Writing

Writing

**__Week of 4/30__ ** **//7th Graders://** Every day this week, we will work on putting together your writing portfolios. Here are the things that should be found, printed out and brought to school as soon as possible and no later than Thursday. We will use class time to type things that need to be typed and to organize the work. **BRING IN A 3 RING BINDER BY WEDNESDAY.** *Test Essays from The House on Mango Street, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, The Old Man and the Sea, The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Night-time, and Fahrenheit 451. For tests where the essays weren't typed, find and type up your essay. *Hair story *ONE creative or memoir story from your Writer's Notebook *The two writing assignments from The Old Man and the Sea *The one writing assignment from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time *The two writing assignments from Fahrenheit 451 (Description of Montag; Montag's answer to Beatty) *Two of your poems PLUS the slam poem (total of 3 poems)

**//8th Graders://** During our two writing periods this week, we will put together your writing portfolios. SO **ON TUESDAY**, BRING IN A 3 RING BINDER. If you didn't find much of your work, you may bring in a small binder; if you have a lot, bring in a larger one. Here is a list of most of what you need in the portfolio. If you find more writing samples, include them.

8th graders: Bring in as much of your writing from last year and this as you can pull together. Here is the list of what I expect:
 * __Week of 3/19__ **

8th Graders: //Turn in POLISHED final version of the story you worked on for the last two weeks. By polished, I mean you should edit and check for and correct spelling and grammar errors. The final should be typed, Times New Roman 12 or 14 point font. There is no length requirement, but I'm expecting at least a couple of pages.//
 * __Week of 3/5__ **

8th graders: //Your assignment is to write for 30 minutes each day. Date your writing, so I'll be able to see what you've done when I check work on Friday.// <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">7th graders: //Speech revisions. Continue working. Check with John/Sydney about your reading dates.//
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__Week of 2/20__ **

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">8th Graders: //Parent Interviews due Tuesday; Custody Essay discussion on Thursday. Here is the list we brainstormed: // <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">7th Graders: //Speeches//
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__Week of 2/13__ **

<span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 22.4px; text-align: left;">**8th graders****Week of Feb. 6:** In class and out, you will work on writing the parent interview as though for a magazine or newspaper. You’ll also need a current photo of your parent and you, together. Interview write up due on Tuesday, 2/14. <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 22.4px; text-align: left;">7th graders: first and second reads as scheduled on board
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__Week of 2/6__ **

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">**7th Graders:** First Reads; work on your speech every day until your first read. <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">Monday 3rd period: Kaya and Clara <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">Monday 7th period: Jacob and Will <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">Tuesday 7th period: Hannah and Maddie <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">Wednesday 7th period: Libby and Bronwyn <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">Thursday 7th period: Chloe and Carter <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">Week of 2/6: Christopher, Gillis, Jordan and Isabel
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__Week of 1/30__ **

**<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">8th Graders: Meet Me in the Middle Project ** <span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;"> Schedule: <span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;"> **For Tuesday 1/31:** Interview your parent and bring the interview notes to class. You’ll begin sorting through the notes and working on answering the interview questions for yourself. **ALSO**: Bring in photo of the parent (taken between age 12-14). Here is the interview question list: and here are tips for interviewing: <span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">**Thursday 2/2:** Complete the interview questionnaire on yourself and bring to class. In class, you will do a Venn diagram comparing yourself and your parent

**<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__Week of 1/23__ ** <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">7th Graders: Individual speech goals, with some folks ready to read a first draft by Friday. <span style="color: #ff7200; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">8th Graders: <span style="color: #ff7200; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">Tuesday: We will have a guest, Andy Sarvady. Andy is a Paideia parent and professional writer. She'll talk about how to conduct and write up interviews. <span style="color: #ff7200; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">Thursday: I'll hand out the materials. Plan to conduct your parent interview before the following Tuesday. Here is the schedule for next week:

**<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__Week of 1/17__ ** <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">7th Graders: Individual speech goals8th Graders: We will only meet once, on Thursday. If you 55 word story is in your mailbox, you must CR (again) and turn in on Thursday. On Thursday, we'll begin a new writing project: conducting and writing interviews with parents.

