HW from Tuesday, 1/31/17

Due on Thursday, 2/2/17

1) Make all suggested grammatical and format corrections to the first two pages of your mystery story, which I returned to you today in class. If you have content changes or significant writing changes to do, save those for after you've completed the other work below, but before you begin writing more of your story.

2) Write a good, 2-3 sentence description of a particular setting in your mystery story. It can be any setting of your choosing. Write descriptively, using some of the techniques we've learned in class. You will add this description into your story later, at an appropriate point, but for now you will just write it in isolation. Be prepared to turn it in on Thursday, typed and proofread.

3) Do the same thing as above (in #2) but for a particular character in your mystery story. We are probably discovering about your characters mostly through dialogue at this point, but don't forget the power of a good description! Write descriptively of your character's appearance or actions. You will add this description into your story later, at an appropriate point, but for now, just write it in isolation. Be prepared to turn it in on Thursday, typed and proofread.

4) Catch up on your reading in God Is Super Good. I would like you to have read through page 222 by Thursday. Remember, you were free to skip (or rather, quickly skim) pp. 158-212—when Mark was in Nicaragua—if desired. Of course, you may read them if you'd like, but you are not required to. Use the extra time to get caught up, if you need it.

5) After you have completed all of the above, if you want to continue with your mystery story, you are welcome to—but not required to—for Thursday.

6) Bring your Gratitude Journal to class on Thursday. I will give you credit for the daily thankfulness entries you have been making.

Also, daily:

+ Read your (approved) Reading Log book for pleasure, aiming for at least 30 minutes daily. Mark the number of minutes on your Reading Log (in multiples of five, rounded down) as you go along. 

+ Write in your Gratitude Journal, aiming for three things but listing at least one thing you are thankful for daily. When you have done so, place a check mark in the top corner of your Reading Log calendar for that day.

NOTE: The February Reading Log will be due, signed by a parent, on Tuesday, 2/28/17.

HW from Thursday, 1/26/17

Due on Tuesday, 1/31/17

1) Using the sample model essay we went over in class today, and the Bible verse you chose—or another, if you change your mind—write a Bible Verse Opening Essay. (Hint: that is the title of this assignment for your header!) 

2) Use standard form for our typed compositions, but make it 1.5 spacing instead of double spacing. You are shooting for at least 200 words, although it can be a bit longer if you like. (Do not exceed one typewritten page with these formatting guidelines.)

3) Proofread your essay. When you are confident it is as error-free as you can make it, save it and print a beautiful copy to bring to class on Tuesday.

4) Continue reading in The Extraordinary Ordinary Life of Mark Rodriguez. I will update the specific pages you should read as soon as I get home and can consult my copy of the book. (I am currently updating the blog from a restaurant where I'm sitting while I wait for my car to be ready to be picked up!)

5) NOTE: The second half of your January Reading Log will be due, signed by a parent, on Tuesday. (This is different than what the blog has said over the past few days.)

6) Bring your Gratitude Journal to class on Tuesday. I will give you credit for the daily thankfulness entries you have been making.

Also, daily:

+ Read your (approved) Reading Log book for pleasure, aiming for at least 30 minutes daily. Mark the number of minutes on your Reading Log (in multiples of five, rounded down) as you go along. 

+ Write in your Gratitude Journal, aiming for three things but listing at least one thing you are thankful for daily. When you have done so, place a check mark in the top corner of your Reading Log calendar for that day.

NOTE: The second half of your January Reading Log will be due, signed by a parent, on Tuesday, 1/31/17.

HW from Tuesday, 1/24/17

Due on Thursday, 1/26/17

1) Proofread the two pages of your mystery story that you printed out to turn in yesterday. Please do not ever turn in a paper without proofreading it!

Some things to look for:
- Make sure you haven't lapsed into present tense! This story began in third-person, past-tense narration, so it must continue that way.
- Make sure your dialogue is correctly punctuated.
- Make sure you don't have any run-on sentences or comma splices.
- Make sure you have correctly punctuated direct address (which we talked about yesterday in class). It must be set off by commas. [Ex. "Steve, do you think he is okay?"]
- Make sure you have correctly punctuated proper nouns (capitalized) and terms of endearment (not capitalized).
- Make sure your formatting is all correct (header, footer, double-spacing, no extra lines between paragraphs, etc.)

Call me if you have any trouble with any of this!

2) After you have proofed it yourself, have one other person proofread it as well. (Do not show it to another student in either of the Creative Writing classes!)

