Have a Nice Summer!

I appreciate all of your hard work and creativity this semester. Great job! 

Have a nice, safe summer!

     Z

Portfolio Day

No bellringer. Chromebooks collected.

Recap: I collected your final portfolios today. So far, they look great! I'm very impressed, and you should be proud of all of your hard work. These are a great way to showcase that!

While I checked portfolios, you were asked to create a fan-fiction for a story of your choice where you provide an alternate ending.

Have a nice night!

Z

Batman, Scooby Doo and Alex Trebek Walk into an Elevator...

Bellringer: Batman, Scooby-Doo and Alex Trebek get stuck in an elevator. What happens?

Recap: Upon finishing the bellringer, you were able to either partner up or remain solo. You were asked to write a longer story based off of the prompt.

Homework: Please remember that portfolios are due tomorrow. Late portfolios will receive a grade no higher than a 70%.

Have a nice evening! Remember, it's more important to finish on a good note than to finish quickly and just be done. Hang in there!

Z

Portfolio

Bellringer: What questions do you have on your portfolio?

Recap: We worked on portfolios in class today.

Please review the information shared with you for the format. Portfolios should be assembled in the order:

1. Cover Page with Student Information
2. Table of Contents with page numbers for material
3. Cover pages for each section.

Have a nice evening!

Z

#Graduation

Bellringer: What plans do you have for the holiday weekend?

Recap: I am going to do some fun, free style writing with you from here on out. Today we started with hashtag writing. I provided a topic, and each group had to come up with a story using only hashtag phrases. These turned out well!

Homework: We will begin our portfolios on Tuesday. Please note: You will ONLY have Tuesday in class to work on them! These will be due Thursday, May 29th. If you will not be here, for ANY reason, the portfolio must be submitted either in advance or sent in with someone. This is an assignment worth more than 100 points, which means if it is late, it will receive a grade no higher than a 70%.

Good work this week! Enjoy the holiday!

Z

Guess Who?

Bellringer: Using the following words in a story: burglar, envelope, forest, desk lamp.

Recap: We held another guess-who mystery today. A bracelet was hidden with one of the students, and everyone was asked to ask a question of another person. Based on their answers, you could then begin to eliminate suspects. Both classes figured out who had it solely based on body language! You really used your sleuthing skills!

Nice work today! Don't forget your binders for your portfolios for Tuesday! 

Have a nice evening!

Z

Clue!

Bellringer: Based on the game we played yesterday, what was the most important element to solving the crime?

Recap: We played another detective game today. I'm sorry it didn't go as well as yesterday's. Some of you did catch on, however, that you work better as a team than alone. This was the key to solving the crime.

I am also missing QUITE a number of Mystery Stories. These do still count as a grade. Please be sure to share them with me for your credit. I am noticing many grades dropping. Please do not start slacking off now.

Have a nice evening!

Z

Whodunnit?

Bellringer: 

: 

What's going on in this picture? 

Recap: We held our own mystery today. You were divided into 3 groups and given a scenario. Each group was then given a set of clues, and asked to figure out who had done the crime. You did a great job using your problem solving skills! In each class 2 out of the 3 groups guessed right!

I hope you enjoyed this. I'd like to do another one later in the week!

Homework: Finish your mystery stories. Don't forget portfolios for next Tuesday!

Have a great night! Nice work today!

Z

Mystery

Bellringer: What is a mystery?

Recap: We reviewed the Elements that Make Up Mystery, and then began writing our own mystery stories. Please see the bottom of the sheet for the instructions. If you would like, you may include this story in your portfolios. Stories are due Wednesday for Class Participation.

Nice job today!

Z

Fairy Tale Finale

Bellringer: There have been strong storms in the Mid-West, fires in California, and a young boy magically saved from a dog by his cat. Choose one of these current events, and turn its cause into a fairy tale.

Recap: We turned current events into fairy tales to try and discover a "cause" for these events. Some of you were very creative with this!

I also checked Bellringers 61-70. If you were out, please be sure to show them to me Monday.

Have a nice weekend!

Z

Fairy Tale Peer Edit

Bellringer: You are a helpless young maiden stuck on a sinking ship. How does your prince rescue you?

Or

You are locked in a magical dungeon. How are you rescued and who saves you?

Recap: We began the above partner writing, and will finish it tomorrow.

