Agenda, November 18

NaNoWriMo, Day 18. 12 to go.
 

Buy these books: Wistor and Wimsor!
 
Late: Submit one or more pieces to the Lit Mag.
Due Now: All books back to the classroom library.
Due Now: Memorized poem or short piece of fiction / Poetry Out Loud contest
Extra Credit? Read at the Lit Mag fundraiser on 11/18

1. Collect books
2. Rehearsal time
3. Poem Presentations
4. TMATTY, as time allows

Today's Goal: I can tell a story with confidence. I can use my voice to enhance the meaning of a piece of writing.
Unit goal: I can share poems and stories with my classmates.

Agenda, November 17

NaNoWriMo, Day 17. Headin' downhill.

Late: Submit one or more pieces to the Lit Mag.
Late: A hard copy of your poem / story for Friday
Due Friday: All books back to the classroom library.
Due Friday: Memorized poem or short piece of fiction / Poetry Out Loud contest
Extra Credit? Read at the Lit Mag fundraiser on 11/18

1. Freewrite #36: What's the best thing in the whole wide world?
2. Pre-write #48: Say it with figurative language: 1) I'm tired. 2) I'm thirsty. 3) I'm excited.
3. TMATTY
4. Marking pauses in your piece. Read it aloud.
5. Emphasizing the most important words.

Today's Goal: I can tell a story with confidence. I can use my voice to enhance the meaning of a piece of writing.
Unit goal: I can share poems and stories with my classmates.

Agenda, November 16

NaNoWriMo, Day 16. Headin' downhill.

Due Last Monday: Freewrites 25 - 34 and Pre-Writes 29 - 46
Due Yesterday: Two pages of fiction or two poems (both with dialogue, both typed). Format and punctuation matter.
Due Yesterday: Submit one or more pieces to the Lit Mag.
Due Now: A hard copy of your poem / story for Friday
Due Friday: All books back to the classroom library.
Due Friday: Memorized poem or short piece of fiction / Poetry Out Loud contest
Extra Credit? Read at the Lit Mag fundraiser on 11/18

1. A quick poll
2. Freewrite #35: Write about a character overcoming fear.
3. Find your Writer's Toolbox
4. Pre-write #47: Say it with figurative language: 1) The mountain was very steep. 2) It took a long time to finish. 3) The view was spectacular.
5. TMATTY
6. Marking thoughts in your piece. Read it aloud.
7. Marking pauses in your piece. Read it aloud.

Today's goal: I can use peer and teacher feedback to improve my writing.
Unit goal: I can use dialogue to develop characters and move a plot forward.

Agenda, November 15

NaNoWriMo, Day 15. Halfway home.

Due Yesterday: Freewrites 25 - 34 and Pre-Writes 29 - 46
Due Today at the end of class: Two pages of fiction or two poems (both with dialogue, both typed). Format and punctuation matter.
Due Today at the end of class: Submit one or more pieces to the Lit Mag.
Due Tomorrow: A hard copy of your poem / story for Friday
Due Friday: All books back to the classroom library.
Due Friday: Memorized poem or short piece of fiction / Poetry Out Loud contest
Extra Credit? Read at the Lit Mag fundraiser on 11/18

1. Typing, typing, typing.
2. Submitting, submitting, submitting.
3. Find a piece to read. 
4. Start memorizing your piece.

Today's goal: I can use peer and teacher feedback to improve my writing.
Unit goal: I can use dialogue to develop characters and move a plot forward.

Agenda, November 14

NaNoWriMo, Day 14.

Due at the end of class: Freewrites 25 - 34 and Pre-Writes 29 - 46
Due Tuesday at the end of class: Two pages of fiction or two poems (both with dialogue, both typed)
Due Wednesday, 11/16: A hard copy of your poem / story for Friday
Due 11/18: Memorized poem or short piece of fiction / Poetry Out Loud contest
Extra Credit? Read at the Lit Mag fundraiser on 11/18

1. Freewrite #34: Write about a character who can't tell the truth.
2. "The Curse," by Josh Ritter
3. Pre-write #46: Editing Essay.
4. Work Time. Teacher conference due by end of the day today.

Today's goal: I can use peer and teacher feedback to improve my writing.
Unit goal: I can use dialogue to develop characters and move a plot forward.

Agenda, November 10

NaNoWriMo, Day 10. 16,667 words. Hmmmm.

Due Now: Bring your book. Make sure it has dialogue.
Due Monday at the end of class: Freewrites 25 - ? and Pre-Writes 29 - ?
Due Tuesday at the end of class: Two pages of fiction or two poems (both with dialogue, both typed)
Due Wednesday, 11/16: A hard copy of your poem / story for Friday
Due 11/18: Memorized poem or short piece of fiction / Poetry Out Loud contest
Extra Credit? Read at the Lit Mag fundraiser on 11/18

1. Reading time.
2. Reading Response #6: Does your author use dialogue well? How do you know?
3. Freewrite #33:Encourage someone to (or not to) take a risk.
4. Work Time. Teacher conference due by end of the day on Monday.

Today's goal: I can use peer and teacher feedback to improve my writing.
Unit goal: I can use dialogue to develop characters and move a plot forward.

Agenda, November 9

NaNoWriMo, Day 9. 

Due Tomorrow: Bring your book. Make sure it has dialogue.
Due Monday at the end of class: Freewrites 25 - ? and Pre-Writes 29 - ?
Due Tuesday at the end of class: Two pages of fiction or two poems (both with dialogue, both typed)
Due Wednesday, 11/16: A hard copy of your poem / story for Friday
Due 11/18: Memorized poem or short piece of fiction / Poetry Out Loud contest
Extra Credit? Read at the Lit Mag fundraiser on 11/18

1. Freewrite #32:Write a conversation between you and a body part.
2. Pre-write #44: Film script format
3. Pre-write #45: How would this person say "Hi?"
4. Work Time

Today's goal: I can write film script format. I can use dialogue to capture character.
Unit goal: I can use dialogue to develop characters and move a plot forward.

