Welcome to Creative Writing

Week 1: 9/6-9/9

Monday
No School--Labor Day
Tuesday
Goals: You will...
    • Get to know each other
    • Begin writing and sharing
    • Describe major assignments
    • Find classroom supplies
  • Welcome
  • Syllabus
  • Homework: 3 ring binder with 5 dividers (Due Wednesday)
  • Wordle
  • Writing Time 1:How is everything going today?
  • Writing Time 2:What is Creative?
Wednesday
Goals: You will...
    • Begin writing and sharing
    • Define some poetic terms
    • Explore how images and poetic techniques work within writing
  • SSR
  • Writing Time 1: What is Poetry?
  • Check for binders and dividers
  • Poetry PPT Part 2 and notes
  • Real Life Similes and Metaphors
  • Writing Time 2: What images haunt you?
  • Images excerpt from The Poet's Companion
    • Read and highlight what defines images/what you can take away.
    • Discuss images in poems
    • Homework: One of the 6 ideas for writing (Due Thursday)
Thursday
Goals: You will...
Friday
Goals: You will...
    • share writing
    • practice reading poems
  • Writing Time 1: Favorite movie lines
  • Shortest Poem Homework Due
    • Share with class
    • Turn in
  • Homework: Object Poem due Tuesday--due Monday for WC students
  • Object Poem Example
  • Writing Time
Week 2: 9/12-9/16

Monday
Goals: You will...
    • identify forms of writing
    • compare classical/contemporary poetry
  • Journal:
    • What letter would you like to write but not send?
    • If you had unlimited resources, where would you go this coming weekend? Why?
  • Review Poetic Techniques
  • Sounds of Contemporary Poetry handout
  • Traditional vs. Contemporary Poetry examples (document reader)
  • Practice with writer's circle
  • Homework: Contemporary Poem (found or created) due Wednesday
  • Writing Time (don't forget your work log)
    • Memorial Poem
    • Object Poem (if not done)
    • Contemporary Poem
    • Comments on WC poems
Tuesday
Goals: You will...
    • Write and share
    • "Find" poetry
  • Journal: What would you like to name your children? Why? Choose at least one boy's and one girl's name.
  • Journal: What are your feelings about God? How have these feelings developed over the years? (influences)
  • Reading Poetry Review and Children's Poetry (How does sound affect poetry?)
  • Found poetry
    • What is it?
    • Examples on document reader
  • Writing Time in the IMC (main lab and tables)
Wednesday
Goals: You will...
    • Share poetry
    • Give/receive constructive feedback
    • use unusual figurative language
  • SSR
  • Writer's Circle
    • "Process"
    • Katelyn
    • Callie
    • Sergio
    • Nick
  • Examples
  • Copycat Poem "Watermelons"
    • Copy the structure, number of words, and grammar
Thursday
Goals: You will...
    • play with language
    • write and share
  • Journal: Egg Horror Poem
  • Scattegories
    • Most creative gets the point
    • Crossword for EC
Friday
Goals: You will...
    • write and share
    • create appositives to fill in details
    • search for writing ideas
  • String Savers: fill a page with quotes, pictures, clippings, etc. that could be topics for your writing
  • Appositives sheet
    • What are appositives?
    • Why should you use them in poetry?
    • Create examples
  • Family Poem Intro
    • Write a list of Good and Bad things about your parents
    • Poem assignment handout
    • Writing Time
Week 3: 9/19-9/23

