Week of October 27, 2008

Monday, October 27th
Bell Work~ Term: Quality (define in own words, draw or provide an example)
1. Begin by writing your self-assignment in a planning box on your next available page.
2. Quiet Writing~ Choose one of the brainstorming strategies that we have used this year or use another strategy that you know and then write an entry at least one and a half to two pages long.
3. Writing Partner Share Time
4. Reflection~ How hard or easy was it to write today? Were you able to write without talking? Were you able to increase your volume?
Homework~ Use any strategy you want to help you focus and write another small moment story.

Tuesday, October 28th
Bell Work~ Term: Significance (define in own words, draw or provide an example)
1. Begin by writing your self-assignment in a planning box on your next available page.
2. Quiet Writing~ Choose a different small moment idea that you have and write that story. Your entry needs to be at least one and a half to two pages in length.
3. Writing Partner Share Time
4. Reflection~ Explain how hard or easy was it to write today.
Homework~ Write another seed story. Then, think about the entries that you have written so far this marking period and consider which seed idea might be “the one” you want to choose to take through the rest of the writing process (revising, editing, and publishing).

Wednesday, October 29th
Bell Work~ Choose your seed idea by: 1) Rereading your entries 2) Asking: Does this feel like me? Does it show the person I want people to see?
1. Mini Lesson~ “What Am I Really Trying to Say?”
2. Share Time~ Talk with your partner about two different ways that you might angle your story.
3. Quiet Writing~ Ask yourself: Which part of this story will I tell with lots of details, and which parts will I write only a little about? Decide and then revise your seed story. Be sure to highlight the meaning by using actions, details, thoughts, and dialogue.
4. Wrap up~ Reflection
Regular Homework~ Choosing a Story Angle
Advanced Homework~ Imagining Angles for Your Seed Idea

Thursday, October 30th
Bell Work~ Term: Heart of the Story (define in own words, draw or provide an example)
1. Mini Lesson~ “Bringing Forth the Story Arc (Mountain)?”
2. Quiet Writing~ Create a story mountain for your seed story. Revise your story arc as needed by asking yourself questions like: What parts will the reader enjoy? Where does the writing sound good and give a clear picture of what was happening? Are there any places where the reader might get confused? Where do I loose focus? Have I left out actions, details, and dialogue the reader needs in order to follow my story? Where might I include more thoughts and feelings to make my intentions clear to the reader?
3. Share Time~ Talk with your partner about your story arc.
4. Wrap up~ Reflection
Homework~ Storytell your seed idea to at least one student and one adult and have them sign and date your homework slip after you share your story. Ask them what they like best about your story and write that down too.

Friday, October 31st
Bell Work~ Term: Story Mountain (define in own words, draw or provide an example)
1. We will go to the library.
2. Students will return, renew, and check out books.
3. Next, take accelerated reader test for any books that they have completed this marking period.
4. Then, they will read silently for the rest of the class period.
Note: Classes will be shortened and there will be an assembly at the end of the day to celebrate all of the fall sports participants and the completion of the MEAP testing.

Week of October 20, 2008

Congratulations writers for all of your hard work last marking period! Please continue living, reading, and writing like writers. We will be raising the level of quality in our Personal Narrative stories this marking period. I am looking forward to hearing and reading your true life stories, which will be even better this time than they were the last time.

Monday, October 20th
Bell Work~ Term: Important Realizations (define in own words, draw or provide an example)
1. Mini Lesson~ “Starting With Turning Points”
2. Quiet Writing~ Make a list of “first and last times,” choose one, and then write an entry about it.
3. Writing Partner Share Time
4. Wrap up~ Reflection
Homework~ Get a good night’s sleep. MEAP testing continues tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 21st MEAP Testing (1st – 4th hour classes today after test)
Bell Work~ Term: Survival (define in own words, draw or provide an example)
1. Read Along with the audio version, the Uglies, pages 285-300.
2. Reflection: “Whip Around” – Tell your table group a word or phrase that you feel is important from today’s reading. Explain why.
Homework~ Write one complete paragraph answer to the question: Do kids have the right to make decisions for themselves? Why or why not? Provide examples and specific reasons to support your answer.

Wednesday, October 22nd
Bell Work~ Term: Self-preservation (define in own words, draw or provide an example)
1. Mini Lesson~ “Starting With Strong Emotions”
2. Quiet Writing~ Choose an emotion, write down times when you felt that emotion, then write a real story about a time you felt that emotion.
3. Share Time~ Read your entry to your partner
4. Wrap up~ Reflection
Homework~ Get a good night’s sleep. MEAP testing continues tomorrow.

Thursday, October 23rd MEAP Testing (5th – 8th hour classes today after test)
Bell Work~ Term: Freedom (define in own words, draw or provide an example)
1. Read Along with the audio version, the Uglies, pages 285-300.
2. Reflection: “Whip Around” – Tell your table group a word or phrase that you feel is important from today’s reading. Explain why.
Homework~ Write one complete paragraph answer to the question: Do kids have the right to make decisions for themselves? Why or why not? Provide examples and specific reasons to support your answer.

Friday, October 24th
Bell Work~ Term: Individual Rights (define in own words, draw or provide an example)
1. Read Along with the audio version, the Uglies, pages 301-312.
2. With a partner, write Lancer Notes identifying the advantages and disadvantages of a society where everyone is pretty and no one is different than anyone else.
3. Take a stand and explain whether or not you would like to live in that type of society.