Week 2- StorybookTopics

For my first topic I’m interested in is the Brothers Grimm (Crane) unit, and out of that unit I focused on reading B the story of “Snow-White”.  I am interested in any story that comes from the Grimm brothers, I think that it is because growing up I was obsessed with fairy tales, and Snow White just happens to be my second favorite fairy tale.  I of course have seen the original fairly tale movie, and have read from the Brothers Grimm book about her story. 

(Sleeping Beauty, Source: Google)

My second topic has to deal with my most favorite princess of all times, sleeping beauty.  Her story comes from Brother Grim (Librivox) unit and is tiled “Briar Rose.”  This story strays a bit from the Sleeping Beauty fairly tale I am used to, and it was interesting to learn more about how the 13^th fairy didn't get an invite and this is why she become upset and cursed Briar.  I love reading any and every version of this story so hopefully the more digging I do the more I can learn about this story. 

The third story I looked over was completely new to me.  The story came from part of the Celtic Fairy Tales (2) unit, I picked the story “Dream of Owen O’Mulready”.  I was looking for Irish stories and the title of this one caught my eye.  I love to hear people talk about their dreams, and it’s even more fun to try and analyze them, I even own a book that helps explain why people have certain dreams.  This story was interesting, but I’m still looking for my Irish stories.   

Looking for more Irish stories I stuck with Celtic Fairy Tales (1) unit, and found the story “King O’Toole and His Goose”.  I am interested in stories from this area because I will be living a month in Ireland this summer so I thought it would be cool to do some learning about their Mythology and Folklore stories.  I found this story pretty interesting, but I think I still want something more related more to Ireland. 

I did some research on all of these topics through different Google searchings and Wikipedia.  I am a little more interested in the dark side of the Brothers Grimm stories, so that is what I have started to look for and read about.  I’m still trying to research and find more about the Irish stories though Google and Wikipedia websites. i am also pretty interested in Mermaid stories so as I search through different topic titles and old storybooks I hope to read some interesting stories there.  

Week 2, Reading Diary-Aesop for Children (Winter)

This is the second half of the reading diary from the stories of Aesop for Children (winter), illustrated by Milo Winter

The Owl and the Grasshopper
- What a sad story; how the owl was able to trick the grasshopper even thought the grasses hopper had all right to be where he was.  But when I think about it, I can think of many times my brother tricked me into situations, because he was the older and wiser owl.  

The Wolf and His Shadow

-Ahh, something we all catch sooner or later in our life is having “a big head” as in thinking we are greater or above others.  I know that sometimes I have to remind myself to deflate my head.

The Ass Carrying the Image

-I think we can all relate to this lesson, especially being a college.  At least one time in your college career you are going to find yourself in a group project where you have to put in as much work as each group member, or you would be receiving credit that isn’t yours.

 

(The Astrologer)

The Astrologer

-This story took an interesting turn, at first I thought it was really cool that he was trying to see the future within the stars.  But since he fell into the mud it makes sense to only worry about what’s happing right now and let fate take care of the future.

The Fox and the Crab

-I disagree with this story because I believe that the crab was just trying to move on and get a fresh start with his life. It saddens me that he wasn’t able to explore and learn new things about himself. 

The Goatherd and the Goat

-This story reminds me of children.  Babysitting in my life I have had many kids accidentally break something, and beg for me to not tell their parents.  I then take the chance to teach them “Wicked deeds will not stay hid”

The Porcupine and the Snakes

-This story did not end as I thought it would.  I was sure that once the snakes asked the porcupine to leave and he said no that they were going to kill him, but I suppose if I would have thought about it more I would have realized that the needles would have hurt the snakes.

The Flies and the Honey

-Oh how true this lesson can be, and a hard one to learn at times.  We can get so caught up in things we shouldn't be doing, and it can end up hurting us in the end.

Week 2 Reading Diary: The Aesop for Children (Winter)

These stories are part of the Aesop for Children (Winter),illustrated by Milo Winter

(The Aesop For Children (Winter)

The wolf and the Kid

-I really enjoy the message in this story; I believe we all go through this type of confidence at one point of our lives.  We all at some point think we can run this world, and then soon get slapped in the face with reality. That why when we learn that moms are always right our life gets easier.

The Tortoise and the Ducks

-What a great lesson to learn about knowing how to follow rules.  As the tortoise was so eager to see the world he couldn't follow the one rule of keeping his mouth shut, this mistake cost his life.  We often find ourselves foolish thinking we are above rules, when in reality they are there to keep us safe.  