Monday
Goals: You will...
    • identify differences between prose poetry and traditional forms
  • Journal: What's on your mind?
  • Prose Poetry
    • What is it?
    • What elements will it still include?
    • Assignment sheet
  • Writing Groups
  • Work Time
    • individual
    • meet with groups for the last 10 minutes
  • Distribute poems for writer's circle
Tuesday
Goals: You will...
    • include more details in your writing.
  • Journal: If I were the teacher, I would....
  • Journal: If I could give one piece of advice to ay person in history, it would be....
  • Turn in Family Poem
  • Shell Game Part 1
    • Shell Modeling
    • Writing Group Work 1
      • Assign roles
        • Whip--Makes sure that everyone contributes.
        • Chair--Makes sure the assignment gets done.
        • Writer/Reviewer--Writes down the work and makes sure that enough detail has been included.
      • Pick a shell to write about
      • Describe it as clearly as possible
      • When you are finished, put the two shells and your writing together.
  • Work Time
Wednesday
You will...
    • give appropriate constructive criticism
    • write quickly on a variety of topics
  • SSR
  • Journal: Describe a dream that you've had recently. Provide as many details as possible.
  • Turn in Prose Poem
  • Writer's Circle
  • Spontaneous Writing Booths
Thursday
You will...
    • write more focused, unique descriptions
  • Journal: Write a haiku.
  • Writing Group Work 2
    • I will redistribute the shells and the pieces you have created.
    • Based on the description you got, which shell was described?
    • Highlight moments of brilliance. Which details helped you visualize the shell? Which lines are pure genius?
  • Picture Poem assignment and work time
Friday
You will...
    • practice generating creative ideas
    • become more aware of how verb choice affects your writing
  • Journal: String Savers
  • Survivor application
    • write fictional application
    • divide into groups--choose a winner
  • Verbs
    • fold a paper in half
    • write 10 nouns on one side
    • write 15 verbs related to an occupation on the other
    • mix and match to make new sentences
    • What affect do the verbs have on your writing? Do you prefer over-the-top verbs or regular ones?
Week 4: 9/26-9/30

Monday
You will....
    • consider how symbols work in poetry through dream interpretation
    • write and share
  • Journal 1: Think of a dream that you have had recently. Describe it as fully as you can. Think specifically about the images in it, not just the feeling you had when you experienced it. If you do not have a dream of your own, you may think of one that someone you know has shared with you.
  • Dream Poem assignment--Due Thursday
  • Lab Time
  • Writing Time
  • Writing Groups
  • Don't forget to fill in your work log
Tuesday
You will...
    • consider how writing transcends stereotypes
  • Watch "Finding Forrester"
Wednesday
You will...
    • share your writing
    • provide constructive feedback
    • consider how writing transcends stereotypes
  • SSR
  • Writer's Circle
  • Work time for Dream Poems
Thursday
You will...
    • share your writing
    • write a complete poem within limited time
    • be more specific in your descriptions
  • Journals
  • Tribute Poem assignment
  • Work Time
  • Writing groups
  • Describe that color activity
Friday
You will...
    • search for writing ideas
  • String Savers
  • Finish "Finding Forrester"
Week 5: 10/3-10/7

Monday
You will...
    • share your writing
    • write for a variety of purposes
  • Journals
  • Different Voice Poem
    • examples
    • review comments
  • Writing Time
  • Birth/Death Poem
    • examples
  • Writing Time
Tuesday
You will...
    • share your writing
    • write for a variety of purposes
    • explore different ideas for writing
  • Journals
  • Angel/Gargoyle Poem
  • Writing Exercise--write a couplet poem
  • Work Time
Wednesday
You will...
    • share your writing
    • comment constructively on others' work
    • write for a variety of purposes
  • SSR
  • Journals
  • Writer's Circle
  • Work Time
Thursday
You will...
    • make major revisions to a poem
    • practice writing fluently
  • Journals
  • Turn in poems
  • Writing exercise--Passed poems--Each student adds a line to the poem without seeing the previous lines. You may not use the same line more than once.
  • Radical Revision assignment
  • Work Time
Friday
You will...
    • Play with language
  • Modern Malapropisms
Week 5: 10/10-10/14

