Monday, November 29, 2010
Week 13 Journals
Monday 11/29: If your short story was made into a movie, who would be the stars? Why?
Monday, November 22, 2010
Week 12 Journals
Monday 11/22: When you write something creative, how do you come up with your ideas? What inspires you?
Tuesday 11/23: Write about winter using sensory details.
Wednesday 11/24: What are you thankful for?
Tuesday 11/23: Write about winter using sensory details.
Wednesday 11/24: What are you thankful for?
Monday, November 15, 2010
Show, Don't Tell
SHOW, DON’T TELL—use strong verbs and sensory details to paint a picture
(and avoid clichés)
EXAMPLE: I felt sick.
-My stomach gurgled
-My breathing turned raspy
-Every breath rattled in my chest
Try to come up with ways to SHOW the following information:
He was my closest friend.
She was surprised.
I was nervous.
The soup was delicious.
The sunset was beautiful.
Week 11 Journals
Monday 11/15: Practice "show, don't tell"--write your responses
Tuesday 11/16: What do you like best about your memoir? What would you like to work on today?
Wednesday 11/17: If your life were a TV show or movie, what would it be called? Which actor/actress would play you (and why)?
Thursday 11/18: Describe one of your favorite book, movie, or TV characters. What makes this character appealing to you?
Friday 11/19: Describe the character you created. How did you come up with the idea? Is the character anything like you?
Tuesday 11/16: What do you like best about your memoir? What would you like to work on today?
Wednesday 11/17: If your life were a TV show or movie, what would it be called? Which actor/actress would play you (and why)?
Thursday 11/18: Describe one of your favorite book, movie, or TV characters. What makes this character appealing to you?
Friday 11/19: Describe the character you created. How did you come up with the idea? Is the character anything like you?
Monday, November 8, 2010
Week 10 Journals
Monday 11/8: Do you use Facebook or some other social networking website? If so, what aspects of your identity do you choose to display? What do you think your profile says about you?
Tuesday 11/9: What do you want to write about for your memoir? Why?
Wednesday 11/10: In 10 years, what you do you think you’ll remember about your life now? How do you think you’ll look back on your high school years?
Thursday 11/11: Read and respond to a few of the 6-word memoirs in the book I Can't Keep My Own Secrets.
Friday 11/12: Talk about the experience of writing your memoir. How did you know what to write about? Was it easy or hard to write? How did you make the story come alive?
Tuesday 11/9: What do you want to write about for your memoir? Why?
Wednesday 11/10: In 10 years, what you do you think you’ll remember about your life now? How do you think you’ll look back on your high school years?
Thursday 11/11: Read and respond to a few of the 6-word memoirs in the book I Can't Keep My Own Secrets.
Friday 11/12: Talk about the experience of writing your memoir. How did you know what to write about? Was it easy or hard to write? How did you make the story come alive?
Monday, November 1, 2010
Week 9 Journals
Monday 11/1: Use sensory details to describe your favorite candy.
Tuesday 11/2: What do you think makes your life interesting and unique?
Wednesday 11/3: Complete these sentences--
I will always remember...
I will always remember...
I will always remember...
I will always remember...
I will always remember...
I will always remember...
Thursday 11/4: Write about yourself in the third person
Friday 11/5: Write your 6-word memoir!--or at least some possibilities...
Tuesday 11/2: What do you think makes your life interesting and unique?
Wednesday 11/3: Complete these sentences--
I will always remember...
I will always remember...
I will always remember...
I will always remember...
I will always remember...
I will always remember...
Thursday 11/4: Write about yourself in the third person
Friday 11/5: Write your 6-word memoir!--or at least some possibilities...
Monday, October 25, 2010
Week 8 Journals
Monday 10/25: What did you do over the long weekend?
Tuesday 10/26: Respond to the poem “Introduction to Poetry” by Billy Collins. What do you infer about his approach to reading and teaching poetry? What do his students want to do with poetry?
Wednesday 10/27: No journal--short class
Thursday 10/28: How do you feel about reading your poem aloud tomorrow? Have you ever read your work aloud before? Have you ever attended a poetry reading?
Friday: No journal--Poetry Reading!
Tuesday 10/26: Respond to the poem “Introduction to Poetry” by Billy Collins. What do you infer about his approach to reading and teaching poetry? What do his students want to do with poetry?
