Composition (Writing is Wonderful!)

Check here for writing assignments.

Descriptive and Narrative Writing

You will write about a "summer fun" memory. This can be from this past summer or a few summers ago. Nothing imaginary here - well maybe, we want to read about the real stuff, the fun something, the cool place from summer. This needs to be based on FACTS. Make it realistic - and the less fiction, the more believable it will be!

Audience: We will start in class by talking about how you as an author can "write your readers into that memory' so that they almost feel as if they were there too! Who are your readers? Your classmates, other grades, all the teachers, your whole learning community here! You have a large audience who wants to think of summer as fall weather starts cooling us off this week.

Graphic Organizer: Back to those details....make five boxes and label each one of your senses. Jot key words or phrases that describe what you felt/touched, smelled, saw, heard, and tasted. Close your eyes and try to remember. If you have a photo or two, that would be helpful. Fill in those sensory details! Add a cricle with a phrase or two that gives a general sense of what this memory is about.

Rough Draft: Now you have material for the body of your description. How to organize the info? Spatially as you see it, logically by some grouping, sequentially as you experience it, chronologically as you experienced it, sky to ground, by degrees....a multitude of possibilities but hope those got you rolling! Write and/or type your rough draft body.

Introduction: This is easier to write AFTER your have written the body. Here is your chance to make a big first impression! You need to captivate your audience, grab your readers' attention, pique their curiosity!Ask them a question, make an interesting point of comparison, use related humor, use a contrasting point, find an interesting related fact.....there are endless possibilities! Why was this a great moment in summer?

Conclusion: What will you always remember? What would be a fabuloous imaginary next event? Is there a humorous comment? What pulls it all together and leaves the reader satisfied?

100 points possible:

10 - graphic organizer

25 - typed rough draft with marks

15 - three peer reviews worth 5 points each

50 - final paper

typed rough draft due: T

Final due: T

Stapled behind the final, include: typed rough draft, 3 peer reviews, graphic organizer

America & Me Essay   -  My Personal Hero:

Questions to Ponder – Thoughts to Think About…

 

Pick someone you know personally:

 

Who lives their life in such a way that you look up to him or her?

 

Do you know someone who has overcome a big challenge in their life?

 

Do you know someone who has put great effort into helping someone else?

 

Do you know someone who you hope to be like some day?

 

Do you know someone who on a day to day basis always, consistently helps someone? It does not require a huge special effort, but perhaps a regular everyday effort?

 

 

 

How has this person lived their life? Specifically, what have they done? Do you have a special situation, event, action you can describe?

 

Are there any comments, quotes, or sayings that this person uses regularly or used one time that is/are significant? Tell us.

 

Are there any comments or common quotes people often say about how great this person is? Tell us.

 

Is there a particular event that he or she may someday help you with?Describe this.

 

What qualities describe this person? What does this person do that exhibits these qualities? Show us.

Permission slips - Due

Explanation & Graphic Organizer - In Class -

Rough Ideas, Notes in Graphic Organizer - Due 10/9/09

Typed Rough Draft - Due F 10/16/09 (peer reviews in-class, 2 required)

Final for Recheck - Due TH 10/22/09

Perfect Final - Due F 10/23/09 Word Count written at bottom of last page of final.

******Check your rules booklet for heading requirements!!!*****

Stapled behind the final, include: typed rough draft, 2 peer reviews, graphic organizer

Compare and Contrast Composition

Titles of Two Movies & Word Banks Due -

Graphic Organizer of Points of Comparison and details Due -

Hand Written Evidence of aRough Draft of body Due -

Typed Rough draft Due - 9

Typed "Perfect" Final Due -

Short Story (Created specially for our Kindergarten friends!)

Interviewing Kindergarten Friends: Begin thinking about exposition, theme, plot, conflict, climax, resolution. Short stories really focus on one main character and very few minor characters.

Rough Draft due end of clss W

Typed Rough Draft Due W- Class peer reviews

Final Typed Story Due M

Technical Writing

You will write the instructions needed to instruct someone on how to do something in a sport or art in which you are involved. Explanation given J.

Rough Technical Writing due -

Typed Rough Due -

Final Typed Technical Writing due - TH

Demonstrations M

Short Story - Stories written by you for your kindergarden friend with that kindergardener as the main character.

Dedication on PAGE  ONE:

"This book is dedicated to _____." (your k friend)

"This story was created by his/her special eighth grade friend in April 2009."

Add a special reading comment: "Reading Rocks!" OR "READ just for the FUN of it!" OR "A book is a gift you get to open over and over again!"

LAST   PAGE:

(Please give a brief background on both you and your Kfriend.)

(You)'s favorite author/book is ________________.

He/She will attend _________ High School in the fall of 20___.

He/She hopes to be a ___________ . OR She/He plans to study ______ in college.

(K name) enjoys ____________.

Her/His fovorite color is __________.

His/Her favorite animal is __________.

Add closing wish: "May everyone who reads this book smile!"

Research Reports

Beginning Explanation - F4/17/09

You choose the topic - Anything relating to American History from the Civil War to the present.

Students will need 4x6 (larger) index cards for taking notes.

1. Choose a topic that you are curious about or fascinated with because you will focus on this project for several weeks!

Topics chosen by: T 4/21/09 2009

2. Research materials (minimum one book) selected from libraries and brought to class for: M 4/27/092009

3. INDEX CARD (LARGE 4X6 SIZE) DUE WITH NOTES AND RESOURCE INFO ON W 4/29/09 2009

4. Bring printed pages from QUALIFIED web site to use for note taking AND completed notes by end of class time - due W 4/29/09 2009

5. Outlining taught on F 5/1/09

6. Outline due by: TH 5/7/09 2009 Will review writing introductions, conclusions, transitions, organization

7. EVIDENCE of Research Report Rough Draft must be shown during in-class writing time on T 5/12/09 2009

8. Typed Rough Draft due by: F 5/15/09 May 2009

9. Final Typed Report including resources page due by: beginning Mon 5/18/09 and no later than F 5/22/09 2009

USE YOUR STUDENT PLANNER WISELY!!!