HW from 9/26/13

Due on Tuesday, 10/1/13

1.  Be sure you have completed the reading and definitions in your Writer's Inc book that were due on Thursday, 9/26. 

2.  Your September reading log is due, signed by a parent, on Tuesday, 10/1.  

3.  Your "descriptive setting" paper is due on Tuesday, 10/1.  You will write a descriptive paper about a favorite place.  Do not tell a story, although you may insert yourself in the description if you wish.  Remember, be descriptive (don't give a "weather report") without being flowery (don't overdo it and make it silly).  Also, be sure to incorporate at least one example of good figurative language in your description. 

Please observe the following parameters:

* Length: at least 300 words, but no more than 500 words
* Format: 1-inch margins, double-spaced, no extra lines, 12-point Times New a Roman or Arial font
* Header (on top right of each page, single-spaced): your full name, date due, and paper title [descriptive setting]
* Footer (on bottom center of each page): page number
* Two drafts: The  first one must be proofread by you, a parent, and one other person (get signatures).  The second one should be the corrected one.  Staple the two drafts together, with the beautiful copy on top.  Do not fold your papers.

NOTE: If you have any questions about how to do any of these things in your word processor, check with your parents or an older sibling or friend.  If you still need help, feel free to call me. 

4.  Learn and memorize (as we go along) the different types of figurative language we're studying.  There are five of them, three that are good to use in creative writing (simile, metaphor, personification) and two that we want to avoid in creative writing (hyperbole, idiom).

Also (daily):

* Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log as you go along.  The current reading log is due, signed by a parent, next Tuesday, October 1, 2013.

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

For Tu, 10/1: Heston A. (CWA); Cameron K. (CWB)
For Th, 10/3: Rachel S. (CWA);  Heidi L. (CWB)

For Tu, 10/8: Jenae F. (CWA); Sam M. (CWB)
For Th, 10/10: Olivia C. (CWA);  Claire D. (CWB)

For Tu, 10/15: David P. (CWA); Evan P. (CWB)
For Th, 10/17: Elizabeth D. (CWA);  Baylee W. (CWB)

HW from 9/24/13

Due on Thursday, 9/26/13

1.  Read the following sections in your Writer's Inc book: pp.3-4, 7-8, 87-88, 95-98.

2.  In the "Writing Techniques" and "Writing Terms" sections of your Writer's Inc book (pp.136-140), look up the following terms and write the definitions: simile, metaphor, personification, sensory details, figurative language, hyperbole, exaggeration, idiom.

3.  Learn and memorize (as we go along) the different types of figurative language we're studying.  There are five of them, three that are good to use in creative writing (simile, metaphor, personification) and two we want to avoid in creative writing (hyperbole, idiom).

Also (daily):

* Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log as you go along.  The current reading log is due, signed by a parent, next Tuesday, October 1, 2013.

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

For Tu, 9/24: Mrs. S.
For Th, 9/26: Mrs. S.

For Tu, 10/1: Heston A. (CWA); Cameron K. (CWB)
For Th, 10/3: Rachel S. (CWA);  Heidi L. (CWB)

For Tu, 10/8: Jenae F. (CWA); Sam M. (CWB)
For Th, 10/10: Olivia C. (CWA);  Claire D. (CWB)

For Tu, 10/15: David P. (CWA); Evan P. (CWB)
For Th, 10/17: Elizabeth D. (CWA);  Baylee W. (CWB)

HW from 9/19/13

Due on Tuesday, 9/24/13

1.  If you didn't, finish your writer's notebook entry. You are giving three good examples each of simile, metaphor, and personification. Make up good, descriptive sentences. Do not use hyperbole or idiom. 

2.  Remember to bring your writer's notebook back to class on Tuesday if you took it home to finish!

3.  Think of the place you'd like to write your descriptive paper about. Make a chart of five sections, listing one of your five senses at the top of each section. Write three good, descriptive sentences about your place under each section--look, smell, taste, sound, feel.  (This will be fifteen sentences total.)

NOTE: You may organize your sheets of paper however you would like, as long as I can easily read which sentences go with which sense.  Not also that "taste" is challenging for some places.  Do your best to come up with something if you can.  I will not count off if your place does not lend itself to a lot of description in the area of "taste."

4.  Be sure you understand, know, and can list and explain those ways we talked about enhancing description in your writing.  So far, we've discussed all seven listed in the Topics of Study in the left sidebar of the Creative Writing homepage (Quarter 1).

