HW from Thursday, 9/27/18

Due on Tuesday, 10/2/18

1) Using the "Writing Techniques" and "Writing Terms" sections of your Writers INC book, look up the following eight terms and copy the definitions: 

* simile

* metaphor

* personification

* sensory details

* figurative language

* hyperbole

* exaggeration

* idiom

2) Using the definition of “idiom” that you looked up in your Writers INC book, make a list of at least five English idioms that you think of on your own—do not use a parent, a friend, or the Internet!—and type them into a Word document as a (non-numbered) list, using a new line for each idiom you chose. Email the document to me as an attachment to the email address on this blog. Start with a fresh email—don’t reply to one I’ve already sent you. Be sure your name is in the subject line of your email and is also on the top of the paper that is your attachment. Send me this email before the weekend.

3) In your Writers INC book, read the following pages. As you read, jot down a few notes about anything that strikes you as important or useful on that page:

p. 1 – Why Write?
p. 3 – Writing Is A Process
p. 45 – Freewriting Tips (Think about writing in your writer's notebook as you read this.)
p. 85 – Writing Sentences
pp. 87-88 – Writing Complete Sentences
p. 95 – Combining Sentences<sup>*

*</sup>For p. 95, don't worry at all about learning or memorizing the names of the techniques they say you can use to combine sentences. Just carefully read each of the examples sentences they give about tornados, noting the various ways they were able to say things differently by combining the ideas from the choppy, little sentences at the top into the nicer, longer ones at the bottom.

NOTE: You should be prepared to turn in both your definitions and your notes on Tuesday.

4) Continue to review the things we're learning in class and be ready for a quiz at any time.

5) Remember that your Reading Log is due on Tuesday.

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Also, daily:

+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure, aiming for 30 minutes daily. 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 September Reading log is due on Tuesday, October 2.

+ Make your bed! :)

As always, please call, text, or email me if you have any questions or concerns about how to do anything assigned on this blog. My suggestion is always that you print it out so you can check off each item as you complete it.

HW from Tuesday, 9/25/18

Due on Thursday, 9/27/18

1) Complete Copywork #3 according to the directions on the handout. Be sure to copy all the formatting of the original poem (skipped lines, indented lines, etc.)

2) Continue to review the things we're learning in class and be ready for a quiz at any time.

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Also, daily:
+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure, aiming for 30 minutes daily. 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 September Reading log is due on Tuesday, October 2.

+ Make your bed! :)

As always, please call, text, or email me if you have any questions or concerns about how to do anything assigned on this blog. My suggestion is always that you print it out so you can check off each item as you complete it.

HW from Thursday, 9/20/18

Due on Tuesday, 9/25/18

1) Review and memorize the five ways we discussed in class today to enhance description in your writing. 

2) Write a good, descriptive sentence to take the place of the dull sentence, "The man walked." (This is like what we did in class today—twice!—using "The child cried.") Use all five ways that we discussed to enhance description in your writing and write a good, descriptive sentence.

Then  skip a line and do it again, using different word choices to give a second sentence with an entirely different feel from the one you just wrote. Again, you’re enhancing the dull sentence, “The man walked.” 

3) Complete Copywork #2 according to the directions on the handout. (Also print out Copywork #1 and file both in the Copywork section of your notebook, if you haven’t already.) Email me if you can't locate it and I'll email it to you again.

4) Locate a written passage—from a book or a magazine, but not online—that describes either a place or a weather event. Make a copy. (Please scan and print it if at all possible. If not, you may type or write it out as long as you give all the copyright information about the source—including the title and author—and your parent double-checks that you made no errors in your transcription.) Bring it to class on Tuesday.

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Also, daily:
+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure, aiming for 30 minutes daily. 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 September Reading log is due on Tuesday, October 2.

+ Make your bed! :)

As always, please call, text, or email me if you have any questions or concerns about how to do anything assigned on this blog. My suggestion is always that you print it out so you can check off each item as you complete it.

HW from Tuesday, 9/18/18

Due on Thursday, 9/20/28

1) Be sure you have memorized this list of your five senses:
LOOK
SMELL
TASTE
SOUND
FEEL

Practice reciting them perfectly—in this exact order, using these exact words.

