Request from Thursday, 5/24/18 ~ Our last day!

Never again will you have homework for Creative Writing class! 

Enjoy your summer! If you can, walk barefoot in the grass and let it tickle your toes... go swimming in a crystal-clear pool with friends... read a good book... write a poem... have a family movie night and eat popcorn for dinner...

Take a run around your neighborhood until you're breathing heavily... squish the sand between your toes at the beach... memorize a passage of Scripture you appreciate... play a board game with your family, and be a gracious loser (if it comes to that!)... 

Invite a friend over that you met this year at KEYS... write in your journal... read a good book... mow your lawn... look up at the stars twinkling in the dark night sky... read a good book... pick some flowers and put them in a vase in your bedroom...

Cook dinner for your family to give the regular cook a break... write a story (you really do know how to do this well now!)... play with a baby... send your grandparent a letter... read a good book... buy a nice journal and put it on your bedside table... write in it every once in a while...

Send me an email update—I'd love to hear from you!

DAILY HABITS I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE:

+ Read a book for pleasure. Aim for 30 minutes each day. Mark the number of minutes on a Reading Log as you go along so you can see your progress. Continue to keep track of which books you’re reading and have read in any given year. This is a habit for life!

+ Keep memorizing Scripture. Choose some new verses to memorize. Make Scripture memory cards and commit the verses to memory. Keep track of them, reviewing a few each day. Regularly review the four you learned for our class (Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32, Philippians 4:4-8, 1 Chronicles 29:11-13).  This is a habit for life!

+ Keep memorizing poetry. When you come across a poem you love, commit it to memory—it’s good for your brain and good for your soul. Keep reviewing the poems you memorized for our class. This is a habit for life!

+ Write in your journal each day. The authors of the Psalms wrote down their prayers to God—about absolutely anything and everything, covering every kind of emotion. You have a model in the Psalmist… and in Mark Rodriguez’s journal… and in your own writing you’ve already done. It gets easier and easier as you go along. This is a habit for life!

+ Continue to process life in poetry! You’ve learned so much about writing creatively… and descriptively… and figuratively… Take advantage of this and write about important life experiences in poetry. This is a habit for life!

+ Make your bed! Honestly, it’s good for you. This is a habit for life!

HW from Tuesday, 5/22/18

Due on Thursday, 5/24/18 ~ Our last day of meeting together!

For the first time all year, you do not have any homework! 

However, if you would be willing to write me a letter—sharing with me your honest thoughts about our time together—I would really appreciate it. I take all of your feedback seriously—both things you liked and appreciated, and those that you didn't particularly love—and I use the things you share with me to improve my teaching.

DAILY HABITS I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE:

+ Read a book for pleasure. Aim for 30 minutes each day. Mark the number of minutes on a Reading Log as you go along so you can see your progress. Continue to keep track of which books you’re reading and have read in any given year. This is a habit for life!

+ Keep memorizing Scripture. Choose some new verses to memorize. Make Scripture memory cards and commit the verses to memory. Keep track of them, reviewing a few each day. Regularly review the four you learned for our class (Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32, Philippians 4:4-8, 1 Chronicles 29:11-13).  This is a habit for life!

+ Keep memorizing poetry. When you come across a poem you love, commit it to memory—it’s good for your brain and good for your soul. Keep reviewing the poems you memorized for our class. This is a habit for life!

+ Write in your journal each day. The authors of the Psalms wrote down their prayers to God—about absolutely anything and everything, covering every kind of emotion. You have a model in the Psalmist… and in Mark Rodriguez’s journal… and in your own writing you’ve already done. It gets easier and easier as you go along. This is a habit for life!

+ Continue to process life in poetry! You’ve learned so much about writing creatively… and descriptively… and figuratively… Take advantage of this and write about important life experiences in poetry. This is a habit for life!

+ Make your bed! Honestly, it’s good for you. This is a habit for life!

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OPENING (oral presentation of Bible verse and prayer):

For Th, 5/24: Maddie (CWA); Carissa (CWB)

HW from Thursday, 5/17/18 (Mrs. Sitterding was absent)

Due on AND BEFORE Tuesday, 5/22/18

1) Write a poem in free verse about a life event of your choice. Consider the following poems of mine as samples:

"Chopin Doesn't Live Here Anymore"

"Wagging My Finger at Wednesday"

"Mesilased"
"Me, Myself, and I"

2) Type up your poem and email it to me as an attachment (Word or PDF only) at my Markup email address as soon as possible. Once you get it back, print the Markup copy and a beautiful, single-spaced revised copy to bring to class on Tuesday.

