Agenda, October 31

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

Due Yesterday: Final draft of two poems or two pages of fiction.  
Due Today: Syntax Practice 1-5
Due at the beginning of class tomorrow: Freewrites 24-34 and Pre-writes 32-38 

Unit 3: Character  
Today's Learning Targets:
I can use a freewrite to generate ideas. 
I can track the development of a character in a poem and support my interpretations with quotations.
I can combine various forms of punctuation to create a fluid sentence.
I can assess my audience and make writing decisions based on character.

1. un-Freewrite #34: Evaluate the current state of your writing. What do you want to accomplish in the last few weeks of the trimester?
2. Text Analysis: "Bus Boy"
3. Syntax Practice #5: The longest sentence
4. Snake Oil

Agenda, October 30

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

Due by the end of class today: You must complete a peer review for one of your classmates. Be sure to put your name on the back of the purple paper.
Due at the end of class today: Final draft of two poems or two pages of fiction.
Due tomorrow: Syntax Practice 1-5 (we haven't done #5 yet) 

Unit 3: Character  
Today's Learning Targets:
I can work with a peer to improve my writing.
I can use technology to improve my writing.

1. Typing Time. Use it wisely.

Agenda, October 29

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

Due Yesterday: Rough draft of two poems or two pages of fiction.

Due before the beginning of class on Wednesday: Teacher conference about your two week packet.
Due by the end of class on Wednesday: You must complete a peer review for one of your classmates. Be sure to put your name on the back of the purple paper.
Coming Wednesday: The laptops are coming! The laptops are coming! 

Unit 3: Character  
Today's Learning Targets:
I can work with a peer to improve my writing.
I can recognize and correct sentences with errors.
I can make decisions about the effect of punctuation.

1. PW #37: Show, don't tell (finally!)
2. Syntax Practice #4: Parentheses 
3. Dashes vs. Commas vs. Parentheses
4. PW #38: Varying syntax style
5. Peer Review / Conference / Revision Time

Agenda, October 28

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

Due Monday: Rough draft of two poems or two pages of fiction that include strong figurative language, killer first lines, lots of showing, clear, believable characters. Your rough draft needs to be a document that is separate from your freewrites and pre-writes.

Due before the beginning of class on Wednesday: Teacher conference about your two week packet.
Coming Wednesday: The laptops are coming! The laptops are coming! 

Unit 3: Character  
Today's Learning Targets:
I can develop rough ideas into a complete draft.
 I can write an interesting, correctly punctuated sentence with parentheses.  
I can recognize and correct sentences with errors.
I can compare two poems about the same character. 

1. FW #33: "You seem like ..." OR "I don't know why I ..."
2. Syntax Practice #3: Dashes
3. Syntax Practice #4: Parentheses
4. PW #36: "Richard Cory"
5. PW #37: Show, Don't Tell
6. Peer Review Time

Agenda, October 25

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

Due Monday: Rough draft of two poems or two pages of fiction that include strong figurative language, killer first lines, lots of showing, clear, believable characters. Your rough draft needs to be a document that is separate from your freewrites and pre-writes.

Due before the beginning of class on Wednesday: Teacher conference about your two week packet.
Coming Wednesday: The laptops are coming! The laptops are coming! 

Unit 3: Character  
Today's Learning Targets:
I can develop rough ideas into a complete draft.
 I can write an interesting, correctly punctuated sentence with a dash.  
I can recognize and correct sentences with errors.
I can compare two poems about the same character. 

1. FW #32: "If we only had time ..." OR "Hearing screaming ..."
2. Sharing Time 
3. Drafting time (up to 30 minutes)
4. Syntax Practice #3: Dashes
5. PW #36: "Richard Cory"
6. PW #37: Show, Don't Tell

Agenda, October 24

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

Due Monday: Rough draft of two poems or two pages of fiction that include strong figurative language, killer first lines, lots of showing, clear, believable characters. Your rough draft needs to be a document that is separate from your freewrites and pre-writes.

Coming Friday: Sharing Time

Coming Wednesday: The laptops are coming! The laptops are coming! 

 

Unit 3: Character  

Today's Learning Targets:
I can develop rough ideas into a complete draft.
I can write an interesting, correctly punctuated sentence with a semi-colon.
I can recognize and correct sentences with errors.

1. Drafting time (up to 30 minutes, if you use it)
2. Syntax Practice #2: Semi-colons
3. PW #36: "Richard Cory"
4. PW #37: Show, Don't Tell

Agenda, October 23

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

Due Monday: Rough draft of two poems or two pages of fiction that include strong figurative language, killer first lines, lots of showing, clear, believable characters. Your rough draft needs to a document that is separate from your freewrites and pre-writes.

Coming Friday: Sharing Time

Coming Wednesday: The laptops are coming! The laptops are coming! 

