September 18
* We will be in the computer lab next time to revise, edit, and publish the personal narratives/memoirs.
Self-Starter: Punctuate a letter.
Do your best to correctly punctuate this letter without adding, subtracting or changing any of the words.
Dear John,
I want a man who knows what love is all about you are generous kind thoughtful people who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior you have ruined me for other men I yearn for you I have no feelings whatsoever when we are apart I can be forever happy will you let me be yours Gloria
Writer's workshop/ Peer and teacher reviews.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
September 14
September 14
Details and Description
Self-Starter: Sweet and Sour
Students created descriptions of sweet and salty things.
If you are absent, get something sweet (a candy?) and something salty. Describe each as thoroughly as you can. Use the "Wonderful Word Banks" from Ms. Dorsey. If you have internet, you can to go her website under Creative Writing to find word banks under "Units of Study." Bring this paper to tape into your notebook.
1. A couple more examples of intriguing leads.
2. Examples of descriptive writing
3. Making a movie in your mind.
4. Writer's workshop. Add or refine description for your memoir -- the one for which you worked on leads last time.
If you enjoy the Jimmy Fincher Saga, go to ttp://www.jamesdashner.blogspot.com/. The author has done a great job with his blog.
Details and Description
Self-Starter: Sweet and Sour
Students created descriptions of sweet and salty things.
If you are absent, get something sweet (a candy?) and something salty. Describe each as thoroughly as you can. Use the "Wonderful Word Banks" from Ms. Dorsey. If you have internet, you can to go her website under Creative Writing to find word banks under "Units of Study." Bring this paper to tape into your notebook.
1. A couple more examples of intriguing leads.
2. Examples of descriptive writing
3. Making a movie in your mind.
4. Writer's workshop. Add or refine description for your memoir -- the one for which you worked on leads last time.
If you enjoy the Jimmy Fincher Saga, go to ttp://www.jamesdashner.blogspot.com/. The author has done a great job with his blog.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
September 12
September 12
Self-Starter: Students wrote (in their notebooks) a lead (beginning) for a story about the picture they viewed on the overhead.
If you were absent, write a great lead for a story of your choice.
1. About Leads --
Students received two tape-in's about leads for their notebooks.
"Good writers sweat their leads." -- Nancy Atwell
The lead is critical because it: (a) sets the tone, (b) determines the content and direction of the piece, (c) establishes the voice and verb tense, (d) beguiles -- or doesn't -- the potential reader."
It's a good idea to "start your story in the story." Often you've already written a good lead, but it is buried in the story. Richard Peck (famous author for young adults and children) recommends writing your story, then cutting off about the first two pages.
Three types of narrative leads:
1. action
2. dialogue
3. reaction or thought
"Much of a writer's work is to generate options and make deliberate choices."
-- Atwell and Dorsey
"A lead you love will fuel you as a writer."
A sample GREAT lead from our class:
Ring, Ring. “Will you send Tori down to the office,” the loud speaker said. As I walk down the hall hoping they have the wrong Tori, “I didn’t do anything today,” I thought to myself. When it hit me – Paul’s MRI was today – my pace quickened along with my heartbeat. (Tori 9/07)
2. Writer's Workshop -- revising the memoir they typed in the computer writing lab. They will revise and edit, and on September 20, we will return to the computer lab to create quality (final) drafts of these memoirs. Today they should have tried out one or two different leads for their memoirs.
Self-Starter: Students wrote (in their notebooks) a lead (beginning) for a story about the picture they viewed on the overhead.
If you were absent, write a great lead for a story of your choice.
1. About Leads --
Students received two tape-in's about leads for their notebooks.
"Good writers sweat their leads." -- Nancy Atwell
The lead is critical because it: (a) sets the tone, (b) determines the content and direction of the piece, (c) establishes the voice and verb tense, (d) beguiles -- or doesn't -- the potential reader."
It's a good idea to "start your story in the story." Often you've already written a good lead, but it is buried in the story. Richard Peck (famous author for young adults and children) recommends writing your story, then cutting off about the first two pages.
Three types of narrative leads:
1. action
2. dialogue
3. reaction or thought
"Much of a writer's work is to generate options and make deliberate choices."
-- Atwell and Dorsey
"A lead you love will fuel you as a writer."
A sample GREAT lead from our class:
Ring, Ring. “Will you send Tori down to the office,” the loud speaker said. As I walk down the hall hoping they have the wrong Tori, “I didn’t do anything today,” I thought to myself. When it hit me – Paul’s MRI was today – my pace quickened along with my heartbeat. (Tori 9/07)
2. Writer's Workshop -- revising the memoir they typed in the computer writing lab. They will revise and edit, and on September 20, we will return to the computer lab to create quality (final) drafts of these memoirs. Today they should have tried out one or two different leads for their memoirs.
Monday, September 10, 2007
September 10
1. In writing on the next page of your notebook (not Writing Territories), briefly summarize the story of one episode of a TV show (not a movie, and not something like American Idol that doesn't tell a story) that you've seen.
-- Walk and Talk
2. Student examples of memoir/personal narrative:
2. Professional example of writing an episode -- "Being Mean" from Living Up the Street by Gary Soto.
3. What makes a bad memoir/personal narrative?
4. Writer's Workshop
(If you haven't handed in the essay you created in computer lab last week, please do so today.)
-- Walk and Talk
2. Student examples of memoir/personal narrative:
2. Professional example of writing an episode -- "Being Mean" from Living Up the Street by Gary Soto.
3. What makes a bad memoir/personal narrative?
4. Writer's Workshop
(If you haven't handed in the essay you created in computer lab last week, please do so today.)
Thursday, September 6, 2007
September 6
Students wrote in response to a painting on the overhead projector. They could choose to write a poem, a brief story, a description or comment, etc.
We listed traits of socks.
We learned about traits of writing.
What makes a good memoir? If you were absent, ask to see the sample memoirs.
We listed traits of socks.
We learned about traits of writing.
What makes a good memoir? If you were absent, ask to see the sample memoirs.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
September 4
Students taped into their notebooks a prompt for writing about their "writing process." They told in pictures and/or drawings about the process they go through when they write.
We went to the computer lab so each student could type up a personal narrative (a story about an experience of his or her own).
We went to the computer lab so each student could type up a personal narrative (a story about an experience of his or her own).
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