Thursday, September 24, 2009

HW # 6 - History of Park Slope

Read and Annotate the handout out about the history of Park Slope. Complete the handout by identifying major turning points that changed the character of Park Slope (See handout for further instructions).

Terms/Trends that will be discussed throughout the course

Gentrification: The upgrade or renovation of a formerly run-down or abandoned area by the middleclass, often resulting in displacement
Displacement: The act of being displaced or forced to leave (generally your homeland or community)
Development: The new construction of homes or businesses
Immigration: The entering of peoples into a non-native country for the goal of permanent residence
Migration: The movement of peoples from one area to another, such as within a country, state or city
Renovation: To restore to a former better state of condition
Restoration: To return a building to its prior condition or original state (not necessarily to a better state)
Revitalization: To give new life or vigor to; To better the community from within the community

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

HW # 5

Read and annotate the article, " Brooklyn, The Borough: Destined to Be Gentrified and Gentrifying," by Nicole Brydson. Answer the questions at the top and write one discussion question.

Monday, September 21, 2009

First draft of "My Brooklyn" personal essay due Monday (9/21)

Remmember your first draft must be typed and double spaced. It should also have revision marks on it!

Friday, September 18, 2009

HW # 4: Complete 4 paragraphs for your "My Brooklyn" paper

The following prompts may help you get started:

“MY BROOKLYN” Writing Prompts

I started building my own private Brooklyn when….

My first memory of Brooklyn is….

When I first moved to Brooklyn I….

No matter how long you have been here you are a Brooklynite when you can say….

Brooklyn is like no other place because….

My Brooklyn is….and….and….and….and….

It wouldn’t be My Brooklyn without….

If these streets could talk they could tell you that I….

As I’ve gotten older I have realized that my Brooklyn….

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

HW # 3 - Freewrite answers to all Interview questions

QUESTIONS:

1. How might someone from the outside describe your neighborhood?
2. Describe a few specific people that make your neighborhood or your Brooklyn unique?
3. What are some specific memories you have of spending time in your neighborhood or Brooklyn?
4. If you were to photograph your neighborhood or Brooklyn, what might you take pictures of?
5. Are you proud of being from your neighborhood/Brooklyn?
6. Do you feel a part of your neighborhood/Brooklyn? If not, where do you feel a part of?
7. What kinds of things have changed in your community? Do you think these changes have been for the better or for the worse?
8. Aside from your neighborhood, where else do you spend your time in NYC?

Friday, September 11, 2009

HW # 2 Pre Reading Assignment

Choose 2 of the following writing prompts below. Write about them on a sheet of loose-leaf paper in your binder. Be prepared to discuss your answers in class on Monday.

When you picture your favorite parts of NYC (Brooklyn or any of the other 5 boroughs), what would you be sad to see gone? Why? (3 – 5 sentences)

2. Finish the following sentences:
· It wouldn’t be NYC without….
· It wouldn’t be Brooklyn (or your borough if you are not from BK) without….
· It wouldn’t be my neighborhood without….

This one depends on how long you have lived in NYC and your neighborhood –

What is something that has disappeared in your neighborhood, borough, or NYC that you are proud to say “Yeah, I remember that!” Explain. (3 – 5 sentences)

HW #1: Personal Maps

1. Using 3 different colors, organize your map of Brooklyn into the following categories:

FAMILIAR – you feel you know this neighborhood well, for example, you live there or have lived there, or, you spend a lot of your time hanging out there. You are able to give directions, and recommendations of where to eat, shop etc.

AQUAINTED – you know the neighborhood pretty well because you have spent some time there, but you still don’t necessarily know the best places to go, or, where everything is. You can probably give directions, and suggest a place to eat, but maybe not the best recommendations.

VISITED – you have been to this neighborhood and have a sense of what it looks like, but that’s about it.


2. Make a map key that shows which color means which category.


3. Be prepared to discuss your map with your classmates in class tomorrow.