Project Choices

Good Afternoon Middle School Students!

I am very excited about our next creative writing project because you will be given a choice this time!

Here is a brief overview of each choice:

• Pest Patrol Wanted Poster: You will create a wanted poster for an annoying pest. Your job is to draw this annoying creature with complete detail. Remember it is not violent and doesn't carry any weapons. This is a fun one! Please read the examples provided if you choose this option.

• Comic Book Project: You will create an original comic book using the writing skills you have developed this marking period. If you choose to use comic life, please remember that your work should be original.

• Broadcast News: If you are more interested in journalism, this project is for you. You will write a script for a broadcast news production (extra credit if you record and/or perform the news!) Since this is a bit lengthier than the other projects, you may work with one other person upon my approval. Keep in mind that if you are not on task, you will be separated and not permitted to switch projects.

• Magazine Magic: For this project , you will be able to write articles and complete activities for your own magazine! You can write stories, interviews, advice columns, poetry, horoscopes, etc. See the planning packet for more ideas!

*I have a packet prepared with various Transitions, Dead Words, Sensory Words and Synonyms. This will be useful when working on your projects, as these words will make your writing more interesting to read. PLEASE USE THIS RESOURCE!

REMINDERS:

• All ABOUT ME projects are PAST DUE!
• You will not be given anymore class time to work on this, if you need time in the lab please come during study hall or lunch.
• Please get back in the habit of checking the blog for information.

Welcome to Our Blog!

This is our class blog. I will post many assignments here for you. Please add this web address to your favorites. If you do not know how to do that, please ask!

Today we are going to write haiku poetry and enter the Nicholas Virgilio contest.

Here is some information for the contest and haiku writing. Be sure to check out the poems written by past winners.

Nicholas Virgilio Haiku Association
http://www.hsa-haiku.org/virgilioawards/virgilio.htm
http://nvha.blogspot.com/

http://www.edu.pe.ca/stjean/playing%20with%20poetry/Hennessey/howtohaiku.htm
http://www.gigglepoetry.com/poetryclass/Haiku.html
http://www.haiku.insouthsea.co.uk/

Have you ever written a play?

Today we are going to write a play!

Here are some steps to get you started:

1. START WITH AN IDEA

2. WHAT IS THE CONFLICT?

3. CHOOSE A SETTING

4. WHO ARE YOUR CHARACTERS? (hint: don't have too many!)

5. DIALOGUE (a play is nothing without dialogue)

6. FORMAT- Here is an example:

THE SNOW DAY

By Elise Williams

Cast of Characters:

SUSAN, a friendly, 30-something mother

JANE, her 13 year old daughter

CHLOE, Jane’s best friend, also 13 years old

SAM, Susan’s husband and Jane’s father, worried about work

JOE, a 13 year old neighbor of Jane, sometimes teases her

Setting:

The play takes place in a suburb of Boston during a particularly snowy day when schools are unexpectedly closed.

ACT I

SCENE 1

Stage Directions are messages in parentheses, aligned to the right margin, from the playwright to the actors and crew telling them what to do and how to do it. They should be brief, and written in the present tense. They describe action and visuals, not inner thoughts. Character names are written in ALL CAPS. For example:

(Early morning, snow falling. Sidewalk in front of a suburban house. JANE appears in front of the house bundled up for winter weather and wearing a backpack. SUSAN comes out of the house and runs to catch JANE.)

SUSAN

Jane, wait! The radio just announced that your school is closed today because of snow!

JANE

Really? You’re not just teasing me, are you? Do I really get a snow day?

(CHLOE enters, also wearing a backpack, and walks over towards JANE.)

CHLOE

Hi Jane, what’s going on? Aren’t we walking to school together today?

Conclusion: Notice in the format above that the character’s names are ALL CAPS, bolded, and centered just before each character’s line of dialogue. Stage directions are at the beginning of a scene and anywhere else where action, props, or descriptions need to be explained for the cast and crew.

Here are some resources
http://www.10-minute-plays.com/how_to_write_a_10_minute_play.html
http://www.playwriting101.com/

Want to enter a contest?
http://www.gevatheatre.org/newplaysatgeva/submissions.php#young

Welcome Back!

I hope you had a restful break! Please remember that your All About Me books are due on Wednesday. Here are some guidelines to help you get an A:

1. Books should be colorful and creative
2. Have a creative cover and title
3. Remember to have a table of contents
4. Give each chapter a creative title
5. Use pictures!
6. Correct spelling and grammar before turning in a final copy.
7. Complete all chapters

Hi Middle School Students! I am not in today.

Please review what you need to complete by the end of class for credit today!

Period 8: Eighth Grade

• Each group committed to what they would have complete by the end of class today.
• Please finish your work and turn it in for a major grade. I will not take these assignments on Monday!
• Complete the project information sheet provided by the end of class. This is for a grade!

Period 9: Seventh Grade

• Finish your planning page for chapter two of your project.
• Write chapter two.
• Hand chapter two in.
• Begin planning for chapter three.
• Do not get behind! If you have not turned in chapter one, complete that as well!

Welcome MP4 Students!

This is the Middle School Creative Writing blog! Please bookmark this page so that you can access it each day. I will post a lot of information right here, so you will always have access to it.

Remember to read carefully as I will post information for 7th and 8th graders here!

7th Grade Agenda

• Turn in your signed course criteria sheet
• Finish yesterday's writing warm-up
• Print when you are done
• Begin work on your All About Me Project

8th Grade Agenda

• Open floor from yesterday's writing
• Print and hand in your work
• Major and Creative Writing Interdisciplinary Project!

Genre Project

1. Research your genre!
*Please cite your sources.

2. Design a poster about your genre.

3. Posters should include images, examples, genre definition, and genre characteristics.
*Remember to underline the titles of novels.

4. Extra credit if you write a short piece in your genre and share it with the class.

5. Be prepared to present your posters for a grade.
*You should rehearse and plan this presentation prior to presenting in front of the class.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK!