Imprints 11

Web Links

Short Stories

Choose a cluster:

• Character
• Setting
• Plot
• Point of View
• Conflict
• Theme

CHARACTER
Mirror Image (by Lena Coakley)

• First Brain Cell Transplant
  This Web site features a 1998 health news article about the first human brain cell transplant. Have your students read the article and discuss these questions:
  1. What tests were done before the brain cell transplant procedure was done on humans?
  2. How do scientists hope this procedure will benefit humans in the future?
  3. How do they personally feel about the possibilities this medical breakthrough presents?
  
• Alice in Wonderland
  This wonderful Web site includes a detailed history of Alice's adventures, a biography of Lewis Carroll, original artwork from various versions of the book, and an illustrated version of the text. Have students scroll through this site and choose three visuals of Alice. They can examine how the image of Alice changed over time and which version of Alice they like best and why.

The Prospector's Trail (by Cathy Jewison)

• History of Yellowknife
• Article About Yellowknife
  Students can visit both of the above Web sites to investigate the history of Yellowknife and life in a mining town. The second site offers numerous links to other sites with more information. Once students have visited both sites have them describe how life in their community may be similar to or different from life in a mining town such as Yellowknife.
• Goddess of Garbage
  "The Prospector's Trail" is a story about innovative uses for garbage-which this Web site also explores. Encourage students to visit the site, locate the tips archive, and read about some recycling projects they might try.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (by James Thurber)

• Thurber Fable , Thurber Bio
  By visiting the above sites students can read a short biography of Thurber, view his self-portrait, as well as reading a fable written by Thurber.
• Thurber Anecdote
  Encourage students to visit this site to read an anecdote about Thurber connected with the making of the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Students may also be interested in reading other author anecdotes through this site.
• James Thurber
  Students can visit this Web site to research Thurber's life and work.
• Creative Writers, Daydreaming, and Freud
  This site is a brief and insightful look into Sigmund Freud's theories about creative writers and daydreaming. Ask students to discuss the "thesis" on the main page and explore how Freud thought writers used their daydreams in their creativity.

SETTING
Love Must Not Be Forgotten (by Zhang Jie)

• Zhang Jie
  Students will find a brief biography of the author on this site.
• The Chinese Cultural Revolution
  To increase their knowledge and understanding of the Chinese Cultural Revolution students can visit this site.
• Chinese American Women Writers
  Ask students to visit this site, locate the list of Chinese American writers, and choose one contemporary writer to investigate further. Encourage students to find and read at least one selection by their chosen author. Discuss some of the issues and topics that concern these authors. In their opinion, how do the concerns of these authors compare with Zhang Jie's? Challenge students to find or create a similar list for Chinese Canadian Women Writers.
• Stories by Chekhov
  Have your students read the story "Love" by Chekhov on this site. Do they understand why the mother in "Love Must Not Be Forgotten" would treasure her Chekhov collection? How is the romance described in "Love" different from that described in "Love Must Not Be Forgotten"?
• Greek Sculpture
  This site provides images of classical Greek sculptures. Students can view the Myron image and write an account of the artist's vision as he prepared the sculpture. Note that many of these sculptures depict nude men. Encourage students to visit the linked sites and compare Greek sculpture in two time periods, for example, the Classical and Hellinistic Periods.

• W.D. Valgardson , Biography Activity
  Students can visit the above sites, read Valgardson's biography in the first site and then write their autobiography using the activity he provides in the second site.
• The Cyber Climbing Gym
  As a fun introductory activity to rock climbing, your students can visit the "Indoor Rock Climbing Test" and try climbing a cyber rock wall. These are based on actual rock faces.
• Virtual Library of Sport
  Students can visit this site and then link to other sites that provide general information on rock climbing.

PLOT
The Maiden Wiser Than the Tsar (retold by Idries Shah)

• Aesop's Fables
  This is an on-line collection of Aesop's Fables retold and illustrated by students at the University of Massachusetts. Ask students to read a number of the fables and then write a fable based on another culture.
• The Works of Idries Shah
  This site offers a complete list of Idries Shah's works, along with reviews, a bio and a link that explains Sufism. Have students select a category from the Philosophy/Literature link and discuss the philosophy behind the story.
• The Sufis and Idries Shah
  This is a detailed essay by author Doris Lessing on the Sufis and Idries Shah. Have students research the teachings of another Eastern philosopher and compare his/her effect on Western societies.

