In the younger class we made up our own superheros today. They had to give him/her a name and an age, a costume, powers and abilities, and a personality. Then we divided into 4 groups where the superheros met and had to go on an adventure together. Some groups finished their story, others did not. Those that didn't finish in class can finish the story on their own at home. Next week they can compare their stories to see how each person ended the adventure.
In the older class we continued to work on details; we are still working on similes and metaphors. Today we wrote about our neighbors, our families hair, and the smells that make us feel safe. The homework is to put more details into chapter one and two. Chapter 3 is due in two weeks!
I will be out of town March 1 through 8. Joses Watford will be subbing the older class and Tanja Orchard will sub the younger class. I will not update the blog for 2 weeks.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Five Senses and Mystery Novels
We had some breakthroughs in our older class today; we learned to show our reader what is going on instead of telling them.
Sensory language- make sure to use all five senses in your descriptive sentences: sight, touch, taste, sound, smell.
Adding details to places that our characters visit.
Showing emotion instead of writing the emotion. Instead of She was frightened, you can write, She froze in her tracks, looked slowly over her shoulder, wiped the sweat from her brow, and tensed her shoulders.
Abstract concepts- these can be brought to life by using concrete language. Instead of poverty you can write, Waiting in the line at the unemployment office, hungry children, dirty faces.
Add sensations to each word- add a color, touch word and an action to nouns.
Make sure to use similes and metaphors throughout your entire story.
The homework is to write chapter 2. We are off next week so you have two weeks to do the most amazing job!
In the younger class we became detectives! We had to use our eagle eye for details when a strange person walked into class. Then we read a mystery story and had to figure out the ending. We played a game with an investigator and a suspect, changing clapping and guessing who could be the leader. Finally I gave them a story starter that they had 20 min. to make up an ending. The homework is to finish the story. We will share them in two weeks.
Sensory language- make sure to use all five senses in your descriptive sentences: sight, touch, taste, sound, smell.
Adding details to places that our characters visit.
Showing emotion instead of writing the emotion. Instead of She was frightened, you can write, She froze in her tracks, looked slowly over her shoulder, wiped the sweat from her brow, and tensed her shoulders.
Abstract concepts- these can be brought to life by using concrete language. Instead of poverty you can write, Waiting in the line at the unemployment office, hungry children, dirty faces.
Add sensations to each word- add a color, touch word and an action to nouns.
Make sure to use similes and metaphors throughout your entire story.
The homework is to write chapter 2. We are off next week so you have two weeks to do the most amazing job!
In the younger class we became detectives! We had to use our eagle eye for details when a strange person walked into class. Then we read a mystery story and had to figure out the ending. We played a game with an investigator and a suspect, changing clapping and guessing who could be the leader. Finally I gave them a story starter that they had 20 min. to make up an ending. The homework is to finish the story. We will share them in two weeks.
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Shape Shifters/ King or Queen for a Day
The older class brought in their rough draft of chapter 1; we did peer reviews. They will revise their chapter this week.
We talked about metaphors (shape shifters) and similes. We worked on putting one of each into our first chapter. Both metaphors and similes are wonderful for painting a picture for our reader. They will be expected to use one of these as often as possible in their writing.
The younger class became royalty this week. They created their own country, gave it a name, decided who was in charge, drew a map, drew their home, made a flag. The only limit was their imagination! We had a country made out diamonds, another one was on another planet, one was on a giant bird, and some that were a bunch of islands strung together. Each leader decided the population, language, what the people wear and eat; and they made up all the laws. Some students created utopias, while others created dictatorships. It was fun to see what they did with complete freedom to create a country all their own.
We talked about metaphors (shape shifters) and similes. We worked on putting one of each into our first chapter. Both metaphors and similes are wonderful for painting a picture for our reader. They will be expected to use one of these as often as possible in their writing.
The younger class became royalty this week. They created their own country, gave it a name, decided who was in charge, drew a map, drew their home, made a flag. The only limit was their imagination! We had a country made out diamonds, another one was on another planet, one was on a giant bird, and some that were a bunch of islands strung together. Each leader decided the population, language, what the people wear and eat; and they made up all the laws. Some students created utopias, while others created dictatorships. It was fun to see what they did with complete freedom to create a country all their own.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Chapter 1 and Once Upon A Time
The older class is officially starting their novels today. In class we worked on maps that will help the author stay true to the landscape and help the reader follow along. If they didn't finish in class this will be homework. We also went over writing dialogue, if your student was absent I can go over this with them next week. Homework is to complete the first draft of chapter one; it must be typed and double spaced.