The Gnat and the Bull

-I had never heard this story before, but I thoroughly enjoyed it as it contains a great life lesson.  The Gnat thought the whole time that the bull was aware of him on his horn, when in reality the bull cared less and didn't even care to notice the Gnat.  We often get to caught up in our world and forget that the rest of the world is also only worrying about them. 

The Plane Tree

-Love, Love, LOVE this story. This is often to true for us to not appreciate the blessings in our life.  This lesson is always a good one to hold tight and to remember often.  Once we forget to appreciate and see our own blessings we seem to get caught up on what we don’t have, and that’s the worst way to live life.

The Lion and the Ass

-This story reminded me of a lesson I daily remind myself of. We often find ourselves by company of fools and it is sometimes hard to ignore them.  The Lion in this story chooses to be above the Ass and move on with his life, and that his foolishness is not worth it.

The Boys and the Frogs

-I like that this story points out that even if you are having fun, not everyone is receiving the same type of fun.  The boys didn't realize that they were hurting the frogs, and this is often how people’s feelings get hurt.  We must always think of others before making fun out of any situation, as we are not aware of the damage we are doing. 

The Lion, the Bear, and the Fox

-Sometimes we get too caught up for what we are fighting for and happen to miss certain opportunities. That is exactly what happen to the bear and lion, instead of communicating and decided to share, they missed their opportunity to eat. 

Learning Challenges

I think that learning by H.E.A.R.T. could be one of the most important lessons someone could learn.  I have struggled with each of these areas with my time here at OU, but I have also learned how important  each of these are areas can be. Each of these areas have great importance, but I believe that learning about time has help me most with my success at OU.  I have always had a full semester of classes while also having a job, and recently I have had to manage two jobs.  I work as a swim instructor for OU and have had to plan my own lessons while also planning out when to study for each of my classes. In my opinion to manage time takes years of practice to grasp the concept, and without time management skills our lives could always feel rushed, or we could end up missing important dates for different events.  I like to think that time reflects most on all of the other areas of H.E.A.R.T. when we can't learn how to manage time that could easily cut into our sleeping habits (health), our happiness, it has the ability to decrease our reading time or attention span because of tiredness.  So, the advise I have for someone coming into college is to not put to much on their plate that can't be managed with time, and to remember that all aspects of H.E.A.R.T. are important for your growth in life.  

time management meme
Courtesy of weknowmemes.com

Growth Mindset

This is the first I have heard and learned of Carol Dweck and the growth mindset.  The videos were interesting because I actually find this topic to be something that I'm passionate about.  School and academics do not come easy for myself, and they never have.  I have been diagnosed with dyslexia since I was in the first grade.  My kindergarten teacher recently expressed to me that even at that age she could tell that I was "at risk" for dyslexia, this is surprising because you technically can't be fully diagnosed until your second grade year.  My point is that I have struggled with this part of my life for my entire academic career.  I know what it's like to fail an exit level test, and I understand the feeling of nothing and going no where that Professor Dweck discusses.  I have pretty much been forced to have a growth mindset, or I wouldn't be where I am today.  I have had to strive harder than most students, and have had to redo and try and try again just to reach the goal I aim for.  If I had an fixed mindset I would't have the aspiration to try over and over again to achieve my goals.  Since being at OU I have learned (and still learning) one of the hardest lessons I think I will ever have, and that is to keep going, to never give up (even though you want so bad) until I have reached the goals I want.  I also have learned to be proud of a B or even a C in a class that I know is extremely hard for myself, to be proud of all the steps I have taken, because that only motivates me to keep moving forward.  I love the idea of the "not yet" grade, I believe that it shows students that trying again isn't a horrible thing and that you shouldn't judge or define yourself on your first try.  I also believe that if I would have learned that lesson at a younger age I would be more confident in my academics, once you fail a test you can become fearful and unconfident in your ability to test, and I think that the "not yet" grade shows students that it's okay to fail as long as you try again.   I am extremely interested in learning about the growth mindset this semester, as I believe that it will help encourage me to finish strong with my college career.

  

Dyslexia Quote, Source Google

Storybook Favorites

I chose to look at Myth-Folklore past storybooks that students from last semester had done. I picked out three that caught my attention, which included "The Kindergarten Shenanigans", "My Brothers Grimm", and "Untold Tales of the Sea".

"The Kindergarten Shenanigans" grabbed my attention because I once was an education major for early childhood, which includes kindergarten classes.  I have always had a love for teaching and especially teaching the little ones.  I know from experience that kindergarden helps create life long lessons that we will forever use. For example learning hoe to share, or look before you cross the street.  I also liked how the story used the example "Don't leave your friends for bad kids".  I love learning and hearing new stories about children and their growing process.