3) As soon as you receive your Markup copy of your theme story, print a copy and make all suggested corrections. Then make the story single-spaced and print out a perfect D2 copy. Bring both on Tuesday. (See formatting below.)

Formatting for the D2 of your theme story:

* single-spaced
* no extra line between paragraphs
* usual header with “D2 theme story” on it, but not the theme itself
* updated date to reflect the date you print it
* single blank line at the end of the header
* your title listed at the top of p.1 only
* at the end of your story include, Theme: _______________________

4) Be prepared to recite your springboard (“I Am”) poem from memory before the class for a grade on Tuesday. This will also be the day you will need to recite your extra credit if you chose to memorize it. (See below for details.)

5) Continue writing daily in your journal (upside-down writer’s notebook entries) as directed below. You will turn in your writer’s notebook to be graded—I will quickly skim your entries to see that they’ve been completed, but I will not carefully read them—on Tuesday, 5/22. Do not try to make up any missed entries. Just continue completing them daily and bring in your writer’s notebook with however many entries there are. 

NOTE: If you do not have your writer’s notebook on Tuesday, you will receive a zero for this portion of your grade, as there are no more days to turn it in after that!

6) Your signed Reading Log will also be due on Tuesday.

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY:

For an extra grade to be averaged into your final quarter grade, you may recite one of the following from memory on Tuesday, 5/22:

* “The Lamb” by William Blake (if you have not already done so)

* Another approved poem of your choosing (100 words or more)

* 1 Corinthians 13 (in the translation of your choosing)

* Psalm 23 (in the translation of your choosing)

Please let me know ASAP if you are planning to do this. You will need to send me a copy of your selected poem for approval, or which Bible translation you are planning to use if you choose the Scripture memory.

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ALSO, DAILY:

+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure, aiming for 30 minutes each day. Mark the number of minutes on your Reading Log as you go along—in multiples of five, rounded down—and have a parent initial it in the box each day. The May Reading Log will be due on Tuesday, 5/22/18.

+ Write in your journal each day (upside-down writer’s notebook entries), setting a timer for five minutes and writing in first/second person as we’ve practiced in class. Don’t forget to bring it back to class each Tuesday/Thursday!

+ Keep reviewing your four memorized Scripture memory verses (Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32, Philippians 4:4-8, 1 Chronicles 29:11-13).

+ Keep reviewing your first memorized poem to be sure you are keeping it in your memory.

+ Make your bed! 

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OPENING (oral presentation of Bible verse and prayer):

The schedule below is loose. Please be ready to do your opening on any day I call on you. I will have your verse essay for you. 

For Tu, 5/22: Robertson (CWA); Luke (CWB)

For Th, 5/24: Maddie (CWA); Carissa (CWB)

HW from Tuesday, 5/15/18 (Mrs. Sitterding was absent)

Due on Thursday, 5/17/18 (Mrs. Sitterding will be absent)

1) Type up the in-class timed essay that you wrote in class today. (If you did not finish it in class, you may finish it for homework before typing it up, but do not add or change anything on the hand-written copy you wrote in class. I want to see how much you accomplished in the time given.) Be prepared to turn in both the handwritten and the typed drafts (stapled together, with the typed one on top) and the essay planning worksheet (stapled on the bottom) on Thursday.

2) Prepare for your poetry test, which will be on Thursday. Review all your poetry notes from class, and make sure you are confident you know all the things from the Quarter 4 section of the class website. 

3) Continue writing daily in your journal (upside-down writer’s notebook entries) as directed below. You will turn in your writer’s notebook to be graded—I will quickly skim your entries to see that they’ve been completed, but I will not carefully read them—on Tuesday, 5/22. Do not try to make up any missed entries. Just continue completing them daily from this point forward.

4) Be prepared to recite your springboard (“I Am”) poem from memory before the class for a grade on Tuesday, 5/22.

5) Consider whether you will participate in the extra credit opportunity (see below) and contact me with your choice ASAP if you decide to do it!

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY:

For an extra grade to be averaged into your final quarter grade, you may recite one of the following from memory on Tuesday, 5/22:

* “The Lamb” by William Blake (if you have not already done so)

* Another approved poem of your choosing (100 words or more)

* 1 Corinthians 13 (in the translation of your choosing)

* Psalm 23 (in the translation of your choosing)

Please let me know ASAP if you are planning to do this. You will need to send me a copy of your selected poem for approval, or which Bible translation you are planning to use if you choose the Scripture memory.

