Agenda, September 30

Due Thursday, 10/6: Freewrites 11 - ?, Pre-writes 7 - ?
Due Friday, 10/7: Two week packet, typed, fiction is double spaced.

1. Freewrite #14: Write about saying good-bye.
2. Pre-write #12: Save the Cat Storyboard (You could use your storyboard to think out a visual poem, if you like)
3. Work time. How well you use work time today determines how much work time you will receive next week.

Today's goal: I can begin my drafting my final project.
Unit Goal: I can write using inventive structures, with a satisfying beginning, middle, and ending.

Agenda, September 29

Due Now: Your personal reading book
Due Thursday, 10/6: Freewrites 11 - ?, Pre-writes 7 - ?
Due Friday, 10/7: Two week packet, typed, fiction is double spaced.

1. Reading time! Woot!
2. Reading Response #3: Does your author write killer first lines?
3. Freewrite #13: List interesting places. Pick one. Explain how you got "here."
4. A Visual Poem
5. Pre-write #11: Save the Cat, cont.
6. Pre-write #12: Save the Cat Storyboard (You could use your storyboard to think out a visual poem, if you like)

Today's goal: Pre-writing / brainstorming
Unit Goal: I can write using inventive structures, with a satisfying beginning, middle, and ending.

Agenda, September 28

Due Tomorrow: Your personal reading book
Due Now: Completed Storyboard
Due Thursday, 10/6: Freewrites 11 - ?, Pre-writes 7 - ?
Due Friday, 10/7: Two week packet, typed, fiction is double spaced.

1. Pre-write #9: 5 first lines
2. Freewrite #12: Pick a first line and run with it
3. Pre-write #10: "Promiscuous," by William Matthews: Write a poem of definition OR a poem that begins and ends with the same word.
4. Pre-write #11: Save the Cat

Today's goal: Pre-writing / brainstorming
Unit Goal: I can write using inventive structures, with a satisfying beginning, middle, and ending.

Agenda, September 27

Due Now: Your personal reading book
Due Tomorrow: Completed Storyboard
Due Thursday, 10/6: Freewrites 11 - ?, Pre-writes 7 - ?
Due Friday, 10/7: Two week packet, typed, fiction is double spaced.

1. Reading time
2. Storyboard your independent reading
3. First lines in your book 
   
4. Pre-write #8: First line / Last line
5. Pre-write #9: 5 first lines

Today's goal: I can analyze the plot of my personal reading book.
Unit Goal: I can write using inventive structures, with a satisfying beginning, middle, and ending. 

Agenda, September 26

Due last Friday: Two week packet
Due Tomorrow: Bring your personal reading book

1. Freewrite #11: Tell a story that ends badly, but not in death
2. Pre-write #7: Desire, Obstacle, Action
3. First Line Handout: Highlight the crucial info

Today's Goal: I can define and identify a "killer first line."
Unit Goal: I can be inventive with my structures. I can write an effective beginning, middle, and end.

Agenda, September 23

Due Today: Published draft of two week story or poems. Typed. Stories must be double spaced.


Typing time (you may peer review with someone who is already done). If you are listening to music, put it on shuffle and let it roll. If you are spending typing time looking the perfect song, your music is distracting you rather than helping you concentrate.

When you are done, you must be engaged in academic work. You must:

• Visit Poetry Out Loud Guidelines page. See if you're interested in competing.
• Find a Poem. Print two copies: one for yourself and one for me. Put your name on my copy.

When you have found a poem you like, you may:

• Visit the Wordstock Schedule page. See if anything catches your eye.
• Read.
• Work on homework for another class.

Agenda, September 22

Due Now: Bring your reading book 

Due at the end of class: Freewrites 4-10, Pre-writes 1-6
Due at the end of class Friday: Published version of week 1 story / poems. Typed, double-spaced, 12 point font. We'll have the laptops in class.
1) Independent reading - keep an eye out for good description
2) Reading Response #2: copy three lines of description from your reading. How does your author create vivid descriptions?
3) Pre-write #6: Add a sensory detail to each of the following sentences:

• Chuck's car was a mess.
• I felt relieved to finally be home.
• We sat on the shore and looked at the lake.

4) Freewrite #10: What's on your mind today?
5) Work time. Use it wisely.


Today's goal: I can use feedback from my peers and my teacher to improve my writing.
Unit goal: I can use figurative language to appeal to the five senses and write vivid descriptions.

Agenda, September 21

Due Tomorrow: Freewrites 1-10, Pre-writes 1-6
Due Tomorrow: Bring your reading book
Due Friday: Published version of week 1 story / poems. Typed, double-spaced, 12 point font. We'll have the laptops in class.

1) Freewrite #9: Write about a good meal.
2) Pre-write #5: Add a literary device to each of the following sentences. You may change any of the words, but you must communicate the same idea.

• He was surprisingly tall.
• The room was dark and scary.
• This is pretty difficult.

3) Work time: drafting (late), peer review, teacher conference, revision and editing


Today's goals: I can use feedback from my peers and teacher to improve my writing.
Unit goal: I can use literary devices to appeal to the five senses and create vivid descriptions.