2) Prepare your CW binder. Fix the five tabs in your binder (sorry about that!) in the following (corrected) order, with the correct pages filed into each section:

1 – Notes (Writing & Grammar Lessons) – put loose-leaf paper in this section

2 – Handouts – put the administrative class information pages here
3 – Copywork / Reading Logs – your printed handout for CW #1 should be here
4 – Quizzes / Tests
5 – Memory Work / Poetry

3) Visit the following web links to listen to the School House Rock songs for nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs. Using a separate sheet of paper for each part of speech, as you listen to each song write down the definition of each part of speech (according to the song) and give as many examples of that part of speech as you can from the song itself. (Often, there are 20-30 or more specific examples of each part of speech listed out in the songs! Write down as many as you can hear and understand.)These are due Thursday.

Remember: use a new sheet of paper for each part of speech/song!

* NOUN A Noun Is a Person, Place, or Thing
* ADJECTIVE Unpack Your Adjectives
* VERB Verb: That's What's Happening
* ADVERB Lolly Lolly Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here

4) Let me know if you or your parent did not receive both the email and the text that I sent. The groups are made and I am assuming everyone is receiving both. Please let me know if you didn't get them.

5) Be sure you have completed all previous assignments. (Check the previous homework blog entries.) The paragraph response to Admiral McCraven’s video is due Thursday.

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Also, daily:
+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure, aiming for 30 minutes daily. 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 September Reading log is due on Tuesday, October 2.

+ Make your bed! J

As always, please call, text, or email me if you have any questions or concerns about how to do anything assigned on this blog! My suggestion is always that you print it out so you can check off each item as you complete it.

Message from Tuesday, 9/18/18

Hello, creative writers!
The internet was not working at KEYS today. I am leaving now to meet a friend for lunch. I will update this blog as soon as I get home this afternoon. I will send a text and an email as soon as I do, so you don’t have to keep checking.

If you don’t get both the email and the text, please send me the email address/text number for whichever parent or student email/text number is not receiving the group emails/texts. Thanks!

HW from Hurricane Week (Tu 9/11 & Th 9/13)

Due on Tuesday, 9/18/18

As always, please call, text, or email me if you have any questions or concerns about how to do anything on this blog! My suggestion is always that you print it out so you can check off each item as you complete it.

1) Memorize this list of your five senses (in this exact order and using these exact words):
LOOK
SMELL
TASTE
SOUND
FEEL

Practice saying it several times so you don't forget them—in this order, using these words.

2) Make sure your CW binder is ready. Get the five tabs labeled and placed in your binder in the correct order with the correct pages filed into each section:

1 – Notes (Writing & Grammar Lessons) – put loose leaf paper in this section

2 – Handouts
2 – Copywork / Reading Logs
3 – Quizzes / Tests
4 – Memory Work
5 – Poetry

3) Complete Copywork #1 according to the directions on the handout. (Follow them carefully.) Use loose leaf paper. (This document was emailed to you as an attachment since we didn't have class and I couldn't hand it to you. Please print it out before attempting to complete the assignment.)

4) Visit this web page and watch the video. Write a paragraph reacting to what Admiral McCraven claims in the video. What benefits does he say will be derived from this daily activity? Do you agree or disagree? Do you think his words will shape your behavior in the future? Be prepared to turn in this paragraph on Thursday. (And maybe go do what he suggested!)

5) Begin reading your Mark Rodriguez book. 

6) Be sure you have completed all previous assignments. Check the previous homework blog entries.

Also, daily:
+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure, aiming for 30 minutes daily. 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 September Reading log is due on Tuesday, October 2.

HW from Thursday, 9/6/18

Due on Tuesday, 9/11/18

1) If you added our class late or didn't get the emails I sent out—and therefore you didn't turn in everything that was due today, 9/6—please complete it and turn it in on Tuesday. However, please email the prayer request homework ASAP. (ASAP=as soon as possible!)

2) Be sure you have your (correct kind of) composition book for Tuesday if you didn’t turn it in to me today. Also, be sure to let me know whether you need a Mark Rodriguez book, if you didn't know today in class.

