I+Believe+in+Love

=Believers in Love Say "Yes!"= With Valentine's Day rapidly approaching, many people will begin to turn their thoughts to love. What is this intangible emotion that is as solid as the very ground upon which I stand but as ethereal as it is ineffable? Have I found it? Does it even exist? And if it does, and if I find it, how will I know? As part of our continual self-examination, we will read and listen to essays from the awesome [|"This I Believe"]series about love, and then write our own "This I Believe" style essays. (For funsies, try [|submitting your essay] to the website! Make sure that you [|follow the guidelines]!) We will also publish them here and discuss.

=Objectives= Students will:
 * Read, listen to, and analyze works of non-fiction
 * Write an essay stating a belief
 * Provide anecdotal evidence regarding the origin of this belief
 * Self-edit and publish written work
 * Critique the work of others

=Materials=
 * Laptop/Computer
 * Internet Connection
 * "This I Believe" Essays
 * Speakers or Headphones
 * Paper and Writing Utensil

=Steps=
 * 1) Draw a giant cloud (or heart...or circle...whatevs). Inside the cloud, write down words that you think of when you think of "love". Try to capture some of your beliefs about love.
 * 2) Once you finish, read one of the following essays [|on love, published on "This I Believe"].
 * 3) Lee Reeves, [|"A Tender Lullaby"]
 * 4) John Samuel Tieman, [|"God is in Her Hand"]
 * 5) Reg Stark, [|"Pennies from Heaven"]
 * 6) Cindy Loller, [|"A Walk in the Woods Together"]
 * 7) Lawrence Kessinich, [|"In My Father's Tears"]
 * 8) Reflect on the essay you read and heard. What techniques did the author use to draw your attention? How did the anecdote explain the author's belief? How might you incorporate what you've read and learned into your own writing? How can you use this to become a better writer? Answer those questions on the discussion board located below.
 * 9) Open a new Microsoft Word document (Or download this one and choose Save As to change the document name: [|YourLastName_Love.docx]). Following the guidelines stated on the website, write your own story explaining your beliefs on love. Save this in a document titled "YourLastName_Love.rtf". Save the document to your "Creative Writing" folder.
 * 10) Pay attention, perhaps this is the hardest part: click on your name in the box below. It will take you to a new page to edit. **COPY AND PASTE** your essay onto the new page. Do not link to it. Do not upload your file. Actually put your essay onto the page. (It will make it easier for people to simply click and read.) Save it. The end.
 * 11) Once your classmates have posted read their essays. Use the discussion tab to respond to at least two people's writings - however, the more people you can give constructive commentary, the better for everyone involved!

Due on 2/11 - just in time to read on Valentine's Day Monday! = = =To start your page, click on your name below!= include component="comments" page="I Believe in Love" limit="10"
 * Eva || Ayanna || Leah || Ayana || JessiLynn ||
 * Taylor || Eliza || Bayle || Abi || Stephanie H. ||
 * Stephanie J. || Whitney || Jessie Mac || Jesse Moore || Kendall ||
 * Katie || Lyrica || Alexis || Jasmine || Mary-Kathryn ||
 * Griffin || Jessica Mo. || Hannah ||  ||   ||