Agenda September 20

Due Now: Personal reading book
Due Now: Completed Rough Draft when you walk in the door. Set it on the corner of your desk.
Due Friday: Packet 1, including all freewrites and pre-writes (have your freewrites and pre-writes ready on 9/22)

1. Why do you write? - solo
2. Why do you write? - in groups of four
3. Independent reading time  - pay attention to how your author uses description. Be prepared to read a good description to your classmates.
4. How to Peer Review
5. Work Time: drafting, peer review, teacher conference

Today's goal: I can use feedback from my peers and teacher to improve my rough draft.
Unit goal: I can use literary devices to appeal to the five senses and create vivid descriptions.

Agenda, September 19

Due Tuesday: Personal reading book
Due Tuesday: Completed Rough Draft when you walk in the door.
Due Friday: Packet 1, including all freewrites and pre-writes (have your freewrites and pre-writes ready on 9/22)

1. "Playing with Fire" by Evie Shockley
2. FW #8: Detail oriented: list as many details as you can about a beloved object, then use that object
3. "Silence," by Edgar Allan Poe - Paired reading. Identify literary devices. Pay attention to description. How do Poe's literary devices help make the story more vivid?
4. Work time: please be respectful of your classmates right to work.

Today's goal: I can finish the rough draft of my two-week project.
Unit goal: I can use literary devices to appeal to the five senses and create vivid descriptions.

Agenda, September 16

Due Tuesday: Personal reading book
Due Friday: Packet 1, including all freewrites and pre-writes (have your freewrites and pre-writes ready on 9/22)

1. FW #7: Describe a noisy place, focus on the noise
2. Pre-write #4 - Synaesthesia exercise: list five words for a sight, sound, taste, touch, smell
3. What can I write about?
4. Work time: please be respectful of your classmates right to work. Cut out your leaves some time during work time

Today's goal: I can make progress on the rough draft of my two-week project.
Unit goal: I can use literary devices to appeal to the five senses and create vivid descriptions.

Agenda, September 15

Due Now: Bring your personal reading book and your notes from Tuesday's reading. 
Due 9/23: Packet 1, including all Freewrites and Pre-Writes

1. Why do you read? - solo activity
2. Why do you read? - small groups
3. Independent reading time - find three examples of literary devices
4. Freewrite #6: Write about the best day / worst day ever - make sure it's fiction
5. "Exquisite Corpse" - "As agreed, I arrived at four o'clock."

Today's goal: Pre-writing / Idea generation
Two week goal: I can use literary devices to appeal to the five sense and create vivid descriptions.

Agenda, September 14

Due Thursday: Bring your personal reading book and your notes from Tuesday's reading. 
Due 9/23: Packet 1, including all Freewrites and Pre-Writes

1. Freewrite #5: Describe yourself in 10 years (15? 20?) 
2. Pre-write #3: Name that place

Today's goal: Pre-writing / Idea generation
Two week goal: I can use literary devices to appeal to the five sense and create vivid descriptions.

Agenda, September 13

Due Now: Missing Leaves?
Due Now: Have a personal reading book in hand when you walk in the door
Due Thursday: Bring your personal reading book
Due 9/23: Packet 1, including all Freewrites and Pre-Writes

1. Independent Reading: Find three examples of literary devices / good writing
2. Pre-write#1: To Do List, pt 2
3. Freewrite #5: Describe yourself in 10 years (15? 20?) 
4. Pre-write #2: Desire, Obstacle, Action

Today's goal: Pre-writing / Idea generation
Two week goal: I can use literary devices to appeal to the five sense and create vivid descriptions.

Agenda, September 12

Due Now: Poetry Leaves
Due Tomorrow: Have a personal reading book in hand when you walk in the door
Due 9/23: Packet 1, including all Freewrites and Pre-Writes

1. Quote of the week reflection
2. The two-week cycle
3. Freewrite #4: What your nose knows
4. Pre-Write#1: To Do List, pt. 1
5. "The Word," by Tony Hoagland
6. Pre-Write#1: To Do List, pt. 2

Today's goal: Pre-writing / Idea generation
Two week goal: I can use literary devices to appeal to the five sense and create vivid descriptions.

Agenda, September 9

Due Tuesday: Bring a personal reading book to class
Due Every Day: Bring your planner with you to class
Due at the end of class today: Put up your chairs, please and thanks. 
Due Monday: Finished leaves: front, back, and colored 

1. Freewrite #3: I've never told anyone before ...
2. Poetry Leaves
3. "Exquisite Corpse" with lit devices, in groups of six

Agenda, September 8

Due Tuesday: Bring a personal reading book to class
Due Every Day: Bring your planner with you to class
Due at the end of class today: Put up your chairs, please and thanks. 

1. Freewrite #2: What do you hunger for?
2. Book talk
3. Cliche Busting
4. Low pressure quiz
5. Poetry Leaves

Agenda, September 7

Welcome to class!


Due Tuesday: Bring a personal reading book to class
Due Every Day: Bring your planner with you to class

1. Freewrite #1: Write about the summer you wish you had
2. Share your best word
3. Class Expectations
4. Storyboards
5. Storyboards in groups of four
6. The Writer's Toolbox