Agenda, September 30

Reminder: Keep all your work, including graded  freewrites,  pre-writes, and published drafts. We'll need them to revise.
 
Unit 2: Structure

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas. I can identify the techniques necessary to craft foreshadowing.
I can employ an innovative structure in my writing.

1. Freewrite #18: "The taste of blue [or any color] ..." OR "A hot cup of coffee ..."
2. Pre-write #17: Who is Walt Whitman?
3. Pre-write #18: Foreshadowing (Handout)
4. Pre-write #19: Reverse Poem
5. Drafting Time

Agenda, September 27

Friday is small group sharing day!
Reminder: Keep all your work, including graded  freewrites,  pre-writes, and published drafts. We'll need them to revise.
 
Unit 2: Structure

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can use feedback from my peers to improve my writing.
I can provide my peers with thoughtful, helpful, kind feedback.
I can employ an innovative structure in my writing.

1. A structural trick from Josh Ritter
2. Freewrite #17: A mystery prompt ...
3. Small Group Sharing
4. Figurative Language Practice #7: Synaesthesia
5. Pre-write #16: Poem for Two Voices OR Reverse Poem

Agenda, September 26

Friday is small group sharing day!
 
Unit 2: Structure

Today's Learning Targets:

I can generate my own freewrite prompts.
I can analyze the structure of my personal reading.
I can work with my classmates to generate a writing prompt.

1. Pre-write #13: The first time I ...
2. Freewrite #16: The first time I ...
3. Independent Reading: Look at first lines, section breaks, paragraph breaks, and repetition (words, sentences, ideas, characters, themes, motifs)
4. Pre-write #14: The structure in my book ...
5. Pre-write #15: The last word
6. A structural trick from Josh Ritter

Agenda, September 25

Unit 2: Structure

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can analyze the structure of a poem.
I can create an original work from another's opening line.

1. A really weird poem that I like quite a bit
2. Freewrite #15: "I have got to get ..." OR "The one in the back ..."
3. Pre-write #12: Two structural tricks from Johnny Cash
4. Pre-write #13: First Line / Last Line

Agenda, September 24

Unit 2: Structure

Today's Learning Targets:

I can generate my own freewrite prompt.
I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can discuss the structure of my personal reading book.
I can define the qualities of a killer first line.

1. Pre-write #10: What if ...?
2. Freewrite #14: Use one of your "What if?"'s to start a freewrite
3. Pre-write #11 (Handout - Don't lose it): Great first lines
4. Extended Reading Time: Look at first lines, section breaks, paragraph breaks, repetition
5. Reading Response #1
6. Pre-write #12: First Line / Last Line

Agenda, September 23

Due Last Friday: Final draft of two poems or two page story.

Due Last Friday: Be sure you know the terms in The Writer's Toolbox 
 
Unit 2: Structure

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can identify the key elements of structure in fiction and poetry.
I can analyze the structure of a visual poem.

1. New Books!
2. Freewrite #13: "I warned you not to ..." OR "Another thing I learned the hard way ..."
3. What I learned at the bouldering gym ...
4. Pre-write #8: What is structure?
5. Pre-write #9: Structure in "Distant Rain," by Shaun Tan 
6. Pre-Write #10: What if ...?

Agenda, September 20

Due Every Day: Bring a personal choice reading book.
Due Now: Final draft of two poems or two page story.

Due Now: Be sure you know the terms in The Writer's Toolbox 
 
Unit 1: Word Choice, Figurative Language, and Setting

Today's Learning Targets:

I can work with a peer to improve my writing.
I can read a peer's work closely and offer useful suggestions.
I can use technology to improve and publish my writing.
I can apply my learning to a poem I've never seen before. 

1. Quiz: "From a Country Overlooked"
2. Typing time
3. When you are done typing, keep yourself actively engaged in quiet, productive work.

Agenda, September 19

Due Every Day: Bring a personal choice reading book.

Due Now: All Freewrites and Pre-Writes
Due Friday at the end of class: Final draft of two poems or two page story.