 

Unit 3: Character  

Today's Learning Targets:
I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can write an interesting, correctly punctuated compound sentence. I can use precise word choice to capture a character in exactly six words.

1. FW #31: "Have you heard ...?" OR "(S)He's the one who ..."
2. Syntax Practice #1: Compound sentences
3. PW #35: Six Word Memoirs
4. Drafting Time

Agenda, October 22

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

 

Unit 3: Character  

Today's Learning Targets: 
I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.I can look at a character from three different perspectives.
I can build a conflict around a character.

1. FW #30: What if? 
2. PW #33: Character First Story Starter
3. PW #34: Me, Myself, and I

Agenda, October 21

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

Due Last Friday: FLP 6-10
Due Last Friday: PW 24 - 31

   
Unit 3: Character  

Today's Learning Targets:  
I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.

I can read between the lines and interpret symbols.

I can cite evidence to support my opinion.

I can look at a character from three different perspectives.

1. FW #29: "I didn't mean to ..." OR "Deep in the heart of ..."
2. PW #32: "She Didn't Mean to Do It"
3. PW #33: Me, Myself, and I
4. PW #34: Character First Story Starter

Agenda, October 18

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

Due Now: FLP 6-10
Due at the end of class: PW 24 - 31

   
Unit 3: Character  

Today's Learning Targets:  
I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can actively participate in a small group discussion

I can read between the lines and interpret symbols.

I can cite evidence to support my opinion.

I can use physical details to develop a character.

1. FW #28: "In my pocket ..." OR "I am most myself when ..."
2. Sharing Time
3. Do not confuse your grade with your ability to write.
4. PW #30: Discussion Notes and Reflection
5. PW #31: What's in the bag?
6. PW #32: "She Didn't Mean to Do It"

PW #28: Obituary for an Object

Obituary for an object:

1) What is an obituary?

A formal announcement of the death of a person (or, in this case, an object)

2) What is included in an obituary?

Description – of the deceased’s character, but also physical

Achievements

Cause of death

Surviving family members

3) Steps:

Brainstorm objects.

Pick one. Brainstorm the 4 parts of the content.

Write for 10 minutes (pick one mode):

- a “newsy” obituary

- a poem

- a story about how the object died.

Agenda, October 17

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

Coming Friday: Sharing day!

Due Friday: FLP 6-10

Due Friday: PW 24 - 30

   
Unit 3: Character  

Today's Learning Targets:  

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.

I can cite evidence to support my opinion.

I can use physical details to develop a character.

1. FW #27: "It was the last time he ..." OR "We snuck out of the ..."
2. Character Development in "Eleven"
3. PW #29: Animal Behavior
4. PW #30: What's in the bag?

Agenda, October 16

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

 
Unit 3: Character  

Today's Learning Targets:  

I can use an object to create a character. 

1. Pre-write #28: Obituary for an object

Agenda, October 15

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

 Due Last Week: Final Draft of Packet 2, stapled in this order: Yellow sheet, final, rough.
 
Unit 3: Character Today's Learning Targets:  

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.

I can identify the effect of literary devices, structure, and character development in a short story.

I can show character instead of tell.   

1. Freewrite #26: "S/he always wore ..." OR "They had a reputation for ..."
2. FLP #10: Show, Don't Tell
3. Text Analysis: "Eleven," by Sandra Cisneros
4. Pre-write #28: Obituary for an object

Agenda, October 14

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

 Due Last Week: Final Draft of Packet 2, stapled in this order: Yellow sheet, final, rough.
 
Unit 3: Character
Today's Learning Targets:  I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.

I can explain how authors develop characters.

I can identify the effect of literary devices, structure, and character development in a short story.

I can show character instead of tell.   

1. Well, this is kind of embarrassing ...
2. Pre-write #26: _____ is the kind of person who ...
3. Freewrite #25: _____ is the kind of person who ...
4. Pre-write #27: How do authors develop character?
5. Text Analysis: "Eleven," by Sandra Cisneros
6. FLP #10: Show, Don't Tell

Agenda, October 9

Reminder: Keep all your work, including graded  freewrites,  pre-writes, and published drafts. We'll need them to revise.
Due Yesterday: Freewrites 13-23 and Pre-writes 8-23 
Due Yesterday: Rough draft of two poems or two pages of fiction.    
Due BEFORE the beginning of class on today: You must come to me for a teacher conference (during work time, lunch, or after school)    
Due today at the end of class: Final Draft of Packet 2, stapled in this order: Yellow sheet, final, rough.
 
Unit 2: Structure
Today's Learning Targets: 
I can use technology to publish a final draft.   
I can write a killer first line.  
I can write using active verbs.
I can employ an innovative structure in my writing.   

