NEWS ALERT! Quick Write Prompt

The prompt for Week 5 in Writing 2 was:
NEWS ALERT!  Writing 2 has a bad case of ........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWS ALERT!  Writing 2 has a bad case of impatience for Spring!  All the students can hardly stay in their seats for class because of the nice weather. Mrs. Prichard sometimes has to remind them that she's at the front of the class, not out the window.  They can not stop giving spring time activities when Mrs. Prichard asks for an example.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWS ALERT!  Writing 2 has a bad case of human saturation.  Everywhere I look, I see people all around me.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWS ALERT!  Writing 2 has a bad case of Writer's Block!  How terrible to have Writer's Block when the whole class is about writing.  They've researched and asked others what to write about but simply can not get creative with it.  It's a very trying time for the students of writing, but they know that they can get through it.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWS ALERT!  Writing 2 has a bad case of pen flipping!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWS ALERT!  Writing 2 has a bad case of sleepiness, and it is spreading rapidly as more and more students begin to bob their heads in preparation to fall asleep on the spot!  Eye witnesses say, "The students look like zombies ready to eat our brains."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWS ALERT!  Writing 2 has a bad case of being sick of winter.  Symptoms include trying to wear shorts when it's 30 degrees out, becoming restless, complaining about the cold, and slipping on ice.  This illness usually affects people around mid-February.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWS ALERT!  Writing 2 has a bad case of books.  The ones they've picked out are flimsy flicks with no real morals.  The bookcase itself is terrible!  Thin, cracking wood and rusty nails literally hold together literary crap.  There is no cure for this case full of books except fire.  I am ashamed to even admit their condition.  So long to the sanity.  Bring on the bookcase.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWS ALERT!  Writing 2 has a bad case of Writer's Block.  No one seems to know what to write about for today's Quick Write.  They try this and try that, but still they cannot come up with anything.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWS ALERT!  Writing 2 has a bad case of sneezing.  No one can finish a complete sentence because the sneezes stop them.  Even Mrs. Prichard cannot stop sneezing because the sneezes are contagious and we cannot figure out a way to stop.  We need to find a method or way to find a solution to stop the sneezing.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWS ALERT!  Writing 2 has a bad case of cabin fever!  Symptoms are:  anxiety, inability to sit still, no focus, slight insanity, weight gain, and/or lethargy.  If you see any signs, please report to the authorities before it spreads.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWS ALERT!  Writing 2 has a bad case of having lots of people writing about its bad cases.  I mean, I looked around and everybody is writing a bad case about it.  So there must be something wrong.

Literary Love Letters, 2017

Below are submissions by the Writing 1 class for the Quick Write prompt to write "Literary Love Letters."
------------------------------------

Oh long and drawn out explanations, how I love the way you explain mountains, trees, and crystal streams.  I love the way that you drone on and one and one about the majesty and serendipity of all the wondrous places you paint with your words, but my favorite part is the way that all of this doesn't tie ino the plot.  It's only there for immersion.

------------------------------------

Dear Onomatopoeia,
     I love the way you can spice up any story.  You make it come alive.  With the words "Crash!  Bang!  Boom!" one is able to better picture what may have happened or is happening.
     You help everyone express what they heard or saw.  The best children's book are filled with you.  You make stories come alive.

From a lover of exciting stories

------------------------------------

Dear Book Series,
     Boy, do I love a good book series.  It's always nice to know that when you finish one book, there's another on the way.  It's a good feeling when you finish one good book, that six or seven of maybe more are sitting there waiting to be read.  There's a nice amount of depth to the story that is enjoyable to read when you know that the story has just begun and you can really familiarize yourself with the characters and the story.

A lover of books

------------------------------------

My favorite thing to write is a rhyme
It's how I spend most of my time
Yes, my heart is pure and true
Dear Literary Device, I love you.

------------------------------------

Oh how I love C. S. Lewis's, the Chronicles of Narnia series.  With such vivid and imaginativ e writing, not to mention the subtle Biblical ties in his books.  I just can't step away from these books that I just can't stop loving.

Literary Love Letter, 2016

Each year, either just before Valentine's Day or right after, I assign the students to write a "Literary Love Letter" as their Quick Write.  Below are this year's contributions.