5.  Learn and memorize (as we go along) the different types of figurative language we're studying.  There are five of them, three that are good to use in creative writing (simile, metaphor, personification) and two we want to avoid in creative writing (hyperbole, idiom).  

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

Also (daily):

* Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log as you go along.  The current reading log is due, signed by a parent, on Tuesday, October 1, 2013.

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

For Tu, 9/24: Mrs. S.
For Th, 9/26: Mrs. S.

For Tu, 10/1: Heston A. (CWA); Cameron K. (CWB)
For Th, 10/3: Rachel S. (CWA);  Heidi L. (CWB)


For Tu, 10/8: Jenae F. (CWA); Ethan M. (CWB)
For Th, 10/10: Olivia C. (CWA);  Claire D. (CWB)


For Tu, 10/15: David P. (CWA); Evan P. (CWB)
For Th, 10/17: Sam M. (CWA);  Baylee W. (CWB)

HW from 9/17/13

Due on Thursday, 9/19/13

1.  Copywork #2.

2.  Be sure you understand, know, and can list and explain those ways we talked about enhancing description in your writing.  So far, we've discussed the first six listed in the Topics of Study in the left sidebar of the Creative Writing homepage (Quarter 1).

3.  Learn and memorize (as we go along) the different types of figurative language we're studying.

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

Also (daily):

* Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log as you go along.  The current reading log is due, signed by a parent, on Tuesday, October 1, 2013.

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

For Tu, 9/24: Mrs. S.
For Th, 9/26: Mrs. S.

For Tu, 10/1: TBD
For Th, 10/3: TBD

HW from 9/12/13

Due on Tuesday, 9/17/13

1.  Write three good, descriptive sentences that are better than the basic sentence, "The child cried." (This will be like what we did in class today with, "The man walked.")

NOTE: Make sure you use each of the six ways we talked about to enhance descriptive writing somewhere in the assignment--but not all six in each of the sentences! 

---> If you didn't take good notes in class, learn 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.

2.  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 homepage.

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

Also (daily):

* Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log as you go along.  The current reading log is due, signed by a parent, on Tuesday, October 1, 2013.

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

For Tu, 9/24: Mrs. S.
For Th, 9/26: Mrs. S.

For Tu, 10/1: TBD
For Th, 10/3: TBD

HW from 9/10/13

Due on Thursday, 9/12/13

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, and your introductory paper.

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 on the reading log calendar.

3.  Get your class notebook in order by setting up and labeling the tabbed dividers as follows (in this order) and filing all handouts and papers in the appropriate sections before class on Thursday. 

(1) Course Information
(2) Reading Logs
(3) Spelling/Vocabulary
(4) Class Notes (WL/GL)
(5) Homework
(6) Copywork
(7) Classwork
(8) Returned Quizzes/Tests

4.  Read and sign the handout I gave you about homework guidelines. Have your parent sign it, too. This will be the first page of the Homework section of your notebook. 

5.  Complete copywork #1 according to the directions. Don't forget to time how long it takes you and to write that time, in minutes, at the top of your paper.  

Also (daily):

 * Read your (approved) book for pleasure 30 minutes daily.  Mark it on your reading log as you go along.  The current reading log is due, signed by a parent, on Tuesday, October 1, 2013.

HW from 9/5/13

Due on 9/10/13:

1) If you didn't complete the previous homework assignment, which was due before today, please do so as soon as possible. In the email, please explain to me why you didn't complete the assignment on time.

2) Sign--and have your parent sign--the signature form indicating that you've read and understand the course expectations. Bring it and your check on Tuesday.

3) Complete the Student Information Sheet and bring it to class on Tuesday.

4) Be sure you have acquired all supplies from the class supply list.  Bring your notebook and your Writer's Inc book to class each day.

5) Choose the book you want to read for your reading log and get approval for it from your parents and me. (You may email or call me with the title you have selected.)  Read 30 minutes each day whenever possible and note the minutes read on the reading log.

6) Complete the first introductory paper, in which you discuss several fun or memorable experiences you had over the summer. This introductory paper is to give me an idea of where you are in your current writing ability and style. It should be around 200 words (about a page and a half, handwritten).  Please put your full name, the date, and the title of the paper--call it "introductory paper"--in the upper right hand corner of your page.

HW from 8/22/13

Due before 9/5/13:

Hello, and welcome to 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, 9/5.

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, 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 year that I can be praying for you each month.

An example of what you might send me appears below. 

* 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 school work 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.  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 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!