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.
Monday, September 27, 2010
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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