Due Friday: Be sure you know the terms in The Writer's Toolbox 
 
Unit 1: Word Choice, Figurative Language, and Setting

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to reflect on my strengths and weaknesses.
I can work with a peer to improve my writing.
I can read a peer's work closely and offer useful suggestions.
I can apply my learning to a poem I've never seen before. 

1. Late drafts?
2. un-Freewrite #12: What are you noticing about yourself as a writer? Strengths? Weaknesses? What class activities are you enjoying? What do you want more of? Less of?
3. Practice Quiz: "Red Rover"
4. Don't forget writer lead revision!
5. Peer review / Drafting / Revising time

Agenda, September 18

Due Every Day: Bring a personal choice reading book.
Due Now: Rough draft of two poems or a two page story.

Due Thursday: All Freewrites and Pre-Writes
Due Friday at the end of class: Final draft of two poems or two page story.

Due Friday: Be sure you know the terms in The Writer's Toolbox 
 
Unit 1: Word Choice, Figurative Language, and Setting

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can work with a peer to improve my writing.
I can read a peer's work closely and offer useful suggestions.

1. Collect drafts
2. Has everybody played Red Rover?
3. Freewrite #11: "People have to realize ..." OR "My favorite time of day ..."
4. Figurative Language Practice #6: Onomatopoeia like the big kids do it.
5. What work time looks like
6. Peer review / Drafting / Revising time

Agenda, September 17

Due Every Day: Bring a personal choice reading book. 

Due Yesterday: Figurative Language Practice 1-5
Due Tomorrow: Rough draft of two poems or a two page story.

Due Thursday: All Freewrites and Pre-Writes
Due Friday: Final draft of two poems or two page story.

Due Friday: Be sure you know the terms in The Writer's Toolbox 
 
Unit 1: Word Choice, Figurative Language, and Setting

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can identify the techniques an author uses to create a mood and a setting.

1. Freewrite #10: "Down in the cellar ..." OR "Everything seemed different after ..."
2. Small group sharing
3. Independent Reading: Pay attention to setting.
4. Pre-write #7: Techniques to capture setting and mood.
5. What can I write about?
6. Drafting time

Agenda, September 16

Due Every Day: Bring a personal choice reading book. 

Due Monday: Figurative Language Practice 1-5
Due Wednesday: Rough draft of two poems or a two page story.

Due Thursday: All Freewrites and Pre-Writes
Due Friday: Final draft of two poems or two page story.
 
Unit 1: Word Choice, Figurative Language, and Setting

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can recognize effective figurative language.
I can explore the relationship between mood and setting.

1. Freewrite #9: "(S)he slammed the ..." OR "Through the open window ..."
2. Figurative Language Practice #5: Alliteration, assonance, and consonance
3. Pre-writing #6: Setting and mood 
4. What can I write about?
5. Drafting time

Agenda, September 13

Due Every Day: Bring a personal choice reading book. 

Due Monday: Figurative Language Practice 1-5
Due Next Wednesday: Rough draft of two poems or a two page story.
Due Next Friday: Final draft of two poems or two page story.
 
Unit 1: Word Choice, Figurative Language, and Setting

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can recognize effective figurative language.
I can use figurative language to create a mood.

1. Freewrite #8: "Under the light of the full moon ..." OR "He / she was so lucky ..."
2. Figurative Language Practice #4: Personification
3. Pre-writing #5: "Thunderstorm in Dorset, Vermont"
4. Independent reading: look for figurative language

Agenda, September 12

Due Every Day: Bring a personal choice reading book. 

Unit 1: Word Choice, Figurative Language, and Setting

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can choose words to create a deliberate effect.
I can recognize the effect of of well-chosen words.
I can use figurative language to create a mood.

1. Freewrite #7: "The phone rang ..." OR "I left without ..."
2. Pre-writing #4: Le mot juste, pt. 1
3. Independent reading: look for good words
4. Pre-writing #4: Le mot juste, pt. 2
5. Pre-writing #5: "Thunderstorm in Dorset, Vermont"
6. Figurative Language Practice #3: Hyperbole, funny and serious 

Agenda, September 11

Due Every Day: Bring a personal choice reading book. 