• Saki
  This site includes a brief biography of Saki and a bibliography. Ask students to discuss Saki's background and how it might have affected his work.
• The Complete Clovis
  This site provides complete text copies of Saki's stories about the character Clovis. Choose one story from this site, and provide students with a copy. Note: this is a personal Web site, and a few of the stories contain one or two typos. You may wish to correct texts before printing them out.
• Classic Short Stories
  This site provides access to a collection of on-line classic stories (primarily male authors), four by Saki. Encourage students to compare the works of Saki and one of his contemporaries, or Saki and another humorous author. Note: again, a few of the stories include typos. And, strangely, stories have been listed alphabetically by title, rather than author.
• The Art of Storytelling
  This Web site provides links to other sites all dealing with various aspects of storytelling. Encourage students to visit the site and investigate one aspect of the storytelling art. Especially helpful is the link called Eldrbarry's Effective Storytelling: A Manual for Beginners.

• Gail Helgason
  This site includes a brief biography of Helgason, as well as a list of her work and awards. Students can use the information on this site to find out about the author and her work.
• The Bear Den
  This site is about Grizzly bears. Students can investigate the site and then write a one-page report, including information such as: Where do grizzlies live? How do grizzlies behave? Why do they sometimes attack humans? How can such attacks be prevented?
• Jasper National Park
  Students can visit the Jasper National Park Web site and plan a trip itinerary. Their itinerary should highlight key sightseeing opportunities. They may wish to include information on what they would do if they spotted a grizzly bear.

• Labrador Tourism
  This is a complete travel guide to Labrador, including its history, information about the Vikings, places to stay, things to do, et cetera. Students can visit this site and discuss what a tourist Web site for this region would have looked like 100 years ago.
• Margaret Atwood Fan Page , Margaret Atwood Home Page
  These two sites offer different perspectives on Atwood-the first, created by her fans, offers information on the author, her life, and works, the second, created by her assistant, includes her theories on writing, frequently asked questions, et cetera. Students can compare both Atwood sites.

• Currelly Annex
  This is an on-line art exhibit of Judith Currelly's work. Students can take a virtual tour of Currelly's art exhibit and discuss the influences and themes in her paintings.

• Ann Beattie
  This New York Times site has a feature on author Anne Beattie, which includes articles, reviews, and related links. Have your students read one of the reviews of Beattie's work from the Web site and then write their own review of the story "Snow." ( Please note: This site requires you to register before accessing articles.)
• Stream-of-Consciousness
  This site is designed for those wishing to encourage young writers; it offers writing exercises including stream-of-consciousness tips. Have your students write a short story using the stream-of-consciousness method described.

• Richard Hamilton Smith's Home Page
  Students can visit this Web site and view the pictures found in the Portfolio section. Discuss the structure and organization of this site. Would students use a similar structure if they wished to develop a Web site for their own artwork-or for collected works from other students? Why or why not? Encourage students to choose a photo that appeals to them and write a story based on its action.

POINT OF VIEW
A Secret Lost in the Water (by Roch Carrier)

• Carrier's Convocation Address
  This convocation address was given by Carrier to the graduates of Sir Wilfred Grenfell College. The address focusses on living a Canadian dream. Students can read the address and then work in groups to write a convocation address entitled "What Being a Canadian Means to Me."
• Introduction to Dowsing
  This site contains basic information and instructions for water dowsing. Discuss who has created this site, his purpose and audience, and how content and structure of the site reflects purpose and audience.
• Water Divining Debate
  Students can find out some of the current thinking about dowsing or water divination at this site.

• The Sari , Sari Magic
  After visiting either of the above sites, students can write a brief history about the sari and the changing clothing styles of Indian culture.
• Images of Women in South Asian Fiction
  Encourage students to read the article provided on this Web site, and to link to other sites about women in South Asian fiction. Discuss how Khan portrays women in "The Pose" and how this portrayal compares to how other authors portray women. Point out that this article was written in 1991, and discuss how students think South Asian fiction might have changed.

