September 17

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting (Write a poem about your breakfast.)
• Choose a fairytale and use it to fill in a plot diagram

September 10

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting (Suddenly my arms became tentacles....)
• Use your Inca outline to write a paragraph.  Remember to use a strong verb and a quality adjective!

September 3

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting ("My pet hippo got lost today....")
• Outline the Inca paragraph  (Use the Scorpionfish as an example.)

Writing expectations for the year can be found here.

May 14

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Use your outline to write a 5 paragraph essay on the subject of your choice!  (Remember we added a new dress-up:  Adverbs!)
• AFTER your 5 paragraph essay is finished, begin writing your story based on your picture.  Use the prewriting you did last week.  You may write more than three paragraphs, just make sure you include all three sections!

Please note:  All report cards will be mailed as soon as possible.  Before I can give you a report card you will need to complete a final draft of your 5 paragraph essay (and/or other assignments).  Some of you may need extra time, and that’s OK.  Any missing/incomplete/in-progress work can be emailed to me anytime.  As soon as I receive your final assignment, I’ll send your report card as soon as possible!

May 7

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Use your outline to write a 5 paragraph essay on the subject of your choice!  (Remember we added a new dress-up:  Adverbs!)
• AFTER your 5 paragraph essay is finished, begin prewriting your story based on your picture.  Use the following to continue organizing your thoughts before you write.  You may write more than three paragraphs, just make sure you include all three sections!

Setting

Time:

Place:

Character

Plot

Paragraph 1: What happened before the picture?

Paragraph 2: What happened in the picture?

Paragraph: 3: What happened after the picture?

April 30

 

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting (Today I woke up in Ancient Egypt)
• Use your outline to write a 5 paragraph essay on the subject of your choice!  (Remember we added a new dress-up:  Adverbs!)

April 16

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting (A recipe for invisibility)
• Begin working on a 5 paragraph essay on the subject of your choice!

1. Choose subject

Typically choose something you are interested in or have encountered before the paper was assigned. This way you have a framework, however scanty, with which to interact with the material.  If you know you have a paper due for another class, I have no problem with you using that paper for this class as well.

2. Ask yourself questions

This helps you determine what aspects of your subject interest you, and they may be used for brainstorming topics later on.

3.  Skim source

Determine what information is contained in your source.  You may be interested in how to train elephants, but your source may not mention that topic.  This way you have some idea about what information is available to you before you create your outline. 

4.  Brainstorm topics

Always come up with some extras.  If you need three body paragraphs, brainstorm at least 5 options just in case.

5. Create outlines

Decide on topics. And create your note-taking outline.  It should look like this:

I.  Topic 1

1.

2.

3.

4.

(5).

(6).

II.  Topic 2

1.

2.

3.

4.

(5).

(6).

III.  Topic 3

1.

2.

3.

4.

(5).

(6).

Remember, an outline is a guide and may be altered at any time before the final draft!

6.  Read your source thoroughly and take notes.  Try not to copy unless you plan to use the words as a quote!