We then worked on the fractured fairy tale peer edit. Be sure to have the peer edit completed for tomorrow. If you were not in class today, the peer edit must still be completed beforehand. You may ask someone else from the class to edit it for you, but it must be done by someone in the class.

Homework: Have a printed copy of your story, along with the peer edit and original story.

Nice work today! Have a good night!

Z

Hans Christian Andersen Stories

Bellringer:

  

Write a brief fairy tale about what you see going on in this picture. 

Recap: We each read a story today by Hans Christian Andersen. I wanted you to have a different perspective on fairy tales. Many of you didn't like his as much as you liked the Grimm Brothers. Please be sure to choose one of the titles so that you can write your "Fractured Fairy Tale." 

If you would like to see a fractured fairy tale, read this story of the Big Bad Wolf's perspective from "The Three Little Pigs." 

Homework: Complete the rough draft of your fairy tale for tomorrow. Also, don't forget to bring a binder in by May 26th, so we can begin assembling your portfolios.

Nice work today.

Z

Grimm Fairy Tales to Fracture

Bellringer: Write a fairy tale about a frog.

       --You all did a GREAT job with these! You were very creative!

Recap: We read 2 Grimm fairy tales each, but no one was allowed to read the same stories. These will be used when you fracture a fairy tale. This means that you will take one of the stories you've read and re-write it from the perspective of another character within the story. Your rough drafts will be due Thursday, and the final copies Friday.

Tomorrow we will be reading Hans Christian Andersen, so some of you may change your stories, as he has written others that may be more familiar to you. Just keep in mind you will only have 24 hours to create the rough draft.

I think you are finding fairy tales to be wildly different than you have imagined, but that's a good thing! You are expanding your world's!

Great work today! Have a nice night!

Z

Fairy Tales

Bellringer: What is a fairy tale? Name one that you know.

Recap: We began fairy tales today! I think many of you were scared about what they might be, but upon further examination, you found that there are more than you had originally thought. We also discovered that fairy tales were not always meant to have happy endings. Most fairy tales were written to scare children into submission. The Grimm Brothers became popular for writing or adapting old folktales, or writing their own fairy tales. Most had frightening messages!

We began the unit by looking into the lives of the Grimm Brothers. We then took a closer look at some of their fairy tales by going on an adventure through the forest. If you were absent, please take the walk and explore a story! 

Tomorrow we will explore more of their stories, and you will be given your outline for your piece for the end of the week.

Also, you will need a 1/2 inch binder by May 26th so that we may begin assembling the portfolios.

Nice work today!

Z

The Lottery

Bellringer: You have just landed 10 years in the future! You don’t recognize too much about where you are. Describe what the future looks like. How is it different than today? What do you see?

Recap: We reviewed the homework questions from "There Will Come Soft Rains." Then, continuing with the Sci-Fi unit, we began reading "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. There are 5 questions you need to answer that correspond with this, as well.

Nice work! Have a great evening!

Z

Science Fiction

Bellringer: 

Write a brief Sci-Fi story about the picture. Click here for the explanation.

Recap: We began by reviewing the Elements of Science Fiction. Sci-Fi is a very specific genre. It needs to contain one of the required elements in order to be considered Science Fiction, or it is not part of the genre. The link to the above article has the elements and breaks them down nicely.

We then began reading, "There Will Come Soft Rains," by Ray Bradbury. He is one of the leading Science Fiction authors, and one of the best. His writing is very descriptive and beautifully executed. When you are finished reading, there is a questionnaire that goes along with the reading. Both need to be completed for homework for tomorrow if you did not finish in class today.

Please consider how the story is similar to today's world. Bradbury wrote about this "future"; yet, we seem to be living it out.

Have a nice evening!

Z

Zombie Apocalypse Ping Pong Writing

Bellringer: Create a science fiction scenario with a main character named Wallace and a fire.

Recap: Today we did a Ping Pong writing assignment based on your Zombie Apocalypse from yesterday. If you were not here, please complete a writing based on your notes.

For bonus points, you and your partner finish your story! Show it to me in class. This needs to be done for tomorrow!

Z

Zombie Apocalypse

Bellringer: It's the Zombie Apocalypse. List the 5 tools or resources you would bring with you.

Recap: We are beginning a brief unit on Sci-Fi this week. I thought I'd kick it off with zombies, since so many of you have an interest in them! Following the bellringer, I had you split into partners, and together come up with your list of 5 things you would bring, and then list 5 people you would bring.

