Expectations/Requirements for Mystery Story

See the previous entry (from 1/28/14) for the homework assignments due on Tuesday, 2/4/14.

This entry is to clarify the expectations and requirements for your mystery story.

Graded items that need to all be in your manilla envelope so far (those checked):
-/  (1) 5  possible items in pocket
-/  (2) 3 possible situations
-/  (3)  plot line chart
-/  (4) graded Markup copy of first 2 vignettes
-/  (5) printed, graded Markup copy of G1 (first five pages), stapled to your signed/proofed G1 copy

    (6) signed/proofed copy of your G2 (See 2h in the directions given below.)

    (7) your blank copy of the grading rubric for the mystery story.

You should be adding pages to your story at a rate of at least two pages per day.  By next Tuesday, you must either be finished with your story or you must have at least 17 of the 25 possible pages done.  (This does NOT mean your story has to be 25 pages long!  Your finished story must be between 5 and 25 pages long.  Consult the grading rubric to see if you have done a good job with your story.)

Whenever you finish your story (5-25 pages long), do the following:

1] Send me a regular email letting me know your story is done, how many pages long it is, and that you are in the proofing stage.

2] The proofing stage should consist of this:

    a) Make any and all changes suggested on your Markup G1.

    b) Look over your story on the computer, making sure all the line spacing, margins, vignette separators (* * * or similar), extra lines, header errors, or footer (page number) errors are correct and that you have used the correct parameters for compositions.  [See NOTE, below.]

    c) Read over your story on the computer, proofing for any and all mistakes that you can see.  Be sure your dialogue is punctuated correctly!  Look for and correct any errors, including run-on sentences, sentence fragments, spelling errors, typographical errors, etc.  Make it as perfect as you know how!  Save this corrected copy of your story, labeling it as your G2.  (Do this in both the name of the document as you save it and in the document itself, in the header.)

    d) Print a draft copy of your G2.  (This uses less ink.) 

    e) Hand this draft copy (G2) to your adult proofreader, along with your Markup G1 and the grading rubric sheet I will use to grade your story.  (This is so they can see how I will grade it; they should NOT use it to "grade" your paper!)  Have them proof the G2 both for content and for mechanics. (See below for explanation.)  Have your proofreader mark any errors he or she finds directly on your G2 draft copy, and then sign it on the first and last pages of your story. 

Content = Did you follow the directions for the assignment well, as indicated on the grading rubric?  

Mechanics = Are there any grammatical or spelling errors of any kind?

    f) Look over all the errors your proofreader found on your G2, along with any suggested corrections he or she made.  Make sure you understand and agree.  Talk to your proofreader if you're confused or in disagreement.

    g) Make the corrections needed on your computer copy of your G2.  When it is as perfect as you know how to make it, label and save it as the D1 and email it as an attachment to my regular email.  Keep the signed, proofed G2 in your envelope.

     h) I will print a draft copy of your D1 at my home and begin grading it.  The next class period that I see you after you email me your D1, please hand me your envelope, full of all seven items listed above, for me to use while I grade your story.

NOTE - Your paper must follow all understood parameters for our compositions:

-- 12-point font (Arial or Times New Roma)

-- double-spaced

-- standard 1-in. margins

-- 5-space paragraph indentations

-- single-spaced header with name, date, and assignment name, on far left or right top of each page

-- footer that automatically places the correct page number on the bottom of each page

-- ONE visual divider line of some sort (* * * or some similar) between your different vignettes

-- no EXTRA lines (not between paragraphs, associated with vignette changes, or just randomly)

Please, please, please call, text, or email me if you have any questions or concerns about any of these expectations or requirements!

IF YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE CRAZY LINES IN YOUR PAPER, try the instructions given here. Basically, you will select all (hit cntrl A) so it all turns blue, then go to the paragraph box at the top of your Word program, select the border box (which looks like a box with four squares), then choose no border.  It should take the lines away.

HW from 1/28/14

Due on Tuesday, 2/4/14

1.  I am writing this update with the assumption that the near foot of snow we received overnight will likely keep us from attending KEYS tomorrow, Thursday, 1/30/14.  If classes are not canceled, I will see you tomorrow, and we'll revise the assignments for Tuesday then.  Otherwise, proceed as indicated here.

2.  At this point you should have written, proofed, and corrected 7 (or more) pages for your mystery story and emailed them as an attachment to the Markup address.  If I have not sent your graded G1 from Markup, you will receive it some time today.  Please print the G1 Markup copy that is returned to you, staple it to your proofread (and signed) copy of your G1, and place it in your manilla envelope with the other returned elements of your mystery story.