"My brothers Grimm" immediately caught my eye because recently I have been obsessed with the Grimm brother fairy tales.  This introduction has put a total twist on the story that I have never heard.  I have an older brother, who also feels that he has certain deeds to take care of as the older brother.  The only downfall is that after the deed is done he considers himself heroic.  This story follows right along with the type of relationship my brother and I have.  It was exciting to see how some of these fantastical tales are told from a women's point of view.

Lastly, the "Untold Tales of the Sea" was easy for me to become interested in.  I love to swim and be anywhere around the water.  If I could I would live in the sea.  Reading the introduction was exactly how I wanted it to go, with a mermaid.  I love the myth of a mermaid, and traveling through the sea with one would be a miracle come true. Talking about different journeys through the water kept my full attention.  

(Mermaids, Source: Google)

All of these projects are very cool with tons of creativity! These stories have given me a lot to think about for my own storybook assignment. I now have a grasp on how the project is supposed to look and it has given me a lot to consider for my own project.  

UnTexbook Overview

I chose to take a look at the Classical Units. Out of Aesop's Fables (Jacobs) The reading Nature and Inanimate Objects caught my eye.  I love being outdoors, and since it talked about nature I knew I would be interested.  Also growing up I had a pretty big imagination, and was always making my toys such as animals and dolls "come to life". Growing up I remember that my favorite books and movies always dealt with inanimate objects coming to life. I have always believed that everything communicates in some way and this is the perfect unit to express that imagination, and I mean who does't want to talk to their trees and pets??

 

(inanimate objects coming to life Source: Google)

As I was scrolling through the complete list of 100 units going by the UnTexbook immediately stopped when I saw the unit Grimm (Crane) I have always loved fairly tails, but recently I have been obsessed with the Brother Grimms household stories! I actually just got the full book for Christmas, and have started reading it.  Definitely a possibility for my class project. 

(grimes brothers fairy tales book  Source: Google)

-This is the book I got for Christmas!! 

Introduction: Paris Texas or France?

Howdy Y'all, I'm Sarah Trapp!
-I say "howdy" and "y'all" because I'm a proud Texan, I'm from a small town named Paris, Tx, I love to tell people I'm from Paris without saying Texas, because without a doubt every time someone will think Paris, France, and that makes me giggle inside because if you listen to my accent I'm clearly from Texas. If you ever find yourself driving though Paris, you have to make sure you stop and take a photo with our one-of-a-kind Eiffel Tower, it is pretty awesome because it has a huge bright red cowboy hat at the top of it!

(Paris Tx Eiffel Tower-Google)

-Even though I'm from Texas, I have been a sooner fan my whole life (BOOMER) even as a second grader I named my dog Okie.  I actually have two dogs, one Okie and the other Tex, you see my household at the time was split, my mom and I were Oklahoma fan and my brother and father were Texas fans, so we couldn't just settle with one dog.  Like I said I got my dogs when I was in the second grade and they are still alive today! They are the oldest golden retrievers I have ever seen at almost 15 years old, and they are my heart and soul.

(Personal photo- Tex/Okie Christmas 2014)  

-Tex is on the left and Okie is on the right. Tex has had allergies his whole life so he isn't the prettiest 

Golden, but we still love him anyway!

 

  (Personal photo, Okie, March 2015)

-Okie is more of my dog, as Tex is more of my brothers dog.

-I am living my dream attending the University of Oklahoma, and I will be graduating this May with a degree in Sociology. (WHOO!) I recently just switched from early childhood education to sociology, and as much as I love the education system I love sociology more! I find myself to be an observant person, and sociology is an area of study that relates to everyday life.  I love the fact that whatever daily activities I have, whether it be the going to the movies or school, I can relate sociological concepts that I have learned.  After I graduate I will be working towards getting into a masters program for social work.  Durning grad school I hope to learn how to help and approach children and families in difficult times.  I plan on receiving my LPC (Licensed Professional Councilor) so that I can make a difference in someones life by helping them.

(Personal photo, of me and my roommate receiving our OU class rings! I am on the left and Stevie on the right) 

-Some fun facts about myself:
1. I love to watch movies, any kind of movie really it doesn't matter, because there's nothing better than cuddling up in blankets with a big bowl of popcorn!
2. I also love to travel, I have been privileged to have traveled to some pretty cool places in my life, but the coolest place I will travel to, will be this summer when I spend a month in Ireland for study abroad! 3. I love to take photos and edit them! It is probably my favorite hobby to do, and in my future I might even start some sort of small side business for it. I even have a name for it already "Trapped in the Moment", get it because my last name is Trapp. (perfect, right?)
4. My favorite food is most definitely spaghetti, I would even eat it on a first date! My least favorite food is anything that has cream cheese in it, I know, it's unbelievable and crazy, but there is just something about cream cheese and my taste buds that don't get along.
5. I'll end today with my favorite color, which is yellow! If it can be made/bought in yellow that's the one I want! I could easily be spotted walking around campus since my backpack, computer, phone case, and headphones are all yellow! It's just such a bright and fun color, I love it!