3) Select your first Reading Log book, if you haven't already, and begin recording your reading on the Reading Log. You are aiming for an average of 30 minutes per school day (M-F), but you may read and record your reading from any days of the week or weekend. Remember, you must record your reading in round multiples of five (rounded down), and your parent must initial each day to indicate that you did the reading and recorded it accurately.

4) Send me an email—from your own email account if you have or are getting one, or from the parental email you will be using for our class correspondence, if not—before the weekend. NOTE: Whenever you send me an email, write your name, CWA or CWB, and the subject/name of the assignment in the subject line. You will be graded this time on whether you do this correctly in this email.

5) Read all of p.141 in your Writer's Inc. book—the sections entitled #4 ("Hooking Your Reader") and #5 ("Keeping the Reader Interested"), including the boxes containing the sections "Use sensory details," "Use specific action," and "Use dialogue."

6) Also read p. 143, entitled "Sample Personal Narrative" (called "The Game").

7) Please subscribe to the Homework Blog by entering both your email (if applicable) and your parent’s email in the right column. (You will have to do this as two separate actions.) You will then each receive an emailed copy of each entry after it has been published. This email will arrive hours after I have published the blog, but it is perfect to print out and check off the items to be sure you completed everything.

HW from Tuesday, 9/4/18

Due BEFORE Thursday, 9/6/18 (our first day of class)

Hello, and welcome to the Creative Writing class at KEYS!

This is your first homework assignment, and it is designed to help you navigate your way to this homework blog so that you're sure to know how to use it once class starts on Thursday, 9/6.

DO NOT BE OVERWHELMED! I know this seems like a lot right now, but you'll get the hang of it very soon!

(NOTE: Please always read the homework assignments carefully and be sure you have done all that is required of you! I would even suggest that you print them, and check off all work as it is completed.)

Each year, throughout the school year, I pray for each of my students by name. I pray for you whenever the Lord brings you to mind, but I also pray for you systematically, one each on a particular day of each month throughout the year. I make a list of things you have asked me to pray for you, and I do so regularly.

Your first assignment is as follows:
As soon as is practical, please email me with a list of things you'd like me to pray for you over the course of this year. This list can include specific requests, but I would also like you to spend some time thinking of general things you'd like the Lord to do for you this school year that I can be praying for you each month. (You may click on the link in the right sidebar to email me, or type my email address into the address line yourself. Either way will work.) 

A sample list of the kinds of things you might send appears below. (These are actual examples from previous student prayer emails I have received.)

* Pray that I would love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
* Pray that I would stand firm in righteousness. I especially need strength to be honest all the time.
* Pray that I wouldn't be too concerned about my appearance.
* Pray that I would stop yelling at my siblings when I get angry at them. 
* Pray that I would be diligent in my schoolwork and keep a good schedule.
* Pray that I would sleep better at night. 
* Pray that my dad would get the new job he applied for.
* Pray for my grandma (Joan) who has thyroid cancer and doesn't know the Lord, that she would get saved and be healed.

Please don't copy this list. This is just an example to get you thinking. Think of particular things that you would like prayer for and send me those. Your list should contain at least five (5) items.

I will cut-and-paste the list you give me into a prayer partner app I use on my iPad, and I will pray faithfully each month for the things you've asked me to pray for you. (The app is private and protected, so no one else will see your requests except me.) Of course, you may feel free to email me at any time to ask me to pray for other things as the school year goes along.

I look forward to sharing this school year with you!
LS

PLEASE NOTE: 
For our first day of class on 9/6, please also print out the documents that were emailed to you and your parents. Read everything and follow all instructions contained in those pages. Place those that will not be turned in, into your notebook as instructed. Place the others (all sheets that required signatures and need to be turned in), in one of the pockets in your notebook.

Print, 3-hole punch (or put in sheet protector), and put in your notebook:– Welcome Letter 2018 ("Dear parents and students")
– Course Expectations and Information
– Class Supply List
– Signature Form (including fees)
– Required Reading Log (discuss with parents and choose your first book)
– Homework Guidelines (This requires signatures. Print two copies, oneyou’re your notebook and one to turn in. Sign both.)

Print, sign, and put in pocket of notebook, to turn in upon arrival Thursday:– Student Information Sheet
– Signature Page
– Signed copy of Homework Guidelines