Wednesday, October 27, 2010
October 28, 2010
1. Bell-Ringer: Students wrote about a painting they were shown -- Charles Burchfield's The Sphinx and the Milky-Way. 2. We read the rest of the stories in the computer writing lab.
3. If extra time, -- Dogzilla! and/or student-made Mad-Libs.
image found at ddreesart.wordpress.com
October 26, 2010
1. Bell-Ringer: Students wrote about a picture that could be seen two different ways.
2. We went to the computer lab to work on our own, and then read each others' short stories.
2. We went to the computer lab to work on our own, and then read each others' short stories.
Friday, October 22, 2010
October 22, 2010
Bell-Ringer: Mad-Lib
Create a Mad-Lib
Walk-and-Write?
If you haven't had your composition book graded, take care of that today.
Create a Mad-Lib
Walk-and-Write?
If you haven't had your composition book graded, take care of that today.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
October 20, 2010
Sometimes indigent lethargic ladies work on royal pastries, lying against silver tapestries. On Saturdays, in Liverpool loud whiners order pie listlessly after silencing tawdry operas.
Model Story -- Detail, description, word choice, etc.
Computer Lab 223:
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
October 20, 2010 is the National Day of Writing and Last Day to Hand in Reflections Entries
See our school home page for more on the PTSA Reflections Contest.
Here is another writing contest. I was recently reminded to encourage you to enter this contest for young people sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Look for details at http://www.vfw.org/Community/Patriot-s-Pen/
American Fork City Library
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY 2010 SCARY STORY CONTEST
Calling for entries in four age categories:
Children 6-8
Junior 9-11
Youth 12-18
Adult 19+
We encourage clever stories that build suspense and mystery. While scary, chilling puzzles are desirable, grpahic depictions of violence are discouraged. Humorous tales are always welcome. The entry fee is $3.00 per entry. Entries must be received no later than Monday, October 18. Submission guidelines and entry forms are available at the circulation desk in the library. Awards will be announced in the Children's Library on Thursday, October 28 at 6:00p.m.
Here is another writing contest. I was recently reminded to encourage you to enter this contest for young people sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Look for details at http://www.vfw.org/Community/Patriot-s-Pen/
American Fork City Library
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY 2010 SCARY STORY CONTEST
Calling for entries in four age categories:
Children 6-8
Junior 9-11
Youth 12-18
Adult 19+
We encourage clever stories that build suspense and mystery. While scary, chilling puzzles are desirable, grpahic depictions of violence are discouraged. Humorous tales are always welcome. The entry fee is $3.00 per entry. Entries must be received no later than Monday, October 18. Submission guidelines and entry forms are available at the circulation desk in the library. Awards will be announced in the Children's Library on Thursday, October 28 at 6:00p.m.
October 18, 2010
1. Bell-Ringer: Pick up Composition Book.
a. Finish composition book check. If you haven't have another student finish checking your book.
Leave the grading sheet in your composition book.
b. Label, with today's date, and write about the photo on the overhead: "The Path"-- a poem, a brief story, description, etc.
2. Add sensory description. List below what you just wrote.
Share pieces about the photo.
3. Editing:
4. Computer Lab 223 to work more on the pieces you've already started, or to type or begin a new one.
a. Finish composition book check. If you haven't have another student finish checking your book.
Leave the grading sheet in your composition book.
b. Label, with today's date, and write about the photo on the overhead: "The Path"-- a poem, a brief story, description, etc.
2. Add sensory description. List below what you just wrote.
Share pieces about the photo.
3. Editing:
4. Computer Lab 223 to work more on the pieces you've already started, or to type or begin a new one.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Composition Book Check
Composition Book Check on October 12, 2010
1. August 26, 2010 Students wrote about how they feel about the alphabet, while munching on Alpha-Bits cereal.
If the student has a composition book, this should go on the third page.
2. August 30, 2010 Responding to a poem about summer
3. September 1, 2010 a. Students read a poem called "A Slice of Life" and responded to it in their composition books.
b. We discussed the Writing Process, and students wrote about their own writing process.
4. September 3, 2010
a. Write creatively about the photograph shown. You can see it here (the top picture) at More Creativity
b. Prewriting -- What do you do before you write?
Notes and prewriting exercises should be recorded in your composition book. Label the page "Prewriting" and include today's date.
5. September 8, 2010
a. Tape into your composition book, read and respond to "Rambling Autobiography." Follow the directions on that sheet. b. check notes on Me-Bags
my favorite item, a striking item from someone else's bag
c. More prewriting. brainstorming-- school trees and spider webs -- holidays
d. Collecting ideas for writing memoir. (receive handout to tape in your composition book)
e. What makes a bad memoir? a good one?