Week 1 Storytelling: New Year~New Possibilities

“I saw three ships come sailing by,

Come sailing by, come sailing by;

I saw three ships come sailing by,

On New Year's Day in the morning.”

It was in the wee hours of the morning that I saw three ships come sail by.  I was on my way home from celebrating the fact that a New Year had started when I saw them.  I had been pondering what this New Year would bring my surroundings, and me so when I saw the three ships I wondered if this was what the New Year was transporting to me, I immediately became interested with the ships and waited for them to come ashore. 

(Three ships-Google) 

This New Year’s Day was cold with winds as strong as Chicago’s.  So as I patiently waited there, hoping that maybe one of these ships had sunshine and warmth.  But that couldn't possible be everything that lay upon these ships, what more could there be?

Could there be happiness with dancing? Or rain and sadness, oh I hope not! The ships got closer and closer, if I squint my eyes I could maybe make something out of them.  I squinted as tight as I could to try and make something out, but still couldn't figure it out. 

The morning was coming to an end and I had missed breakfast, therefore I was hungry for lunch, I have never heard my stomach growl so loudly.  I then wished for food to be on one of the ships.  A ship full of fruit would be so tasty, or even better a ship full of sweats to take care of my sweat tooth for the year. 

The closer and closer the ships got the bigger they appeared to be.  What if there are giant animals to be brought for the New Year. Animals like elephants that we could ride to get from place to place. 

“And what do you think was in them then,

Was in them then, was in them then?

And what do you think was in them then,

On New Year's Day in the morning?”

My excitement was overflown as the ships started to reach land.  I just couldn't wait to see what would come off, to start the New Year with.  The ships landed one right after another.  The first ship had mounds of wood and paint on it, the second had any type of tool you might use for all that wood and paint.  The third ship had one man on it; I asked him what is it you are going to do with all this wood and paint? And he told me that he is going to start fresh and use the tools to create a new life, and then he asked me to join him. Of course I said yes, as New Year equals new beginnings. 

Author’s Note. This story strays away from the original nursery rhyme “Three pretty girls were in them then”.  The original rhyme ends with three women on the ships that each contains different talents, whistling, singing, and playing the violin.  I decided to look more at the fact that the rhyme talked about a New Year, and I wanted to incorporate that a New Year can bring new possibilities.  I also wanted to point out that your options are endless when wanting a fresh start, the person in the story never stopped imaging what could be on those ships, and I believe that showed hope for a new beginning. 

Bibliography.  This story is based on the nursery rhyme “Three pretty girls ere in them then” on The Nursery Rhyme Book edited by Andrew Lang 

Favorite Places

I have two favorite places in this world.  One I have a personal connection to, and the other is where I feel the happiest at.

My first favorite place is the beach.  It really doesn't matter to me which beach it is or where it's located.  One of my favorite hobbies is swimming and being outside feeling the sun on my skin, and the beach always provides that warm and happy feeling inside.  Of corse my favorite type of beach has clear blue water, and white sands to enjoy catching seashells, and building sandcastles, but as long as I have my butt in the sand and the sun on my skin, I'm in my one of my favorite places.

 

Pictures of the beach. Source: Google

My second favorite place is the church camp I attended growing up as a child.  This camp is located in Bridgeport, Texas, off the lake of Bridgeport.  I went to this camp for a total of 10 years, my first year was in the summer after third grade, and my last year was in the summer after I graduated high school.  This camp will always have a special place in my heart, because it saved my life.  I believe that this camp was God sent to me because during my third grade year my father passed away, and that year just happen to be the first year I was old enough to attend camp.  The people and experiences helped heal me from my lost over the years, and every time I get a glimpse of the old wooden cross at the top of a hill, with the lake in the background brings me peace, and reminds me that God is forever with me.

Personal photo of the Bridgeport Cross. Photo from July 2012. 

Comment Wall

Hello, I am a senior this year, and will graduate at the end of this semester.

You can contact me at:

Sarah.trapp-1@ou.edu

Music for my comment wall comes from Mr. Brightside by The Killers.  This is one of my all time favorite songs.  It always puts me in a great mood and ready for a dance party! Enjoy!