Mommy y'O

You may choose to do one or several of the activities. You may also choose to let your parents help you, or choose to share your finished project with your parents.

A FAMILY AFFAIR
In Parts 2 and 3, two things are going on. Part 2 has "blame" fixed upon an individual. And part 3 has Cookie decidedly trying to resolve the problem. Problems are not uncommon to a family. This is why "family outings" are very important. Shared time together go far in unifying the bonds treasured by the family group.

1) Think about how you and your family may enjoy a "family outing." Perhaps, the

circus? A rodeo? A Bowling round of run? A quiet afternoon of reading? Or, a

shared hour or two of crafts?
2) Next draw a picture of your "family outing." And make sure everyone is included in

your drawing. Even if "little brother" is off in the distance feeding the ducks

when at a picnic, include his activity in your drawing. Remember, this is a

family affair.
3) Add color.
4) If the objects or activities of the event that you drew are unique (are not known by

the general population) you may wish to label each.
5) And finally, write a caption to explain the moment in time captured in the

"snapshot" drawing.

SHARING A NOTE OR TWO
In Part 3, the youth Harold says, "I didn't do it Mommy Yo." His rebuttal is in "script" of the Edwardian family type.(Internet Explorer 6) This and script in general resemble handwriting. And if you were to actually create a handwritten letter, you would be writing or scribing (creating a document in script).

Personal handwritten replies (letters) to members of the family, friends and acquaintances reveal a genuine concern and fondness towards the individual receiving the letter. Former President Ronald Reagan is known to have kept up a long-standing pen-pall relationship. His letters were usually handwritten. And the woman he did meet, but years later. Then there is Oprah Winfrey...who loves the feel of a fountain pen... as she scribes her personal letters. Ms. Winfrey is known to be a collector of fountain pens.

To receive a personal, handwritten letter from Mr. Reagan or Ms. Winfrey, can you imagine?

Writing The Personal Letter
Your personal letter, like that of Mr. Reagan or Ms. Winfrey, should have the following: an inside address, a greeting or salutation, a body, a closing, and your signature.

Ideas And "Practice Paragraphs"
1) Consider a friend who you think would make a great pen pal. Do you wish to find

out if he or she would like the exchange personal letters?
2) Next, jot down on a separate piece of paper the thoughts or ideas you want you

friend to know. These ideas may be of any number. But list (number) them in

their order of importance. Usually, a person may begin with the most important

idea first.
3) Now, practice writing each of your ideas in paragraph form. Remember, you want

to write--not print. Make sure that the letters with "loops" are easily

distinguishable from the letters "i" and "u." And make sure that the extending

letters extend. Letters like "t" must extend upward, beyond the middle zone.

And letters like "y" must extend downward, beyond the middle zone.

And of course, the tail of a "q" must be distainguishable from the tail of a "g."

InSide Address
4) Next, with as much care as you can, scribe your letter. Begin with writing your

home address at the top of a new sheet of paper. Your home address usually

includes two lines. On the first line write your street number ( the number on

your house). And to the right of this number, write the name of the street. If you

live in an apartment, write you apartment number to the right of the name of

your street where you live. If you do, then place a comma(,) between the street

name and the apartment number. (You may abbreviate "apartment number"

with: Apt. # or just: #)
5) Now, write the second line. This second line is the name of your city, followed

by the name of your state. And "city" and "state" are followed by the

zip code number for the area where you live. (Or you may write your

apartment number as the second line. But, if you do, the line with the name

of your city, state, and zip code number becomes a third line.) You may

write your home address at the upper left or at the upper right. The choice

is yours.
6) Then just beneath your home address write the "today's date." This means, if

whatever the day and month and year are during the time you write your

personal letter, then write this date just beneath your home address. Make

sure you separate "city" from "state" with a comma (,). And leave a some

space between the "state" and "the "zip code." And if you remembered

that all proper nouns must be capitalized, then, you have competed the

"insided address," the first part of your letter. (The names of cities

and states are proper nouns.)

The Salutation
7) Now, to write the salutation, write the same greeting" you use when you say

"hello" each day. Some people say, "Hi, Joe." Or "Hello, Jane!" Whatever

the "greeting" shared between the two of you, write it a little distance below

your "inside address." Make sure that the left margin of your "greeting" is

in line with the left margin of the address above. And this "greeting" is usually

followed by a comma(,).

