Growth Mindset - You Are Capable

For this assignment, I decided to do a Growth Mindset Challenge. I have only done one of these several weeks ago; however, looking at it now, I wish I had done more earlier on.

Meme inspired by Carol Dweck

(Source: Blogspot)

I think we sometimes put limits on ourselves without realizing it. We truly are capable of so much more than we think possible. The problem is we don't allow ourselves to stretch that imaginary rubber band of possibilities. In the Meme it shows a cat taking a picture of itself. I think this symbolizes how we look at ourselves and how others look at us. I think if we can allow ourselves to look through a different lens and get a glance at our life, then we could better understand that.

I think these challenges are always going to be helpful. The more that we learn about ourselves and what we can do, the better off we will be later on down the road. We don't give ourselves enough credit!

Reading

Throughout the class I was able to read a ton of different stories. My favorite part was being able to read stories that I haven’t read since I was a child. As an adult I read those same stories but with a different outlook. The stories I enjoyed most were the ones related to Disney movies I have watched. I loved being able to compare and contrast the two.

What I found most helpful for the reading diary assignments was to read through all of the stories and then pick my favorites. It worked better for me to figure out the overall plot of the story first and find out the important parts of each. Then I found it helpful to hone in on a particular character and put them center-stage. These things helped when I did the storytelling assignment.

I thought the balance between the three was a little off. I thought there was definitely more writing than reading. However, I thought all of the writing has helped me in my other classes. My writing flows better and it’s easier for me to write on any topic.

My best advice for future students would be to not wait to the last second! I did that almost the entire semester and it’s definitely not smart!

Week 14 Reading Diary continued: Brothers Grimm Crane

Six Swans

By Brothers Grimm, translated by Lucy Crane (1886)

Six Swans illustrated by Walter Crane

(Source: Blogspot)

At the beginning of the story we find the King wandering aimlessly through the forest because he is lost. Out of nowhere this witch appears, agreeing to help the hopeless king, but on one condition. The agreement is that he marry her daughter. When we find the daughter sitting at home awaiting their arrival I instantly thought it was a setup and that somehow the witch caused the king to become lost in the woods. 

My thoughts occur again after the two are married. The king is afraid of how the new queen will respond to his children, so he is forced to hide them away. This shows me how much the king loved his children, the undeniable love of family. He visits them often. The queen does not like that the king keeps disappearing, and eventually follows him and discovers the children. Here we learn that the queen is wicked. At this point, we are still unsure if the witch and her daughter were scheming all along. I think this would be a fun element to write about. 

The queen turns uses her magic to turn the six boys into swans, but misses the young daughter and remains clueless about her identity. This turn of events allows the younger sister to become the major role in the story, but setting out to find her brothers. She's the lone ranger. 

Week 14 Reading Diary: Brothers Grimm Crane Unit

The Fisherman and His Wife

Source: Household Stories by the Brothers Grimm

Translated by Lucy Crane (1886)

Fisherman and His Wife

Illustration by Alexander Zick

The fisherman and his wife were poor citizens. They were only able to survive off the fish he caught. When the fisherman reels in the fish, he finds out the fish is the prince. When the fish starts talking him and tells him his problem, the fisherman releases him. He shows compassion for the fish and releases him back into the water. 

Upon hearing what happened with the fish, the wife demands the fisherman ask for something. You can see the difference between the two main characters. The wife is very demanding and needy, while the fisherman is humble and kind. 

Week 13 Storytelling: Hansel and Grethel Find Their Way Home

Hansel and Grethel

(Source: Wikimedia)

Another week has gone by without a word or sign from my dad. The last time I saw him and my stepmother was almost six months ago.  During those six months, my sister and I have been at the orphanage in downtown Oklahoma City, waiting for their return.

The thing is, our family has a secret, but I didn’t think it would abandon to them abandoning us. At least, I didn’t think my dad would because I knew how much he loved us, but I also knew it wasn’t really my dad’s doing.

Our stepmom, Lisa, is another story, however. I knew she never liked us, even when my dad first introduced us to her a few years ago. There were times when she made my sister and I feel like the outsiders in the family. The way she controlled my father made zero sense at first until I saw what she was.

“Grethel, I think it’s time we leave here,” I suggested one evening. “I have a feeling I can find dad and we can be reunited again.”