6. September 10, 2010
Select any of the prompts from your taped in list to write about in your composition book.
Examples and non-examples of memoir.
7. September 16, 2010
Select a prompt from the long-list of prompts in your composition book and write 1/2 page about it.
8. September 20, 2010
a. Select a prompt from the long-list of prompts in your composition book and write 1/2 page about it.
b. In your composition book: Qualities/Traits of an Effective Memoir
Add
Remove
Move
Substitute
using your eyes and ears to revise
9. September 22, 2010 Sentence Variety Chart.doc
10. September 24, 2010
a. QuickWrite: Picture Prompt C
b. Circles on the ground (outside)
c. Human Cameras (Three pictures each.) -- pairs -- stop each time to record the shot.
11. September 28, 2010
a. Responding to a painting
b. Begin listing all the books (novels/chapter books) you've read -- in your composition book. Label it with today's date.
c. Problems in Fiction/Conflict -- What are problems we have seen in fiction?
12. September 30, 2010
Write a response to the painting on the overhead -- a poem? short story? description? commentary? ?
13. October 4, 2010
In the photo, to whom does the bicycle belong? Why is he or she here? Create a story, description, poem, commentary, etc. as a response. Consider whether it should be written in first person or third person (or perhaps even second person).
14. October 6, 2010 Write a short scene inspired by great words from the Word Bank -- one from each category except Dead Words -- Make sure you don't use any dead words.
15. October 8, 2010 Work more on the brief story you are writing based on words from the word bank.
Use wonderful words and eliminate dead words!
1. August 26, 2010 Students wrote about how they feel about the alphabet, while munching on Alpha-Bits cereal.
If the student has a composition book, this should go on the third page.
2. August 30, 2010 Responding to a poem about summer
3. September 1, 2010 a. Students read a poem called "A Slice of Life" and responded to it in their composition books.
b. We discussed the Writing Process, and students wrote about their own writing process.
4. September 3, 2010
a. Write creatively about the photograph shown. You can see it here (the top picture) at More Creativity
b. Prewriting -- What do you do before you write?
Notes and prewriting exercises should be recorded in your composition book. Label the page "Prewriting" and include today's date.
5. September 8, 2010
a. Tape into your composition book, read and respond to "Rambling Autobiography." Follow the directions on that sheet. b. check notes on Me-Bags
my favorite item, a striking item from someone else's bag
c. More prewriting. brainstorming-- school trees and spider webs -- holidays
d. Collecting ideas for writing memoir. (receive handout to tape in your composition book)
e. What makes a bad memoir? a good one?
6. September 10, 2010
Select any of the prompts from your taped in list to write about in your composition book.
Examples and non-examples of memoir.
7. September 16, 2010
Select a prompt from the long-list of prompts in your composition book and write 1/2 page about it.
8. September 20, 2010
a. Select a prompt from the long-list of prompts in your composition book and write 1/2 page about it.
b. In your composition book: Qualities/Traits of an Effective Memoir
- enough detail
- sensory detail
- descriptive words
- similes and metaphors
- (emotions)
- length is not too long and not too short
- effective titles
- what else?
Add
Remove
Move
Substitute
using your eyes and ears to revise
9. September 22, 2010 Sentence Variety Chart.doc
10. September 24, 2010
a. QuickWrite: Picture Prompt C
b. Circles on the ground (outside)
c. Human Cameras (Three pictures each.) -- pairs -- stop each time to record the shot.
11. September 28, 2010
a. Responding to a painting
b. Begin listing all the books (novels/chapter books) you've read -- in your composition book. Label it with today's date.
c. Problems in Fiction/Conflict -- What are problems we have seen in fiction?
12. September 30, 2010
Write a response to the painting on the overhead -- a poem? short story? description? commentary? ?
13. October 4, 2010
In the photo, to whom does the bicycle belong? Why is he or she here? Create a story, description, poem, commentary, etc. as a response. Consider whether it should be written in first person or third person (or perhaps even second person).
14. October 6, 2010 Write a short scene inspired by great words from the Word Bank -- one from each category except Dead Words -- Make sure you don't use any dead words.
15. October 8, 2010 Work more on the brief story you are writing based on words from the word bank.
Use wonderful words and eliminate dead words!
October 12, 2010
Reminder (as if you needed it!): No school this Thursday and Friday. Do something fun and come back safe and sound!