3.  Between now next Tuesday, you need to either finish your story (which may be any length between 5 pages and 25 pages) or have written up to 17 full pages.  (This is adding an average of 2 pages per day for each school day since class yesterday.)

* If your story is not yet finished, once you reach 17 pages, email those proofed 17 pages as an attachment to my Markup address.

* If you finish your story, do the following: (1) write me at my regular email and tell me that you have finished your paper, it is ___ pages long, and you are in the proofing stage, (2) proof and revise your paper such that it is as perfect as you can make it (see separate entry called Expectations and Requirements for the Mystery Story for detailed instructions), and (3) email the perfect D1 copy as an attachment to my regular email address.  I will print and grade this copy (your "red copy"), which you will then (much later) revise into your D2.

4.  If you have not emailed me your January entry for the 12 Months of 2014 Blog Challenge, please do so, so that I may post it on the Student Writing Samples blog for your classmates to read.  I would encourage you to visit that site to click on and read your classmates' entries.  Some of them are quite good!

5.  Continue to memorize your Scripture memory verse.  You will be required to recite it aloud to the class whenever called upon, beginning with the next class period. 

6.  Return your signed report card (both the blue one and the white page inside) and your signed reading log on Tuesday.

Also (daily):

+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log as you go along. The January reading log is due, signed by a parent, on Thursday, January 30, Tuesday, February 4.

+ Work on your Scripture memory and Scripture memory review.  You need to be ready to recite any one of your memorized verses perfectly from memory any time I call on you in class.

+ Review daily the material from our writing and grammar lessons in class so that you can more easily learn and memorize (as we go along) the different things we are studying.  Be ready for a quiz anytime on all that we've learned so far.

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

For Tu, 2/4: Jonathan A. (CWA);  Baylee W. (CWB)
For Th, 2/6: Mishael M. (CWA); Tori W. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/11: Ethan M. (CWA);  Jessie L. (CWB)
For Th, 2/13: Ellie W. (CWA); Olivia H. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/18: Rachel S. (CWA);  Heidi L. (CWB)
For Th, 2/20: Emily M. (CWA); Cameron K. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/25: Olivia C.  (CWA);  Claire D. (CWB)
For Th, 2/27: Heston A. (CWA); Evan P. (CWB)

For Tu, 3/4: David P. (CWA);  Hardy A. (CWB)
For Th, 3/6: Elizabeth D. (CWA); Baylee W. (CWB)

For Tu, 3/11: Josh D. (CWA); Bryce D. (CWB)
For Th, 3/13: Emma R. (CWA); Alexa W. (CWB)

Then, Spring Break! :)

For Tu, 4/1: Danielle W. (CWA); Sam M. (CWB)
For Th, 4/3: Mark B. (CWA); Tori W. (CWB) 

For Tu, 4/8: Jonathan A. (CWA);  Baylee W. (CWB)
For Th, 4/10: Mishael M. (CWA); Hardy A. (CWB)

For Tu, 4/15: Ethan M. (CWA);  Jessie L. (CWB)
For Th, 4/17: Ellie W. (CWA); Olivia H. (CWB)

For Tu, 4/22: Rachel S. (CWA);  Heidi L. (CWB)
For Th, 4/24: Jenae F. (CWA); Cameron K. (CWB)

For Tu, 4/29: Olivia C.  (CWA);  Claire D. (CWB)
For Th, 5/1: Heston A. (CWA); Evan P. (CWB)

For Tu, 5/6: David P. (CWA);  Sam M. (CWB)
For Th, 5/8: Elizabeth D. (CWA); Baylee W. (CWB)

For Tu, 5/13: Josh D. (CWA); Bryce D. (CWB)
For Th, 5/15: Emily M. (CWA); Alexa W. (CWB)

For Tu, 5/20 and Th, 5/22: Mrs. S.

HW from 1/23/14

Due on Tuesday, 1/28/14

1.  Looks like another snow day!  KEYS classes are closed tomorrow, 1/23/14, since Chesapeake and Virginia Beach public schools have canceled.  The Sampler that was scheduled for Thursday night is also canceled.  (Friday's drama presentation is still on, for 7:00.)

2.  If you haven't been sick and have done all your work, at this point you have written, proofed, and corrected 7 (or more) pages for your mystery story and emailed them as an attachment to the Markup address.  You may continue with your story this weekend if you would like to--and if you feel fine, I would recommend that you do!--but you will not be required to write any more for next Tuesday.  This will enable your classmates who've been ill to catch up and will enable you to have your plot line outline in your possession while you write your next pages.  (It is currently in my possession and was to be given back to you in class tomorrow, 1/23, which has been canceled).