Initially, I could tell Grethel was excited by my proposition, but then a worried expression crossed her face.

“But what about Lisa?” she whispered. “What if we find dad and she doesn’t let us see him?”

Everything I knew about Lisa and her past came to the surface, but I was afraid to tell Grethel. I mean, how do I tell my sister that Lisa is actually a witch and cursed our father? An honest to goodness witch, and not anything remotely close to Glenna the Good Witch.

Lisa has powers that no one knows about but my dad and I. One night a while back I saw her mixing potions into baked goods and homemade candies. My father walked in as she was finishing and forced him to eat the candy and freshly baked cookies. After that she had complete control over my dad. She even forced him to leave us at the orphanage.

“The only way to find dad is to follow to trail of candy Lisa left behind,” I told Grethel. “I also have something else to tell,” I whispered.

It was time Grethel understood the danger we were about to embark on. We were not just on a mission to save our father, but we were on a mission to save our father from a very powerful witch. It was only a matter of time that the candy trail Lisa left behind would lead us to their whereabouts. I only hoped that we weren’t too late.

Author’s Note: I based my story loosely on that of Hansel and Grethel. I chose to do the style through the mind of Hansel’s. The reason I chose this style is because I enjoy hearing the narration of stories through the main character. I like that it follows the thoughts of the main character and tells the story from his/her perspective. In the original Hansel and Grethel translated by Margaret Hunt, Hansel and Grethel’s father was being bossed around by their new stepmom. The family was so poor that the stepmom suggested getting rid of the kids by leaving them in the forest. While the stepmom discussed this with the father, Hansel was listening and decided on a plan. He gathered stones from outside the house so the next day when their father and stepmother led them into the forest, Hansel left a trail of pebbles behind him so they could find their way back home. Once the children are home, the stepmom wants to leave them in the forest again. This time she locks the door so Hansel is unable to gather stones to leave a trail. He instead leaves a trail of breadcrumbs, which is ate by birds and they are unable to find their way home. While they are lost, they come across a house made of candy. They begin to eat it and the owner comes out the front door and invites them in. That’s when they discover she is a witch. She locks Hansel away to fatten him up to eat later and forces Grethel to do chores. Grethel then finds a way to rescue Hansel and lock the witch away. They escape with her riches and make it back home. Upon arriving home they find their dad and find out their stepmom is dead. They all live happily ever after.

           

Bibliography:  This story is Hansel and Grethel from Brothers Grimm Unit by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm, then translated by Margaret Hunt (1884).  

Week 13 Reading Diary continued: Brothers Grimm (Hunt)

Bearskin

By Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm

Translated by Margaret Hunt (1884)

Greencoat and the soldier

Illustrated by Otto Ubbelhde

After the war, the young man was left with nothing. His parents had passed away and his entire life was different. I can only imagine how hard a transition like this would be for me, especially after coming home from a war. He ended up with a different mindset after the war. Because of the time spent at war, he was unable to learn another skill to use in the real world which is why he says, "I have learnt no trade but that of fighting, and now that they have made peace, they don't want me any longer. So I see beforehand that I shall have to starve." He had given up hope on life and living altogether. 

He meets a man who agrees to give him gold, but the soldier must prove himself. The soldier must face-off against a bear charging towards him and here he displays his courage by killing the bear. The man in the green coat says if the soldier can stay alive for seven years while obeying certain rules, he will give him gold. The soldier is faced once again with the decision of whether to fight for survival or give up. The soldier agrees to fight for his life. He is forced to wear the green coat and also use the bear's skin as a shield and bedding. Anytime he reached into the green coat he would find gold in the pockets. He has everything while having nothing at all. 

Week 13 Reading Diary: Grimm

Hansel and Grethel

Household Tales by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm

Translated by Margaret Hunt (1884)

Hansel and Grethel

(Source: Flickr)

Hansel and Grethel's family fell on hard times and were not able to provide food enough for everyone. This could be a story all on its own. So many families go through difficult times in their life, but are able to pull through. The struggle between the husband and wife caused a rife which is very common when children have new people placed in their lives. 

The children in this story are wise, especially Hansel. He protects himself and his sister even when his father didn't. The father was intimidated by his wife and let her dictate what he did. I also think it's interesting when they lose their way because the bread has been eaten by birds.