-----

ALSO, DAILY:

+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure, aiming for 30 minutes each day. Mark the number of minutes on your Reading Log as you go along—in multiples of five, rounded down—and have a parent initial it in the box each day. The May Reading Log will be due on Tuesday, 5/22/18.

+ Write in your journal each day (upside-down writer’s notebook entries), setting a timer for five minutes and writing in first/second person as we’ve practiced in class. Don’t forget to bring it back to class each Tuesday/Thursday!

+ Keep reviewing your four memorized Scripture memory verses (Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32, Philippians 4:4-8, 1 Chronicles 29:11-13).

+ Keep reviewing your first memorized poem to be sure you are keeping it in your memory.

+ Make your bed! 

-----

OPENING (oral presentation of Bible verse and prayer):

The schedule below is loose. Please be ready to do your opening on any day I call on you. I will have your verse essay for you. 

For Th, 5/17: no verse opening ~ poetry test

For Tu, 5/22: Robertson (CWA); Luke (CWB)

For Th, 5/24: Maddie (CWA); Carissa (CWB)

HW from Thursday, 5/10/18

Due on Tuesday, 5/15/18 (Mrs. Sitterding will be absent)

1) Be sure you have added your story title and your theme to the header of your theme story. Then email your theme story to my Markup email address, as a Word or pdf attachment. If you've already sent it but you need to add those things, feel free to re-send it. I will grade the most recent one.

2) Prepare for your poetry test, which will be next Thursday, 5/17. Review all your poetry notes from class, and make sure you are confident you know all the things from the Quarter 4 section of the class website. 

3) Each day between now and then, I will email you a practice poem to scan so that you can test if you are getting them right. If you find that you don’t understand why a particular rhyme scheme and meter were given as the correct answer, feel free to contact me and I will talk you through it.

4) Continue writing daily in your journal (upside-down writer’s notebook entries) as directed below. You will turn in your writer’s notebook to be graded—I will quickly skim your entries to see that they’ve been completed, but I will not carefully read them—on Tuesday, 5/22. Do not try to make up any missed entries. Just continue completing them daily from this point forward.

5) Be prepared to recite your springboard (“I Am”) poem from memory before the class for a grade on Tuesday, 5/22.

6) Consider whether you will participate in the extra credit opportunity (see below) and contact me with your choice ASAP if you decide to do it!

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY:

For an extra grade to be averaged into your final quarter grade, you may recite one of the following from memory on Tuesday, 5/22:

* “The Lamb” by William Blake (if you have not already done so)

* Another approved poem of your choosing (100 words or more)

* 1 Corinthians 13 (in the translation of your choosing)

* Psalm 23 (in the translation of your choosing)

Please let me know ASAP if you are planning to do this. You will need to send me a copy of your selected poem for approval, or which Bible translation you are planning to use if you choose the Scripture memory.

-----

ALSO, DAILY:

+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure, aiming for 30 minutes each day. Mark the number of minutes on your Reading Log as you go along—in multiples of five, rounded down—and have a parent initial it in the box each day. The May Reading Log will be due on Tuesday, 5/22/18.

+ Write in your journal each day (upside-down writer’s notebook entries), setting a timer for five minutes and writing in first/second person as we’ve practiced in class. Don’t forget to bring it back to class each Tuesday/Thursday!

+ Keep reviewing your four memorized Scripture memory verses (Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32, Philippians 4:4-8, 1 Chronicles 29:11-13).

+ Keep reviewing your first memorized poem to be sure you are keeping it in your memory.

+ Make your bed! 

-----

OPENING (oral presentation of Bible verse and prayer):

The schedule below is loose. Please be ready to do your opening on any day I call on you. I will have your verse essay for you. 