Unit 1: Word Choice, Figurative Language, and Setting

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can share my writing with my classmates.
I can use positive feedback to improve the writing of others.
I can transform a cliche into a new piece of writing .

1. Freewrite #6: "If he / she was braver ..." OR "When the sun shines ..."
2. Group sharing guidelines review
3. Group sharing
4. Pre-writing #3: "The Book of Love"

Agenda, September 10

Due Every Day: Bring a personal choice reading book.   

Due last Friday: 

- Typed final draft

- Rough draft with notes from your revision partner

- FW 1, 2, and 3

Coming Wednesday: Small group sharing 

Unit 1: Word Choice, Figurative Language, and Setting

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can use figurative language to affect the mood of the reader.
I can determine the impact of figurative language on meaning and tone in my personal reading.
I can take old sayings and make them new .

1. Freewrite #5: lashed, reckless, crystalline, caliber, pierced, cringe, mingle, milenium 
2. Figurative Language Practice #2: Metaphors (Choose a mood. Write three metaphors that create that mood.)
3. Independent Reading: Look for similes and metaphors
4. Pre-writing #2: Cliche' Busting
5. Pre-writing #3: "The Book of Love"

Agenda, September 9

Due Every Day: Bring a personal choice reading book.   

Due last Friday: 

- Typed final draft

- Rough draft with notes from your revision partner

- FW 1, 2, and 3

Coming Wednesday: Small group sharing 

Unit 1: Word Choice, Figurative Language, and Setting

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can use figurative language to affect the mood of the reader.
I can "notice" sensory details to add depth to my writing.

1. Freewrite #4: "Before the sun rose ..." or "His / her laughter sounded like ..."
2. Figurative Language Practice #1: Similes (Choose a mood. Write three similes that create that mood.)
3. Pre-writing #1: "Noticing"
4. Pre-writing #2: Cliche' Busting

Agenda, September 6

Due Now: Bring a personal choice reading book.   

Due at the end of class, stapled in the following order: 

- Typed final draft

- Rough draft with notes from your revision partner

- FW 1, 2, and 3 

Today's Learning Targets:

I can work with a partner to revise my work. 
I can show evidence of a thorough, thoughtful writing process (pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, publishing) 
I can use technology to publish a final draft of my writing.

1. Ten minutes of silence: drafting / prepping
2. Laptop time
3. Independent Reading
4. Poetry Term Posters

Agenda, September 5

Due Friday: Freewrites 1-3. Don't lose them.

Due Friday: Bring a personal choice reading book.

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can participate in small group discussions.
I can express my thoughts about a story or poem clearly and thoroughly, using evidence from the text to support my opinion.
I can take thorough notes on a small group discussion.
I can work with a partner to revise my work.

1. Freewrite #3: "I seem to be ..." or "How could it be possible ..."
2. Book talk
3. Small Groups: "Sisterly Love" or "Crusoe." Take good notes.
4. Revision Pairs

Agenda, September 4

Due Friday: Freewrites 1-3. Don't lose them.

Due Friday: Bring a personal choice reading book.

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can participate in small group discussions.
I can work with a group to review familiar definitions.
I can express my thoughts about a story or poem clearly and thoroughly, using evidence from the text to support my opinion.
I can put my chair up at the end of class. 

1. Freewrite #2: "That's four times now ..." or "When you've been away ..."
2. Book talk
3. The Writer's Toolbox
4. Group Poems
5. Literary analysis

Agenda, September 3

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can participate in small group discussions.
I can recognize writing that is fresh, imaginative, and powerful.
I can work with a group to review familiar definitions.

1. Freewrite #1: "At the water's edge ..." or "In the middle of the city ..."
2. Small group guidelines
3. Group sharing
4. Class rules
5. The Writer's Toolbox
6. Group Poems