7th+Writing

This is the last week of small groups. Borkusushi will meet Monday **2nd period**, since Religions will be meeting 5th period. The Boyz and Blue Clues Club will meet at their usual day and time.
 * Week of May 11 - 15**
 * Your assignment is due on the day of your small group:**
 * Select a piece of your writing from this year that you would like to put in the class book. If it is a poem or thumbnail sketch, you may include a few.
 * Revise the piece so it is as good as you can make it.
 * Email it to me on the day of your small group.
 * This will be a book exclusively for our class, and everyone will get a copy.


 * Week of May 4 - 8**
 * Mon-Wed, we will have small groups in C1.** Your day-in-the-life-of piece is due when you have your small group. It should be about 2 pages typed and full of the details you've gathered through observing and interviewing. Please print it before class begins.


 * Borkusushi -** Please turn in your Day in the Life stories by 4th period on Tuesday(5/5). Also, for next Monday(5/11), choose which piece of writing you would like to include in our class literary magazine and revise/polish it so it is the best it can be. If you would like to include black and white pictures or drawings, have them by Monday as well.

We will not have small groups this week, because Tuesday, I will be in the gym all day doing adaptive sports with all the classes during their science class. I'll see you there!
 * Week of April 27 - May 1**
 * Monday, 5th period, we will have an all group writing class**, but you will not need to turn in your assignments until Wednesday, April 29.
 * Tuesday,** either first or second period, you will interview your partner for the day in the life stories. We'll talk more about the interviews on Monday.
 * Wednesday**, we will meet briefly to collect your free choice writing assignments, which should be finished. Then we will have an optional meeting.

You should already have a good start on your **free choice writing assignment**. I will check in with each of you on **Tuesday, April 21**, so make sure you bring your work to school. The finished product is due by Wednesday, April 29, 5th period.
 * Week of April 21-24**

For the next two weeks you need to gather information about the classmate with whom you are paired. The week after that, you will write about a typical day in his/her life. This will be like the one you wrote about yourself but you will tell it from your partner's perspective. Unlike your previous one, this one can include the school day. To gather info, you should shadow your partner for a day, observe from a far, and interview him /her. Make sure to look and ask for details to make your writing vivid.
 * Looking ahead:**

Here are the pairings: Tyler - Isabel Robbie - Tomris Carly - Nate Danielle - Ben Raianna - Elizabeth O Domenica - Anna M Eden - Graham Daniel - Michael Megan - Nathan Louis - Anna F Ellen - Benjamin Chris - Elizabeth P Cameron - Priyanka Emma - Izzy Nazz - Jonathan Katharine - KT

Over spring break, be thinking of what you want your free choice writing project to be. Ideas include a fiction story, an essay, a series of poems, and developing a longer personal story. I will have individual conferences during writing small groups, so **be sure to have a FULLY DEVELOPED plan or else I will make one for you**! You will have two weeks to complete it, so make sure it is substantial. I will check in with you after one week to make sure that you are well underway. You do not need to write your proposal down, but I would recommend it. I would hate for you to forget your ideas and miss your chance to choose.
 * Week of Apr 13-17**

Small groups will now meet in C1. Monday - Borkusushi Tuesday - The Boyz Wednesday - Blues Clues Club


 * By Friday**, please bring a typed copy of your favorite poem that you have written this year. Make the font size at least 14. I want to put these up. Yea!

We will meet in half groups on Mon, 5th and Tues, 2nd. Wed, 5th we will have Thrower.
 * Week of Mar 30- Apr 3**
 * Your assignments are still due on your usual day, as shown below.

Week of Mar 23-27 Bring your writing self evaluation to your small group.** Borkusushi - Monday, 5th period in Paul's room
 * For next Monday:** develop your Lost story by 2 to 4 pages OR write a new piece based on in class writing.

The Boyz - Tuesday, 2nd period in Lisanne's room POSTPONED TO THURSDAY
 * For next Tuesday:** develop your Lost story by 2 to 4 pages OR write a new piece based on in class writing or related to your lost piece.

Blues Clues Club - Wednesday, 5th period in Paul's room Optional: Type up your age poem(s) from class. Write more.
 * For next Wednesday:** develop your Lost/Found story significantly and/or write a [|villanelle].

All Group - Thursday, 2nd period, in C2 CANCELED because The Boyz missed their class on Tuesday.

PLEASE NOTE: Since I will be out Mar 18-20, we will all meet together on Tuesday, 2nd period. Mon - Borkusushi - 5th period with Tilly Wed - Blues Clues Club - 5th period with Tom Thur - The Boyz - 2nd period with Tom
 * Week of Mar 16-20**
 * Tues - All Group - Assignment Due** - Click here for more info about the assignment.

The Boyz - Tuesday, 2nd period Blues Clues Club - Wednesday, **1st period** Borkusushi - Thursday, 2nd period
 * Week of Mar 9-12**


 * Each group has the same assignment due on the day of your next class:**
 * Write a story about a meaningful experience in which you lost/found someone, something or an opportunity.
 * It should be at least 2 pages typed, double spaced.