Tomorrow we will complete a ping pong writing assignment based on this list.

Have a nice night! Great imaginations today!

Z

Peer Edit

Bellringer: What would you do with 3 wishes?

Recap: We finished reviewing the homework questions from "Where Are You Going? Where Have You  Been?" Following this, we completed the peer edit for your fiction story for tomorrow. Please be sure to have a printed copy of your final draft tomorrow, along with the rough draft and peer edit.

Nice work today!

Z

Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been? Discussion

Bellringer: If you could invent something to help mankind, what would it be?  Why?

**Some of you had some great inventions!

Recap: Following the bellringer, we began our discussion of "Where are You Going? Where Have You Been?" We will continue this tomorrow.

Additionally, have your first draft of your story prepared for tomorrow's class.

Please be cognizant of your grades. Push hard these next few weeks, and finish strong!

Z

Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?

Bellringer:

 

Write a brief story about the above photo.

Recap: After writing these brief stories, we began reading Joyce Carol Oats's story, "Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?" Those of you who like suspense or mystery should like this story. There is also a question sheet that must be answered for tomorrow's class.

Don't forget your drafts for your short stories are due Thursday!

Have a nice evening!

Z

Short Story Challenge

Bellringer: Create a school-appropriate conflict that could be used in a fictional story. (Should fit one of the 10 genres we discussed in class).

**I wanted this one to be different than a topic we'd create a class story about. It should be one that could be developed into a longer story.

Recap: We began by presenting a short story challenge to the class. You're first fiction writing assignment will be due this Thursday (peer edit), with the final copy being handed in Friday. We began by creating different conflicts that could be turned into a short story. Everyone submitted his or her idea to the box, and then we walked around to draw conflicts at random. This will be a conflict within your story!

Please remember that it does not have to be the main conflict. If you got a topic you don't normally enjoy writing about, embrace the challenge! Just be sure to incorporate the idea somehow.

We then read the short story, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." This is a clever story about a man who daydreams quite vividly. I also wanted you to see how some wild ideas could be incorporated into the story.

Nice work today! Have a nice night!

Z

Class Story Day

Bellringer: Create a conflict that could be applied to a class story.

Recap: We took the characters that we created yesterday and used them to create a class story today. Each person was asked to contribute one sentence to the story. They turned out very well!

5th Period Class Story
6th Period Class Story

We also took a look at the article, "Let's Talk About Short Stories." This was a nice article that highlighted what actually makes a short story a short story. (It really has very little to do with length). Short stories are character driven, which is important to keep in mind going into next week as we begin writing.

Nice work today!

Have a great weekend!

Z

Creating Charactes

Bellringer: Create a character using the 5 necessary traits discussed in class. (Your character can be realistic or other-worldly.) Have fun!

Recap: We began by creating our own characters in the bellringer. Some of you really let your imaginations run wild, and you had some very imaginative characters. This was a really fun activity, and just further proves how much fun this fiction unit is going to be!

We also finished reviewing the story "Little Snot," so you could see how the author unfolds the characters. I wanted you to see how you can have a short story with a dynamic character--one who undergoes a change in the story. It's important to see how you can work a lot of information into a small space, and the different ways this can be done.

Great work today! Keep those creative caps on!

Have a nice evening!

Z

Characterization Day 2

Bellringer: Choose one of the pictures below, and using the 5 necessary requirements of characterization, describe the character.

         

You did a nice job with these!

Recap: We created a class character based on your input for the above pictures. Some of you are very creative! Others, do not be afraid to dive in and have fun with this! We will do these again so you can get used to it.

We then read a short story titled "Little Snot". I wanted you to see how quickly the characters and plot need to be introduced in short stories. 

We will continue reading more stories tomorrow. Have a nice night!

Z

Characterization

Bellringer: Describe yourself as a character, either through direct or indirect characterization.

Recap: We briefly touched on genres today, as I would like to be able to have at least one piece of writing that fits each category by the end of this unit. I also want you to have an understanding of genre vs. sub-genre.

A list of the genres can be found here, and a list of some of the sub-genres can be found here.

We then began discussion characterization. Since characters are the driving force in most writing, it is imperative that you create well-rounded and well-developed characters. Without them, you're story will be boring, and the reader will quickly lose interest. Most of you stated upon finishing this activity that you were unaware of how much thought and insight was really needed to create a character.

