This week will be devoted to writing, editing, and revising stories. As most students felt that they'd be rushing to completely wrap up this week, I've offered the opportunity to use the break, if needed, to finish. They have an editing sheet to guide their editing/revision process, and the rubric so that they can self-assess and know the expectations for grading. Students should PRINT their final stories to bring with them on January 2. That day they will do a small group read around in order to share their stories with classmates. With genres ranging from historical to futuristic, from realistic to fantasy, I'm looking forward to reading the tales they've woven!
By now, most students have finished reading their original choice book and moved on to another. I'm encouraging everyone to find a book to read over the break. The PTO generously donated several book fair novels to our classroom library and students are free to borrow from my shelves! Thank you PTO!
I wish students and their families a warm, peaceful, and fun winter break! Happy holidays and all good things in the coming year!
Homework:
This week and during break (as needed):
* finish drafting
* use editing checklists to edit
* revise story; add details as needed
* edit again for punctuation, capitals, juicy words, etc.
* PRINT final copy to bring in WEDNESDAY, JAN 2
Short Story Editing Form
Short Story Rubric
Monday, December 17, 2018
Monday, December 10, 2018
Time for Some Real Drama!
Our long awaited field trip is finally here! We are off to the Academy of Music (the venue was changed from Symphony Hall) to view five short stories and a poem performed on stage: The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Necklace, The Monkey's Paw, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Students need not bring anything to the theatre (ie, money, phones). They should eat a hearty breakfast if possible as we'll be eating lunch later than usual.
In class this week students are continuing to practice with their vocabulary words; there will be a vocabulary quiz on Thursday. They are also wrapping up the pre-writing activities for their stories, and many have begun to draft. Our goal is to finish writing/editing/revising by the middle of next week so that students have a day or two to read some of their classmates' stories. However, if anyone is not finished by the winter break, they can certainly take advantage of that time to complete their story.
At home, students should continue to read their choice novels, using sticky notes to jot their thoughts as they read. Several students have finished their original book and are on to another; others will hopefully finish by the end of next week so that they can return their library book before the winter break.
Homework:
Monday-Friday: read w/sticky notes
Monday-Tuesday: finish up prewriting activities
Wednesday: vocab quiz tomorrow (Thursday)
Friday: work on short story (be prepared to edit Monday or Tuesday)
Vocab List #7 Quizlet
Writing Dialogue (rules)
Dialogue writing practice
In class this week students are continuing to practice with their vocabulary words; there will be a vocabulary quiz on Thursday. They are also wrapping up the pre-writing activities for their stories, and many have begun to draft. Our goal is to finish writing/editing/revising by the middle of next week so that students have a day or two to read some of their classmates' stories. However, if anyone is not finished by the winter break, they can certainly take advantage of that time to complete their story.
At home, students should continue to read their choice novels, using sticky notes to jot their thoughts as they read. Several students have finished their original book and are on to another; others will hopefully finish by the end of next week so that they can return their library book before the winter break.
Homework:
Monday-Friday: read w/sticky notes
Monday-Tuesday: finish up prewriting activities
Wednesday: vocab quiz tomorrow (Thursday)
Friday: work on short story (be prepared to edit Monday or Tuesday)
Vocab List #7 Quizlet
Writing Dialogue (rules)
Dialogue writing practice
Monday, December 3, 2018
Reading, Writing and More New Words!
This week's vocabulary list includes words from cordial to chaos, virtue to grovel. When our new vocabulary springs up in dialogue or writing, I know that they've been written into memory--I'm hoping to see some peppering students' short stories, which they should begin drafting later this week.
Students have been immersed in short story pre-writing activities, including brainstorming sensory detail for the setting, charting out their plot, getting to know their characters inside and out, practicing "show not tell" language, and studying and applying the correct punctuation for dialogue (they can use their choice novels as a model!). Handouts for these activities are linked in last week's blog.
While they are busy writing in class, students are reading a novel of their choice at home, monitoring their thoughts as they read. After viewing their first round of sticky notes, I'll be showing them how to dig deeper into their thoughts by explaining more of their feelings, responses, and connections to what they read rather than just summarizing a plot event or pointing out something interesting. I'm pushing them to get to the "why" and "because" of their statements in order to think and write about them more extensively.
Homework:
Monday-Friday: read with sticky notes
Thursday: be ready to turn in sticky notes tomorrow (Friday)
Friday: vocab quiz next Tuesday 12/11
Vocabulary Quizlet
Students have been immersed in short story pre-writing activities, including brainstorming sensory detail for the setting, charting out their plot, getting to know their characters inside and out, practicing "show not tell" language, and studying and applying the correct punctuation for dialogue (they can use their choice novels as a model!). Handouts for these activities are linked in last week's blog.
While they are busy writing in class, students are reading a novel of their choice at home, monitoring their thoughts as they read. After viewing their first round of sticky notes, I'll be showing them how to dig deeper into their thoughts by explaining more of their feelings, responses, and connections to what they read rather than just summarizing a plot event or pointing out something interesting. I'm pushing them to get to the "why" and "because" of their statements in order to think and write about them more extensively.
Homework:
Monday-Friday: read with sticky notes
Thursday: be ready to turn in sticky notes tomorrow (Friday)
Friday: vocab quiz next Tuesday 12/11
Vocabulary Quizlet
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