The younger class played a game called Once Upon A Time. I have a magical bag that we pulled things out of to tell a story. They had to use whatever item came out of the bag in their next sentence. These guys have wonderful imaginations! The homework is to make their own "Once Upon A Time" bag or basket and then have the family write stories from the items in it.
The younger class played a game called Once Upon A Time. I have a magical bag that we pulled things out of to tell a story. They had to use whatever item came out of the bag in their next sentence. These guys have wonderful imaginations! The homework is to make their own "Once Upon A Time" bag or basket and then have the family write stories from the items in it.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Building a Foundation & Life Size Board Game
In the older class we worked on building the foundation of our story. This week we are working on outlining the 5 chapters of our story. We also played around with where to start our story and opening sentences. The homework is to finish what we worked on in class. We will start chapter one next week.
In the younger class we played an intense life-size board game. Students were the pawns that moved around the room landing on squares that told them what they had to write about. Then they had to pass it off to me before they could move on. I enjoyed the many love stories, raps, country songs, advertisements, sad stories and 6 word autobiographies that I heard. There is no homework this week.
In the younger class we played an intense life-size board game. Students were the pawns that moved around the room landing on squares that told them what they had to write about. Then they had to pass it off to me before they could move on. I enjoyed the many love stories, raps, country songs, advertisements, sad stories and 6 word autobiographies that I heard. There is no homework this week.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Novels and Ono-Mato-What-Now?
What an exciting kick off we had to the new semester!
In the older writing class we started our novels.
The first step was to get to know our main characters. We worked on names, deciding on the kind of book we want to write and having a sleepover with our character. At the sleepover we asked him/her all sorts of questions to get to know him/her better. The homework is to finish asking those questions and then to have another sleepover with the villain, ask him/her the same questions.
We also worked on how we are going to narrate the story. Once we chose our voice then we made a diary entry in our narrator's voice- walking into the woods and finding a dead body... This is also homework if it wasn't completed in class.
The novel itself will be at least five chapters, we will spend two weeks on each chapter. The first draft is not the final draft, we will have peer support as well as myself and parents reading the chapters to help move the story along. I expect everyone to do the homework assigned each week, if I notice a student falling behind I will call home so that we can get back on track before it becomes overwhelming.
In the younger writing class we worked on Onomatopoeia- which means sounds spelled out (whoosh, boom, hisssss, bzzzz). I brought in all sorts of things that made sounds, we had to figure out what the sound was and then how to spell it and lastly how we would use it in a story. Then we wrote a story using all of our onomatopoeia.
The story guide is-
Once upon a time...
And every day... (incorporate an action and a sound)
Until one day... (incorporate an action and a sound)
And because of that...
And because of that...
Until finally...
The homework is to finish this story if they didn't in class and to write another one using the same guide.
In the older writing class we started our novels.
The first step was to get to know our main characters. We worked on names, deciding on the kind of book we want to write and having a sleepover with our character. At the sleepover we asked him/her all sorts of questions to get to know him/her better. The homework is to finish asking those questions and then to have another sleepover with the villain, ask him/her the same questions.
We also worked on how we are going to narrate the story. Once we chose our voice then we made a diary entry in our narrator's voice- walking into the woods and finding a dead body... This is also homework if it wasn't completed in class.
The novel itself will be at least five chapters, we will spend two weeks on each chapter. The first draft is not the final draft, we will have peer support as well as myself and parents reading the chapters to help move the story along. I expect everyone to do the homework assigned each week, if I notice a student falling behind I will call home so that we can get back on track before it becomes overwhelming.
In the younger writing class we worked on Onomatopoeia- which means sounds spelled out (whoosh, boom, hisssss, bzzzz). I brought in all sorts of things that made sounds, we had to figure out what the sound was and then how to spell it and lastly how we would use it in a story. Then we wrote a story using all of our onomatopoeia.
The story guide is-
Once upon a time...
And every day... (incorporate an action and a sound)
Until one day... (incorporate an action and a sound)
And because of that...
And because of that...
Until finally...
The homework is to finish this story if they didn't in class and to write another one using the same guide.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Merry Chirstmas
We read our Christmas stories in class this week and shared our newsletter. We also heard about family holiday traditions; then played some writing games. There is no homework over the break! Enjoy spending the next three weeks as a family and watching Star Wars.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Spring semester starts January 12, 2016
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