The Body
8) Next: again, with as much care as you can, scribe your letter. (If you guessed

that you are now beginning the writing of the "body" you're right.) Your

personal letter need not be exactly as your "practice paragraphs." But the

"practice paragraphs" may serve well as "inspiration." Also, make sure that

the first line of each paragraph is indented. This means, line up your pen

(or pencil) with the left margin of the inside address and salutation. Next,

move your pen hand towards the left margin, approximately one-half inch.

Then, begin writing the first line of the paragraph. Repeat this procedure for

each paragraph.

The Closing
9) Now, add the "closing" to your letter. Many people write the words: "sincerely"

or "your truly" or "with love" or "loving" or "fondly," or any other word or group

of words that express the special relationship between the two of them. Place

your chosen sentiment (of the "closing") an inch or more below and near the

center of the material in the body of the letter. You write from "near center"

towards the right margin.

Proofreading
10) When you are done writing your letter, proof-read it. This means, you need to

double-check it for things like words you forgot to use to have you sentence

make sense. Also correct any misspelled words. And make sure you "dot"

every "i" and "cross" every "t."

The Signature
11) Now check your hand written letter again. And, of course, sign your name

(usually, first name only). That is, place your first name at the bottom of your

letter to your friend. Begin writing your name near the center, and write towards

the "right" margin of your letter.

Addressing The Envelope
12) Next, write your name and home address at the upper left-hand corner of the

envelope. Then, write the name and home address of your friend at the lower

center of the same envelope.

Sending Your Personal Letter
13) Finally, Make a note of the day's date in your journal or on a piece. Then enter

the name of your friend. And next to his name write "Personal letter" of

"potential pen pal." You have the option of hand delivering your letter or mailing

your letter. If you mail your personal letter, place the appropriate (value) stamp

on the envelope. The stamp is placed at the top-right corner of the envelope.

Mail or hand deliver the letter. Then, wait for the response. Perhaps, you will,

end up "sharing a note or two."

"SOUNDING" IT OUT
In Part 4, there is the introduction of onomatopoeia. In the poem, this is the made-up word Balam! Here Balam! represents the "sounding out" of a slammed door. Perhaps, you have your own special sound for a slammed door. Sounds abound! In nature and in common-day occurrences do we hear them. Therefore, you may read "sounds" in every façade of literature. When your mother reads, she reads "sounds" of onomatopoeia. When your father reads, he reads "sounds" of onomatopoeia. When your sister or brother reads...again "sounds" of onomatopoeia.

There's no getting around them. They are in the works of Shakespeare, Del and DC. comics. They are "verbalized" upon the pages and through the small screen (TV.) by such cartoon characters as Arthur and Pepper Ann. These sounds are shouted across the "boards" (in the theatre) and across the "broad screen" (in movie theaters). the next time you pick up your favorite book or magazine, or watch your favorite show or movie...or listen to your favorite songs, be on the alert for the "sounding out" of the onomatopoeia.

1) Think of as many of the "sounds" you ever heard, said, or remember having read.

Then list them on a sheet of paper for further reference.
2) Next, collect your "research material." You will need as many newspapers,

magazines, and comic books that you are able to find.
3) Now, watchfully turn the pages of your collection of "research material"

resources. What are you looking for? You are looking for the word "sounds"

that you jotted down earlier, and their different "sound" spelling. Remember,

one sound in nature may be represented by different "sound" words. And in

literature--stories and poems--it's always good to have may than one way to

represent a "sound." Also, it's often good to use "sound" words that are easily

recognizable by the reader, especially in your cartoon drawings. So, each time

you come across a "sound" word, write it down on the sheet of paper.
4) As you list each of the "sound" words, you may wish to draw the "sound" near

the listed word. The comic books may give very good ideas on how a "sound"

word can be represented. With "sound" words from your magazine and book

sources, you may have to use your imagination. But try to represent each

"sound" word as an icon (a small image).
5) Now, add color to any icon where you think color would help to enhance the

"character" of the "sound" word.
6) And finally, print the caption, "SOURCE FILE," at the top of each page of "sound"

words and icons. Now, "file" away for safe keeping these "sound-bite"

moments in time captured by your "snapshot" drawings of onomatopoeia

"sound" words.