3) Make all corrections that were necessary, then hit {enter} to go onto a third blank page in your document (if it didn't go onto the third page already). This is so I have room to make comments if needed. Save it as {Your Name, two pages}.

4) Print a copy to bring to class tomorrow, and then also send it to my Markup address. Be sure your name and the name of the assignment are in both the document title and the email subject line.

5) Continue thinking about and planning your story in your mind. What is going to happen next? What events are going to be involved in the plot? How are you going to wrap things up? 

Draw out a plot line diagram and list several things you are planning during the rising action, what you plan to have as the climax of the story, and a couple of things you plan to include in the falling action. Bring this chart, clearly legible, to class tomorrow.

6) Choose a Scripture passage that is meaningful to you that you will use for your first "verse paper" for the Opening. I will model what this will look like for you tomorrow, but for now, just choose the passage you would like to write about, type it out—or copy and paste it from an online Bible in your chosen version (www.biblegateway.com is a good one)—then print it and bring it to class tomorrow.

Also, daily:

+ Read your (approved) Reading Log book for pleasure, aiming for at least 30 minutes daily. Mark the number of minutes on your Reading Log (in multiples of five, rounded down) as you go along. 

+ Write in your Gratitude Journal, aiming for three things but listing at least one thing you are thankful for daily. When you have done so, place a check mark in the top corner of your Reading Log calendar for that day.

NOTE: The second half of your January Reading Log will be due, signed by a parent, on Thursday, 2/2/17.

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OPENING (short paper on Bible verse): 

For Th, 1/26: Mrs. Sitterding (modeling new procedure)

HW from Thursday, 1/19/17

Due BEFORE Tuesday, 1/24/17

1) Format your paper correctly. Use proper header, footer, margins, font, line spacing, etc. (See sidebar on class website for details. Include all expected elements.) Name the assignment "Mystery Story Scenario 1" in your header, and use your name and "Scenario 1" in the name of your document. Your header should look like this (but obviously it will have your name!):

Laurie Sitterding, CWA/B

Mystery Story Scenario 1, 1/19/17
Word Count (so far):

NOTE: We will be using three percent signs (%%%) to indicate a change a scenarios. DO NOT use dashes, pluses, equal marks, asterisks, or any other symbol, as they are formatted to turn into solid lines as soon as you hit enter. These lines mess up your paper. Please do not do it!

2) Type in your first scenario (whether continuing with Cathy or moving back to David or Richard) and then save your paper. Email it ASAP to my regular email, with your name and the title of the assignment in the subject line of the email and in the name of the assignment. I would like it before noon on Friday if at all possible!

3) I will read over the first page of your story (which you emailed me at my regular email), check the formatting, and send it back to your with comments in the email. You will then print that email and continue the story as indicated in the email. 

4) By the time you return on Tuesday, I would like you to have written at least two full pages of the story, but DO NOT CONTINUE BEYOND THE FIRST SCENARIO until you have the okay from me!! Once you have the okay and have completed two pages, print a copy and bring it to class with you. (Staple your printed copy of the email I sent back to you behind the two lovely pages.) You will turn this in to me tomorrow.

Also, daily:

+ Read your (approved) Reading Log book for pleasure, aiming for at least 30 minutes daily. Mark the number of minutes on your Reading Log (in multiples of five, rounded down) as you go along. 

+ Write in your Gratitude Journal, aiming for three things but listing at least one thing you are thankful for daily. When you have done so, place a check mark in the top corner of your Reading Log calendar for that day.

NOTE: The second half of your January Reading Log will be due, signed by a parent, on Thursday, 2/2/17.

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OPENING (Bible verse and prayer): 

For Tu, 1/24: John (CWA); Haddon (CWB)

For Th, 1/26: Zayden (CWA); Katie (CWB)

For Tu, 1/31: Zach (CWA); Caleb (CWB)

For Th, 2/2: Victoria (CWA); Gabrielle (CWB)

For Tu, 2/7: Caelie (CWA); Haddon (CWB)

For Th, 2/9: Logan (CWA); Luke (CWB)

For Tu, 2/14: Mrs. Sitterding (Valentine's Day)

For Th, 2/16: Joshua (CWA); Katie (CWB)

HW from Tuesday, 1/17/17

Due on Thursday, 1/19/17

1) Be sure all of these items are in your Mystery Story manilla envelope (which I gave you yesterday):

- the list of 15 possible things in David's pocket (graded)

- the Markup copy of the scenario list (graded and emailed back; now print it)

- the list of answered questions (ungraded, but returned yesterday)

- the chart with the three columns headed David, Cathy, and Richard (ungraded, but due yesterday)

- the paper with your next scene idea (you emailed it to me earlier; now print it out)

2) Complete the take-home test. You may have as long as you like to take it, but you must do it in one sitting. Have your parent proctor it according to the guidelines.

