Aristotle's Poetics in the 4-6 grade fiction unit

The man himself-- a bust of the man himself, rather.

Aristotle's Poetics, written 350 B.C.E., is the earliest surviving work on dramatic theory, but it's also a very accessible guide for Peregrine's 4-6 graders to learn to think about storytelling and about how to create their own original narratives.

Early in this semester, in relation to our major theme of human community and survival, we posed the question: Is storytelling essential to human survival? After all, we see narratives in all human civilizations, right along with food, shelter, fuel, etc. So, is our instinct to create narratives (or poetry, as Aristotle has it) as innate as these other biological necessities?

In Poetics, Aristotle says:

Poetry in general seems to have sprung from two causes, each of them lying deep in our nature. First, the instinct of imitation is implanted in man from childhood, one difference between him and other animals being that he is the most imitative of living creatures, and through imitation learns his earliest lessons; and no less universal is the pleasure felt in things imitated. 

(His other cause is human's affection for rhythm and harmony-- we also see music in human societies across the board.)

A couple things: On the first day of this unit, I asked the class if they liked to read and write stories and, if so, why. Many simply said, "It's fun!" It is fun to read and make up stories, and this isn't lost on our man Aristotle: "...no less universal is the pleasure felt in things imitated." The other important thing is, narrative is in fact part of our nature as humans, according to Aristotle. Clearly, we can't make the case that telling and writing stories is a biological necessity... but we can ask: Is there a difference between something that is a part of human nature and something we need to survive? As one student pointed out in our discussion: What are we eating, building shelters, and making fires for, if not to play music and share stories with each other? It's a great question!

So, we have been asking some enormous questions about narrative, but we also get practical advice from Poetics about plot construction, character, and style. We will continue to work with Poetics for the next few weeks, as our fiction unit progresses. As I say, it is a very readable, slim book and is even available online for free here .

I'm aware that this may be the first time that the kids have studied literature and their own writing "through the lens" of some philosopher, and I've been cautioning them about thinking that anyone-- even "The Big A," as we sometimes call him-- is The Final Word on reading and writing stories. We study him to clarify our own thoughts on the material.

"Aristotle was just a guy who had some good ideas," I tell them. "Any of you could probably have taken him in an arm wrestling contest."

--Chris

The Lego Starwars

Long, long, time ago, far away in the galaxy there was dark and good LOGO people. There were people who were sitting, playing, football and hopscotch and having fun. But they really did not know that they had dark upon them. The dark had lots and lots and lots of men and robots. The Jedi side and the leader was Master Yoda. And the other one was Dark Vader.

Dark Vader was planning something bigger than anything else, and Master Yoda said some of the Jedi had to go breach the Death Star and rescue the pretty princess. But they didn't know it was a trick, they fell into a deep dark hole, but it was a monster with big jaws opening. And that's when he met the weirdest person and he was called Luke Sky walker. Luke Sky walker had landed with his ship there. That is when he learned how to be a Jedi Knight by this weird looking green monster. While Luke was gone, the Jedi forces were having trouble defeating the dark side of Dark Vader.

Luke came back to Jupiter, and saved the day. He rescued the hostage who was named James. Until the bad guys found the secret base for Jedi forces. After all, Dark Vader got his son named Luke with his droids and said, "Come with me". So he followed his father, but, he didn't know who his father was at that time. So his father told him that he was his father, and he was confused and told him the story about his Mom. So he got to meet his boss, that led him to darkness when he was a Jedi Knight on the good side. Luke ran away, but his Dad chased him, and then they fought until their ship was being attacked. The good guys did not know that Luke was on that ship. So then Dark Vader' boss fought with Dark Vader. Dark Vader had said, "I am going to have to say I'm staying, and you have to go, son". But Luke said, "No". Dark Vader said, "Go now and fulfill your destiny". So he went and fulfilled his destiny, and the whole Death Star ship blew up. So he got onto a ship and the whole crowd cheered when he got to the city. Until this day good arrives and darkness stays low.

They lived happily ever after, except BebbyFeat.

THE END

--Ayize Gwebu

Minecraft Should Be Allowed at School: An Argument

Many people don't think you should play Minecraft at school, but  I've come to think it's important because it teaches kids to build things, and makes them more helpful. And it gets me experience new things.


First, playing minecraft can help kids learn to build stuff, and then they could build the real thing, like a fishing rod or a bed. They could use the stuff in Minecraft to help them camp so they survive.