3.  Since you are not required to write any more of your mystery story for Tuesday, I want you to write your January entry for the 12 Months of 2014 Blog Challenge instead.  (It will be due by class on Tuesday, not by January 31, as I originally said.)

4.  Re-read Philip's entry Cold As Charity.  Write down all the examples of figurative language you see in this post as you read, identifying what kind of figurative language it is.  Bring this to class with you on Tuesday, 1/28.

5.  Try to stay healthy!  Dress warmly if you go outside, eat healthful food, don't eat a lot of junky food or sugar, and get plenty of sleep.  Lots of your classmates are sick!

Also (daily):

+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log as you go along. The January reading log is due, signed by a parent, on Thursday, January 30. 

+ Review daily the material from our writing and grammar lessons in class so that you can more easily learn and memorize (as we go along) the different things we are studying.  Be ready for a quiz anytime on all that we've learned so far.

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

For Tu, 1/28: Mark B. (CWA);  Hardy A. (CWB)
For Th, 1/30: Emily M. (CWA); Tori W. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/4: Jonathan A. (CWA);  Baylee W. (CWB)
For Th, 2/6: Mishael M. (CWA); Joy S. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/11: Ethan M. (CWA);  Jessie L. (CWB)
For Th, 2/13: Ellie W. (CWA); Olivia H. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/18: Rachel S. (CWA);  Heidi L. (CWB)
For Th, 2/20: Jenae F. (CWA); Cameron K. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/25: Olivia C.  (CWA);  Claire D. (CWB)
For Th, 2/27: Heston A. (CWA); Evan P. (CWB)

For Tu, 3/4: David P. (CWA);  Sam M. (CWB)
For Th, 3/6: Elizabeth D. (CWA); Baylee W. (CWB)

For Tu, 3/11: Josh D. (CWA); Bryce D. (CWB)
For Th, 3/13: Emma R. (CWA); Alexa W. (CWB)


Then, Spring Break! :)

For Tu, 4/1: Danielle W. (CWA); Hardy A. (CWB)
For Th, 4/3: Mark B. (CWA); Tori W. (CWB) 

For Tu, 4/8: Jonathan A. (CWA);  Baylee W. (CWB)
For Th, 4/10: Mishael M. (CWA); Joy S. (CWB)

For Tu, 4/15: Ethan M. (CWA);  Jessie L. (CWB)
For Th, 4/17: Ellie W. (CWA); Olivia H. (CWB)

For Tu, 4/22: Rachel S. (CWA);  Heidi L. (CWB)
For Th, 4/24: Jenae F. (CWA); Cameron K. (CWB)

For Tu, 4/29: Olivia C.  (CWA);  Claire D. (CWB)
For Th, 5/1: Heston A. (CWA); Evan P. (CWB)

For Tu, 5/6: David P. (CWA);  Sam M. (CWB)
For Th, 5/8: Elizabeth D. (CWA); Baylee W. (CWB)

For Tu, 5/13: Josh D. (CWA); Bryce D. (CWB)
For Th, 5/15: Emily M. (CWA); Alexa W. (CWB)

For Tu, 5/20 & Th, 5/22: Mrs. S.

HW from 1/21/14

Due on Tuesday, 1/23/14

1.  Happy snow day!  Go look out the window, take a pretty picture, play in the snow!

2.  Add at least two full pages to your mystery story.  Proofread them.  Have someone else proofread them.  Make the corrections.  Email your story (with the two new, proofed, corrected pages added) as an attachment to the Markup address.

NOTE: Once your story is finished (somewhere between 5-25 pages, sometime in the next couple of weeks), you will email a copy to Markup and then email me at my regular email to let me know that your story is complete but in the proofing stage.  During the proofing stage, you will make sure your story contains all the things that are listed on the grading rubric for the story.  You will then proofread it, print it out, have it proofread by two others not in our class (have them sign it), make corrections, and then print out what you believe to be the most perfect D1 you can.  Bring it to me in class.  I will grade this hard copy, which will become your "red copy" for final editing.

3.  Choose which of the two verses (Titus 2:11-14 or Ephesians 4:29-32) you would like to memorize first and make a Scripture memory card for it (on an index card).  Bring the index card to class tomorrow.  Begin memorizing the verse.  You must be ready to recite the verse to the class by the start of February.

4.  Read the other sample blog entry I gave you for the 12 Months of 2014 Blog Challenge.  (In class we read my entry Today Is All You'll Ever Have.  Visit the link to see what the post looks like with the pictures included.  Then visit Cold As Charity to read the sample blog post written by my son, Philip.  Pay attention to all the examples of figurative language you see in this post as you read.)