3) Be sure you have completed this assignment from last Thursday, and bring it tomorrow:

Copy Proverbs 6:20-23a, then identify any similes and metaphors you find in this passage. 

4) The first January Reading Log is due (signed) tomorrow.

Also, daily:

+ Read your (approved) Reading Log book for pleasure, aiming for at least 30 minutes daily. Mark the number of minutes on your Reading Log (in multiples of five, rounded down) as you go along. 

+ Write in your Gratitude Journal, aiming for three things but listing at least one thing you are thankful for daily. When you have done so, place a check mark in the top corner of your Reading Log calendar for that day.

NOTE: The first half of your January Reading Log is due, signed by a parent, on Thursday, 1/19/17—the last day of the second quarter. (The second half of your January Reading Log will be due, signed by a parent, on Thursday, 2/2/17.)

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OPENING (Bible verse and prayer): 

For Th, 1/19: Joshua (CWA); Gabrielle (CWB)

For Tu, 1/24: John (CWA); Haddon (CWB)

For Th, 1/26: Zayden (CWA); Katie (CWB)

For Tu, 1/31: Zach (CWA); Caleb (CWB)

For Th, 2/2: Victoria (CWA); Gabrielle (CWB)

For Tu, 2/7: Caelie (CWA); Haddon (CWB)

For Th, 2/9: Logan (CWA); Luke (CWB)

For Tu, 2/14: Mrs. Sitterding (Valentine's Day)

For Th, 2/16: Joshua (CWA); Katie (CWB)

HW from Thursday, 1/12/17

Due BEFORE Tuesday, 1/17/17

1) Make a chart with three columns headed David, Cathy, and Richard. (This is like the chart we made on the board at the end of class today.) 

Under each heading, list each location for that character from each scenario, ending with where we last left the character at the last scenario we saw for them. For instance, David's column will have the following:
David
office/field
Culver library
basement
room with the people

Complete the chart for each of those three characters. You will be continuing this chart each time you write a new scenario, to help you keep track of where your characters were when you last left them, when you come back to them in a new scenario.

2) Page four of your mystery story ends with a scenario where Cathy is settling down on her couch leafing through her mail. She has just noticed a particular piece of mail and exclaimed, "What's this?" 

When you continue the story, you will have four options: continue with Cathy's scenario, draw a line and switch to David, draw a line and switch to Richard, or draw a line and switch to a different character. (Note: If you are introducing a new character, you will have to do it clearly and well so that we can easily follow what's going on.)

Decide which of those four options you are planning to do and type it into a Word document. Tell which you will do and why, save it, and email it to me at my regular email, as an attachment with a proper heading! The name of the assignment is next scene.

3) Copy Proverbs 6:20-23a, then identify any similes and metaphors you find in this passage. You will turn this is on Tuesday.

4) Read pp. 141-156 in The Extraordinary, Ordinary Life of Mark Rodriguez. Those entries are a countdown leading up to Mark's mission trip to Nicaragua. On page 213, Mark is back home in the United States.

Pages 157-213 contain entries written while Mark was in Nicaragua. Although you certainly may read pp.157-212 if you would like to, you are NOT required to. You may just skim those pages. Notice that the format and the way Mark wrote while on his mission trip in Nicaragua were a little bit different style than his journal usually was. That is sufficient for those pages.

Please finish up by reading p.213, when Mark is back home.

Also, daily:

+ Read your (approved) Reading Log book for pleasure, aiming for at least 30 minutes daily. Mark the number of minutes on your Reading Log (in multiples of five, rounded down) as you go along. 

+ Write in your Gratitude Journal, aiming for three things but listing at least one thing you are thankful for daily. When you have done so, place a check mark in the top corner of your Reading Log calendar for that day.

NOTE: The first half of your January Reading Log is due, signed by a parent, on Thursday, 1/19/17—the last day of the second quarter. (The second half of your January Reading Log will be due, signed by a parent, on Thursday, 2/2/17.)