Monday
You will...
    • revise and edit your poetry
  • Journal
  • Poetry Book assignment
  • Work Time
Tuesday
You will...
    • revise and edit your poetry
  • Journal
  • Radical Revisions due
  • Work Time
Wednesday
You will...
    • comment appropriately on other's work
  • SSR
  • Journal
  • Writer's Circle
  • Review other options for personal pieces
Thursday
You will...
    • revise and edit your poetry
  • Journal
    • Terse Verse
    • Limericks
  • Work Time on Poetry Books
Friday
You will...
    • find ideas for your writing
  • String Savers
  • Work Time on Poetry Books
Week 6: 10/17-10/21

Monday
You will...
    • brainstorm ideas for you non-fiction writing
    • describe the difference between fiction and non-fiction
  • Poetry Books Due
  • Journals
    • write a list of historical events/people that come to mind
    • write a list of memories that you remember well
  • Journal Writing
    • School Rules
    • Example
    • Writing Time
  • Non-fiction MultiGenre Assignment
Tuesday
You will...
    • research a person/event to write about
  • Journals--review rules
  • Brainstorm options for writing
  • Essay writing
  • Research time in the library
Wednesday
You will...
    • find relevant information for the nonfiction project
  • SSR
  • Journal
  • Research time
Thursday
You will...
    • analyze the effectiveness of humor in writing
    • write a short piece using humor
  • Journal
  • Writing With Humor lesson
    • What is it?
    • How is it done well?
    • Examples
    • writing time
Friday
You will...
    • write in a variety of genres
    • collect ideas for writing
  • String Savers
  • Writing Time in the lab
Week 7: 10/24-28

Monday
You will...
    • discuss what works in non-fiction writing
  • Journal
  • Speaker: Dave McMacken
Tuesday
You will...
    • provide constructive criticism on writing
    • write about a subject in many genres
  • Journal
  • Writer's Circle
  • Lab Time
Wednesday
You will...
    • provide constructive criticism on writing
    • discuss audience
  • SSR
  • Journal
  • Writer's Circle
  • Children's Books (examples)
    • And Tango Makes Three
    • From Slave Ship to Freedom Road
Thursday
You will...
    • provide constructive criticism on writing
    • write about a subject in many genres
  • Journal
  • Writer's Circle
  • Lab Time
Friday
You will...
    • write about a subject in many genres
  • Lab Time (45 min)
  • Assembly
Week 8:
10/31-11/4

Monday
No School for Students--PD day
Tuesday
You will...
    • describe criteria for nonfiction
    • write in a variety of genres
  • Journal (20 min)
  • Review rubric for nonfiction project (15 min)
  • Review citations (10 min)
  • Lab Time (45 min)
Wednesday
You will...
    • list formatting options for writing drama
    • discuss what is necessary for a good play
  • SSR (15 min)
  • Journal (10 min)
  • Read Triflesto prepare for Diana Luehm's presentation in small groups so each person can read a part (45 min)
    • What does a good play have to have?
    • Is this a good play?
  • Notes: Structuring a Play (15 min)
Thursday
Diana Luehm
Friday
You will...
    • write a monologue that shows internal conflict
  • Journal and sharing (20 minutes)
  • Poetry Books signing (20 min)
  • What is a monologue? (5 min)
  • Monologue assignment (5 min)
  • Writing Time (40 min)
Week 10: 11/7-11

Monday
You will...
    • identify the parts of a play
  • The Importance of Being Earnest
    • identify part of a play within movie
Tuesday
You will...
    • revise and edit your work
    • share your writing
    • write collaboratively
  • Journal
  • Practice monologue with a partner--add, revise
  • Monologue presentations
  • Skit assignment and writing time
Wednesday
You will...
    • give appropriate feedback on writing
    • write collaboratively
  • SSR
  • Journal
  • Skit writing time
Thursday
You will...
    • use believable dialogue in your work
    • use specific subtext
  • Journal
  • Skit presentations
  • Subtext game
    • write a line on a card with subtext (how it should be said)
    • pass in and redistribute
    • read aloud
  • What is subtext? How does it affect the play?
  • Rewrite skits with subtext
  • Dialogue
    • What would your characters actually say?
    • What makes dialogue believable?
Friday
You will...
    • identify believable dialogue
  • 12 Angry Men movie
    • list specific examples of believable dialogue
Week 11: 11/14-18

