HW from 9/27/12

Due on 10/2/12:

* Reading for Reading Log: 30 minutes daily. (Reading Log is due, signed by parent, at the end of the month.  This month it will be due on Tuesday, October 2, which is our next class.)

* File into your homework section: CW #3 (I graded it today but did not collect it) and the list of examples of figurative language from the poem.  Feel free to modify, change, or add to your answers based on our discussion today in class.  I will collect both from you on Tuesday.

* Look for and find one of the following (in print):
+ a description you like of a place, OR
+ an example each of both a simile and a metaphor.
Bring to class on Tuesday.

* Decide the place you would like to write about for your paper.  Choose the one place you think you want to do, then choose two "back-up ideas" in case the one you think you want to write about doesn't work out.

* You do not need to begin the paper.  I want to have time to give you a few more guidelines before you begin.  Just send me an email listing those three place ideas, with your first choice starred.

* Write two sentences (good ones, according to our definition): one containing simile and one containing metaphor.  Please type those two sentences into a word processing document and send it to me as an attachment.    Format the document as follows:
+ standard 1-inch margins
+ 12-point font (Times New Roman or Arial)
+ a footer with an automatic page number (in the middle of the bottom of the page)
+ a header with your name and the name of the assignment (in the upper right hand corner of the page

NOTE: If you do not know how to do any of these things, ask your parents or an older sibling for help.  If none of them know how to do it, either, then feel free to give me a call for help.  Again, this should be sent as an attachment.  Do NOT type your sentences directly into the email.

------- OPENING (Bible verse and prayer):

For Tu, 10/2: Jake J.
For Th, 10/4: Claire M.

For Tu, 10/9: Joshua C.
For Th, 10/11: TBD

HW from 9/25/12

Due on 9/27/12:

* Reading for Reading Log: 30 minutes daily. (Reading Log is due, signed by parent, at the end of the month.  This month it will be due on Tuesday, October 2.)

* Get or make 5 dividers for your 3-ring binder.  Label them as you see best for the following categories.  Organize and file your stuff into the notebook in the proper categories:

1 - Class notes/writing lessons
2 - Language arts - vocab/spelling/grammar lessons
3 - Homework/classwork
4 - Quizzes/tests
5 - Reading Logs

* File into your homework section the homework you have completed but not turned in: the definitions of figurative language terms and the list of idioms.

* Complete CW #3.  Be sure you copy the poem in the correct poetic form.  (It is organized into stanzas. Write the lines out in the same way.  Use the same punctuation.  Skip lines in the same places.  Etc.)

* Write down all of the examples of figurative language that you see in the poem.  We did two together from the first two stanzas.  You figure out if the ones in the last two stanzas.  Write them all down.  Tell what two things are being compared, if it is simile or metaphor, and then label which it is.

------- OPENING (Bible verse and prayer):

For Tu, 9/25: Mrs. S.

For Th, 9/27: Emily Q.

For Tu, 10/2: Jake J.

For Th, 10/4: Claire M.

For Tu, 10/9: Joshua C.

For Th, 10/11: TBD

HW from 9/20/12

Due on 9/25/12:

* Reading for Reading Log: 30 minutes daily. (Reading Log is due, signed by parent, at the end of the month.)

* Get or make 5 dividers for your 3-ring binder. Bring them on Tuesday. 

* Read over the sections regarding figurative language in your Writers, Inc. book.  

Especially see figurative language, simile, metaphor, and idiom on pages 136-139 and pages 235-236

* Write out the definitions for each term listed above.

* Make a list of as many idioms as you can think of. You must have at least ten. 

------- OPENING (Bible verse and prayer):

For Tu, 9/25: Josh C.

For Th, 9/27: Emily Q.

For Tu, 10/2: Jake J.

For Th, 10/4: Claire M.

For Tu, 10/9: TBD

For Th, 10/11: TBD

HW from 9/18/12

Due on 9/20/12:

* Reading for Reading Log: 30 minutes daily. (Reading Log is due, signed by parent, at the end of the month.)


* Utilize a thesaurus (or online equivalent) to look up the word "careful."  Send me an email before 9:00 p.m. Wednesday with at least ten synonyms of the word "careful."  This will be the only way to fulfill this assignment for credit.

* CW #2.  Be sure to note how long it takes you.

* Review the material in all writing and grammar lessons we have had so far.


------- OPENING (Bible verse and prayer):
For Tu, 9/18: Mrs. S.
For Th, 9/20: Mrs. S.

For Tu, 9/25: TBD
For Th, 9/27: TBD

HW from 9/13/12

Due on 9/18/12:

* Reading for Reading Log: 30 minutes daily. (Reading Log is due, signed by parent, at the end of the month.)

* Write two good, descriptive sentences: one more descriptive than the basic sentence "The man walked" and one more descriptive than the basic sentence "The child cried" (like what we did in class).

Ex. A tall, chubby farmer with a thick Western accent sauntered across the field, brushing away his long hair.

Ex. The short, bald banker, wearing a starched shirt and too-tight necktie, briskly marched into the vault with a mysterious briefcase.

* NOTE: Make sure you use all of the six ways we talked about to enhance descriptive writing in each of the two sentences.  If you didn't take good notes during class, learn the lesson that it is imperative to take notes during a writing lesson (WL) or a grammar lesson (GL) when discussed in class.  But you may also always check the class website to see if you can find the information listed there.  There is a link to the Creative Writing homepage from this homework blog--see the left sidebar.

* Be sure you understand, know, and can list and explain those ways we talked about enhancing description in your writing. So far, we've only discussed the first six listed in the Topics of Study in the left sidebar of the Creative Writing page.

* Memorize the five senses using the following exact words in this exact order:
look
smell
taste
sound
feel

------- OPENING (Bible verse and prayer):
For Tu, 9/18: Mrs. S.
For Th, 9/20: Mrs. S.

For Tu, 9/25: TBD
For Th, 9/27: TBD

HW from 9/11/12

Due on Thursday, 9/13/12

1.  If you haven't, be sure you turn in all items that were due Tuesday: signed Parent/Student Signature form, completed Student Information Sheet, payment for fees as indicated on handouts.

2.  If you haven't, be sure you decide on your book for your Reading Log and get approval for it from both your parents and from me.  Be sure you have added that book title to the chart I gave you.  

3.  If you haven't, be sure you have sent an email to me from the website.

4.  If you haven't, be sure you have completed and turned in Copywork #1.

5.  Choose one experience or event from the past three months that you enjoyed or that impacted you in some way.  Write--neatly in your best handwriting--a description of the event or experience and why it was significant to you. 

You should aim for one handwritten page.  Do not skip lines.  It will be turned in on Thursday.  This is simply a chance for me to get an idea of how your write at this point.  Do not worry about this assignment!  You will receive credit simply for doing it, and it will be graded on effort, not on writing skill.

 * Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your Reading Log.

HW from 9/6/12

Due on Tuesday, 9/11/12

1.  Return signed Parent/Student Signature form.

2.  Return completed Student Information Sheet.

3.  Send payment for fees as indicated on handouts.

4.  Decide on your book for your Reading Log.

5.  Visit the homework blog--here you are!--and look around.

6.  Send me an email using the link on the Creative Writing page in order to get approval for your book.

7.  Start reading for pleasure for 30 minutes per day, recording your times on the Reading Log.

8.  Complete Copywork #1.  Follow the instructions on the handout.