Agenda, November 8

NaNoWriMo, Day 8. 

Due 11/14: Freewrites 25 - ? and Pre-Writes 29 - ?
Due 11/15: Two pages of fiction or two poems (both with dialogue, both typed)
Due 11/18: Memorized poem or short piece of fiction / Poetry Out Loud contest
Extra Credit? Read at the Lit Mag fundraiser on 11/18

1. Personal reading. Can you find subtext?
2. Freewrite #31:Write about a character getting fired.
3. Pre-write #42: Show, don't tell. Format the following lines of dialogue properly, replacing the adverb with an action: You have beautiful eyes, he said shyly. Really? she asked suspiciously. Why would I lie? he asked innocently. Good question, she said thoughtfully.
4. Pre-Write #43: Desire, Obstacle, Action (if time allows)

Today's goal: I can find subtext in my personal reading. I can use properly punctuated dialogue to show instead of telling.
Unit goal: I can use dialogue to develop characters and move a plot forward.

Agenda, November 7

NaNoWriMo, Day 7. Feel free to add your word count to the board.

Due 11/14: Freewrites 25 - ? and Pre-Writes 29 - ?
Due 11/15: Two pages of fiction or two poems (both with dialogue, both typed)
Due 11/18: Memorized poem or short piece of fiction / Poetry Out Loud contest
Extra Credit? Read at the Lit Mag fundraiser on 11/18

1. Freewrite #30: Cheer someone up (or pursue your NaNoWriMo project)
2. Pre-write #39: Dialogue between objects
3. Pre-write #40: Intention and Subtext
4. Pre-write #41: Two characters fighting - suggest subtext.

Today's goal: I can write subtext.
Unit goal: I can use dialogue to develop characters and move a plot forward.

Agenda, November 4

NaNoWriMo, Day 4. My word count is 998. What's yours?

Due 11/14: Freewrites 25 - ? and Pre-Writes 29 - ?
Due 11/15: Two pages of fiction or two poems (both with dialogue, both typed)
Due 11/18: Memorized poem or short piece of fiction / Poetry Out Loud contest
Extra Credit? Read at the Lit Mag fundraiser on 11/18

1. Freewrite #29: Write a conversation in which a secret is revealed (intentionally or uinintentionally) (or pursue your NaNoWriMo project)
2. Pre-write #37: Dialogue with Character and Setting
3. Pre-write #38: Mad Libs

Today's goal: I can write dialogue appropriate to character and setting.
Unit goal: I can use dialogue to develop characters and move a plot forward.

Agenda, November 3

NaNoWriMo, Day 3

Due Now: Bring your book
Due 11/14: Freewrites 25 - ? and Pre-Writes 29 - ?
Due 11/15: Two pages of fiction or two poems (both with dialogue, both typed)
Due 11/18: Memorized poem or short piece of fiction / Poetry Out Loud contest
Extra Credit? Read at the Lit Mag fundraiser on 11/18

1. Reading time
2. Good dialogue mimics real conversation ...
3. Freewrite #28: Write a conversation set in one of the following places: a hospital, a gas station, a football game (or pursue your NaNoWriMo project)
4. Re-visit Dialogue Rules
5. Pre-write #35: Say it with dialogue (2-4 lines of dialogue each): They couldn't agree; Dinner was wonderful / awful
6. Pre-write #36: Poem for Two Voices

Today's goal: I can punctuate dialogue correctly. I can use dialogue to Show, Don't Tell.
Unit goal: I can use dialogue to develop characters and move a plot forward.

Agenda, November 2

Day 2 of NaNoWriMo, if anyone's counting. It's not too late to start!

Due Tomorrow: Bring your book
Due 11/14: Freewrites 25 - ? and Pre-Writes 29 - ?
Due 11/15: Two pages of fiction or two poems (both with dialogue, both typed)
Due 11/18: Memorized poem or short piece of fiction / Poetry Out Loud contest
Extra Credit? Read at the Lit Mag fundraiser on 11/18

1. Freewrite #27: Break-up or Make up (or pursue your NaNoWriMo project)
2. Re-visit Dialogue Rules
3. Pre-write #33: Say it with dialogue (2-4 lines of dialogue each): He offered to help her with her homework; The student was having technical difficulties.
4. Pre-write #34: Mamet Story Structure

Today's goal: I can punctuate dialogue correctly. I can use dialogue to Show, Don't Tell.
Unit goal: I can use dialogue to develop characters and move a plot forward.

Pre-Write #32

Punctuate the following four lines of dialogue using four different techniques:

Oh my gosh! We’re out of peanut butter.

The snowman is on the prowl.

Fine. Call the cops. I don’t care.

Wait. What’s going on?

Agenda, November 1

Due Now: Bring your book.
Due Monday, 11/14: Freewrites 25 - ?, Pre-writes 29 - ?
Due Tuesday, 11/15: Two week packet, focus on dialogue.
Due Friday, 11/18: Memorized poem / Poetry Out Loud Competition

1. Reading time. Pay attention to how your author uses dialogue.
2. Review Dialogue Notes
3. Pre-write #31: Dialogue in poetry
4. Pre-write #32: Dialogue Rules!

Today's Goal: I can understand the rules for punctuating dialogue. I can explain how poets use and punctuate dialogue.
Unit goal: I can use properly punctuated dialogue to create characters and move a plot forward.