Furthermore, playing Minecraft wouid make me more helpful to Chris at school. I would listen to what Chris is telling me, and I would help with organizing the stuff he needs extra help with. For an example, I could put some cups away at lunch or sweep the floors.


I realize that playing Minecraft should be allowed at school. It should not just be a reward. It helps kids learn to build certain stuff, makes kids more helpful, and helps with creativity.


--Ayize Gwebu

Rodrigo's persuasive essay

Thesis: I should be able to play computer on the weekdays
                                         
Once upon a time there was a boy named Rodrigo, who needed computer time every day to check his personal things, for example: E-mail, minecraftDL, minecrafttextures, and, minecraftmine.


      If I could play computer on the weekdays I would not get so mad if I had to get off on the weekend. Also I would be happier. And lastly I would like you allot more.

      If I could play computer on the weekdays I would be happier and more more exited and want to do more helpful more helpful things, like doing the dishes, doing the recycling, doing the laundry, etcetera.


     I also think I should play computer on the weekdays, because I would not obsess so much on playing on Monday/Thursday. Also I used not to be able to control my emotions, and I would get very  mad if I had to get off. Nowadays I can control my emotions, so, Now I do don't angry if I don't get to play on the weekdays.

I realize that when I play computer I feel more satisfied, happy, done, and especially, loving.  This is also important to me because when I play computer on the weekdays I will not get so mad when I have to get off on the weekends.This will help me get along with, you: mom, and dad

Becca's persuasive essay

     I am here to present my case on why teachers should be paid more, and 

here are the three reasons why- it isn't an easy job, teachers provide education
we need, and they are extremely helpful.

     First, it isn't an easy job. Often teachers have to educate rambunctious and  prob-

lematic children who don't learn very well and these teachers are sometimes
expected to work miracles. The often have infinite patience and always set out
to find the best ways for a child to work.
     Furthermore, teachers provide the education we need- badly. To thrive, we all need to kn-

ow basic concepts of cost and expenses, not to mention business concepts and

how to evaluate a situation. It's kind of impossible to survive without these things
in such a tough economy.

      Finally, teachers are extremely helpful and often provide the confidence and self-

esteem boost we all need once in a while. And they are amazing at explaining
things. For example, take a kid who doesn't like multiplication and has to learn
it times three- three digit multiplication.When a teacher can explain something
like this in a way that makes sense, it's like magic.
     I hope you take my findings into account and consider giving teachers more
pay and more say. Other people should care about this because being a teacher isn't
easy( although we think it is), teachers are the cornerstone of education, and
they boost our self-esteem.

Film Class is Important: A Persuasive Argument

Many people don’t think that filming class is important, but I’ve come to think it is crucial for academics. We could incorporate language arts which would put us in better moods , and help shyer kids come out of their shell.

       First we could incorporate language arts into our filmmaking. We could film ourselves working to put it on the blog. This would make us work harder because anyone could see it. Then we would do better in school and have fun at the same time. Kids might say their not okay with this, but only kids who wanted to do it would do it.

       

        Furthermore it would also put us in better moods because we would be having fun. Study’s show that the children in better moods are the most productive. If I was in a bad mood I wouldn’t work very well. Wouldn’t you. I wouldn’t. You might think if we were having fun we might be act silly or energetic. We might, but over all we would be more productive.

        Finally, it would help shy kids become more outgoing. It would be good for them because they wouldn’t just do nothing. Also they would have more fun and be more willing to try new things. Over all this would really help shy kids.

         Other people should care about filmmaking because it helps kids in many, many ways. Filmmaking  is a fun way to express yourself and depending on the film, it can help you learn a lot. I hope you put a little more film into your day.

                                                           By,

                                                              Garnet

How-to essays by Josh Kumler

How to Survive in a Desert

First, if you don't have water, find some by cutting or breaking a cactus leaf. There might be some water in there.

Next, you'll need some food. You can find a lizard and cook it in front of a fire and eat it.

After, you may get hot and you get so sweaty, but sweat can sometimes cool you off.

Then, if you get cold, you can make a fire by rubbing rocks together.

And finally capture animals to make friends if you are lonely.


How to Be a Clown

A clown is a person that acts silly, wears funny clothes and big shoes, and they paint their faces.

First, learn jokes that are funny. Also learn pranks like the hand buzzer.

Next, learn how to ride a unicycle while juggling balls and making balloon animals is important.

After, it is time to create my clown character and buy a costume.

The next thing to do is find a party and perform. After lots of parties I`ll be ready for bigger jobs.

And finally I`ll be ready for the circus. This is every clowns dream!