For Tu, 5/15: no verse opening ~ timed essay assignment

For Th, 5/17: no verse opening ~ poetry test

For Tu, 5/22: Robertson (CWA); Luke (CWB)

For Th, 5/24: Maddie (CWA); Carissa (CWB)

Extra Credit Memorization/Recitation Opportunity

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY

For an extra grade to be averaged into your final quarter grade, you may recite one of the following from memory on Tuesday, 5/22:

* “The Lamb” by William Blake (if you have not already done so)

* Another approved poem of your choosing (100 words or more)

* 1 Corinthians 13 (in the translation of your choosing)

* Psalm 23 (in the translation of your choosing)


CWA:
Evan ~ Psalm 23, KJV
Robertson ~ “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll
Caleb ~ 1 Corinthians 13, ESV

CWB:
Ivy ~ "Animal Crackers" by Christopher Morley

HW from Tuesday, 5/8/18

Due on Thursday, 5/10/18

1) Be prepared to recite your memorized poem(s) for the class on Thursday. Practice, practice, practice! (Practice in front of the mirror. Practice for your family. Film yourself and watch it. Do whatever you can to force yourself to develop a bold, confident, spirited recitation style.) Remember, you will be graded on your presentation and confidence in the task at hand as well as the memorization itself.

2) Print another copy of your springboard (“I Am”) poem to turn in on Thursday. This poem will be recited from memory before the class for a grade on Tuesday, 5/22.

3) Based on which class you’re in, complete the following:

CWA only: Your final verse essay is due on Thursday.

CWB only: If you still need to, complete/correct your limerick poem, then type up and print a corrected copy to bring to class on Thursday.

4) Continue writing daily in your journal (upside-down writer’s notebook entries) as directed below. You will turn in your writer’s notebook to be graded—I will quickly skim your entries to see that they’ve been completed, but I will not carefully read them—on Tuesday, 5/22. Do not try to make up any missed entries. Just continue completing them daily from this point forward.

5) You will have a poetry test next Thursday, 5/17.

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY:

For an extra grade to be averaged into your final quarter grade, you may recite one of the following from memory on Monday, 5/22:

* “The Lamb” by William Blake (if you have not already done so)

* Another approved poem of your choosing (100 words or more)

* 1 Corinthians 13 (in the translation of your choosing)

* Psalm 23 (in the translation of your choosing)

Please let me know ASAP if you are planning to do this. You will need to send me a copy of your selected poem for approval, or which Bible translation you are planning to use if you choose the Scripture memory.

-----

ALSO, DAILY:

+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure, aiming for 30 minutes each day. Mark the number of minutes on your Reading Log as you go along—in multiples of five, rounded down—and have a parent initial it in the box each day. The May Reading Log will be due on Tuesday, 5/22/18.

+ Write in your journal each day (upside-down writer’s notebook entries), setting a timer for five minutes and writing in first/second person as we’ve practiced in class. Don’t forget to bring it back to class each Tuesday/Thursday!

+ Keep reviewing your four memorized Scripture memory verses (Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32, Philippians 4:4-8, 1 Chronicles 29:11-13).

+ Keep reviewing your first memorized poem to be sure you are keeping it in your memory.

+ Make your bed! 

-----

OPENING (oral presentation of Bible verse and prayer):

The schedule below is loose. Please be ready to do your opening on any day I call on you. I will have your verse essay for you. 

For Th, 5/10: Cassie (CWA); Lilli (CWB)

For Tu, 5/15: Maddie (CWA); Carissa (CWB)

For Th, 5/17: Robertson (CWA); Caitlin (CWB)

For Tu, 5/22: Evan (CWA); William (CWB)

For Th, 5/24: Cassie (CWA); Grace (CWB)

HW from Thursday, 5/3/18

Due on AND BEFORE Tuesday, 5/8/18

1) Complete/correct your limerick poem, then type it up and email it to my regular email address. Also print a copy to bring to class on Tuesday.

2) Read and scan—remember what that means!— the following poems from your poetry packet. You should write directly on the handout, and be sure to give me all pertinent information regarding rhyme scheme and meter.

Poems to Scan:

* "The Cupboard" (p.42)—note the meter change for the last line of the stanzas, and tell why you think the author did that.

* "Animal Crackers" (p.43)

* "Manners" (p.44)

* "I've Got a New Book" (p.45)

* "A Pop Corn Song" (p.45)—note the meter change in the last line of the stanzas, and tell why you think the author did that.

* "When Young Melissa Sweeps" (p.46)

* "Mumps" (p.47)

* "Mr. Nobody" (p.49)

3) Continue to memorize your next poem(s).You will need to be able to recall all the words to your poem(s) from memory next Tuesday, 5/8. You will perform a spirited recitation for the class (for a grade) on Thursday, 5/10.

4) Print a copy of your “I Am” poem and begin memorizing it alongside your other memory poem(s). The “I Am” poems will be recited before the class for a grade on Tuesday, 5/22.

5) Several of your classmates will be performing in the KEYS drama production of “Alice in Wonderland” tonight and tomorrow night at 7 p.m. You may want to plan to attend with your family. It promises to be a great show!