Wednesday 10/27: No journal--short class
Thursday 10/28: How do you feel about reading your poem aloud tomorrow? Have you ever read your work aloud before? Have you ever attended a poetry reading?
Friday: No journal--Poetry Reading!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Week 7 Journals
Monday 10/18: respond to the poem "In a Station of the Metro" by Ezra Pound
Tuesday 10/19: respond to the poem "Jet" by Tony Hoagland
Wednesday 10/20: respond to the poem "Six Words" by Lloyd Schwartz
Thursday and Friday: no school
Tuesday 10/19: respond to the poem "Jet" by Tony Hoagland
Wednesday 10/20: respond to the poem "Six Words" by Lloyd Schwartz
Thursday and Friday: no school
Monday, October 11, 2010
Week 6 Journals
Monday 10/11: No journal--poetry presentations
Tuesday 10/12: What do you think is the purpose of poetry? What does poetry do for you?
Wednesday 10/13: Poem "9773 Comanche Ave." by David Trinidad (write about home/a meaningful place using sensory detail, photographic descriptions)
Thursday 10/14: In what way(s) do you think writing poetry can help you become a better writer overall?
Friday 10/15: Write a short poem/paragraph dedicated to a specific person (based on the poem "miss rosie" by Lucille Clifton)
Tuesday 10/12: What do you think is the purpose of poetry? What does poetry do for you?
Wednesday 10/13: Poem "9773 Comanche Ave." by David Trinidad (write about home/a meaningful place using sensory detail, photographic descriptions)
Thursday 10/14: In what way(s) do you think writing poetry can help you become a better writer overall?
Friday 10/15: Write a short poem/paragraph dedicated to a specific person (based on the poem "miss rosie" by Lucille Clifton)
Monday, October 4, 2010
Week 5 Journals
Monday 10/4: Open topic--write about whatever you want.
Tuesday 10/5: So far, what have you found interesting about the poet you’re researching? Why did you choose him/her?
Wednesday 10/6: Do you think of yourself as a "creative" person? What does "creativity" mean to you?
Thursday 10/7: No journal--poetry presentations
Tuesday 10/5: So far, what have you found interesting about the poet you’re researching? Why did you choose him/her?
Wednesday 10/6: Do you think of yourself as a "creative" person? What does "creativity" mean to you?
Thursday 10/7: No journal--poetry presentations
Monday, September 27, 2010
Week 4 Journals
Monday 9/26: write about a time when you learned something the hard way.
Tuesday 9/27: write about the strangest person you've ever seen or met.
Wednesday 9/28: list some celebrities you like and some who annoy you.
Thursday 9/29: If you could leave school right now and go anywhere, where would you go? Why?
Friday 9/30: Write about an embarrassing moment.
Tuesday 9/27: write about the strangest person you've ever seen or met.
Wednesday 9/28: list some celebrities you like and some who annoy you.
Thursday 9/29: If you could leave school right now and go anywhere, where would you go? Why?
Friday 9/30: Write about an embarrassing moment.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Week 3 Journals
Monday 9/19: What is your attitude about money? Are you a saver or spender? Do you often think about money?
Tuesday 9/20: Write a letter to anyone...
Wednesday 9/21: Open topic--write about whatever you want
Thursday 9/22: Write about one of your favorite books.
Friday 9/23: Write about some of the "rules" that you've invented for yourself.
Tuesday 9/20: Write a letter to anyone...
Wednesday 9/21: Open topic--write about whatever you want
Thursday 9/22: Write about one of your favorite books.
Friday 9/23: Write about some of the "rules" that you've invented for yourself.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Assignment: Write a Story in Letters
For this assignment, you will write a complete story using only letters to tell the story—no narration. You can work with a partner or solo. You can include visuals if you’d like, but it’s not required.
Your story should include:
10-20 letters going back and forth
At least 2 characters
Different styles of writing/typing—think about what’s appropriate for your characters
BRAINSTORMING/NOTES…
-Why are your characters writing to each other? (In other words, what will be the central conflict in your story?)
-Do they know each other personally? If so, how? What kind of history do they have? If not, how did they come to correspond?
-Remember, your characters’ personalities and motivations will only be revealed through their writing. What traits are important to express about each character?
Monday, September 13, 2010
Week 2 Journal Topics
Monday 9/12: Describe your dream home.
Tuesday 9/13: Write about someone you know who is very different from you.
Wednesday 9/14: List a bunch of your pet peeves. What bugs you?!
