Carol Lynch Williams on Icky Middles

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Summertime 2

Summertime 2
It doesn't look as if I'll be teaching creative writing this year, due to increase in student numbers and the need for more sections of seventh grade English. I'll miss it, but you can bet I'll keep writing, and watching for more ideas to help student writers.

Summertime 1

I finished reading Paraworld Zero, and really enjoyed it. It has lots of fun characters and adventure!

May 19, 2008

May 19, 2008
Students received a CD, bookmark, and handout about the author who will be visiting on Friday.

Students went into the computer lab to type up their class finals.

Remember to hand in the class final, and, if you haven't yet, turn in your tall tale and your underland story.

On Wednesday, come dressed to go outside and to sit on the ground.

Voice in Writing

Voice in Writing
One of the Six Traits of Writing
Working with Voice

Voice is Personality!
⇨Voice in writing lets the personality shine through.
⇨You adjust your voice depending on your
audience and purpose.

Here is a rubric for voice in writing from kimskorner4teachertalk.com.

Rating of 5 (Strong):

The paper shows the writer's personality. The writer has written the paper to be read, not just as an assignment. There is a connection between the writer and the reader.

	The paper is honest and sincere; it is written from the heart.
	The language helps the reader "see" what is happening in the writing.
	The writer shows his feelings and emotions in the paper.
	The writer cares about the topic.
	The reader gets a real sense of humor, sadness, happiness, suspense, excitement, etc. from the writing.

Rating of 3 (Developing):

The paper has some personality, but the reader has a hard time connecting with the writer. The writing may sound familiar, not really new or unique.

	The paper has some moments of honesty and sincerity.
	The voice may be strong on occasion, then hide behind general language that isn't very specific.
	The writing hides as much of the writer's personality as it shows.
	The writer seems afraid to show how he really feels.
	The reader only sometimes gets a sense of humor, sadness, happiness, suspense, excitement, etc. from the writing.

Rating of 1 (Weak):

The paper has no personality. It sounds like an encyclopedia article, with only the facts. The writer seems to have no feelings about the topic.

	The reader cannot sense any sincerity or honesty in the paper. The reader has no connection to the writer.
	The writing is not very exciting throughout most of the paper. There are no highs or lows.
	The writing is factual and does not cause the reader to feel anything about the topic.
	The writer doesn't seem to care about the topic at all.

May 15, 2008

May 15, 2008
Today we had a mini-lesson on Voice (one of the the Six Traits of Quality Writing).
See the nearby post about Voice.

We read and listened to examples of voice.

Do this Activity:
1. Select a voice (pick a voice that is strong and easily recognized):

Captain Jack Sparrow
Miss Piggy
Giselle (from Enchanted)
Edward (from Enchanted)
Bugs Bunny
Eeyore
_________________________
_________________________

2. Tell about what you actually did last night, or about what you did this morning, or something you did last weekend, using the voice you’ve selected. Write it such that when a reader reads it, he or she can "hear" that voice in his or her head.

Students received a paste-in for checking a short story as you revise and edit.

We had writer's workshop during which students were to work on their writing assignments.

May 13, 2008

May 13, 2008
Students wrote a creative response to an optical illusion on the overhead. This isn't quite the same image, but if you were absent, you should write about this one. Some students wrote creative descriptions (using simile and metaphor). Others wrote poems or brief stories.

Students saw samples of the "Class Final." See the nearby post that describes that assignment.

We read another tall tale. A tall tale --
is humorous, exaggerated
includes unlikely events
includes characters who try to solve problems
uses language that is colorful (not inappropriate, though) and informal
has a memorable ending

Students used Writer's Workshop time to work on
The tall tale if needed
The "Underland" story
The class final -- We'll be in the computer lab only on May 19th.