CWA only: You will need to complete your final verse essay, which will be turned in the day you do the opening, or by Thursday, 5/10.

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ALSO, DAILY:

+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure, aiming for 30 minutes each day. Mark the number of minutes on your Reading Log as you go along—in multiples of five, rounded down—and have a parent initial it in the box each day. The April Reading Log will be due on Tuesday, 5/1/18.

+ Write in your journal each day (upside-down writer’s notebook entries), setting a timer for five minutes and writing in first/second person as we’ve practiced in class. Don’t forget to bring it back to class each Tuesday/Thursday!

+ Keep reviewing your four memorized Scripture memory verses (Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32, Philippians 4:4-8, 1 Chronicles 29:11-13).

+ Keep reviewing your first memorized poem to be sure you are keeping it in your memory.

+ Make your bed! 

NOTE: At any point during Quarter 4, if you choose to memorize and recite the poem "The Lamb" (by William Blake) perfectly from memory, I will give you an extra quiz grade in your average for the fourth quarter. Let me know at the beginning of class once you have accomplished this, should you choose to do so.

-----

OPENING (oral presentation of Bible verse and prayer):

The schedule below is loose. Please be ready to do your opening on any day I call on you. I will have your verse essay for you. 

For Tu, 5/8: Evan (CWA)—bring your verse essay!; Ivy (CWB)

For Th, 5/10: Cassie (CWA); Lilli (CWB)

For Tu, 5/15: Maddie (CWA); Carissa (CWB)

For Th, 5/17: Robertson (CWA); Caitlin (CWB)

For Tu, 5/22: Evan (CWA); William (CWB)

For Th, 5/24: Cassie (CWA); Grace (CWB)

HW from Tuesday, 5/1/18

Due on Thursday, 5/3/18

1) Your completed, proofread, corrected D1 of your theme story is due this Thursday. Label it D1. 

In the envelope, include all the following items:

- your story planning worksheet

- your plot line diagram

- the printed Markup copy of the first 5ish pages

- the copy with your parent’s proofreading marks and signature

- your beautiful draft, printed and double-spaced, for grading

2) Continue to memorize your next poem(s).You will need to be able to recall all the words to your poem(s) from memory on Tuesday, 5/8. You will perform a spirited recitation for the class on Thursday, 5/10.

3) Print a copy of your “I Am” poem, to begin memorizing once your other poem(s) is memorized. The “I Am” poems will be recited before the class for a grade on Tuesday, 5/22.

4) Several of your classmates will be performing in the KEYS drama production of “Alice in Wonderland” on Thursday and Friday nights at 7 p.m. You may want to plan to attend with your family. It promises to be a great show!

CWA only: You will need to complete your final verse essay, which will be turned in the day you do the opening, or by Thursday, 5/10.

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ALSO, DAILY:

+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure, aiming for 30 minutes each day. Mark the number of minutes on your Reading Log as you go along—in multiples of five, rounded down—and have a parent initial it in the box each day. The April Reading Log will be due on Tuesday, 5/1/18.

+ Write in your journal each day (upside-down writer’s notebook entries), setting a timer for five minutes and writing in first/second person as we’ve practiced in class. Don’t forget to bring it back to class each Tuesday/Thursday!

+ Keep reviewing your four memorized Scripture memory verses (Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:29-32, Philippians 4:4-8, 1 Chronicles 29:11-13).

+ Keep reviewing your first memorized poem to be sure you are keeping it in your memory.

+ Make your bed! 

NOTE: At any point during Quarter 4, if you choose to memorize and recite the poem "The Lamb" (by William Blake) perfectly from memory, I will give you an extra quiz grade in your average for the fourth quarter. Let me know at the beginning of class once you have accomplished this, should you choose to do so.

-----

OPENING (oral presentation of Bible verse and prayer):

The schedule below is loose. Please be ready to do your opening on any day I call on you. I will have your verse essay for you. 

For Th, 5/3: Robertson (CWA); Luke (CWB)

For Tu, 5/8: Evan (CWA); Ivy (CWB)

For Th, 5/10: Cassie (CWA); Lilli (CWB)

For Tu, 5/15: Maddie (CWA); Carissa (CWB)

For Th, 5/17: Robertson (CWA); Caitlin (CWB)

For Tu, 5/22: Evan (CWA); William (CWB)

For Th, 5/24: Cassie (CWA); Grace (CWB)