Blues Clues ended up meeting Monday, March 2, even though their assignments are still due March 4. The Boyz - Tuesday Borkusushi - Wednesday Thursday we will meet with Bonnie's class again to hear from them about their experience with the Pop Shop.
 * Week of Mar 2-6**


 * Week of Feb 23-25** - Jekyll Trip

Tuesday, 2nd period: The Boyz - **For March 3:** choose one of the following Wednesday, 5th period: Blues Clues Club - **For March 4:** choose one of the above Thursday, 2nd period: Borkusushi - bring your poems **For March 4:** Write a poem of an age you've been. If you can, also write a poem of an age you have not yet been. Friday, 5th period: Thrower Time
 * Week of Feb 17-20**
 * write a poem or two in the style of your poet
 * turn your writing from class with Bonnie into a short story (about 2 pages)
 * turn your in class writing from today into a reflective piece (about 2 pages)

Tuesday, 2nd period: J and the Boys meets with Tom in C2. Wednesday, 5th period: Blues Clues Club meets with Tilly in C2. Thursday, 2nd period: All Group has writing class with BONURI's 8th graders in Bonnie's room. Friday, 5th period: All Group has Thrower Time in C2.
 * Week of Feb 9-13** Monday, 5th period: Borkusushi meets with Tom in C2.


 * Assignment:** Select and rehearse a poem to share with your small group.
 * Blues Clues Club, for Feb 11**
 * Borkusushi, for Feb 20**
 * J and the Boys, for Feb 17**

Monday, Feb 2, is Race Day, Borkusushi will meet next Thursday, Feb 5. We will not have an all group time. Starting next week, Blue Clues Club will meet on Wednesdays and Thrower Time will be back to Fridays.
 * Week of Feb 2-6**

Turn in the revision of your place description with the original stapled behind it. Be thorough. See me if you have questions about my comments.
 * Assignment Due in Small Groups, Feb 3/4/5**

You may **choose one** of the following two options. **Bring two copies to your group** so you may share and respond to one another's.
 * Assignment Due in Small Groups, Jan 16/20/22**

__Thumbnail Place Descriptions__
 * Write several short place descriptions that combine to be at least a page and a half typed.
 * These do not need to have a clear story arc.
 * Go beyond the visual into other senses.
 * Think about the mood of the place and how you can show it (instead of tell it).
 * Think not only about //what// you are saying, but //how// you are saying it.

__One Developed Place Description__
 * Write a single story that is at least one and a half pages typed.
 * The place should play an important role and should be well developed.
 * Go beyond the visual into other senses.
 * Think about the mood of the place and how you can show it (instead of tell it).
 * Think not only about //what// you are saying, but //how// you are saying it.


 * Assignment Due Tuesday, Dec 16**
 * Write about a typical day for you, from when you get out of school to when you go to bed.
 * This should be a typical day- not a special one. It can be an amalgam of different days or a specific (average) day.
 * Look for those ordinary details that make it feel real.
 * Do your best to write it in the present tense.
 * 2-4 pages typed, double spaced.
 * As long as you carefully proofread, you will not need to revise these.
 * Have fun!


 * Assignment Due Thursday, Dec 4**
 * Bring your final story to class.


 * Assignment Due Tuesday, Dec 2**
 * You will have time in class to work on your story. **You should already have a good start on it.**


 * Assignment Due Tuesday, Nov 25**
 * By class time, you should have an idea of what you would like to write about for your next story. For students who just read //Persepolis//, you will write/draw a graphic story using the style of //Persepolis// as inspiration. Students who just read //To Kill A Mockingbird// will write a story from two character's perspectives. In both cases, you may choose to use a story that you have already written as a starting place. These stories do not need to be autobiographical, but they do need to be reality-based, e.i. no fantasy.


 * Assignment Due Tuesday, Oct 14**
 * Bring to class a printed copy of the **final draft** of your character sketch.


 * Assignment Due Tuesday, Oct 7**
 * Bring to class a printed copy of the **rough draft** of your character sketch.
 * Your character sketch should be a short story (between 1 and 3 pages) that shows character through dialogue and action.
 * Choose a moment that tells about your character, the other person's (if it is not just about you), and the connection between the two of you.
 * To make your story compelling, your moment should involve some element of tension and then a move towards resolution, though you may not be sure of the resolution when you start.
 * We will workshop them in class on Tuesday.


 * Assignment Due Friday, Sept 19**
 * choose at least 3 people who mean a lot to you
 * make a list for each person with at least 10 words or short phrases that describe him or her
 * at least one should be a family member


 * Assignment Due Tuesday, Sept 16**
 * Choose 1 of your memories and make it a full blown scene, writing in the **present tense**.
 * Let the child you were //then// tell the story. In other words, if you were 6 when it happened, your 6-year-old self should tell the story.
 * Bring the scene to life with dialog and details.
 * You may use one of the three you picked before, or a different one.
 * We will work on this in class on Thursday, Sept 11, so it would be smart to get started before then, so you can get some feedback from me and from your classmates.
 * Your final scene should be typed (doubled spaced).
 * If it is longer than 3 pages, look for ways cut it back and make it more focused.
 * If it is shorted than a page, look for ways to expand it, or write a second one.


 * Assignment Due Thursday, Sept 4**
 * Come up with 10 (or more) memories and write a phrase or sentence to remind yourself of each. Try to remember as far back as you can.
 * Choose 3 of your memories and write roughly a half a page about each.
 * Bring your list and your 3 fleshed-out memories to class, (typed or hand written).