Writing 2 Class Notes -- Week 4 (Sept. 12)

Greetings!

Again, another great class.  This group of students brings a lot of positive energy and attitudes to the class.  The prompts for our Quick Write today were taken from the National Days Calendar:  National Video Game Day, National Day of Encouragement, and National Milkshake Day.  As always, if none of those options triggered any productive thinking or writing, students could write about something else.  We had good discussions about all three topics.

This week's Words of the Day came from the students and included:

taciturn--adjective--  fr. Latin, taciturnus, tacitis, to be silent -- temperamentally disinclined to talk

outward-- adjective-- fr. Old English, utweard, out-- moving, directed, or turned to the outside or away from the center

and-- conjunction-- fr. German, und, and-- along, together, in addition to

During the Writing portion of today's class I collected the final drafts of their Personal Essays.  For all of the essays that they will write they are required to hand in the rough drafts with the final drafts so that I can see the specific changes.  Those who didn't do that in class this week can send me a picture or scanned version of their rough drafts with my corrections.  A couple of students mentioned that they had thrown away their rough drafts, so I will correct their papers without them.  I also reminded them that they SHOULD NOT throw away any work from this class until the end of the semester; they should also save all of their essays until the end of the year.

In Writing 2, as soon as students finish one paper we start another.  Their new assignment is a Process Essay.  The topics for this essay can be something simple and every day or something complicated and more abstract.  For example, they can write about tying their shoes of about the process of becoming more like Jesus. 
As we discussed the topics, we also  considered thesis statements. I introduced my equation for a thesis statement and a template for thesis statements that include a plan for development. 

Equation:

     Topic/Subject

  +  Opinion/Stand

Thesis Statement

Template:

     (topic/stand)     is/are      (opinion/stand)     because      (reason #1)  ,      (reason #2)     , and       (reason #3)     .

We also  took time to discuss the elements of an introduction and conclusion.  The introduction should include a hook, a thesis statement, and a "road map."  The conclusion mirrors the introduction and should restate the thesis, summarize the main points, and leave parting thoughts with the reader.  

Our Grammar topic for this week, complete and compound sentences, was tabled due to our longer discussion about the next paper and our literature discussion.  When I write the course schedule for the class, I do it in a way that can be flexible.  (Most of the students didn't mind having the grammar homework.   )

For our literature discussion, I introduced the final book project for My Antonia.  The book project is due at the end of the book, but I want students to have plenty of time to work on it.  Some of students were getting excited about some of their ideas; they have permission to do work as a group as long as they divide the work evenly.  Students were given a proposal form that they will need to fill out and have you sign.  I love these projects because it gives students room to be creative.

Assignments for Next Week

-- Read p. 70 - 94 of My Antonia

-- 3 Reader Responses

-- 5 Vocabulary Words

-- Process Essay Rough Draft

-- Preparation for your book project

Links for This Week

Class Notes

My Antonia Final Project

My Antonia Project Proposal

Process Essay

My Antonia audiobook, part 1

My Antonia audiobook, part 2

My Antonia audiobook, part 3

My Antonia audiobook, part 4

My Antonia audiobook, part 5

My Antonia on Vibrivox (downloadable)

Have a great weekend!

Blessings,

Mrs. Prichard

My Antonia Final Project

Description:

At the end of reading My Antonia by Willa Cather, students will present a project related to the book as a whole. Most of the projects listed below are meant for individual work, but some can be expanded to a group project.  (Permission must be acquired for group projects.)  Some of the project ideas involve other media, and you are encouraged to be creative and to choose something that fits your interests, abilities, and personality. 

Due dates:

Project Proposal:  Week 8 (10/12)

Project Presentations:  Weeks 12 & 13 (11/16 & 11/30)

Presentations:

The format for the presentations will be dependent on the types of projects chosen.  Some projects will be suitable for a “science fair” format with stations, and others will be more performance or audio-visual oriented.  We will plan our two days for presentations accordingly.

FINAL PROJECT OPTIONS/IDEAS

1.      Design book covers for the five sections

2.      Create a travel brochure for Black Hawk

3.      Create a soundtrack or playlist for the five sections of the book

4.      Design a graphic novel for one of the sections of the book

5.      Write a radio play excerpt for one of the sections of the book

6.      Perform live or record a dramatic reading of a portion of the book (at least 3 pages).

7.      Prepare a TV commercial related to the book.

8.      Write a series of correspondence between you and the author or one of the characters (at least 6 letters)

9.      Play charades for the characters in the book.

10.  Design/draw clothing for 3 of the characters.

11.  Design/draw the various pieces of clothing that one of the characters would wear throughout the span of the book.

12.  Make a piece of clothing (full-size or miniature) for one of the characters.

13.  Make a diorama of a scene from the book.

14.  Design/build a board or card game for the book.

15.  Perform or record a scene from the book as a “silent movie.” 

16.  Create a children’s book for a section of the book.

17.  Write and perform a dramatic monologue for one of the characters.

18.  Create a movie trailer for the book.

19.  Create an ABC book that correlates with aspects of the story.

20.  Make a t-shirt that connects to the book.

21.  Create a mobile of characters, items, etc. that are a part of the book.

22.  Create a timeline for the whole of the book.

23.  Design/draw a set of maps for the pertinent sections of the book.

24.  Create a “book in a bag.”  Choose 10 items that represent the people, places, events, and other parts of the story.  Place them in a paper or fabric bag and write a key describing each of the items and their importance to the story.

25.  Create a sculpture of a character. 

26.  Create a book award that might be given to this book.  Create a ribbon, a certificate, and a press release.

27.  Write a report chard for two of the characters.  Come up with 5 areas of his/her personality to grade based on behavior in the book.  Design a report card to go with it.

28.  Write a test for the book that includes multiple choice, true/false, and short answer responses. (at least 20 questions)

29.  Make a stop animation video.

30.  Make a jeopardy game to go with the book.

31.  Put together a PowerPoint presentation that explains one of the following literary elements:  characterization, setting, plot, conflict, etc.

32.  Make a set of three inspirational posters using quotes from the book.

33.  Write an imagined interview with one of the characters.

34.  Write a song.

35.  Write about yourself in 20 years.

36.  Create a newspaper about the book that includes comics, ads, weather, letter to the editor, etc. along with news stories.

37.  Create a “lost scene” from the book.  Write and/or perform.

38.  Create a puppet show for the book.

39.  Write/perform a newscast for the book.

40.  Write an alternate ending for the book.

More ideas can be found at

http://teachnet.com/lessonplans/language-arts/more-ideas-than-ever-book-reports/