A love letter to periods:
Oh Period,
How small and insignificant you are. How steadfast and strong, separating long and boring sentences like a bar.  With the other punctuation you stand, without praise, without song.  Among the others, you are most vital.

Words!  I love that you can express with them!

To a Quick Write
How I love your personality
Everything has a problem
Rambunctious at times
Melodramatic in nature
Incredibly worried about homework
Owl exams far in advance
Nothing compares to you
Emeralds remind me of you.

To My Dearest Adjective,
I must write to you to tell you how incredible you are.  Your talent at spicing up sentences and brimming life to them is something unparalleled.  Your broad range of ability is nothing short of amazement.  You truly are the best part of speech.

Dear Miss Elizabeth Bennett,
I am very very ill.  I have not been able to leave my bed since you left from your visit to Pemberly.  I feel like a child deprived of candy.  Like the moon without stars to shine with.  The sun has ceased to shine.  The grass has turned a dismal brown.  The flowers have died.  Oh, how I long to see you so that my life will have the light of the sun.  So that the flowers grow and the grass turns green.  The moon will have the stars to shine with the earth will have the warmth of the sun.  My wells have gone dry since you left.  Return to me so I may have water again. The crops have failed since you left.  Return so I have may have food.  I have declared my love for you.
Love,
Mr. Darcy


Dear Words,
What can I say -- you make me feel happy, joyful, excited.  But you also make me feel angry, hurt, and down.  You make me confused and disgusted.  Out of all these things, you make me feel loved.  Opening up a new book full of you makes me happy -- you create and express new stories in so many different ways.  You make me feel anxious and make me hold my breath.  You leave me second guessing.  There are no words to describe you, the way you make me so excited and hung up on a certain book.

Dear Words,
You make papers and letters love  You make love letters.  Words can be fancy and extravagant or the can be simple.  They can be loud or quiet.  I love you, Words.  You make words full of joy and love most of the time.
Love,
A Grateful Student

Dear Spellcheck,
You complete all my unfinished words.  You help me even when I didn't know I needed help.  Sometimes you spell my last name wrong, but it's OK.  I love you despite your flaws with names.  You are the reason I get through writing papers.  I couldn't do it without you!
Love,
Abigail

Dear Mrs. Prichard,
You are the best teacher CHAT has seen.  You make every class extraordinary to its fullest potential.  Thank you for being an amazing writing teacher.
Happy Valentine's Day,
Your favorite student

To Words,
If it weren't for words, we wouldn't know how to express ourselves.  We couldn't share our thoughts or feelings with one another.  In fact, I think it would show the true colors of someone because you would have to learn who they truly are by their actions, not their words.
~ Your Student

To the Pen or Pencil,
You're such a blessing to all.  Without you two, we wouldn't be able to express our thoughts.  We would hardly have creativity, but you brought that to us.  I love you, guys, and hope you will continue to bring us joy as we write and become more creative.
~ Your Student

Dear Titles of Papers,
Thank you for giving me an idea of what I'm about to read.  Without you, I would know whether I was reading about chickens or nuclear waste.
Thank you,
Love,
Your Student

Literary Love Letters

Each year, just before Valentine's Day, I assign Quick Writes in which the students write "love letters" for something writing or literature related.  Below are some samples for our last Quick Writes:

Dear Apostrophe,

You are so beautiful the way you show ownership.  The way you fit between the owner and the "s" is amazing.  You can make nouns into adjectives, and you make my heart to mushy stuff.

Love,

A Student

Dear Lovely Series Comma,

You have caused much strife and have sparked many arguments with your controversial relationship.  And is very attached to you and luckily you two are often forced together.  However, I, the Delete Button, want you more than And could ever.  I long to be with you in the world of non-existence.  You and I could run through the fields of digital codes and never end up before the AND again.

Love,

The Delete Button

Dearest Pencil,

I love you, pencil.  You allow me to write my thoughts on my other dear friend, paper.  I am forever grateful that I have you pencil.  And no, I am not cheating on you with pen or Sharpie.

Sincerely yours,

A Student

P.S.  We are over.  I am breaking with you. I bet you did not see that coming ....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Microsoft Word,

 I cannot live without you.  All your different fonts and colors are too beautiful to comprehend.  I do not know which font of yours I love most.  Your background and layouts amaze me.

