beatLit
Part of the Curriculum of Common Sense, beatLit would look something like this:
Everyone is asked to bring along a small piece of writing that they feel is special, that they want to share. It could be from a book but really from anywhere; an article on a website, an advert, a cereal box, a poem....
The short pieces are shared, spoken aloud by the bringer, (or someone else, it doesn't really matter how it's shared). They talk about why this piece of writing connected with them, how it made them feel something. The group listen, discuss; did others feel it too? Maybe some in the group are shy, not willing to share, that's ok, give them time, build trust.
The group is now building some feel for how a piece of writing, no matter how short, can touch you emotionally, like a painting, a song, a dance. Writing is painting a picture with words. There are many styles. Some people like one kind, some like others, some change their mind, some are attracted by something new they see.
After this stage the group are asked to create their own piece in the style of either the work they shared, or another they heard if they’d prefer. Try to imitate, keep it short. This is like an art student studying the style of an artist. Like an art teacher, the beatLit teacher gives guidance as the work builds; a touch of shadow here, lighter strokes there, skills built and added as the need arises.
These pieces are shared and discussed again. Presented maybe as a collage, blog post, painting, performance piece....
All the time, everyone is reading, at their leisure. Anything new to share - make time or add it to a wall/website/poem.....
Next, the image needs to fill a canvas; build a story, a scene, a poem, some extended piece of writing, (maybe 500 words), around your imitation piece. Keep that style, extend it, stretch it, work it, test it, create a picture for us. Connect with the reader, aim for that silent gasp, an oooh of appreciation. Be guided by intuition- what feels right? Ask for help when you're not getting your drawing to look like the vase of flowers. Help can come from your family, your teacher, your friends.
Keep reading.
Sometimes these pieces will grow, develop into something bigger, other times they’ll be tweaked and polished to be framed and put on display. One piece might be a six month or year-long project, another just a week.
BeatLit is an art, a beautiful expression of ideas and emotions through words founded on reading. Like a great artist or musician, film director or poet, beatLit students are working always towards some perfect creation, while all the time drinking all they can from the pool of what has been made by others, using it for inspiration and relaxation. BeatLit is flexible, open to change, adaptable; do it your way. BeatLit is not examined or tested, what would be the point?
I want to improve how I've comunicated this, make it real, simple, obviously true, something you feel to be right, and that's beatLit. (Might change the name too)
BeatLit, the short version:
Read, and when you read something that makes you wince at it's beauty, fold down the corner and share it with anyone who'll listen.
Repeat.
"Breakfast in the dark with a lantern, cool juice-slippery apricots, hash, hot centered, brown, and catsup spread, two fried eggs and the warm promise-keeping coffee" - Hemingway, Green Hills of Africa.