Monday
You will...
    • use believable dialogue in your skit
    • identify kinds of conflict
  • Finish 12 Angry Men
  • Play assignment: Write an 8-10 min play with as many or as few characters as necessary.
    • Review parts of a play
  • Work Time
Tuesday
No School--Deer Day
Wednesday
You will...
    • incorporate the parts of a play into your writing
  • Journal
  • Work Time
Thursday
You will... ** incorporate the parts of a play into your writing
    • use comments to revise your writing
    • make appropriate comments on other's writing
  • SSR
  • Journal
  • Revise your plays in small groups
  • Review your plays for tomorrow
Friday
You will...
    • share your writing
  • Read student plays as a class.
Week 12: 11/21-23

Monday
You will... ** share your writing
    • comment appropriately on other's writing
  • Journal
  • Read student plays as a class.
  • Comment for each one
Tuesday
You will... ** share your writing
    • comment appropriately on other's writing
  • Read student plays as a class.
  • Comments for each one
Wednesday
You will...
    • identify how characters are developed
    • describe the role of stock characters
  • SSR
  • The Princess Bride
    • As you watch the video, choose a character. List how that character is developed in the film.
    • As you watch, write down any stock characters that are used. What is their role in the movie? Why is it necessary to have them in there?
Thursday
No School--Thanksgiving
Friday
No School
Week 13: 11/28-12/2

Monday
You will...
    • identify stock characters
    • describe the stereotypical qualities of common stock characters
  • Journal (10 min)
  • Finish The Princess Bride (?)
  • Discuss notes on how a character is developed and stock characters. (15 min)
  • Stock Character Analysis sheet (25 min)
    • fill out individually
    • full class discussion
  • In a few paragraphs, describe your favorite stock character. Imagine that he/she just walked into the room. What do you notice about them (physical features, speech, etc.) (15 min)
  • Share paragraphs (15 min)
Tuesday
You will...
    • fill out a character's personality using multiple descriptive techniques
    • use observational skills to add details to your writing
  • Journal (10 min)
  • A Person's Purse--Divide students into groups of 3-4. Hand a purse/bag to each group. The group will go through the bag. Each person will write a description/story that highlights what that person is like based on the items in the bag. (20 min)
  • Person Prewriting--Think about a character in a book, TV show or movie. Make a list of physical attributes. List things they would say. List actions they would take or common reactions to situations. List quirks. (25 min)
    • Share lists with a partner and make suggestions
  • Person Literary Sketch Assignment Sheet
    • Review assignment (10 min)
    • Write about the person you chose, using your lists to guide your writing. (25 min)
Wednesday
You will...
    • share your writing
    • make appropriate comments on writing
    • identify how the descriptive techniques work in your writing to fill out your characters
  • SSR (20-25 min)
  • Journal (15 min)
  • Small groups for Writer's Circle. (15 min)
    • share personality sketches
    • pick one to share with the full class
    • as a group, write out why you chose that one without knocking the other ones
  • Choose one to share with the full class. Also tell why your group chose that one (Why does it stand out?). (15-20 min)
  • Class discussion of the descriptive techniques. (20 min)
    • What did you notice about how your peers sketched their people? What worked? What didn't?
    • If you had to do this assignment again, what would you change? (write this, then share)
Thursday
You will...
    • share your writing
    • describe a place fully
    • revise for complexity
    • comment on the writing of others
  • Journal (15 min)
  • Read Andrea's play (10 min)
  • Once you're done, you've only begun. (5 min)
    • Revise character sketches with a partner. Where can you go deeper? (10 min)
    • Writing Time (25 min)
  • Overview of tomorrow
    • Place assignment (10 min)
    • format of time (5 min)
    • survey for groups (10 min)
Friday
You will...
    • describe several locations using sensory details
    • write fluently (steadily)
    • use your observational skills to give better details in your writing
  • Writing Marathon (75 min)
    • Today we will be going to several locations through the school to write. Since you will be working on your place sketches, I want you to work on capturing the sense of each place as your write. We will only be in each place for about 15 minutes. Observe the details of the place, then write until I call time. After each place, meet with your group to read your pieces.
    • Welding room
    • Mr. Everhart's office
    • Auditorium
    • Gym
  • Share your favorite piece that you have written with the class. (15 min)
Week 14: 12/5-12/9

