Week of November 10, 2008

Note: All typed Personal Narratives are due this Friday, November 14. After which time, advanced students’ papers will be edited by me (Mrs. Frazier) and returned (on November 17) for corrections to be made. The final (corrected) draft will be due by Friday, November 21. NO EXCEPTIONS since grades are due two days later!

Monday, November 10th (Typing will begin today.)
Objective(s): To bring forth the deep connection between external actions and internal responses.
Bell Work- Key Term: Revision (Define in your own words, draw a picture &/or provide an example.)
1. Mini Lesson~ “Writing the Internal Story”
2. Quiet Writing~ Go back to your story mountain and add your thoughts for each event. Revise your story adding in your specific thoughts.
3. Share Time ~ Choose the part of your story that you think might need some extra work (unclear) and read a part of your story to your partner for suggestions/feedback.
Homework~ Continue your revision by making the necessary changes (using feedback from your partner).

Tuesday, November 11th (Typing will continue today.)
Objective(s): To add scenes from the past and future to your personal narrative.
Bell Work~ Term: Flashback (define in own words, draw or provide an example)
1. Mini Lesson~ “Adding Scenes From the Past and Future”
2. Quiet Writing~ Revise your draft adding in scenes from the past &/or future. Be sure to include details, thoughts, descriptions, and feelings.
3. Share Time ~ Read your revised draft to your partner. Ask them to listen for: 1) Places where they can really “see” what’s going on and places where it’s hard for them to get a picture in their minds 2) Clues that reveal your thoughts and feelings.
Homework~ Continue your revision by making the necessary changes (using feedback from your partner).

Wednesday, November 12th Career Day (We will have guest speakers from 8:00-10:00 am)
Objective(s): To write effective endings that resolve problems, show a lesson learned or change made.
Bell Work~ Conclusion (define in own words, draw or provide an example)
1. Mini Lesson~ “Ending Stories”
2. Quiet Writing~ Revise your conclusion by asking yourself: What is my story really, truly about? What was I wanting or struggling to achieve or reaching towards in my story? How does that story end? What is it I want to tell my readers about this struggle or journey? How can you revise your ending to show the heart of your story—to reinforce what your story is really, truly about?
3. Share Time~ Talk with your partner about your story
Note: Students may stay after school between 2:27-3:15 pm to continue typing their papers.

Thursday, November 13th
Objective(s): To type, edit, and revise personal narrative.
Bell Work~ Term: Edit (define in own words, draw or provide an example)
Students who have finished typing their personal narrative will have their writing partner edit it. Then, make the necessary changes/corrections to finalize their draft. If they have not finished typing yet, they will continue typing.
Homework~ Read over your draft and determine what needs to still be done. Prepare your writing so that you will be ready to turn it in tomorrow.

Friday, November 14th Typed Personal Narrative is DUE TODAY!
Objective(s): To take Accelerated Reader test(s), finish typing personal narrative and turn it in.
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 finish typing their personal narratives for the rest of the class period.

Week of November 3, 2008

Monday, November 3rd
Objective(s): To revise by bringing out the story structure
Bell Work- Key Term: Heart of the Story (Define in your own words, draw a picture &/or provide an example.)
1. Mini Lesson~ “Bringing Forth the Story Arc”
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
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.

Tuesday, November 4th
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS-Staff Professional Development

Wednesday, November 5th
Objective(s): To use mentor texts as you draft and revise your leads
Bell Work- Key Term: Setting (Define in your own words, draw a picture &/or provide an example.)
1. Mini Lesson~ “Studying and Crafting Leads
2. Quiet Writing~ Write two or three different leads for your personal narrative.
3. Share Time

Thursday, November 6th
CAREER EXPO FIELD TRIP (8th Grade only)

Friday, November 7th
Objective(s): To bring forth the deep connection between external actions and internal responses.
Bell Work- Key Term: Revision (Define in your own words, draw a picture &/or provide an example.)
1. Mini Lesson~ “Writing the Internal Story”
2. Share Time ~ Read your draft to your partner. Ask them to listen for: 1) Places where they can really “see” what’s going on and places where it’s hard for them to get a picture in their minds 2) Clues that reveal your thoughts and feelings.
3. Quiet Writing~ Based on the feedback from your partner, revise your draft adding in more details, thoughts, descriptions, and feelings.