5.  Be thinking about what you want to write about for your first entry into the 12 Months of 2014 Blog Challenge.  You will write/type your entry and give it to me sometime during the month of January.  (It is due before February 1.)  I will post your entries on our Student Writing Samples blog.)

6.  Try to stay healthy!  Dress warmly if you go outside, eat healthful food, don't eat a lot of junky food or sugar, and get plenty of sleep.  Lots of your classmates are sick!

Also (daily):

+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log as you go along. The January reading log is due, signed by a parent, on Thursday, January 30. 

+ Review daily the material from our writing and grammar lessons in class so that you can more easily learn and memorize (as we go along) the different things we are studying.  Be ready for a quiz anytime on all that we've learned so far.

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

For Th, 1/23: Mark B. (CWA);  Hardy A. (CWB)

For Tu, 1/28: Emily M. (CWA); Tori W. (CWB)
For Th, 1/30: Jonathan A. (CWA);  Baylee W. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/4: Mishael M. (CWA); Joy S. (CWB)
For Th, 2/6: Ethan M. (CWA);  Jessie L. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/11: Ellie W. (CWA); Olivia H. (CWB)
For Th, 2/13: Rachel S. (CWA);  Heidi L. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/18: Jenae F. (CWA); Cameron K. (CWB)
For Th, 2/20: Olivia C.  (CWA);  Claire D. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/25: Heston A. (CWA); Evan P. (CWB)
For Th, 2/27: David P. (CWA);  Sam M. (CWB)

For Tu, 3/4: Elizabeth D. (CWA); Baylee W. (CWB)
For Th, 3/6: Danielle W. (CWA); Bryce D. (CWB)

For Tu, 3/11: Emma R. (CWA); Alexa W. (CWB)
For Th, 3/13: Joshua D. (CWA); Hardy A. (CWB)

Then, Spring Break! :)

HW from 1/7/14

Due on Thursday, 1/9/14 - Mrs. Sitterding's birthday :)

1.  Reread the start of the David story from first to last.  Be considering what you think might be going on in the story--after all, you will be the one who gets to decide that!--as you go along.
 
2.  Be sure you have numbered each line-separated vignette in your copy of the story and that your chart showing the various characters and settings that are present in each vignette is complete.  
NOTE: This is the chart we made on the board together as we read the story today in class.  Be sure your chart contains all 13 vignettes.

For example:
      (1) David        office, field outside office, on the way to the library
      (2) Cathy        office, on the way home         Etc.

Continue for each vignette.  Note that you may have many listings each for David, Cathy, Richard, etc.  Just make a new, complete list item for each change of vignette.  If many people are in the vignette, list all of them.  If the vignette includes many settings, list all of them.

3.  Brainstorm at least five reasonable possibilities of what you think the thing in his pocket could be.  (Remember, you are continuing the story, so it will be whatever you say it is!)

4.  Look up the following literary terms in your Writer's Inc. book and copy (or type) the definition for each onto a piece of paper:

+ foreshadowing - p.137, p.237
+ epiphany - p.235
+ suspense - look up in the dictionary
+ vignette - look up in dictionary or use link above
+ plot - p.239
+ exposition - p.235
+ rising action - p.240
+ climax - p.234
+ falling action - p.235
+ resolution/denouement - p.234, p.240

NOTE: Page numbers are from the 2001 edition of the Writer's Inc. book.  If you have a different edition, you will likely have to locate the definitions on different pages.  Use the index and table of contents.

Also (daily):

+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log as you go along. The January reading log is due, signed by a parent, on Thursday, January 30, 2014. 

+ Review daily the material from our writing and grammar lessons in class so that you can more easily learn and memorize (as we go along) the different things we are studying.  Be ready for a quiz anytime on all that we've learned so far.

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


For Th, 1/9: Elizabeth D. (CWA);  Sam M. (CWB)

For Tu, 1/14: Danielle W. (CWA); Evan P. (CWB)
For Th, 1/16: Emma R. (CWA);  Bryce D. (CWB)

For Tu, 1/21: Joshua D. (CWA); Alexa W. (CWB)
For Th, 1/23: Mark B. (CWA);  Hardy A. (CWB)

For Tu, 1/28: Emily M. (CWA); Tori W. (CWB)
For Th, 1/30: Jonathan A. (CWA);  Baylee W. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/4: Mishael M. (CWA); Joy S. (CWB)
For Th, 2/6: Ethan M. (CWA);  Jessie L. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/11: Ellie W. (CWA); Olivia H. (CWB)
For Th, 2/13: Rachel S. (CWA);  Heidi L. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/18: Jenae F. (CWA); Cameron K. (CWB)
For Th, 2/20: Olivia C.  (CWA);  Claire D. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/25: Heston A. (CWA); Evan P. (CWB)
For Th, 2/27: David P. (CWA);  Sam M. (CWB)

