Activities you can integrate into your FYS class
Many classroom discussions can be generated using the following ideas to begin the dialogue:
Describe the writing style:
- Simple to emphasize the "truths" of the narrative
- Focuses on the larger subject of Santiago's spiritual journey
Compare this story to:
- Stories that have a spiritual/moral/ethical message
- Aesop's Fables
- Hesse's Siddhartha
- Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince
- Stories in The Bible or The Koran
Support the students through health literacy skill development:
- Library research skills
- Research the author
- Setting
- Health issues
- Alchemy and economy - Reflective writing
- Journaling- what does this book say to you?
- Analyze the bigger message - Writing style, voice, and audience
- How does the writer use his style to convey a message?
- What does this say about how you write to an audience? - Self-efficacy and internal locus of control
- Who is really in control of your life?
- How can you make the right decisions?
- Who is responsible for a successful first year?
- Global versus local concerns, tribal wars aren’t just “over there”
- Diversity and respect