I appreciate your willingness to be that beacon of light that my kiddies need. :)

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  5. Love the way your words wooed us, Tom. ;)
    Feel free to use mine (it's work related) if you think they'd get it. I'll be posting it on the morrow...

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  6. as I read through all the submissions I am doubting that my entry is a true personification . . . so, if appropriate, mine might work as an anti-personification. :) Permission granted. And . . . wtg teacher-man!

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  7. Hahaha, I could imagine the angry response from parents if you took the last prompt word to school :)

    I like how you phrased your 33-word request. If you deem mine appropriate, you are welcome to use it!

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    1. I must confess that I have actually created a "school-appropriate" version of that story. I simply substituted "son of a bitch" with " son of a gun". You are correct, can't be promoting profanity in the classroom. I didn't share the erotic challenge, either, for the same reason. :)

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  8. Yes, you can use entry. Btw kids, your teacher is an awesome writer and he talks about you guys all the time. I'll bet he's a cool teacher too. Perfect entry Tom.

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    1. Aw shucks, Lumdog! Now I am all ablush! I will definitely pass along your comments to the kiddies on Monday. Thanks for the shout out!

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  9. I would let you use mine in a heartbeat but I don't think it's age-appropriate lol

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    1. Yep! Little too hot to handle or, more specifically, your poem will take them places I don't wish to go so, thanks but, no thanks for this one time.

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  10. I don't think they'd relate to mine... yet! Loved your submission this week.

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    1. Quite on the contrary. You would be saddened to know the extent of the body image, self esteem type issues we deal with at this age range with girls. The media has done such a number on so many of them that if they don't have that bikini body at age twelve then, they are just not beautiful. I will probably not use your poem at this time but, if I could put it on hold for another time, when this issue arises again then, that would be good. Thanks.

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  11. Anytime! I'm glad you trust us except when were naughty! Beautiful poem!

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    1. I trust you, especially when you're naughty!!! However, it's the kids and their parents that I don't implicitly trust, if ya know what I mean? :)

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  12. Tom, I love your piece - it makes me feel like lighting a fire (is it as cold in Cobourg as it is in Ottawa?). Please feel free to use the flames of my creativity if you still need examples.

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  13. Warming up to -9, last time I checked. (Been -20 and colder most of the week). I will happily use a great Canadian poet's work any time. Thanks.

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  14. I would happily give permission to borrow my example of personification. Except that I don't think it may be appropriate for youngsters!

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    1. I love your poem but, just the same, lots of explaining to do for the kiddies if I were to use it. I may agree with you and pass for now. But, I still think it is wicked!!!!!!!!! :)

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  15. I bet you are a well-liked teacher - meaning you make learning a lot of fun. I love your poem. It's perfect. And you are welcome to mine if it fits the bill.

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    1. Thank you very much. You are always so supportive. :) And, of course, your poem is perfect. Get ready to be described as a famous writer friend of mine on Monday morning.

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  16. Ooo! Someone is suffering from colder weather than I am! Then again, we are on a heat wave - it warmed up a good 30 degrees recently. We made it to ten above!

    Onto the topic at hand. I love that you personified your request! That is great! And, please, feel free to use my work if you feel it is appropriate. 5th and 6th graders should get a laugh out of it at least!

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    1. Hey there, Momma! I imagine that Minn. gets pretty cold, too. You may even be further north than I am, come to think of it! Anyway, being a new Mom, as you are, the poopie diaper experience has become a major factor in your life so, I can see why you came up with this idea. I think the kids will enjoy your story very much. Thanks for allowing me to share it.

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  17. Dear Mr. Cobbie... You might do well to show your class my post. Not so that they can learn 'personification' (I'm not even sure I did it), but to show them the error of not reading directions... "always read directions, class'. I have edited my submission to 33 words exactly, per your suggestion. Thanks for the heads-up. Please re-read and let me know if I 'personified'.

    Best regards... tedstrutz

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  18. Very cool! When we first started Trifecta, we had a special section for students to link their own creations. We still welcome them with open arms, but we are no longer able to host their submissions. If they have blogs, they're welcome to play along though! My husband teaches secondary English. Occasionally some of his kids will link up. Fun stuff!

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  19. Hopefully the kids will get a kick out of learning more about their teacher and will enjoy reading the work that they are doing as seen though the creative lens of such talented and experienced writers. Or else, they may be bored to tears, too. Hard to predict how Mondays will go. We'll see. I'll let everyone know next week.Happy to hang with so generous a crowd as exists at Trifecta, though.

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  20. Great idea, :) Unfortunately mine would be inappropriate, but there are plenty of other gems to pick from. :) I hope your children learn a lot/enjoy them. :)

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    1. Thank you for your comment. I hope a few decide to take a chance and display their own work for Trifectans to view.

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  21. First of all - buttering up aside - that was beautifully written! I love that you are using these challenges to inspire your students. You should definitely encourage them to try a few, whether or not they actually link up - the challenges are short enough that they shouldn't be too onerous.

    Secondly, if it works for you, feel free to use mine. :)

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  22. Thank you for your generosity. It is gratefully appreciated. We have a class blog and I have checked this afternoon and it links well with Trifecta so, hopefully, a few of the kids will be brave enough to give it a whirl and publish some of their work for you and everyone else to read and comment on. Believing in themselves is sometimes a challenge for my guys but, I will see what I can do to help give them the courage they need to fly.

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  23. This made me smile, I did like that. I can't remember if mine is child friendly, but you are welcome to use it if you like.

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    1. Thank you for being willing to put your work up in front of twenty grade 5/6 kids! You piece about technology will fit in nicely with their own experiences being unable to log on properly or get an internet connection, etc. I appreciate your support of my attempt to help my guys understand the beauty of the written word.

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  24. I love the way you worked this. You're welcome to use mine if its worthwhile.

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  25. Thanks, Renee! Your piece is perfect for my class, for the same reasons I just posted to Amelia above. Very appreciative of your willingness to help out. I will let everybody know, in the days to come, how it all worked out.

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  26. I love your personification of trifectans, and mine are always kid friendly, so you're welcome to use it if you see fit.

    God bless you,
    Cheryl

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  27. TAG! You’re it! I’ve never participated in a blog award, so not sure of the appropriate protocol – but I’ve nominated you as ‘The Next Big Thing’, as I believe the writings and insight that I've been privileged to see you share need a book of their own. You can find the questions on my site, if you’re interested in playing along! http://humantriumphant.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/ive-been-tagged-as-the-next-big-thing/ Either way, have a terrific day, Tom!

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