For Tu, 3/4: Elizabeth D. (CWA); Baylee W. (CWB)
For Th, 3/6: Danielle W. (CWA); Bryce D. (CWB)

For Tu, 3/11: Emma R. (CWA); Alexa W. (CWB)
For Th, 3/13: Joshua D. (CWA); Hardy A. (CWB)

Then, Spring Break! :)

HW for 1/7/14

Due on Tuesday, 1/7/14 

1. Before class tomorrow, please read the following blog post:
http://parksideplace.blogspot.com/2014/01/an-epiphany-on-epiphany.html

2.  If you took a break from it, resume reading your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Today, January 6, will be the first day of reading that counts on the new reading log!  

Also (daily):

+ Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log as you go along. The January reading log is due, signed by a parent, on Thursday, January 30, 2014.

+ Review daily the material from our writing and grammar lessons in class so that you can more easily learn and memorize (as we go along) the different things we are studying.  Be ready for a quiz anytime on all that we've learned so far.

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

For Tu, 1/7: David P. (CWA); Baylee W. (CWB)
For Th, 1/9: Elizabeth D. (CWA);  Sam M. (CWB)

For Tu, 1/14: Danielle W. (CWA); Evan P. (CWB)
For Th, 1/16: Emma R. (CWA);  Bryce D. (CWB)

For Tu, 1/21: Joshua D. (CWA); Alexa W. (CWB)
For Th, 1/23: Mark B. (CWA);  Hardy A. (CWB)

For Tu, 1/28: Emily M. (CWA); Tori W. (CWB)
For Th, 1/30: Jonathan A. (CWA);  Miranda L. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/4: Mishael M. (CWA); Joy S. (CWB)
For Th, 2/6: Ethan M. (CWA);  Jessie L. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/11: Ellie W. (CWA); Olivia H. (CWB)
For Th, 2/13: Rachel S. (CWA);  Heidi L. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/18: Jenae F. (CWA); Cameron K. (CWB)
For Th, 2/20: Olivia C.  (CWA);  Claire D. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/25: Heston A. (CWA); Evan P. (CWB)
For Th, 2/27: David P. (CWA);  Sam M. (CWB)

For Tu, 3/4: Elizabeth D. (CWA); Baylee W. (CWB)
For Th, 3/6: Danielle W. (CWA); Bryce D. (CWB)

For Tu, 3/11: Emma R. (CWA); Alexa W. (CWB)
For Th, 3/13: Joshua D. (CWA); Hardy A. (CWB)

Then, Spring Break! :)

HW from 12/19/13

You have no homework over the holiday break! :) 

Enjoy your Christmas and New Year's celebrations with your families!

I will see you again for class on Tuesday, January 7, 2014.

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

For Tu, 1/7: David P. (CWA); Baylee W. (CWB)
For Th, 1/9: Elizabeth D. (CWA);  Sam M. (CWB)

For Tu, 1/14: Danielle W. (CWA); Evan P. (CWB)
For Th, 1/16: Emma R. (CWA);  Bryce D. (CWB)

For Tu, 1/21: Joshua D. (CWA); Alexa W. (CWB)
For Th, 1/23: Mark B. (CWA);  Hardy A. (CWB)

For Tu, 1/28: Emily M. (CWA); Tori W. (CWB)
For Th, 1/30: Jonathan A. (CWA);  Miranda L. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/4: Mishael M. (CWA); Joy S. (CWB)
For Th, 2/6: Ethan M. (CWA);  Jessie L. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/11: Ellie W. (CWA); Olivia H. (CWB)
For Th, 2/13: Rachel S. (CWA);  Heidi L. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/18: Jenae F. (CWA); Cameron K. (CWB)
For Th, 2/20: Olivia C.  (CWA);  Claire D. (CWB)

For Tu, 2/25: Heston A. (CWA); Evan P. (CWB)
For Th, 2/27: David P. (CWA);  Sam M. (CWB)

For Tu, 3/4: Elizabeth D. (CWA); Baylee W. (CWB)
For Th, 3/6: Danielle W. (CWA); Bryce D. (CWB)

For Tu, 3/11: Emma R. (CWA); Alexa W. (CWB)
For Th, 3/13: Joshua D. (CWA); Hardy A. (CWB)

Then, Spring Break! :)