Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Notice new seating charts!

Scribble:  Ben O.   (Write in your composition book under "Scribbles.")

Ben read from the beginning of Beyonders. (torture)

Important Note from Ms. Dorsey:  When you have finished writing or correcting one of your pieces, and have published it on your blog, you must notify Ms. Dorsey that it needs to be regraded.  Make sure you have completed  and carefully revised and edited the assignment before you notify Ms. Dorsey.

• from winners of  the 2013 Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest for BAD FICTION
  As the sun dropped below the horizon, the safari guide confirmed the approaching cape buffaloes were herbivores, which calmed everyone in the group, except for Herb, of course. — Ron D Smith, Louisville, KY

• 
  There once was a nasty, evil troll who lived beneath a bridge and took pleasure in collecting gold from the unsuspecting users of the infrastructure; however, no one used the bridge because an evil troll lived under it so the troll didn’t do much of anything. — Rachel Flanigan, Honolulu, HI

Lessons in Writing and Editing:
In your Scribbles section, list the qualities that make a well-written story.
. . . .  and the qualities of a poorly written story.   

Make two columns for your lists

Qualities of Good Writing	Qualities of Bad Writing
makes sense sentence fluency climax (es) description effective dialogue easy to follow sometimes funny -- humor good plot character development problem variety of sentence lengths shows feeling and thoughts action -- something happening you can identify with it sarcasm  -- some, not too much conclusion	doesn't make sense "boring" too much dialogue   dialogue that doesn't get you anywhere misspelling --- conventions no hook too much pointing out of the obvious nothing is happening too random repetitious not specific

See the following examples, then add to your lists.

See the examples "The Redwoods" and "Mouse Alert."http://cavemanenglish.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/52271632/D20387-01TraitsLessonsIdeas.pdf



 Computer Lab 223: 

To do in computer lab:  This is the link to our Kidblog.

1.  Write an “If I Were in Charge Poem” and publish it in a post on your blog.  Make sure you follow the format/pattern on the handout.  If you need to, you can come back to edit later.

2.  If you have extra time, create a post titled “My Favorite Words,” and start listing some of your favorite words. For example, I really like “Jacuzzi”  and “Zimbabwe.”
Bulbous Bouffant

3.  If you still have time, work as needed on your post about your Writing Process.

4. If you have finished all of the above three, expand on and publish (on your blog) any of the pieces you've written in response to prompts so far this year.

3. Me-Bags   None today. 

Today: NONE

Next Time will be Thursday, September 4 Jakob L. Kaitlyn L. Indigo M. Manuel M. Hunter M. Benjamin O.

About Scribbles: 

See the class calendar if you don't remember when your day is to present the scribble.
        
Scroll down to find the calendar at the bottom of this page.

Ideas for Scribble Prompts

About Me-Bag Assignment:  

Me-Bag Assignment

Kidblog Assignment

This is the link to our Kidblog.
Select your name from the drop-down list. Your password is your student number.
Once you have logged in, find your own blog by scrolling down the right hand side to find your name.
To post, look for the "New Post" tab near the top of the page.
You can change your avatar, but just don't use too large a file. 

You can also open this link for the instructions:
See the instructions here: Your Writing Process
or read them on the Kidblog:
On Kidblog, look for the post titled "Write about Your Writing Process — and Publish It"

and see my sample here:  Ms. Dorsey's Writing Process

Thursday, August 28, 2014

1. Pick up your composition books and hand in any disclosure document signature sheets (and VIP forms) you've brought. 
If you've just brought your composition book today, see Ms. Dorsey.
Today we will check-off any of your composition books that have not received points.


2. Computer Lab 223:

To do in computer lab:

1.  Write an “If I Were in Charge Poem” and publish it in a post on your blog.  Make sure you follow the format/pattern on the handout.  If you need to, you can come back to edit later.

2.  If you have extra time, create a post titled “My Favorite Words,” and start listing some of your favorite words. For example, I really like “Jacuzzi”  and “Zimbabwe.”

3.  If you still have time, work as needed on your post about your Writing Process.

Back to class at 2:00.

Scribble: Alyssa J. (Write in your composition book under "Scribbles."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80entLldZOg
Watch and write whatever comes to mind.

Back-Up:  Select a prompt from your list of prompts about you.  (The ones we taped into the composition books last time.)

3. Me-Bags  3. Me-Bags -- Don't forget to take notes on these.  You will be using your notes for an important assignment later. 

Today: Rome H. Jeremy H. Tate I. Brynlee I. Haley J. Alyssa J. Collin K.

Next Time will be Thursday, September 4 Jakob L. Kaitlyn L. Indigo M. Manuel M. Hunter M. Benjamin O.

Random Name Picker

Write a poem that tells us something about you:

If I Were In Charge

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

1. Pick up your composition books and hand in any disclosure document signature sheets (and VIP forms) you've brought.
If you've just brought your composition book today, see Ms. Dorsey.


2. Scribble:  Jeremy H.


He burst through the doors and disappeared.  [Work this somewhere into a story -- beginning, middle, or end.]



If you finish early, you may add to what you wrote yesterday or read your choice of materials.


Next time: Alyssa Jones


Back-Up:  Select a prompt from your list of prompts about you.  (The ones we taped into the composition books last time.)


3. Me-Bags -- Don't forget to take notes on these.  You will be using your notes for an important assignment later. 

Presenting Today	Presenting Next time – August 28
Brogan D. Camille D. Sarah D. Devin D. Anne F. Emma F. Deegan G. Daniella A. Benjamin B. Nicole B. Alan C. Emily C. Drake C.	Rome H. Jeremy H. Tate I. Brynlee I. Haley J.   Alyssa J. Collin K.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

4. Your Writing Process -- in class or in lab?

This is a link to our kidblog. Select your name from the drop-down list. Your password is your student number.

