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!

Scholastic Art and Writing Contest

The deadline for Scholastic Art and Writing is fast approaching! Our region's deadline is January 4th. With the winter break coming fast, we do not have many school days to get this together. There are 27 categories, and the creative writing department will pay the entry fee for those interested in entering this contest. Aren't you excited? I sure am! 

 

Please spend some time looking over the contest guidelines and deciding if and what you plan to submit. You can also register online today.

 

Categories

http://www.artandwriting.org/the-awards/how-to-submit/categories

 

 

How to Submit

http://www.artandwriting.org/the-awards/how-to-submit

Mini Poetry Project

Please use the planning page provided to create a poster for your final project in creative writing class.

Remember to find a poem that you like and create a poster about that poem and its author.


Try a google search or look at the websites below to find poems!

http://middleschoolpoetry180.wordpress.com/

http://www.poets.org/

Also, make sure your poem is written on your poster and that images are included.

DUE DATE: End of class on Wednesday (11/5)

Project Deadline

Good Afternoon 7th Graders-

I hope you had an enjoyable and restful break. We only have two weeks left together! We need to finish up our autobiography projects ASAP.

I hunted and hunted for affordable scrap books for you but have not had luck yet. Therefore, we need to improvise!

If you have a binder at home that you would like to use, please bring it in. If not, I have folders and other supplies here.

Deadline- This project needs to be done by the end of class Wednesday (11/28). Is that reasonable? Post a comment if you think you will be done sooner.

Please check your grade, if you are not sure where you stand. The printer is still not working to full capacity, but do not let that stop you from getting your work submitted. You can save your work to the class flash drive or print somewhere else.

Am I forgetting anything?

-Ms. Perez

Happy Thanksgiving

Remember you need to have chapter 5 written by the end of class today!

Bring in any and all scrap book supplies on Monday. Your books are due Monday.

I am thankful for each and every one of you! You are the best students ever. Have a wonderful long weekend.

Love,
Ms. Perez

Autobiography Projects

Good Afternoon-

Here is the plan:

• Please make sure you have a typed rough draft of all of your chapters done by the end of class tomorrow!
• If you get that done, we will have a mini celebration on Wednesday. This is "potluck style". That means, everyone brings something in to share. I started a diet today, so someone bring me an apple!
• Hmmmm.... what else? STAY ON TASK! You get a participation grade everyday.
• ONGOING: Collect artifacts/pictures for your scrap books. We will be putting them together next week. Want to start early? Let me know!
• If you finish your work early, double check that you have all of your assignments in.

Thank you! Have a nice day!

Ms. Perez

Big Money

This prompt is for Period 9 only!

Imagine it is 3rd period and the phone rings! Ms. Markman calls you down to her office. She informs you that an anonymous donor has given you $5,000 (or more,) to do whatever you want with. The only thing you cannot do is spend it!

What is your plan for the money? What are your reasons for doing this with the money? Be specific and develop your answer.

P.S. If you have any ideas for your next project please respond in a post so that your ideas will be considered!

ENJOY YOUR DAY OFF TOMORROW!

Dear Class,

I LOVE YOU!

Love,
Ms. Perez

Good Afternoon 7th and 8th Graders!

As you know, I am out today. You should already know what you need to do in order to earn your grade for the day, but in case you forgot...

• You must have the first draft of your Scary Story complete by the end of class today!
• Remember we are aiming for 2-3 pages (normal size font) or 5-7 paragraphs.
• If you finish early, you can  write something else for extra credit and/or try to come up with something to add to your story that is related to your major (i.e. visual arts majors can illustrate, etc.)
• If many students finish early, you can peer edit with one other person. If not we will do that in class on Friday!

I hope you all had a safe and fun Halloween. I cannot wait to hear all about it!

~Ms. Perez

Scary Story Writing/Agenda

Good afternoon middle school students!

• Please make sure your check list is completed. Need another one? Just ask!
• I will be checking your assignments this Friday for a grade! Make sure you have everything in order.

Scary Story Writing

• We are going to begin brainstorming and planning our first major writing assignment- a scary and/or suspenseful story.
• You will receive a planning page and graphic organizer today.
• Please work on these tasks today, so we can begin writing tomorrow.

If you have any questions, please ask them!