Thursday 9/15: If you could give ANY gift to anyone, what would it be and why?
Friday 9/16: Write about what you were like as a child. Have you changed a lot?
Tuesday 9/13: Write about someone you know who is very different from you.
Wednesday 9/14: List a bunch of your pet peeves. What bugs you?!
Thursday 9/15: If you could give ANY gift to anyone, what would it be and why?
Friday 9/16: Write about what you were like as a child. Have you changed a lot?
Friday, September 10, 2010
Some of my favorite books...if I have to choose...
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
A classic novel about power, wealth, moral corruption, and not getting what you want (or think you want).
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
A sad and sentimental story about a murdered young girl and how her family and friends try to carry on as Susie watches over them from her version of heaven. Seeing Susie's life cut short actually makes you wistful for the awkwardness of junior high/high school...no matter how wonderful or terrible, they are life experiences. How strongly can a life want to be lived? Also, the father character is incredible.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabakovou
I had always assumed Lolita was a story about a perverted middle-aged man, but once I gave it a chance, I found a beautiful story about a man who knows he's a monster and is powerless to change what he knows will be his miserable fate. This is a difficult read topic-wise, but the writing is absolutely perfect.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
I can't believe I didn't read this book until my mid-twenties; I wonder what I would've thought of it in my younger years. "Dystopic" doesn't even begin to describe the world of The Giver. There is too much to even explain or summarize, but just read it. Those couple hours will change you.
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
This book hovers between fiction and nonfiction while addressing the question: what is true, and what is real? The stories overlap and intertwine, and in this way the reader feels the horror and chaos of the Vietnam War.
Other authors/books I love:
Jhumpa Lahiri: Interpreter of Maladies and The Namesake
Michael Pollen: The Omnivore's Dilemma
Stieg Larsson: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
Cormac McCarthy: No Country for Old Men, The Road
David Sedaris: Me Talk Pretty One Day
Ian McEwan: Atonement
Alan Moore: Watchmen (graphic novel)
A classic novel about power, wealth, moral corruption, and not getting what you want (or think you want).
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
A sad and sentimental story about a murdered young girl and how her family and friends try to carry on as Susie watches over them from her version of heaven. Seeing Susie's life cut short actually makes you wistful for the awkwardness of junior high/high school...no matter how wonderful or terrible, they are life experiences. How strongly can a life want to be lived? Also, the father character is incredible.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabakovou
I had always assumed Lolita was a story about a perverted middle-aged man, but once I gave it a chance, I found a beautiful story about a man who knows he's a monster and is powerless to change what he knows will be his miserable fate. This is a difficult read topic-wise, but the writing is absolutely perfect.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
I can't believe I didn't read this book until my mid-twenties; I wonder what I would've thought of it in my younger years. "Dystopic" doesn't even begin to describe the world of The Giver. There is too much to even explain or summarize, but just read it. Those couple hours will change you.
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
This book hovers between fiction and nonfiction while addressing the question: what is true, and what is real? The stories overlap and intertwine, and in this way the reader feels the horror and chaos of the Vietnam War.
Other authors/books I love:
Jhumpa Lahiri: Interpreter of Maladies and The Namesake
Michael Pollen: The Omnivore's Dilemma
Stieg Larsson: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
Cormac McCarthy: No Country for Old Men, The Road
David Sedaris: Me Talk Pretty One Day
Ian McEwan: Atonement
Alan Moore: Watchmen (graphic novel)
Week 1 Journal Topics
Wednesday 9/7: What kinds of activities do you want to do in this class? Give me suggestions!
Thursday 9/8: Use the 5 senses (sight, sound, taste, smell, touch) to write about your favorite food.
Friday 9/9: Write your memories/thoughts/associations about 9/11.
Thursday 9/8: Use the 5 senses (sight, sound, taste, smell, touch) to write about your favorite food.
Friday 9/9: Write your memories/thoughts/associations about 9/11.
"Why I Write"
For this informal essay, you will explain your answer to the question “Why do I write?”
Things to consider…
-What is your purpose for writing?
-How does writing make you feel?
-What does writing have to do with how you relate to others?
-Is writing easy or hard for you? Why?
-What do you strive for when you write?
-What prompts you to write?
Length: up to 1 page
Typed or neatly hand-written
Focus on: thoughtful reflection, metacognition (thinking about your thinking), explaining your passion for writing
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