We are now a month into school and all I can say about my current writing class is ...I am very impressed. Students in the 9 writing class are keen, creative and fast at writing. So far we have completed the following assignments.
Earthquake Poem: Students responded to our own earthquake and also watched some video of eathquakes. From this, they created their own earthquake poems. We discussed some basic poetic elements such as simile, metaphor, personification and imagery. We also discussed poetic form and the concept of writing in present tense using "bits of ideas" as opposed to full prose like sentences. There were no parameters put on this assignment with regard to form. The only requirement iwas to create a sense of feeling and emotion aorund the concept/idea of earthquake. Marks 10
An introduction of self as a character: In this assignment, students were to describe themselves as though the are a character in a story. The focus of this piece is to reveal the character through show not tell.
Marks 10
Observation assignment: Students are to spend some time observing an individual in their natural environment. They should write down some point form notes about what the individual looks like, acts like, how the individual responds to situations and other people (act and react), how they speak, mannerisms or quirks. After taking notes, students should weave this person/character into a situation and reveal them as a character in a story. Again the focus is on show not tell.
Marks 10
Example of show not tell: TELL: She has blond hair and blue eyes and is the prettiest girl in school.
SHOW: As I waited at the bus stop, a lanky blond with shoulder length blond hair dropped her heavy backpack on the ground, then brushed a strand of hair from her blue eyes.
Personal Experience Brainstorm: We spent some time sharing stories that have created an impact on us. Students were to think about stories that might fit into the following categories: Adventurous, funny, scary either physically or emotionally, embarassing, proud, and risky. Stories are point formand are to be used to generate ideas. Marks 5
Personal Experience Story: We have spent time in class reading personal experience stories and talking about developing a style. If we start with our own stories we can branch out and write fictional pieces which have a sense of reality. Students are to write a full story focusing on a personal experience. The story should focus on the elements of story such as: setting, character development, plot, conflict, and resolution of conflict.
Marks 20