1. Let the typing commence!
2. When you are done, please create a calm, peaceful, quiet work environment.

Agenda, October 8

Reminder: Keep all your work, including graded  freewrites,  pre-writes, and published drafts. We'll need them to revise.
Due Now: Freewrites 13-23 and Pre-writes 8-23
Due Now: Rough draft of two poems or two pages of fiction.   Due BEFORE the beginning of class on Wednesday: You must come to me for a teacher conference (during work time, lunch, or after school)   Due Wednesday at the end of class: Final Draft of Packet 2
 
Unit 2: Structure
Today's Learning Targets: I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.    I can work with my peers to develop ideas to a final draft.   I can write a killer first line. I can write using active verbs.
I can analyze the structure of a poem by an important American poet.
I can employ an innovative structure in my writing.

1. Freewrite #24: "I started listening when ..." OR "His/her face reminds me of ..."
2. Pre-write #24: Five different words for ...
3. Pre-write #25: Who was Dorothy Parker?
4. Drafting Time / Peer Review Time. You need to both GET and GIVE a good peer review.

Agenda, October 7

Reminder: Keep all your work, including graded  freewrites,  pre-writes, and published drafts. We'll need them to revise.
Due Monday Tuesday: Freewrites 13-23 and Pre-writes 8-23
Due Monday Tuesday: Rough draft of two poems or two pages of fiction.  
Due BEFORE the beginning of class on Wednesday: You must come to me for a teacher conference (during work time, lunch, or after school)  
Due Wednesday at the end of class: Final Draft of Packet 2
 
Unit 2: Structure
Today's Learning Targets:
I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.   
I can work with my peers to develop ideas to a final draft.  
I can write a killer first line. I can write using active verbs.
I can employ an innovative structure in my writing.

1. Un-Freewrite #23: Reflect on the current state of your writing. Are you writing well or are you struggling? How do you know? What have you learned about structure in the last few weeks?
2. Figurative Language Practice #9: Write one example of metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification, and onomatopoeia. Your subject: a person who has a cold.
3. Pre-write #23: Read and highlight the "Killer First Lines" handout.
4. Drafting Time / Peer Review Time. You need to both GET and GIVE a good peer review.

Agenda, October 4

Reminder: Keep all your work, including graded  freewrites,  pre-writes, and published drafts. We'll need them to revise.
Due Monday: All freewrites and pre-writes
Due Monday: Rough draft of two poems or two pages of fiction. Due BEFORE the beginning of class on Wednesday: You must come to me for a teacher conference (during work time, lunch, or after school) Due Wednesday: Final Draft of Packet 2
 
Unit 2: Structure

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.  I can develop ideas to a final draft. I can write a killer first line.
I can write using active verbs.
I can employ an innovative structure in my writing.

1. Freewrite #22: Open your personal reading book to a random page. Copy the first complete sentence. Use that sentence as your prompt.
2. Figurative Language Practice #8: Not to be. Revise the following sentences so that they don't include any forms of the verb "to be."
3. Pre-write #22: Lining Poems.
4. Drafting Time. It needs to be quieter than yesterday.

Agenda, October 3

Reminder: Keep all your work, including graded  freewrites,  pre-writes, and published drafts. We'll need them to revise.
Due Monday: All freewrites and pre-writes
Due Monday: Rough draft of two poems or two pages of fiction.
Due BEFORE the beginning of class on Wednesday: You must come to me for a teacher conference (during work time, lunch, or after school)
Due Wednesday: Final Draft of Packet 2
 
Unit 2: Structure

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas. 
I can develop ideas to a final draft.
I can write a killer first line.
I can employ an innovative structure in my writing.

1. Robyn's C-
2. Freewrite #21: "In the rearview mirror ..." OR "I hope ..."
3. Pre-write #21: What happened next? (again)
4. Model Text Analysis
5. Drafting Time (If you haven't finished the pink poem, today is your last chance)

Agenda, October 2

Reminder: Keep all your work, including graded  freewrites,  pre-writes, and published drafts. We'll need them to revise.
Due Monday: All freewrites and pre-writes
Due Monday: Rough draft of packet 2
 
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 analyze a piece of foundational American Literature.
I can employ an innovative structure in my writing.

1. Freewrite #20: "By the time it was all over ..." OR "Don't worry about me ..."
2. "An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce
3. Pre-write #20: What happened next?
4. Drafting Time (If you haven't finished the pink poem, today is your last chance)

Agenda, October 1

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 analyze a piece of foundational American Literature.
I can employ an innovative structure in my writing.

1. What? We're starting with Pre-write #19: Reverse Poem?
2. "An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce
3. Freewrite #19:  "Suddenly, he felt himself whirled around ..." OR "Looking up into the [dark] clouds ..."
4. Drafting Time