Agenda, December 19

Due Now: Packet 1. Two copies. One stapled in this order: Green sheet, final draft, rough draft Due Now: Freewrites 9-15
         
Today's Learning Targets:      
I can use a major American author to inspire my own independent writing.

1. "The Way It Is," by William Stafford

Agenda, December 18

Late: Teacher Conference and Peer Review. If you still need a peer review, work find someone who can help you. Teacher conferences are rare and as available.  
Due Thursday: Freewrites 1-15
       
Today's Learning Targets:    
I can use technology to produce a final draft.

1. Type to your heart's content. When you're done, let your classmates work in a quiet environment.

Agenda, December 17

Late:  Rough draft of two pages of poetry or two pages of fiction. This must be a document separate from your freewrites/pre-writes.   
Due Now: Pre-writes 1-13. You may use your phones to check the blog to see what those exercises are.  
Due before the beginning of class Wednesday: Teacher Conference and Peer Review
Due Thursday: Freewrites 1-15
     
Today's Learning Targets:   I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.     I can develop ideas thoroughly.   I can develop ideas into a rough draft.

1. un-Freewrite #15: Tell me about the state of your writing at this moment. Are you writing well? How do you know? What are you struggling with? What can I do to help?
2. Text Analysis: "From a Country Overlooked"
3. Work Time

Agenda, December 16

Due Now:  Rough draft of two pages of poetry or two pages of fiction. This must be a document separate from your freewrites/pre-writes. 
Due Tomorrow: Pre-writes 1-13. You may use your phones to check the blog to see what those exercises are.
Due before the beginning of class Wednesday: Teacher Conference and Peer Review
   
Today's Learning Targets:  
I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.    
I can develop ideas thoroughly.  
I can develop ideas into a rough draft.

1. Freewrite #14: "I want you to know ..." OR "The taste of blue ..."
2. Pre-Write #13: Exploding the Moment
3. Work Time

Agenda, December 13

Due Monday:  Rough draft of two pages of poetry or two pages of fiction. This must be a document separate from your freewrites/pre-writes. 
Today's Learning Targets:
I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.  
I can tighten up clumsy language. I can develop ideas into a rough draft.

1. Freewrite #13: "Luckily for him ..." OR "While the wind howled ..."
2. Pre-Write #11: Dead Words
3. Pre-Write #12: Vivid Verbs, Take 2
4. Work Time

Agenda, December 12

Late: FLP 1-5
Due Monday:  Rough draft of two pages of poetry or two pages of fiction. This must be a document separate from your freewrites/pre-writes.
  Today's Learning Targets:     I can use a freewrite to generate ideas. I can identify the connection between word choice, figurative language, and mood.
I can craft short, precise, powerful images 

1. Freewrite #12: "I can't decide ..." OR "In a glass coach ..."
2. Pre-Write #8: Four good words: pretty, funny, scary, happy
3. Pre-Write #9: "Thirteen Ways ..."
4. Pre-Write #10: "Thirteen Ways ..." Part 2
5. Work Time

Agenda, December 11

Due Today: FLP 1-5
   
Today's Learning Targets:     
I can generate my own freewrite prompt.
I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can create original examples of personification.   
I can identify the connection between word choice, figurative language, and mood. 

1. Freewrite #11: What if?
2. FLP #5: Personification
3. Pre-Write #7: "Thunderstorm in Dorset"
4. Pre-Write #8: Four good words: pretty, funny, scary, happy

Agenda, December 10

Due Tomorrow: FLP 1-5
 
Today's Learning Targets:     I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can create original examples of personification.  
I can choose specific sensory details to capture a mood.
I can identify the connection between word choice, figurative language, and mood. 

1. Freewrite #10: “It's broken …” or “On the kitchen table ...”
2. Pre-Write #6: Setting and Mood
3. Pre-Write #7: "Thunderstorm in Dorset"
4. FLP #5: Personification

Agenda, December 9

Late: FW 4-8  
Coming Today: Sharing in small groups 
Today's Learning Targets:    
I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can share my work with my classmates.
I can use positive feedback to improve a peer's writing.
I can use onomatopoeia within a sentence.
I can rethink tired images. I can choose specific sensory details to capture a mood. 

1. Freewrite #9: “Up in the attic …” or “The fog lifted ...”
2. Small group sharing
3. FLP #4: Onomatopoeia
4. Pre-Write #5: Cliche Busting
5. Pre-Write #6: Setting and Mood

Agenda, December 6

Late: Finished book  
Due Now: FW 4-8
Coming Monday: Sharing in small groups 

Today's Learning Targets:    I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can use hyperbole to create a variety of moods.
I can identify the connection between word choice, figurative language, setting, and mood.  
I can use sensory details to capture a mood. 

1. Freewrite #8: “After the storm …” or “The crack in the mirror ...”
2. FLP #3: Hyperbole, both funny and serious
3. A quick revisit of "The Curse," by Josh Ritter
4. Pre-Write #4: The Dominant Sense
5. Pre-Write #5: Cliche Busting

Agenda, December 5

Due Now: Finished book
Due Tomorrow: FW 4-8
 
Today's Learning Targets:   
I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can identify the connection between word choice, figurative language, setting, and mood.
I can use sensory details to capture a mood. 

1. Freewrite #7: “As she touches his arm …” or “Are you cursed?”
2. Pre-Write #2: Good words
3. Pre-Write #3: "The Curse," by Josh Ritter
4. Pre-Write #4: The Dominant Sense
5. Pre-Write #5: Cliche Busting

Agenda, December 4

Due at the end of class today: Finished book
Today's Learning Targets:   I can use a freewrite to generate ideas. 
I can write the content for a book that includes six literary devices.

1. Freewrite #6: “If I/he/she were braver …” or “The roads were slick …”
2. Bookmaking, Part 2:
   Your book must be exactly 8 (small) pages long. One page may be the title page.
   You must use six different literary devices from The Writer’s Toolbox handout.
   You must include a combination of words and images.
   You must use color.

Agenda, December 3

Today's Learning Targets:  
I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can use figurative language to create a mood. I can write the content for a book that includes six literary devices.

1. Vivid Verbs Handout
2. Freewrite #5: Write a poem or story that incorporates all five of your vivid verbs
3. Figurative Language Practice #2: Metaphors and Mood
4. Bookmaking, Part 1:
   Your book must be exactly 8 (small) pages long. One page may be the title page.
   You must use six different literary devices from The Writer’s Toolbox handout.
   You must include a combination of words and images.
   You must use color.

Agenda, December 2

Due Last Friday: Freewrites 1-3.

Due Now: Any stray posters?

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can use figurative language to create a mood.
I can use brainstorming to generate ideas for a story or poem. 

1. Freewrite #4: “Before the sun rose …” OR “His / her laugh sounded like…”
2. Figurative Language Practice #1: Similes and Mood
3. Pre-write #1: The End of the World
4. Writing Time