1. Bell-Ringer: Finish Wonderful Words -- They are on a poster in the classroom.
2. Check Composition Books -- Also available next class time.
3. Mini-lesson on titles: Memorable, Distinct, Intriguing, Deliberate -- in your composition book.
4. Ms. Dorsey shared a scary story about the students in this class. Parents, I'm sorry if they have nightmares! : )
5. Computer Lab: Especially focus on scary stories -- Due October 22. Next computer labs: October 18, 20.
We also looked at the editing and revising pages, and typed in these three problems to check for:
1. Obvious stuff
2. For every word that you're not absolutely certain how the spell it, look it up.
3. Capitalize titles: first word, last word, all important words.
1. Bell-Ringer: Finish Wonderful Words -- They are on a poster in the classroom.
2. Check Composition Books -- Also available next class time.
3. Mini-lesson on titles: Memorable, Distinct, Intriguing, Deliberate -- in your composition book.
4. Ms. Dorsey shared a scary story about the students in this class. Parents, I'm sorry if they have nightmares! : )
5. Computer Lab: Especially focus on scary stories -- Due October 22. Next computer labs: October 18, 20.
We also looked at the editing and revising pages, and typed in these three problems to check for:
1. Obvious stuff
2. For every word that you're not absolutely certain how the spell it, look it up.
3. Capitalize titles: first word, last word, all important words.
And a Beautiful Picture
Red Poppies Growing in a Grassy Field
Photographic Print by Paul Schutzer
Item #: 14015683A
http://www.art.com/products/p14015683-sa-i2769117/paul-schutzer-red-poppies-growing-in-a-grassy-field.htm?rfid=220421
More Zombies
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Sub and Stuff
January 28, 2008 If I Were in Charge and Rules lesson
Example of an "If I Were in Charge Poem":
IF I WERE IN CHARGE OF THE WORLD
If I were in charge of the world
I’d cancel oatmeal,
Monday mornings,
Allergy shots, and also
Sara Steinberg.
If I were in charge of the world
There’d be brighter night lights,
Healthier hamsters, and
Basketball baskets forty-eight inches lower.
If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn’t have lonely.
You wouldn’t have clean.
You wouldn’t have bedtimes.
Or “Don’t punch your sister.”
You wouldn’t even have sisters.
If I were in charge of the world
A chocolate sundae with whipped cream and nuts
would be a vegetable.
All 007 movies would be G.
And a person who sometimes forget to brush,
And sometimes forget to flush,
Would still be allowed to be
In charge of the world.
Format for an "If I Were In Charge of the World" poem:
IF I WERE IN CHARGE OF THE WORLD
If I were in charge of the world
I’d cancel ____________________________________,
_____________________________________________,
_____________________________________________, and also
_____________________________________________.
If I were in charge of the world
There’d be _______________________________________,
_____________________________________________, and
________________________________________________.
If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn’t have ___________________________________.
You wouldn’t have ___________________________________.
You wouldn’t have ___________________________________.
Or ________________________________________________.
You wouldn’t even have ________________________________.
If I were in charge of the world
__________________________________________________________
would be _____________________________________________.
All ___________________________ would be __________________________.
And a person who _________________________________________________,
And _____________________________________________________________,
Would still be allowed to be
In charge of the world.
October 8, 2010
Bell-Ringer: Work more on the brief story you are writing based on words from the word bank.
Use wonderful words and eliminate dead words!
Another scary story model.
The Boogeyman?
Sensory details using wonderful words.
Other words for orange:
Use wonderful words and eliminate dead words!
Another scary story model.
The Boogeyman?
Sensory details using wonderful words.
apricot, bittersweet, cantaloupe, carrot, coral, peach, red-yellow, salmon, tangerine, titianSomething You May Not Have Known About Ms. DorseyTry this out if you get a chance, and let me know if you like it. Acrostic Poems |
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
October 6, 2010
1. Bell-Ringer: Create a Halloween poem using five words or phrases you draw from the envelope. You may add words, and use the words in any order.
2. Receive Word Bank Packets -- add color words if appropriate
3. Share poems (Return word slips.)
4. Read (in small groups) short stories from The Haunted House: A Collection of Short Stories edited by Jane Yolen and Martin H. Greenberg
5. Turn in poems.
6. Discuss Word Choice: Dead Words and Wonderful Words
7. Collecting wonderful words
8. Write a short scene inspired by great words -- one from each category except Dead Words -- Make sure you don't use any dead words.
Scary Short Story due October 22. We will be able to use the computer lab October 12 and 20 to get these done.
Discuss books for children.
2. Receive Word Bank Packets -- add color words if appropriate
3. Share poems (Return word slips.)
4. Read (in small groups) short stories from The Haunted House: A Collection of Short Stories edited by Jane Yolen and Martin H. Greenberg
5. Turn in poems.
6. Discuss Word Choice: Dead Words and Wonderful Words
7. Collecting wonderful words
8. Write a short scene inspired by great words -- one from each category except Dead Words -- Make sure you don't use any dead words.