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OPENING (Bible verse and prayer): 

For Tu, 1/17: Logan (CWA); Gabrielle (CWB)

For Th, 1/19: Joshua (CWA); Luke (CWB)

For Tu, 1/24: John (CWA); Haddon (CWB)

For Th, 1/26: Zayden (CWA); Katie (CWB)

For Tu, 1/31: Zach (CWA); Caleb (CWB)

For Th, 2/2: Victoria (CWA); Gabrielle (CWB)

For Tu, 2/7: Caelie (CWA); Haddon (CWB)

For Th, 2/9: Logan (CWA); Luke (CWB)

For Tu, 2/14: Mrs. Sitterding (Valentine's Day)

For Th, 2/16: Joshua (CWA); Katie (CWB)

HW from Tuesday, 1/10/17 (Snow Day – No Class)

Due on Thursday, 1/12/17

1) Last Thursday I gave you some things to think about regarding the mystery story you will be writing. This time write down answers to this list of question prompts. What have you come up with? You don't have to have every single detail of the story planned out, but you do need to have a general idea of what you want to happen in the story.

Re-read the four pages of the mystery story. Briefly answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. (Typed, in proper form, would be preferred, but is not required.)

- Who are the people David has gotten involved with? 

- Why are they called "creatures"?

- What are they involved in? 
- What did David discover that they thought might deter him?
- What is David's plan to deal with the situation?
- Why does David fear for his life?
- What did he put in the letter to his mom?
- What will Richard do now?

- Etc.

Feel free to jot down any other ideas you have had (and are planning explanations for) or other questions you are planning to answer as you write your mystery story. You should have this paper ready to turn in at the beginning of class on Thursday.

2) Read pp. 98-141 in The Extraordinary, Ordinary Life of Mark Rodriguez.

3) Be sure you have done this assignment from last Thursday. I didn't get one from everyone yet!

Using the four pages of the mystery story, create a numbered list of the 13 scenarios (in order). List whose scenario it is, and a brief description of where they are and what is happening in the scenario. (This is like what we did in class today.) Type it up and send it to my Markup address as an attachment ASAP. Please put your name and the title of the assignment as the name of the attachment and as the subject line of the email.

4) Be sure you have done this assignment from last Thursday. I didn't get one from everyone yet! 

Brainstorm all the possibilities you can think of for what might be a good idea for what is in David's pocket. List at least 15 items, then choose your favorite 3 ideas. Type up your list, somehow indicate your favorite three (asterisk, arrow, separate section, whatever—as long as it is clear to me) and send it to my regular email address as an attachment ASAP. Please put your name and the title of the assignment as the name of the attachment and as the subject line of the email.

5) Be sure you have done this assignment from last Thursday:

In your Writers Inc. book, in the section of the book called "Literary Terms" (which begins on p. 253), look up the following words and copy down the definitions. You should add them to the list you already began of plot terms. There are four more words: epiphany, protagonist, antagonist, and foreshadowing. Bring this complete list (both sets of words) to class on Thursday to turn in.

Also, daily:

+ Read your (approved) Reading Log book for pleasure, aiming for at least 30 minutes daily. Mark the number of minutes on your Reading Log (in multiples of five, rounded down) as you go along. 

+ Write in your Gratitude Journal, aiming for three things but listing at least one thing you are thankful for daily. When you have done so, place a check mark in the top corner of your Reading Log calendar for that day.

NOTE: The first half of your January Reading Log is due, signed by a parent, on Thursday, 1/19/17—the last day of the second quarter. (The second half of your January Reading Log will be due, signed by a parent, on Thursday, 2/2/17.)

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OPENING (Bible verse and prayer): 

For Th, 1/12: Caelie (CWA); Caleb (CWB)

For Tu, 1/17: Logan (CWA); Gabrielle (CWB)

For Th, 1/19: Joshua (CWA); Luke (CWB)

For Tu, 1/24: John (CWA); Haddon (CWB)

For Th, 1/26: Zayden (CWA); Katie (CWB)

For Tu, 1/31: Zach (CWA); Caleb (CWB)

For Th, 2/2: Victoria (CWA); Gabrielle (CWB)

For Tu, 2/7: Caelie (CWA); Haddon (CWB)

For Th, 2/9: Logan (CWA); Luke (CWB)

For Tu, 2/14: Mrs. Sitterding (Valentine's Day)

For Th, 2/16: Joshua (CWA); Katie (CWB)

HW from Thursday, 1/5/17

Due before Tuesday, 1/10/17

1) Re-read the four pages of the mystery story. Be thinking and scheming and dreaming in your mind about what you think might be going on in this story. You get to decide!