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">__7th Graders:__ The handout you received on Tuesday has instructions for developing your speech ideas. Your idea, PLUS an outline, entries or a zoom in is due on Friday.__8th Graders:__ We'll work in class on a 55 word story, which will be typed and due on Friday. For now, don't worry about making it exactly 55 words. Just write. We may even just turn in typed drafts on Friday and then edit next week. Here's the power point I showed in class. The last three slides have the "rules" for writing the 55 word story.
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__Week of 1/3__ **

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">**Tuesday:** We may use Engles periods for studying for the lit test. <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">**Thursday:** Before class, create 3 checklists in your writer's notebook. Make separate checklists of what you look for in: 1) a leader - someone your age; 2) a good friend; and 3) a partner on a project. Stretch your thinking; your lists can be as long as you like, but they each must include a minimum of six things. <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">**Next Tuesday:** Who is your favorite fictional character? In your writer's notebook, write about how that character has influenced the way you act or what you believe. Include specifics. I expect about a page. Short Example: //I was influenced by Nancy Drew, the heroine of a series of mysteries I read in elementary school. At first, I admired Nancy's superficial polish. Her hair was never out of place and she wore the tasteful but stylish clothing of the day. But, beyond that, she was curious, a trait that inevitably led her into some danger. While fiercely intelligent, she often relied on her intuition in a situation. I admired her sense of adventure and her interest in discovering the truth. At a time when there were no books with lawyer heroines, I think Nancy helped me imagine that there would be a professional place for a smart woman.//
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__Week of 11/28__ **

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__Week of 11/14__ <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">We will use 6th and 7th periods on Tuesday and Wednesday for Lit Class. See the Lit page for your assignments.

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__Week of 11/7__ <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 160%; text-align: left;">**__8th Graders:__** We'll use 6th period on Tuesday for Goal Sheet time, then Wednesday we'll have the rest of the __Little Worlds__ project presentations (Anna, Jade, Fin, Caroline Dresser). We'll start writing again on Thursday. <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 160%; text-align: left;">**__7th Graders:__** I will (definitely) return your short stories/zoom-ins. If you have written only zoom-ins, please choose one to make into a short story by Friday. Otherwise, you will make corrections and type the short stories for Friday. We will use this period for Goal Sheets on Tuesday, but Wednesday and Thursday, we'll use it for writing and individual writing conferences with me. If you think of scenes or ideas for your speech, jot them into your writer's notebook at any time. <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__Week of 10/31__ <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__8th Graders:__ Congratulations to those of you who have finished your speeches! Well done. Each speech was authentic, well-written, and an honest look at your self, your life, and your interests and struggles. You should feel proud of this significant accomplishment. 6th period this week will be used for presenting __Little Worlds__ projects and for at least one speech feedback session. <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__7th Graders:__ I will return your short stories/zoom-ins. Corrected, typed versions will be due on Friday. Also by Friday, write in your writer's notebook at least 3 ideas for your speech.

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__Week of 10/24__ <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">8th Graders: Enjoy a breather. We'll be polishing speeches and listening to finals. Practice, practice, practice. The more you say it aloud, the more your presentation becomes you speaking and not you reading. And the more applause.... <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">7th Graders: Enjoy a breather. You'll hear some amazing speeches. Pay attention to how they are done; think about what you want to do for your speech. We'll also read aloud some of your writing. We may do some editing.

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__Week of 10/10-10/12 and Week of 10/17-10/21__ <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">**8th Graders:** Continue writing speeches. Due to IOWA testing, we will not have any feedback readings this week. So....everyone should be ready for a first read or a second read after Fall Break. And, those of you who have read twice might even present your final speeches the week of 10/17. Stay tuned.....

<span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">**7th Graders:** Due to IOWA testing, we will not have Engles this week. So, instead of class, you'll do some independent work over the next two weeks.