Scary Short Story due October 22. We will be able to use the computer lab October 12 and 20 to get these done.
Discuss books for children.
Scary Stories
Your scary stories -- finished, revised, edited-- ready to share -- are due by October 22. We will be able to use the computer lab October 12 and 20 to get these done.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Zombie Haiku by the Creative Writing Class of Fall 2010
writing zombie 'kucount syllables carefully
grades and brains at stake
--- Ms. D.
the night has fallen
and the zombies are coming
dancing to "Thriller"
-- Heidi A.
Halloween is here!
you better run for your life
it's zombie time
-- Miranda R.
[their] arms coming off
and thirsty for blood and guts
they are zombies
-- Courtney C.
they go down the street
looking for something to eat
it's you they're after.
--- Madi V.
creeping through the night
rising from the cemetaries
walking endlessly
-- Robyn M.
colds can be fatal
in a zombie attack. Sneeze!
and there go your brains
-- Liam B.
beware the zombies
they are here to take over
life as we know it
-- Hannah L.
my brains are so nice
zombie will love to eat them --
zombie cannot have'em
-- Brogan K.
you're grabbed from behind
intense pain is to follow
pulled into darkness
-- Skye K.
Feeling Overwhelmed?
Don't FALL for the idea that you can mess around for much of the term, without
FALLing behind.
The last day to hand in late and revised work for this term for this class is October 22, so catch up or stay caught up, and don't leaf it until the last minute.
I found this image at http://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/content/articles/2008/02/27/the_big_picture_feature.shtml It was taken by a fellow named Alex Burgess,
Haiku
Example from Ms. Dorsey of a non-scary haiku:
the leaves are changing
colors bursting from the hills
shouting out, “Autumn!”
-- C. Dorsey 10-02-10
image found at spencerjourney.blogspot.com
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Red Ribbon Week
We will be doing a door decoration contest with your B-2 class. They can start decorating this week and the judging will be done on Oct 12th. The 3 top doors will win a prize for the class. They can decorate before school, CAVETIME, or after school. We do have the late bus on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 4:00pm. that your students can use if they stay after to decorate.
We will also have Drug Free Commercial contest where the students can make a 90 second commercial. They can pick up entry forms in the front office starting Monday, October 4th. No more than eight people per commercial. Everyone that participates will recieve a prize and the top three commercials winners will recieve bigger prizes. The commercial will be shown on the TV's in the commons the week of Oct 18-22. The students will vote on October 25th to decide the winners.
Monday October 11, 2010
Sock it to DRUGS! (Wear crazy socks to school)
Basketball Drug Free Throws in commons during lunch with the impaired goggles.
Candy jars guessing game during lunches.
Tuesday October 12, 2010
"Tie" one on against drugs. (wear a crazy tie to school)
Basketball Drug Free Throws in commons during lunch with the impaired goggles.
Candy jars guessing game during lunches
BALLON LAUNCH during CAVETIME
Wednesday October 13, 2010
Spirt Day (Wear school colors)
Basketball Drug Free Throws in commons during lunch with the impaired goggles.
Candy jars guessing game during lunches.
Former Miss Utah Heather Anderson will be a CAVETIME ACTIVITY replacing the movie. She will tell the story of her brother who died from the use of drugs. We will have CAVETIME on Wednesday, Heather is just replacing the movie for the day.
Friday, October 1, 2010
October 4, 2010
Happy October! Frightening Writing!Bell-Ringer:
In the photo, to whom does the bicycle belong? Why is he or she here? Create a story, description, poem, commentary, etc. as a response. Consider whether it should be written in first person or third person (or perhaps even second person).
An example of story from A Wolf at the Door.
Creating a plot line for your story.
The Zombie Challenge for October!
Today we will write Zombie Haiku. The Haiku form we are using today is a three line poem using a specific number of syllables See the handout on our wiki: http://cavemanenglish.pbworks.com/October-2009-Handouts
Example of Zombie Haiku from Chris Crowe, BYU professor, author, and 'ku Master for the Central Utah Writing Project:
z’ bumper sticker: "z'" is an abbreviation for zombie. "'ku" is an abbreviation for haiku.
“a brain is a terrible
thing to waste.” eat up.
Each student is writing three (3) haiku -- about zombies or something else scary.
Three lines:
1st Line – 5 syllables one: five syllables (count them)
2nd Line – 7 syllables two is seven syllables (count them)
3rd Line – 5 syllables three is back to five (count them)
Have fun!
zombie haiku are
highly addictive ‘cuz they
get into your blood
beware, seventh grade!
Dorsey and other teachers
get into your brains
-- Ms. D.
The Scary Story Challenge for October
We will write scary stories. Be prepared for more examples.
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