Forever yours,

The key board

Oh my pencil!  How my heart was crushed by sorrow

when you passed from me to another owner.

However, my intentions are not to grieve over you,

but to plead that you might come back to me, the joy of my life.

You are everything that I love.  The radiance of my heart.

You fitteth in my hand so well as if our hearts were infinitely bound to one another.

A peaceful meadowlark singing is the calmness you cover my heart with. 

A perfect sunset over the deep, blue ocean is the beauty of your heart. 

The thrill of diving into calm water on a burning morning is the relaxation you give me.

My deepest joys are ignited when the familiar feel of

your perfect pencilness rests in the nook of my  hand. 

Oh, my pencil, how I love you and yearn for you.

A Poem
Writing papers
It is not for me anymore
I am sorry

Dear Ticonderoga,

I'm sorry that our lovely relationship had to end so soon.  Mechanical is just so much nicer though, and while you are away at the Sharpener, Mechanical just requires the push on a button.  Shame on you for seeing the Sharpener.

Love,
A Student

Another Poem

Shall I compare they to a midsummer's day.
No, because then I've be playing out side

I am forced to stay inside, not play

Dear School, I'm afraid we are done
A few months and then you are gone
Don't cry, I'll see you next year
In fact you don't even deserve this song
But because Mrs. Prichard says this letter is for love,
Dear School, you must come from above.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Backspace,

I don't know what I would do without you.  You have changed the world of writing for me.  I no longer need to worry about spelling or grammatical errors because you make it easy to fix.  I still remember the first time I was allowed to use that button of yours.  You allow me moments of joy such as holding down letters and being able to get rid of them without the embarrassment of having to send that to someone.

Love,
Your writer and user.

Dear Pencil,
I write this letter with sadness but confidence,.  I'm afraid your love has been fading for some time now, but I've been afraid to let go.  I smile at the memories of our first day, when we worked together to write my name on that kindergarten note book.  There was a spark that day, but the spark is gone.  My eyes have been wandering to more elegant, efficient, and stylish utensils.  I now this hurts, but I'm actually writing this letter with my current love, a beautiful blue pen.  Her ink glides across the page with far less effort than your graphite ever did.  I'm sorry, but you're old news.  Goodbye, Pencil.
With loving memories,
A Student

Dear Comma,
You have saved many a life for when I say, "Let's eat, Grandpa," without you, we would all be forced to eat our beloved elder.  For this, I thank you on behalf of all Grandfathers everywhere.
Love,
A Student



Dear Period,
Without you, I feel as though I have no end.  As if I was incomplete.  I know you were worried about the comma coming in between our relationship, but I tell you it is not.  You are my Omega, and I am your Alpha.
Yours truly,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Laptop,
Thank you for always being there for me when I need to write an essay or mystery story.  You make my life better.
Love,
A Student

Dear Books,
We need to talk.  I hate you.  I hate the way you steal my time.  You give me dark circles under my eyes in the morning.  I waste my money on you, and my peace of mind.  You make me cry; you make me weep.  My friends  hate you.  You're the only think I talk about.  but what I hate about you most is the way I don't hate.  I love you, and I hate that I love you.  Dear books, we need to talk.
Yours truly,
A Student

Dearly beloved #2 Pencil,
You are my favorite point of the day.  I love the way you've helped me erase my mistakes.  You've led me to heights I never thought were possible.
Love,
A Student

To my beloved Pencil,
You have always stuck with me.  Even when you break, you come back to me.  For years you've led my thoughts to my paper.  I'm forever grateful.  Your time is fading away because the stylus family is taking your place.  I want you to know that I will never forget you. 
With love,
The hand that controls you

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Eraser,
You are my savior.  You help me to erase my mistakes.  You are so forgiving.  If I mess up, you are there for me.  You never keep a grudge.  No matter how many times I mess up, you are always right there to help me.  I do not know what I would do without you.  If I did not have you, my writing papers would be a mess.  Thank you  for always being there for me.  I love you.
Love,
A Student

Dear Laptop,
You are my one true love on Valentine's Day!  When my hand aches and cramps from writing stories, I always have you to turn to.  I share all my deepest thoughts and memories with you, knowing you will keep them all safe on your hard drive.  You are the total package:  dictionary, encyclopedia, spell check and search engines.  My writing couldn't make it in this world without you.  I take you everywhere with me:  the coffee shop, school, the park, and the community college.  Oh Laptop, I need you al the time. If I had a choice, I would be typing this Quick Write on Word.
Love,
A Student.