Tentative: Computer Lab 223 to write about "My Writing Process."

See the instructions here: Your Writing Process

Sample: Ms. Dorsey's Writing Process

Also on Kidblog,  create a post with a list of favorite words.  Title it "My Favorite Words." 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33o32C0ogVM

                            * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

If time: 

If I Were In Charge

Friday, August 22, 2014

1. Hand in your disclosure document signatures and your VIP form if you've brought them back.  Turn them in at the top wire basket for your class.

2. Set up your composition book if you have it. Use the handout. You can find the instructions for setting up your composition book here: Your Composition Book Make sure you write both first and last name on the cover of your composition book. If you finish early, you may add to what you wrote yesterday or read your choice of materials.

3. Making Appointments

4.   Scribble:  Ms. Dorsey's in charge of this one.

Getting ready for the Prompt:  Ms. Dorsey will read a brief story -- "The Follower" by Jack Gantos.

Ms. Dorsey started writing a story from her own life, inspired by the story I just read to you: 

A beginning for Ms. Dorsey's story -- 
"Everybody did it – at least everybody from the farming community of Clover, Idaho who was old enough to have a drivers license (maybe some who weren't old enough, too) and too young to fear death and dismemberment. We called it “Deadman’s Curve.” The name should have been discouraging, but for teens it was enticing. It was a sharp curve, following the curve in a large canal – large enough to swallow up a car or pickup. 
The challenge was to see how fast you could go around the curve. Disobeying laws wasn’t in character for me, but at 16 I had been driving with a license for two years, felt so experienced, and had a need for speed." 

Your Prompt: Write about a time when you were the follower and did something stupid
or disregarded mother’s advice or an admonition or command or wish you would have disobeyed.

"The Follower" by Jack Gantos -- Inspiration for your writing:

from Guys Write for Guys Read – "The Follower" http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4649807

See also the book by Gary Paulsen Harris and Me or his book Masters of Disaster 

for more stories about kids doing dumb (and funny when told as a story)

 things because other kids are doing dumb things. 

See the class calendar if you don't remember when your day is to present the scribble.
        Scroll down to find the calendar at the bottom of this page.

Ideas for Scribble Prompts

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

5.  Present Me-Bags and take notes on others' presentations.
Set aside 3-4 pages under "Scribbles" for your notes on these. 

Presenting Today	Presenting Next time – August 26
Daniella A.     Benjamin B. Nicole B. Alan C. Emily C. Drake C. Colby C.	Brogan D. Camille D. Sarah D. Devin D. Anne F. Emma F. Deegan G.

6. Look at  Writing Tips from Pixar

Ideas for Scribble Prompts

A few ideas:

Bring a small commercially made treat (we can't bring homemade items), and have the students describe it or write something it brings to mind.  For instance, students could work on description by thoroughly describing jelly bellies.

Bring a picture.  We have a document camera so we can show it using the projector.  Or you could email the file to me, and we could show it with the projector.

Bring an item -- an old shoe, an unusual rock, some other item.

Find a brief passage from a favorite book. Share it.

Bring a poem.  Students could imitate the poem, write another related one, or write about the topic of the poem.

Bring the first sentence or two of a book.  Don't tell them what the book is.  Their job is to write the first page that would follow that line.

Show a clip from a movie or cartoon or youtube video (totally school appropriate).

Play music.

Some other challenge or idea you've thought up.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Welcome to a new school year and a new class!

1. Receive disclosure document.  Take a quiz on it.  If you have extra time, start filling in the VIP form.

Receive folder/computer number.

Set up your composition book if you have it.  Use the handout. 
Find the instructions for setting up your composition book:  Your Composition Book

2. On a half-sheet of lined paper or in your composition book under Scribbles  -- after setting up your composition book -- write a response to the picture projected on the screen.  You could write a description, a commentary, a poem, a brief story, or whatever you're moved to write based on that picture.  Your response should be about a half-page or so long.  Give it a title and today's date. 

3. PowerPoint about How to Scribble -- with today's scribble -- and assignment: 

You're in Charge.

Sign up for a day to present the Scribble.
Here is a link to  Ideas for Scribble Prompts.

See the day you signed up for on the class calendar. The calendar is in the right margin of this blog --- to your right as you read this.

Find the Class Calendar this way!

4. Receive the me-bag assignment.

•           Ms. Dorsey will demonstrate.
•          Take notes (in your composition book if you have it).
•          You have been assigned a day to present yours. 

In case you lost your assignment sheet, see the class calendar. 
Scroll to the bottom of this page. 

Creative Roads!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2014/08/24/342209290/roadways-you-can-install-like-throw-rugs

2014/2015 School Year -- Supplies

 Welcome!  If you've enrolled in Creative Writing class, look forward to doing lots of writing!  

I'll see you on 
American Fork Junior High  7th  Grade Day
August 18, 2014


Needed Supplies:
For Ms. Dorsey's Creative Writing class, you will need a composition book, not a spiral bound notebook, but one of the cardboard (or plastic) covered composition books.

See this link about Your Composition Book.

You'll need plenty of pens and pencils.  You're expected to come each day with your own.

You'll also need to bring loose-leaf paper.
A three-ring binder (which could be used for more than one class) will help you stay organized.

A thumb drive is very helpful for saving and transporting work from one computer to another.  The thumb drive could be used for other classes, too.

Click here for Classroom Rules.

This post was originally published in  July, 2010, and revised in July 2011,  and again in June of 2012, and again in January and July of 2013 and July of 2014.