Monday
You will...
    • write fluently for short amounts of time on a variety of topics
    • brainstorm ideas
    • zoom in on details of an object to show the significance
  • Journal (10 min)
  • Write a list of objects--any objects. You should have at least 20. Circle your top 5 most intriguing. (10 min)
  • Spontaneous Writing Booths (40 min)
    • Find a partner
    • Exchange ideas
    • Write for 3 min
    • Share your best
  • Object Assignment (30 min)
    • Quick Writes
    • Review assignment
    • Find a focus--What impression do you want to make clear through your writing? Add/subtract details based on that focus.
    • Work time
    • Turn in Place sketches
Tuesday
You will...
    • describe an object with details
    • review for appropriate details
  • Journal (10 min)
  • Guess what? 20 questions (25 min)
    • Student goes in the hall
    • Others write down specific descriptions of a common object.
    • Student returns and guesses object based on descriptions.
    • Which descriptions were the most helpful?
  • Describe the sounds (35 min)
    • Play audio clips. Students describe what they hear and guess what it is.
    • Notice that some of the best descriptions are comparisons (metaphors and similes)
      • make sure that your comparisons match the mood/tone that you are going for
    • Other effects to try--personification, onomotopoeia, repetition, alliteration
      • more audio clips--try out the comparisons and effects for these
    • Avoiding Cliches--How can you take the ordinary and describe it in an extraordinary way?
  • Object Brainstorming--lists (15 min)
    • Go back to your string savers--Which objects might work?
    • first 5 objects that make you laugh
    • first 5 objects that you see every day
    • first 5 objects that hold significance to you
    • first 5 objects that puzzle you
    • first 5 objects that you share with others
    • first 5 objects that you want
  • Writing Time (10 min)
Wednesday
You will...
    • revise a piece of writing
    • add appropriate details
    • make appropriate comments on others' work
  • SSR (20 min)
  • Journal (10 min)
  • Peer Revision in groups of 3 (30 min)
    • Read your piece aloud to your group
    • Group discusses the overall impression of the piece
    • Group suggests details/examples/etc that could add to that impression
  • Revision time (30 min)
Thursday
You will...
    • use appropriate dialogue
    • describe how something is said
    • write collaboratively
  • Journal (15 min)
  • Dialogue
    • What is the purpose of the lit sketch assignments? To focus attention on description and how to pull details that support an feeling. (2 min)
    • Dialogue is a part of that--It develops characters and situations, but it should also give a clear sense of the action and purpose of the piece. (1 min)
    • Writing situations in groups of 3-4 (30 min)
      • Get in groups
      • Choose a strip of paper with a situation on it.
      • Write collaboratively
      • Share work with full class
    • Review Dialogue assignments and work time
      • Dialogue practice sheets (15 min)
      • Dialogue situation practice (30 min)
Friday
You will...
    • collect ideas for writing
    • write fluently
    • describe a picture thoroughly
  • Journal (10 min)
  • String Savers (20 min)
  • Pass the Paper (45 min)
    • Draw a picture on a sheet of paper
    • Pass it around the circle
    • Each person writes about that picture before passing it on.
    • Share the responses
Week 15: 12/12-12/16

