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