SCARY LINKS

Top 10 Scariest Places on Earth
http://local.msn.com/news/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=254280621

Is the Charlie Brown Gang Bad for Kids?
http://moms.today.com/_news/2012/10/24/14631085-are-charlie-brown-and-the-peanuts-gang-too-mean-for-todays-kids-good-grief?lite

Welcome to Our Blog!

This is a blog for 7th and 8th grade students. Please be aware that not all information/assignments posted will be the same for each grade. YOU MUST READ CAREFULLY!

Agenda for Periods 8 and 9

1. Hand in course criteria sheets if you have them. They are officially due tomorrow :)
2. Please use the first 15-20 minutes of class to finish up your 1st free write from yesterday.
3. PLEASE DO NOT PRINT YOUR WORK. I will come around to computers this week in order to grade your work. Make sure it is saved appropriately.
4. Once your free write is complete, begin the assignment below:

Fear Poems

Introduction: Fear is a part of life. It is part of the range of feelings that humans experience on a daily basis. In our culture, fear has come to be experienced as negative. However, the truth is that fear is a perfectly normal feeling to experience and we would all feel a lot better if we simply allowed ourselves to feel it fully. If we do not we will have somatic symptoms of fear that are much more painful than simply allowing the feeling to be felt.

Top Ten Fears

1. Snakes

2. Speaking in public

3. Heights

4. Being closed in a small space

5. Spiders and insects

6. Needles and getting shots

7. Mice

8. Flying on a plane

9. Crowds

10. Thunder and lightning

Task

• Make a list of your top fears (at least 5!)
• Read some of the fear poems here: http://www.poemhunter.com/poems/fear/ 
• Check out www.phobialist.com (Thanks 7th graders!)
• Feel free to do a google search on fear poems as well.
• Try to write your own poem about one of your top fears.

Source: Fear Poems - Poems about Fears http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/life/fear-poems.asp#ixzz2A8tDJGWK

www.FamilyFriendPoems.com

Extra Credit Opportunity!

Teen Read Week Contest

This year the Teen Read Week will be celebrated nationally October 14-20^th. However, our contest will run the month of October. The rules to enter are as follows:

1.        Pick your favorite book.

2.       Choose significant event in the book to illustrate.

3.       Use Comic Life software (available on the library computers) or illustrate yourself a one page comic strip about that event in the book.

4.       Keep the comic’s images and language “school appropriate” (i.e.: no cursing, excessive violence, etc.). 

5.       No copying existing comics from Graphic Novels – it has to be your OWN work!

6.       Turn in the finished comic to the library WITH YOUR NAME ON THE BACK by Friday, October 26^rd.

7.       All comics will be displayed in the library for 1 week so staff and students can vote on their favorite.

8.       The winner will be announced on Friday, November 2^nd. And YES, there will be a prize for the comic that wins!

Some Ideas on Poetry

vPoetry is one of the oldest forms of writing.

 

vPoetry is a type of literature in which words are selected for their beauty, sound, and power to express feelings.

 

vPoetry uses language in a more expressive way than everyday speech.

 

vOverall, poetry includes a new way of looking at a situation or event in our lives.

 

vBy using words creatively, poetry attempts to create a strong image in the reader’s mind similar to a photograph.

vIt should appeal to our senses (touch, taste, sight, smell, sound) as well as our brains (emotional and intellectual). IMAGERY!

 

Group Tasks!

1.Read at least 5 poems by multiple authors

2.Discuss the topic of poetry in your groups

3.Create a poster that displays the meaning of poetry.

4.Be prepared to share with the large group.

Good afternoon 7th graders. As you can see, I'm out sick today. Please work on your projects throughout the period. Try to get a rough draft done by the end of class. If you do not finish, please work on it over the weekend.

Welcome to the Middle School Creative Writing blog!

Please add this page to your favorites so that you can get to the site easily. I will be posting on the site regularly so you want to check it often.

Project #1

For your first project in this class you are going to combine creative writing and visual arts by creating your own book! Here are some guidelines to get you started:

1. Choose what type of book you plan to create (comic book, children's book, short story, etc.)
2. Select a conflict 

·         Problem/solution

·         Adventure

 

3.        Plot and organize the story in your notebook (plan your story.)  *This will be handed in!

4.        Develop characters for your story in your notebook.  *This will be handed in!

o   Know your characters well, so they come alive in the story. 

o   Limit the number of characters. 

o   The main character(s) should be someone with whom the readers can identify and/or sympathize.