I’ve determined a good way to sum up this semester so far is that the days are long and the weeks are short. Seriously, sometimes it feels like I’ve been going non-stop for about 10 hours and although each task I’ve done during the day seems to last forever, my days end so quickly that the weeks go by even quicker.Sighhhh….okay, so now that I’ve dumped my traditional intro about how I’m so worn out (that’s usually the first thought that comes to my mind when I reflect back on weeks during this semester), let’s get going…

This week, I finished my 6th genre (YAY!) and I can’t wait to get finished with next week’s. I had to develop a pamphlet/brochure in the voice of a clinician or an expert, as if it was being offered or distributed at the office of a professional who deals with deaf children and their literacy issues. I set out to finish this genre by Sunday afternoon, but thankfully (and I don’t know how), I got ahead and finished it a couple of days ago. Again, I’m going out of town for the weekend to a concert and to see my sister, so there was definitely a sense of urgency in getting this done (or maybe it’s because other assignments are stacking up so high I can’t see anything but homework anymore….I know: poor me. :).

The processes I had to use were finding a template that would work to help me make a brochure. Cindy had given me some pointers and good starting places for the brochure, but I couldn’t get it to work initially on my parents’ computer or mine. After a few attempts, I got it to work and all I had to do was cut and paste. Nice. Although it would be fun to eventually learn to set stuff lik that up, it was definitely nice to have the layout done for me in advance. I just don’t have the time, patience or energy to deal with details right now! I did, however, have to determine what kind of information I would want to know as a parent of a deaf child, and what kind of terminology and information would be appropriate for lay persons to read it.

So, this week, I think that I definitely feel more confident about not only getting my genre done early, but I’m glad that it turned out well and looks like I put a lot more work into it than I did. I learned how, when it comes right down to finding relevant information and deciding what I would want to know as a parent or a clinician, etc., that it takes a lot of concentration to make the work high-quality. I also learned how to find and run programs that haven’t been used before on new computers. :)

These weeks are rollin by too quickly! I feel like one of those lumberjacks who has to roll on a big old log really fast and keep up with it so he won't fall off!

ANyway, this week I planned to write yet another genre. I was really excited because I am at thepoint where everything has to start coming together and being cohesive. I set out to make a firm solid decision on my genres, the voices I was going to use, and which foundation questions I could answer through those. I tried to find ways to make my genres answer ALL of my foundation questions, but I dont' think that will happen. But that was my goal this week. I did this because at the end, I don't want to think that this project was a waste and that I didn't answer what I originally set out to.

This week, I had to become very intentional with my writing and my choices. I could no longer make a temporary quick decision to just get some done. I needed to be efficient and make sure I wasn't setting myself up for more work later. Again, since I haven't finished my next genre yet, there aren't a whole lot of other processes I've used this week besides getting serious about the looks of my project and getting a move on!

I have become more and more pleased with the shape my project is taking on. This week, I realized, I think, the main goal of this project and its aim. I am beginning to think that this project is more than just trying to answer an essential question...and maybe not that at all! I am beginning to think it is all about getting us to think outside the box and become more information literate instead of focusing so much on meeting deadlines. I think because of that idea, it was easier for me to relax and think more creatively of how I could include all of my genres instead of stressing on how to make it all answer my questions. It's been a good week and it's even better to know I'll have at least all of my first drafts of my genres done soon!

These weeks are rollin by too quickly! I feel like one of those lumberjacks who has to roll on a big old log really fast and keep up with it so he won't fall off!

ANyway, this week I planned to write yet another genre. I was really excited because I am at thepoint where everything has to start coming together and being cohesive. I set out to make a firm solid decision on my genres, the voices I was going to use, and which foundation questions I could answer through those. I tried to find ways to make my genres answer ALL of my foundation questions, but I dont' think that will happen. But that was my goal this week. I did this because at the end, I don't want to think that this project was a waste and that I didn't answer what I originally set out to.

This week, I had to become very intentional with my writing and my choices. I could no longer make a temporary quick decision to just get some done. I needed to be efficient and make sure I wasn't setting myself up for more work later. Again, since I haven't finished my next genre yet, there aren't a whole lot of other processes I've used this week besides getting serious about the looks of my project and getting a move on!

I have become more and more pleased with the shape my project is taking on. This week, I realized, I think, the main goal of this project and its aim. I am beginning to think that this project is more than just trying to answer an essential question...and maybe not that at all! I am beginning to think it is all about getting us to think outside the box and become more information literate instead of focusing so much on meeting deadlines. I think because of that idea, it was easier for me to relax and think more creatively of how I could include all of my genres instead of stressing on how to make it all answer my questions. It's been a good week and it's even better to know I'll have at least all of my first drafts of my genres done soon!