<span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">Set a goal (and write it on your goal sheet) for writing by Friday, 10/21. Minimum: 3 entries and 2 zoom-ins OR 1 complete story. These can go in your writer's notebook OR you may type them (but be sure to maintain a folder for writing on your desktop or flashdrive). The entries/zoom-ins are due on Friday, 10/21. No matter which writing you choose, you must write a minimum of one page. If you write a story, it may be more. I would prefer a maximum of 3 pages, but you may do more if you like.

<span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">As you write, consider how to incorporate some of the elements of fiction we have studied (plot, setting, character, irony) into your small moment (memoir) stories. In other words, can you stretch out a description of someone or some place in your story? Do you see any irony in something you experienced? Can you create suspense through action or create a climax in your story? Also, look at the styles of the authors we have studied (especially Sandra Cisneros) or your favorite authors for help in how to start a story. How do those authors begin a chapter or part of a story? I will have some books in a basket in The Chamber that might help you with this. Similarly, if you are writing fiction, you can also work on incorporating elements we have studied.

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__Week of 10/3-10/7__ <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">**8th Graders:** Continue writing your speeches. You should __consistently__ be working on your drafts. Those who have not read a 1st draft should be substantially farther along during the week; some of you will do first reads this week. We'll sort out whom on Monday. <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">**7th Graders:** Tuesday, 10/4: No Engles. We will have LIT during this period.Wednesday, 10/5: Bring in your TWO completed Zoom-Ins and be ready to write more on at least one of them. Thursday, 10/5: No Engles. IOWA Testing during this period.

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 180%; text-align: center;">__Week of 9/26-9/30__ <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">**8th Graders:** Continue with individual speech goals. <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">Tuesday, 9/27: First Reads - to be assigned <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">Wednesday, 9/28: First Reads - to be assigned <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">Thursday, 9/29: No School

**<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;">7th Graders: ** <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">Tuesday, 9/27: Bring in 3 "six word memoirs", typed on separate pieces of paper. Here is the link to the directions in case you have lost the paper copy: [|Six-Word Memoirs.doc] <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">Wednesday, 9/28: Bring in 2 more zoom-in pieces on any topic in your "Collection" list. <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">Thursday, 9/29: No School <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">Tuesday, 10/4: We will probably have Lit. during Engles/Writing period. Stay tuned.

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 180%; text-align: center;">__Week of 9/19-9/23__ **<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 180%;">8th Graders: **<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 180%;">Work on individual speech goals. You should have a fairly complete first draft by the end of the week.
 * <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 180%; text-align: left;">7th Graders: **

<span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 180%; text-align: left;">__Tuesday, 9/20:__ We will have a final reading of the first stories. I'll also return your stories that day. Any CR's will be due by Friday, 9/23. <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 180%; text-align: left;">__Wednesday, 9/21:__ "Family Hair" stories due, typed, Times New Roman 12 point font, double spaced. iPad users please submit to my email address. We'll work on "Six Word Memoirs", which will be explained and then due the next day. <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 180%; text-align: left;">__Thursday, 9/22:__ "Six Word Memoirs" due. We'll play a game with them during class.



<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 200%;">7th graders <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 200%; text-align: center;">__For Wednesday, September 7:__ Write 2 more entries (summaries) and 2 zoom-ins. The zoom-ins can be from any of your entries. Each entry should be around 4 or 5 sentences. Each zoom-in should be around one page long. For additional information about Collecting, Entries and Zoom-ins, click on the appropriate button: <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 200%;">8th graders <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 200%; text-align: center;">__For Wednesday, September 7:__ By now, you should have an approved topic and be well underway with your writing: a list of ideas (and maybe sub-ideas); a group of entries (summaries of the ideas or sub-ideas you think might go into the speech); and, for this week, at least FIVE zoom-ins (detailed scenes or parts of scenes from some of your entries). So, for Wednesday, you must show us the FIVE zoom-ins. If you prefer, the zoom-ins may be typed, but I do believe that hand-writing scenes gives you a certain kind of space in which to think as you write. We are aiming for a real outline by the end of this week.