THE "MOTHER" OF INVENTION
In Part 4, Mommy Marie is mentioned, but is not presented until the end of the poem. The youth Cookie is the individual trying to resolve the problem. And the final illustration helps to clarify this point. Mommy Marie is very busy at chores. It is wash day. she is washing clothes in a metal wash tub. Perhaps, she does not own a washing machine. Or, perhaps, she does not have electrical services.

Today something as common as electric lighting and washing machines are essentials. And most American families have electrical services. Many own washing machines and dryers or have access to them. But in other parts of the world, this is not the case. Even the basic needs--food, shelter, and clothing--are sometimes hard to attain.

Mommy Marie is an American who still does without many of the essentials. But she's not alone. There is a number of Americans just like her and her family. These Americans live day to day, while managing without one or more of the necessities. Too often do children in America go to bed hungry. Much of the year do they pass in need of better shoes and clothing. And there are still others who are completely displaced--without permanent shelter.

1) Think about that very special activity that you like doing at home. Perhaps, it

is a "special treat" your parent or guardian allows as a special reward. And,

perhaps, this activity you do alone, or with your family...or with one or more

special friends. Can it be playing video games on your computer? Or,

perhaps, sewing doll clothes on the family's sewing machine? Or listening to

your favorite CD or "burning" (creating) one with your friends? Now, suppose

the one "essential" element needed to make your activity "happen" does not

happen. Now, what to do!
2) Well, you may begin by going forward with your activity. But, you may have to

alter the activity, somewhat. For instance, if you originally wanted to play

a video game on the computer, now think about creating a board game.

(Checkers has already be "discovered," so you ( and your friends) should

use your imagination. Be original.
3) After "brainstorming" (determining the "what-if's" and the "5 W's and "H") list the

rules of the game. How many players? What are the board moves? Is there

a point system? What is the safe zone or free token? What is the "trap" zone

or "game over" element? If all is loss, is there a "play reversal" to either "undo,"

or "slingshot" the losing opponent ahead of the presently winning opponent?
4) Hopefully, you have already determined the number of moveable pieces, cards,

and the like. Now, map out "the lay of the land." That is, rule the "board"

(playing area) with the decided upon play structure.
5) Now, give your game a "test run." At this point, the best way to do this is to review

the list of rules and compare possible "moves" with a mapped out area of the

"playing area."
6) If color is an important element of the game, apply whatever hues necessary.

Then, "retest" your "game" for further "glitches" (errors).
7) You have "created your own game! But keep in mind that there is only one sure

way to be certain if your "game" is a success. You must create the actual

model (the first of, hopefully, a long line of the same successfully game). This

means, you must create the play board and all necessary pieces. Then, you

(and friends) should test your "game" again. If there are any further errors,

you can better determine how to correct them. But until you do create the

model, consider step 8.
8) And finally, get a manilla envelope (or any large envelope or folder) and write

a caption on it. This would be the name of your "game.
9) However, you may wish to add a sentence or two. Have it or them describe

(or explain) the moment in time captured in this "snapshot" of

a time of necessity.

THE FREE DRAWING
Throughout Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4, the reader may have come to realize that all families have problems. Also, problems within the household is a shared concern. Cookie is a person who uses her intellect to resolve a problem. And Harold uses his imagination to express himself to others. This combination is a winning combination. In "philosophical circles," an individual with these combined talents may be considered a "free thinker." This final project aims to encourage a free use of the imagination--and the intellect. So, here you are free to choose your own subject, and determine how best to portray it.

1) Think about your favorite game, subject, food, person, movie, vacation, hopes, desires (and I'm sure the list can go on and on...). Or think about your neighbor who may be worst of. This may be your neighbor next door or the neighboring country...or a country a world away. Give it the best of your thoughts and imagination.

2) Now, create your masterpiece!
3) Add color.
4) And finally, write a caption to explain the moment in time captured by your

"snapshot" drawing.

Well, that's it for now.
Thanks! for stopping by. And drop by any time....

E-mail:

Again...feel free to write me an e-mail:

thanqu@yahoo.com

Catch you later--

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