March 22

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting
• 2nd or 3rd (Final) draft of your essay on the topic of your choice. 

THEN

• Winter Activities and 3 Favorite Things essays (Some of you may only need to complete one of these, and others may have finished them already.)

THEN

• Complete your four note-taking outlines about dolphins.  Using one complete outline for each source is helpful even if there is no information on a certain topic from a given source.  The presence of the entire outline helps you, even subconsciously, keep in mind how the topic relates to the whole.  So, because you have four sources you will create four outlines with space for taking notes.
  
  
  Try not to copy unless you plan to use the words as a quote!  Instead, summarize the thought.  Keep track of the bibliographic material as you go; it will make writing your bibliography much easier later!

Our writing steps

• Choose your subject
• Ask yourself questions
• Gather Sources
• Read a simple source (encyclopedia)
• Brainstorm topics (make sure you have extra!)
• Choose your topics
• Create an outline
• Take notes
• Make a master outline
• Write!

DON'T PANIC!

Because we're working on a number of different projects, there will be extra time built into next week's schedule.  Write for 100 minutes this week and be prepared to finish up next week.

March 8

Homework

• Writing Minutes (There is a link to the file on your right.)
• Finish your Winter Activities essay
• 2nd draft of the essay you wrote on the topic of your choice
• IF you have finished your Winter Activities essay, and I know a number of you have, begin a second informal essay on your three favorite ___________.  You can write about your three favorite books, movies, meals, vacation spots, sports, or something else.  

1. Choose Subject (My Favorite ________________)

2.  Brainstorm topics 

3. Create Outline

4. Ask yourself questions and take notes (Who? What? When? Where? How? Why?  Remember, this         is an informal essay, so you are the expert source.)

5. Write (Remember your dress-ups and openers!)

Here is your checklist:

March 1

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting (You live alone.  One day you come home and find a sword and an old, leather-bound book on your coffee table.)
• 2nd Draft of your essay on the topic of your choice.  These are the essays I edited and discussed with you last class.
• Finish your Winter Activities essay (Do not worry if you run out of time before you finish this.  Some of you will have plenty of time to finish this essay while others may need a bit more.  Write for 100 minutes then stop.  :-) )

This week's weather report shows the potential for ANOTHER storm on Thursday.  If SEEDS is canceled this week, you do not get a week off.  Instead check the website and your email for next week's assignment and any information you may need to complete it.  I will post the class's assignment here, and email individuals as necessary.

February 15

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting (Everything was covered in ice---even the people.)
• Complete Winter Activity Outline and begin writing IF you feel comfortable.  You may choose different topics than the ones we chose in class.

Here's the outline we began in class:

I.  Skiing / Snowboarding

   1.  Lost Valley / Small Mountain / Auburn

   2.  tricks / 360 / wacky worm

   3.  eating / lodge / fries

   4.  favorite / trail / ________________

   5. difficulty / marked / ______________

   (6.)

II.  Snowmobiling

   1.

   2. 

   3.

   4.

   (5).

   (6).

III.  Ice Fishing

   1.  

   2.

   3.

   4.

   (5).

   (6).

February 8

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Try to finish your 5 paragraph essay on the topic of your choice.  Remember your steps!

Choose a subject

Ask yourself questions

Gather source

Skim source

Brainstorm topics

Create Outline

Read source & Take notes

Write 

To review, a 5 paragraph essay includes three body paragraphs (the information part of your essay that you write from your notes), a conclusion paragraph, and an introductory paragraph.  Take a look here, if you need a reminder about introductory and concluding paragraphs.  Each paragraph needs all its dress-ups and openers, and your three body paragraphs need topic and concluding sentences.  Please email, text, or call me if you're having difficulty!  :-)

February 1

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting ("Why are you here?"  "I promise I won't cause trouble this time."
• Story Summary (if necessary)
• Begin writing a 5 paragraph essay on the subject of your choice.  You are not expected to have the essay written by next week.  You should be aiming to have all the pre-writing finished this week.  Here are the steps to follow.
• Choose a subject
• Ask yourself questions
• Gather source
• Skim source
• Brainstorm topics
• Create Outline
• Read source & Take notes
• Write (Next week)

January 25

Homework

• Writing Minutes
• Freewriting (You have the ability to freeze time.  When you do, everyone freezes too.  One day you freeze time, but when you look out your window, you see someone walking around.)
• Summary Draft #2 or #3 (if necessary)
• Pyramid Essay (This should have all five paragraphs:  three body paragraphs, each with a topic and concluding sentence, an introductory paragraph, and a concluding paragraph; all your dress-ups and openers; and a lead.)