Collage of Creativity -- About Me!

Here is the assignment that students received on January 15, 2008.
(All work except the picture collage will end up typed or neatly written in black ink.) The following due dates require a neatly written, clearly legible, draft. We will have an opportunity to type them later.
I. Make a title page for your entire assignment with a creative title, and with your name, class, and the date.
II. Create an 8 1/2" x 11" collage of pictures and or other illustrations that represent you and your interests. Due Tuesday, January 22
III. + Write bio-poems based on two of the patterns you are given. Due Thursday, January 24
IV. + Choose three out of the following ten choices. Title each assignment. (Use complete, correct sentences in your writing.) Due January 28, 30, February 4
(The 30th is our first computer lab day to type the bio-poems and your first two choices of the three.)
 1. Top Ten -- Create a top ten best and worst list (ten best and ten worst) of things that have happened to you so far in your life. You must be specific, detailed, and creative. Don't say –
1. Born 2. Moved, etc. Each item should be at least two creative sentences long. Have a title for your lists -- not "My Top Ten." Be more creative. (Use complete, correct sentences in your writing.)

 2. Junior High Hang-Ups Poem or Essay -- Write a poem or informal essay about a theme that is important to junior high school students. For example, friendship, conformity, originality, education, family, finding talents, being yourself, staying away from drugs or other addictions, self-esteem, honor, popularity, careers, status symbols, sports, band, etc. or your own idea. Use poetry techniques -- metaphors, power words, alliterations, symbols, figurative language, etc. Don't rhyme. Your poem must be at least twenty lines long. The essay must be a page, double-spaced. Have a creative title.
(Page lengths refer to typed pieces. Handwritten will be longer.)
 3. How to Survive in Junior High -- Make a list of twenty specific and truly valuable pieces of advice you would like to give new seventh graders. Your list may be humorous but must contain "true" wisdom and be appropriate. Have a creative title.

 4. Me and My Shadow -- Do you have someone you are with constantly -- a shadow? Write at least a half page, double-spaced about how you are alike and yet different. Why do you make a good pair? Have a good title.

 5. What if. . . What if. . . is a big question. Make a list of twenty what if's. Be specific and creative.

 6. My Family -- Write at least a half a page, double-spaced, about how you have affected your family. What would your family be like without you? What do you add? Have a title.

 7. Celebrations of Education -- Write at least two or three sentences celebrating -- notice the word is "celebrate" not "desecrate" each year of your public education. Be sure to include the grade, teacher, and school. Be specific. Have a title.

 8. Honoring Me -- Design a certificate with a border and a graphic that honors you for some specific but perhaps hidden talent. Make this a talent of character rather than ability. Be specific and creative -- not just "Good Friend."

 9. My Golden Rules -- Make a list of ten very specific and original-to-you rules to live by. What wisdom and advice do you have to offer the world gleaned from your own experience. Have a title.

 10. Fifteen Minutes of Fame -- Someone once said, "Everyone will experience fifteen minutes of fame in his or her lifetime." What will your fifteen minutes be? You may write in short story form -- narrative -- or explanatory style. This must be at least a half of a page, double spaced. Have a creative title. (Dorsey, 1-17-06, updated 1/15/08Adapted from materials presented by Brenda Burr and Launa Strong)