Monday
You will...
    • provide appropriate feedback to others
    • revise your writing for purpose
    • list purposes for dialogue in fiction
    • revise using dialogue rules
  • Revise dialogue practice assignment (30 min)
    • Work with partner
    • Rewrite
  • New dialogue assignment
    • Review assignment (5 min)
    • Review dialogue rules and purposes (15 min)
      • What can we use dialogue for? How does it affect your writing?
      • Punctuation
      • Tags
    • Work time (40 min)
Tuesday
You will...
    • write dialogue purposefully
    • explode the moment in your writing (add dialogue, description, etc. to help describe the moment)
  • Journal (10 min)
  • Work time on dialogue assignment (30 min)
    • Revise with a small group
    • Rewrite
  • Explode the moment lesson (50 min)
    • PPT
Wednesday
You will...
    • expand significant moments using appropriate details
    • collaboratively brainstorm
  • SSR (30 min)
  • Journal (10 min)
  • Brainstorming--Scary moments (20 min)
  • Explode the moment assignment (10 min)
    • hand out and discuss
  • Work Time (20 min)
Thursday
You will...
    • use different voices in your writing
  • Journal (15 min)
  • Voice lesson (10 min)
  • Voice practice (20 min)
  • Elements of fiction (10 min)
  • Work time (30 min)
Friday
You will...
    • gather resources for writing
    • write collaboratively
  • String Savers (25 min)
  • Journal (10 min)
  • Creative Writing Word Scramble (15 min)
  • 55 Word Short Story with a partner (40 min)
    • write
    • revise
    • share
  • Thank you notes (10 min)
Week 16: 12/19-12/21

Monday
You will...
    • include fictional elements in your short story
    • trim unnecessary information from your story
  • Journal (20 min)
  • 55 word short story
    • give example
    • describe the elements that are included
  • Work time (50 min)
Tuesday
You will...
    • describe the elements of fiction
    • brainstorm ideas for a short story
  • Journal (10 min)
  • Elements of fiction (15 min)
    • What does every good story have to have?
      • List on board
    • Elements of fiction sheet and discussion
  • Short story assignment
    • time span, length, work logs, etc. (15 min)
    • Work time (50 min)
Wednesday
Christmas Gift Exchange
Christmas Break

Week 17: 1/3-1/6

Monday
No School--Christmas Break
Tuesday
You will...
    • brainstorm ideas for your story
    • draft your story
  • Journal (20 min)
  • Work Time (70 min)
Wednesday
You will... ** brainstorm ideas for your story
    • draft your story
  • SSR (30 min)
  • Journal (15 min)
  • Work Time (45 min)
Thursday
You will... ** brainstorm ideas for your story
    • draft your story
  • Journal (15 min)
  • Examples (30 min)
  • Work Time (45 min)
Friday
You will...
    • brainstorm ideas for your story
    • draft your story
  • String Savers (30 min)
  • Work Time (60 min)
Week 18: 1/9-1/13

Monday
You will...
    • draft your story
  • Journal--Ordeal by Cheque (10 min)
  • Read "Ordeal by Cheque" (20 min)
  • Work Time (50 min)
Tuesday
You will...
    • draft your story
    • revise your story
  • Journal (10 min)
  • Revision Time (35 min)
  • Work Time (45 min)
Wednesday
You will...
    • revise and reflect on pieces from this semester
  • SSR (20 min)
  • Journal (10 min)
  • Work Time (50 min)
Thursday
You will...
    • revise and reflect on pieces from this semester
  • Journal (10 min)
  • Work Time (80 min)
Friday
You will... ** revise and reflect on pieces from this semester
  • Journal (10 min)
  • Work Time (80 min)
Week 19: 1/16-1/20

Monday
No School
Tuesday
You will...
    • define lit terms associated with the writing genres
    • revise and reflect on pieces from this semester
  • Journal (10 min)
  • Exam Study Guide (35 min)
    • Work in small groups on your section
    • Jigsaw
  • Work Time
Wednesday
You will...
    • revise and reflect on pieces from this semester
  • SSR (20 min)
  • Journal (10 min)
  • Final Exam questions (10 min)
  • Work Time (50 min)
Thursday
1st Semester Exams
Friday
1st Semester Exams