If you missed today, please see the Character Development page that has been shared with you. I also want you to begin considering characters you would like to create, keeping in mind the 5 key necessary details that you must use to create them.

Tomorrow we will begin reading short fiction stories, particularly noting how the characters are described.

Have a nice evening!

Z

Elements of Fiction

Bellringer: What are elements of fiction writing?

Recap: We've finally reached the unit most of you have been waiting for: FICTION! Our imaginations are about to go wild, so I hope you're getting those creative wheels turning!

To being, we reviewed a Power Point from ReadWriteThink.org on the Elements of Fiction. While many of these terms are ones we have covered, they are in a different context when it comes to writing fiction as opposed to just reading it. How do you even create a character? There are different types?! These are all questions that will be answered this week.

We reviewed the elements today, and will be discussing the different genres tomorrow. There are about 10 genres recognized in fiction, but innumerable sub-genres under them. I hope to be able to cover at least all of the main categories with you, as you've voiced that your preferences are across the board.

Tomorrow we will begin discussing how to create characters, as well, and begin reading several short pieces. Especially in shorter fiction, having well-rounded and developed characters is crucial, because without them, the story would be quite dull.

Nice work today! It's nice to be back with you. Have a nice night!

Z

Spring Break!

Bellringer: What are you  most looking forward to on spring break?

Happy Spring Break! Have fun! Be safe! 

Poetry Recitation Day 2

Bellringer:

 

Write a poem based on one of, or the combination of, the images above. Then, click here to see a poem pairing from Chinese poet Li Po, and read the explanation.

**I wanted to show you a poem from a Chinese author, because it is different from those we have already read.

Recap: We continued with our poetry recitation. You are all doing such a good job with these! We have a few to finish up tomorrow. I am also checking bellringers 41-50 tomorrow.

Have a nice evening!

Z

Poetry Recitation Day 1

Bellringer: What are you most nervous about for your poetry recitation?

Recap: We began very strong today! Those of you who have presented your poems did an outstanding job! I can tell you've worked hard to memorize them. 

Those of you who will be going tomorrow, please have a printed copy of the poem. Remember to stay calm! Everyone who went today reminded you that it's not that bad.

Have a nice evening!

Z

Poetry Recitation Rehearsal

Bellringer:

 

Write a haiku about the above image.

Recap: Today we focused on rehearsing your poems for tomorrow. Some of you feel comfortable with your poem, while others have to work on it a bit more this evening. Try the scaffolding approach if you are still having trouble memorizing it. (State the first line, then the second, then one and two together, and just keep building it up.)

We will be drawing names for order of presentation. If you feel, for any reason, that you won't be here on Friday, please let me know, and we will schedule you for Wednesday or Thursday.

Nice work with your poems! Have a nice evening!

Z

Haiku

Bellringer: What is a haiku?

Recap: We explored Haiku poetry today, which is a tiny, 3-line poem with alternating syllables: 5-7-5. These poems are mostly written about nature, but can discuss other topics. We had some fun with them today, and even presented a challenge: Write a haiku of 3 words, where the words have the varying syllables. Many of you stepped up to this challenge, and made the activity enjoyable!

Keep working on memorizing your poems for Wednesday!

Have a nice night!

Z

Free Verse Freestyle

Bellringer: What do you feel is the biggest surprise or contradiction that we still face as a society and culture in 2014? Why?

** The above bellringer is meant to call attention to not only everything that is going on, but make you consider what we still cannot do in this day and age with everything else that we can. 

Recap: After a good discussion on the above bellringer, we read "Winter Poem" to discover the literary elements used. There are several used that we covered this week. 

We then began writing our Free Verse Freestyle, which is a free verse poem that must contain the following: 

1. One Metaphor or Simile

2. One personification

3. Alliteration

4. One onomatopoeia

5. One oxymoron

6. Tell some sort of story

        7. Be at least 10 lines. 

Nice job today and this week! I love being your teacher! Have a nice weekend! 

Z

Personification Poems

Bellringer:

 

Write a poem about what you see. Click here, then, for the explanation.

Recap: Today we worked on poems using personification. Free verse has allowed us to explore different mediums of poetry, and take a closer look at the various literary elements, and how they can function within writing.

For today's class, we began by making a list of 10 action verbs humans do. Then, we made a list of 10 objects, and combined the two lists to see what we could "get" those objects to do. For example, you may have a giggling chromebook, or a sleeping chair.