Dear Grammar,
We have been through a lot together, ups and downs.  Well, mostly downs.  Your strict rules are just too hard for me to follow.  I just can't keep living my life to them.  Every time I talk, you correct me.  I bet you have your little red pen out right now and are scribbling all over this, making it bleed.  We can't keep doing this ......
Good bye!
A Student


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Haiku Series


Five syllables here
Seven syllables are there
Amazing Haiku.


Do you love Haikus
I love you Haiku, tis true
I'll grow old with you


Together we are
Forever my love, amen
Til death do us part


Haiku died.  I died.
Tragedy is upon us
I loved till the end.

Dear Exclamation Point,
I am sorry.  We are breaking up.  You truly are a great guy, but ... have you seen Apostrophe?  I'm sorry, But I was questioning your ping.
Yours truly,
Comma








Dear Pen,
You are astoundingly beautiful.  Your body flows with such elegance, and the way you put it down is amazing.  Your intricate workings are wonderful, and I can always pick you up where I left you at.  You "click" so well, and are always ready to have fun with me.  I may be picky regarding my choice of pen, but you, my dear, are absolutely perfect -- the Pilot G-2 .07.

Dear Paper,
Without you, the world would be a much less expressive place.  There would be much less kindling for the fire, too, but that is not the point. Also, the introverts of the world would be unable to express their feelings and thus, explode.  So, for all those lonely introverts, I thank you.  Thank you for saving lives.
Yours truly,
A Student.

Quick Write Instructional Video

Below is the video I had for the students with instructions for the Quick Write.

Quick Write Samples

THINKING ABOUT A NOUN

"Patience"
Loving someone
Teaching someone
in line at the DMV
in Traffic
God has patience with us
When thins are not going your way
With our family
School
Friends
Spiritual walk
Your enemies or people you have enmity  towards
People you disagree with

"Perseverance"
Spring break just finished and it was one of the best ones ever!  But reality set in and school starts back up tomorrow.  How can one possibly focus on school when you were just free from school for a week and you know you only have five weeks left of school.  You could very well say "oh, it's only five weeks.  I don't have to work hard at this" but how would that look on my final grade?  or on a college resume when they look at it and say, "well, looks like he can't get a good grade because he can't focus long enough.  You can choose what you want, but don't you get that awesome feeling inside when you worked hard for something even when you didn't want to and it pays off?  It feels great!  So my advice to you is even when you don't want to do something, always finish strong because it always counts and someone is always looking.

"Death"
        Death, death is the end of a story, the end of an adventure that lasts all life long.  Death, death is the end of a life.  What is life?  Life is the absence of death.  Death is the absence of life.  Death, death is cold hands inviting you into a house of darkness.  Life is the absence of darkness, life is light.  Life is a flame, illuminates the surroundings around it and brightening other flames.  death, death is snuffing out the light.  The absence of life welcomes death.  The light looks for ways to see into the dark, but it cannot.  Death, death is a void where nothing exists but the thought of the cold, unwelcoming darkness.  There is a way to defeat the darkness.  One flame has done it, an everlasting light that leads all others to live with Him eternally.
       Death, death is dead.

Mrs. Prichard

Awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome,

amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, 

cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, 

fantastic, fantastic, fantastic, fantastic, fantastic, fantastic, fantastic, fantastic, fantastic, 

the best, the best, the best, the best, the best, the best, the best, the best, the best, the best,

stupendous, stupendous, stupendous, stupendous, stupendous, stupendous, stupendous, 

crafty, crafty, crafty, crafty, crafty, crafty, crafty, crafty, crafty, crafty, crafty, crafty, crafty, 

smart, smart, smart, smart, smart, smart, smart, smart, smart, smart, smart, smart, smart,

totally tubular, totally tubular, totally tubular, totally tubular, totally tubular, totally tubular, 

the best teacher, the best teacher, the best teacher, the best teacher, the best teacher,