- Who are the people David has gotten involved with? 

- Why are they called "creatures"?

- What are they involved in? 
- What did David discover that they thought might deter him?
- What is David's plan to deal with the situation?
- Why does David fear for his life?
- What did he put in the letter to his mom?
- What will Richard do now?

- Etc.

2) Using the four pages of the mystery story, create a numbered list of the 13 scenarios (in order). List whose scenario it is, and a brief description of where they are and what is happening in the scenario. (This is like what we did in class today.) Type it up and send it to my Markup address as an attachment ASAP, preferably before Monday. Please put your name and the title of the assignment as the name of the attachment and as the subject line of the email.

3) Brainstorm all the possibilities you can think of for what might be a good idea for what is in David's pocket. List at least 15 items, then choose your favorite 3 ideas. Type up your list, somehow indicate your favorite three (asterisk, arrow, separate section, whatever—as long as it is clear to me) and send it to my regular email address as an attachment ASAP, preferably before Monday. Please put your name and the title of the assignment as the name of the attachment and as the subject line of the email.

4) In your Writers Inc. book, in the section of the book called "Literary Terms" (which begins on p. 253), look up the following words and copy down the definitions. You should add them to the list you already began of plot terms. There are four more words: epiphany, protagonist, antagonist, and foreshadowing. Bring this complete list (both sets of words) to class on Tuesday to turn in.

5) Read pp. 73-98 in The Extraordinary, Ordinary Life of Mark Rodriguez.

Also, daily:

+ Read your (approved) Reading Log book for pleasure, aiming for at least 30 minutes daily. Mark the number of minutes on your Reading Log (in multiples of five, rounded down) as you go along. 

+ Write in your Gratitude Journal, aiming for three things but listing at least one thing you are thankful for daily. When you have done so, place a check mark in the top corner of your Reading Log calendar for that day.

NOTE: The first half of your January Reading Log is due, signed by a parent, on the last day of the second quarter—Thursday, 1/19/17.

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OPENING (Bible verse and prayer): 

For Tu, 1/10: Caelie (CWA); Caleb (CWB)

For Th, 1/12: Logan (CWA); Gabrielle (CWB)

For Tu, 1/17: Joshua (CWA); Luke (CWB)

For Th, 1/19: John (CWA); Haddon (CWB)

For Tu, 1/24: Zayden (CWA); Katie (CWB)

For Th, 1/26: Zach (CWA); Haddon (CWB)

For Tu, 1/31: Victoria (CWA); Caleb (CWB)

For Th, 2/2: Caelie (CWA); Gabrielle (CWB)

HW from Tuesday, 1/3/17

Due on Thursday, 1/5/17

1) In your Writers Inc. book, read the entries for plot and plot line on p.259. Copy down both definitions, then look up and copy definitions for each of the five parts in the plot line diagram as well. You should have seven definitions total: plot, plot line, exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. These words are all found in the section of the book called "Literary Terms," beginning on p. 253.

2) Read pp. 50-72 in The Extraordinary, Ordinary Life of Mark Rodriguez.

3) Finish the classwork handout you did, translating the Bible verse from past tense to present tense. You should have a complete handwritten copy of the corrected paper to turn in on Thursday.

Also, daily:

+ Read your (approved) Reading Log book for pleasure, aiming for at least 30 minutes daily. Mark the number of minutes on your Reading Log (in multiples of five, rounded down) as you go along. 

+ Write in your Gratitude Journal, aiming for three things but listing at least one thing you are thankful for daily. When you have done so, place a check mark in the top corner of your Reading Log calendar for that day.

The January Reading Log is due, signed by a parent, on Thursday, 2/2/17.

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OPENING (Bible verse and prayer): 

For Th, 1/5:  Victoria (CWA); Katie (CWB)

For Tu, 1/10: Caelie (CWA); Caleb (CWB)

For Th, 1/12: Zayden (CWA); Gabrielle (CWB)

For Tu, 1/17: Logan (CWA); Luke (CWB)

For Th, 1/19: Joshua (CWA); Haddon (CWB)

For Tu, 1/24: John (CWA); Katie (CWB)

For Th, 1/26: Zach (CWA); Haddon (CWB)

For Tu, 1/31: Zayden (CWA); Caleb (CWB)

For Th, 2/2: Caelie (CWA); Gabrielle (CWB)