Following the warm-up, we created poems, with a minimum of 10 lines, about one of the objects using personification.

Nice work today! Keep working on your poems for memorization. Remember, if you change your mind about your poem, please let me know ASAP!

Have a nice evening!

Z

Shape Poems

Bellringer:

  

Fill the above shape with description. 

Recap: Free Verse poetry can be so much fun, because you are not confined to a particular shape! Today we worked on shape poems, where the poem you write must take on a particular shape. (The poem should be about the shape in which it is written). These poems were also free verse. If you were absent, please complete a shape poem. You can find examples on the Shape Poem sheet that has been shared with you. I received many creative poems! Great job with these!

Please begin memorizing your poems for next week now that they are approved! If you wish to change your poem, please let me know. 

Have a nice night!

Z

Alliteration Poems

Bellringer:   

                                  

Using alliteration, describe what's going on in the above photo, then click here to see what is really happening. 

Recap: Free verse poetry can be fun! We discovered that today when we wrote poems using alliteration! Each line had to have at least two words beginning with the same letter, and I think you found how fun they can be! We weren't confined to any rhyme scheme, and for some of you, I think it was hard to break away from. It's a fun challenge, though!

Tomorrow, we will pick up with more fun free verse! Please also make sure you have selected a poem for approval that you will need to memorize and recite. I will need to see them tomorrow, though, for approval. 

Have a great night!

Z

Free Verse

Bellringer: What is free verse poetry?

Recap: In order to fully understand free verse, because it's more than just a poem that doesn't rhyme, we visited Poetry through the Ages to better understand it. There are several examples and definitions, and this will help. Remember, all other literary elements can occur within free verse except rhyme scheme and meter. I think free verse also allows you to express yourself a bit more, because you aren't constrained to a rhyme scheme. We can definitely have fun with this!

Poems examined today:

"Fog" by Carl Sandburg 
"Birches" by Robert Frost

Great job on your ballad poems from Friday. I'm sorry I wasn't here. I really missed you! 

Homework: Have a poem selected that you would like to memorize for next week. I need to see them Wednesday for approval. 

Have a nice evening!

Z

The Highwayman

Bellringer: 

'

Write a poem about the above picture. When you are finished, click here to see another poem composed about it, and the full article. 

Recap: After our bellringer check, we read "The Highwayman." This is a longer narrative poem, but also steps up the difficulty. I want you to get comfortable defining terms on your own.

Have a nice evening!

Z

Poetry Terms Quiz

Bellringer: Write a poem about something you saw today.

Recap: We completed your poetry terms quiz. I wanted to make sure you knew the terms in order to continue with our unit. We will pick up with longer poems tomorrow. You will begin taking the reigns on their analysis, and we will step up the level of poems we are reading. 

Have a nice night!

Z

Ballad Poems Day 2

Bellringer:  

Write an 8 line, rhyming poem with 4 line couplets about the above picture, or something that inspires you about the above picture.

Recap: We analyzed two poems today, "The Ballad of the Landlord" by Langston Hughes, and "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman. I wanted you to note the difference in meter compared to the previous poems we read.

We will also be taking a quiz on the literary terms that have been shared with you tomorrow. Please be prepared.

Hang on to your ballad poems/songs that I asked you for today. We will review them tomorrow.

Have a nice night!

Z

"The Walrus and the Carpenter"

Bellringer: What is a ballad?

Recap: We read a long poem today called a ballad. A ballad is a poem or song that tells a story. We read, "The Walrus and the Carpenter" by Lewis Carroll. I wanted to redeem him for you after "Jabberwocky."

Following the reading, you were asked to completed an analysis that included: rhyme scheme, meter, personification, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, and state the story being told. I want you to get comfortable analyzing the easy poems on your own, as we will now be moving into more difficult analysis.

Nice work today!

Have a good night!

Z

A Walk for Inspiration

Bellringer: What is your favorite part of spring? Write it in a brief poem.

Recap: We made a bit of a switch by heading outside for some poetry inspiration. You were asked to complete an 8 line poem based on what you saw around you. In order to complete this assignment, we took a walk to the side of the school, and sat by the pond. Poets draw inspiration from a variety of sources, and on such a beautiful day, I wanted you to feel inspired by the beauty of nature and your school.

Great work this week! We will pick up next week with ballads and free-verse.

Enjoy the weekend!

Z