Writing Strategies & Research/Studies in English » Rumer Godden

Kizzy was made into a TV drama by the BBC in 1976

Marc Sheffner — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 05:59:46 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

I just discovered that Rumer Godden‘s story for children, The Diddakoi, was actually made into a TV drama by the BBC in 1976. If you go to this page, and scroll down, you can see some pictures from the original series. I have been trying to find a video or a DVD of this television drama, but so far I have been unsuccessful. I will keep trying.

‘If people don’t like BBC drama, they should come and speak to me’ (guardian.co.uk)
Sony unveils internetenabled TVs (telegraph.co.uk)
You: Wire writer says adverts kill TV (news.bbc.co.uk)
Mad Men three (guardian.co.uk)
Licence fee and the internet (upyourego.com)

Interactive Writing #12: July 10th, 2009

Marc Sheffner — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:22:41 +0000

Returned old papers
Individual conference with each student to discuss her summary of chapter 3
Homework: Report on chapters 4 & 5
Next week (July 17th):
1. vocabulary test (same as the one in April)
2. summary of chapters 6 & 7
Exam (July 24th): write a 300-500-word book report on “Diddakoi“. You must show me that
1. you have read the book (i.e. you know the story, and can give examples from it (including actual words and sentences from the book)
2. you know something about gypsies and about Rumer Godden – i.e. you have done some background reading
3. you have read some reviews of the book (e.g. here or here or in Japanese here)
4. you have thought about what you have read: you have some questions or some comments about the themes in the book (themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work) (e.g. a comparison with a story with similar themes)
5. you have your own opinion about the book – show me you are a human being not a parrot.

Interactive Writing session #8: June 12th, 2009

Marc Sheffner — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:00:30 +0000

Review: what are the main themes of “Diddakoi“?
A theme is a big idea. There are many smaller ideas in each chapter of the book. For example:
1. Why is Kizzy’s Gran found dead outside the wagon, not inside it? Because gypsies want to die outside under the open sky.
2. Why do the other gypsies burn the wagon? Because gypsy tradition says that nothing that belonged to the dead should be used or touched.
Assignment:
1. Re-read chapters 2 and 3 and pick out 10 new ideas or concepts
2. Find an article, essay or interview in Japanese about
  1. either gypsies,
  2. or Rumer Godden.
  3. summarize the article or essay in 2-3 sentences, and provide the reference to it using the MLA style.

Interactive Writing session #7: June 5th, 2009

Marc Sheffner — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 11:44:45 +0000

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Rules for email, blog entries, homework:
1. name and date on everything
2. spellcheck
3. blog entries and email deadline – by Wednesday 13:00
4. one blog entry for each assignment
Discussion:
1. what are the merits and demerits of a blog?
  1. can edit any time
  2. classmates can read each other’s work
  3. can leave comments and receive comments from visitors
  4. can add hyperlinks and so add educational value
2. Homework questions (when and where was Rumer Godden born and where and when did she die? Where are “the South Downs” and “Rye, Sussex“?)
3. What are the themes of “Diddakoi“?
  1. growing up
  2. opening up the heart
  3. learning to trust
  4. prejudice and discrimination
  5. ethnic minorities (gypsies) in Britain
Homework.
1. Who/what are the Gypsies or Romany people? Where did they come from? What language do they speak? What is the origin of their language? What is their history? Write on paper or by email in 60-100 words.
2. Correct and spellcheck your summary of and reaction to the Diddakoi story. Post to your blog (by Wednesday, June 10th, 13:00)
3. Post to your blog your answers to last week’s homework (when and where was Rumer Godden born and where and when did she die? Where are “the South Downs” and “Rye, Sussex”?)

: Image via Wikipedia

Image by StormyDog via Flickr

: Image via Wikipedia

: Image via Wikipedia

Interactive Writing session #6: May 29th, 2009

Marc Sheffner — Sat, 30 May 2009 04:19:19 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

Look at the MLA Guidebook on how to reference a book (page 1) and a movie (page 3).
Go back to your blog entry where you wrote about a movie and a book
1. Add a reference to the book and the movie USING THE MLA FORMAT (i.e. exactly the same as in the Guidebook).
2. Print out your blog entry and show it to me.
If you have not yet created your blog, create one and email me your blog address (URL): marc.sheffnerアットマークgmail.com. INCLUDE YOUR NAME in your email.
1. You can create a blog at Goo, Livedoor, or Blogger
2. Do not use ameba because Ameba does not allow comments in Roman alphabet.
Write a 50-word summary of Diddakoi AND a 50-word response. If you did not finish in class, email it to me before next Thursday, June 4th: marc.sheffnerアットマークgmail.com. INCLUDE YOUR NAME in your email.
Homework:
1. Find a map of the UK and print it out or photocopy it.
2. On the map mark the following:
  1. Where and when was Diddakoi author Rumer Godden born? Where and when did she die?
  2. The Downs
  3. Rye

Waiting for the great British Gypsy novel (guardian.co.uk)
Pippa Small’s travelling life (telegraph.co.uk)