• Slawomir Mrozek Biography 1 , Slawomir Mrozek Biography 2
  Have students review both biography sites and discuss Mrozek's life and work.
• History of Poland
  Students can check the information on this Web page for a brief history of Poland to help them understand the context of Mrozek's story.

• The Cask of Amontillado
  This site has everything the teacher needs to teach this story. The site includes an analysis of the themes, setting, and style, and an interpretation, and related information.
• A Summary
  This is a summary and interpretation of the story "The Cask of Amontillado." Students can read this summary, select another of Poe's short stories, then write a summary paper using this one as a model.
• The Poe Society
  This site is operated by the Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore, the city where Poe resided. Everything for the Poe enthusiast is here, including his complete works (stories, poems, letters, et cetera). Ask students to visit this site and read and analyse the portion of Poe's letter to Frederick W. Thomas quoted on the first page.

• Thomas H. Raddall Virtual Archives
  This site is an archive including bibliography, photos, links, and other information related to the author and his east coast heritage. Students can investigate this site, its content, origins, and creators. Discuss why a university would archive a writer's papers, research notes, et cetera.

• The Vandals 1
  This is a history of the Vandals from their beginning to downfall. Students can examine the site and discuss the main theories behind the downfall of the Vandals.
• The Vandals 2
  Ask students to compare the information on this Web page with the information on Vandals 1 Web page. Which article do they find more objective? More subjective? Discuss how language use contributes to objectivity and subjectivity.
• Excerpt from Hemley's Novel
  This site, developed by Gray Wolf Press, provides several excerpts for current books from that press. Students can visit this link and read a short excerpt from a Hemley novel that reveals something about the author. Encourage them to locate and read the Hemley biography within that Web site.
• Selection by Hemley
  Encourage students to read the selection found at this site, and to compare it with "The Liberation of Rome."

• Theodore Thomas
  This site offers a detailed bibliography of Theodore Thomas' works. Discuss the information and organization of this site, and how it can be used.
• Practice Driving Test
  Students might enjoy taking this practice-driving test. Discuss how computers and new technologies might change the way drivers are tested. Will our society, in their opinion, ever use a test like the one in the story "Test"?

• Louis Owens
  This author biography was compiled by the Native American Authors Project; it features awards, a biography, a bibliography, and other on-line resources. Students can discuss how Owens' origins have influenced his writing.
• Louis Owens Essay
  Students can visit this Web site and read another piece by Owens about the nalusachito.
• Choctaw History
  Students can use the information on this site to find out more about the Chickasaw and Choctaw.

THEME
Wilhelm (by Gabrielle Roy)

• Gabrielle Roy 1
  This site is a detailed author profile and bibliography. Students can review the site to find out more about Roy. They might use this information to write a short story based on Roy's life.
• Gabrielle Roy 2
  This article is a literary look at Roy's life. Have students explain in their own words how Roy's life affected her writing.

• Hoshi Shinichi
  This is a brief biography of Hoshi Shin'ichi, compiled by the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of Japan. Invite students to conduct an Internet search for other Japanese science fiction writers. If possible, they can read another work by a Japanese writer.
• EnviroLink Network
  This is an informative Web site that promotes environmental change. It includes news headlines, articles, and general information.
• Environmental Education
  This site's main page links to organizations and projects concerned with environmental education.
  Students can review both of the above sites, choose an issue, then write a radio commercial directed at solving the problem.

• Formentera
  Have your students read this complete traveler's guide to Formentera and then discuss where they would stay and what they would do if they were tourists in Formentera.
• Amphorae in Tripoli
  Encourage students to visit this site and click on its map to view amphorae found underwater in the region of Tripoli. Ask students to locate the example of a Phoenician amphora and note its design. Note that this Web site, which seems to be constructed by a non-native English speaker, does contain spelling errors.
• A Taste of the Ancient World
  Students can scroll through this site to view an Egyptian amphora and learn about the use of amphorae throughout the ancient world.
• Ancient Greek Amphorae
  Students can view several replications of highly decorative, ancient Greek amphorae at this commercial site. Discuss the subject matter of the images that appear on many of these amphorae, and why people in today's society would treasure an original so highly (as the American in the story does).
  Encourage students to view amphorae from several different regions, and compare their use and design.