Writer's+Notebook


 * Week of 9-12-11 Cleats**
 * Six Traits:** Ideas and Voice

Make a list of ideas first! media type="file" key="Writer's Workshop The Floor.wmv" width="300" height="300"
 * Week of 9-26-11 Hmmm, check out the video.**
 * 6 Traits:** Think about Ideas, Voice and Word Choice

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 * 10-25-11 Plot Structure**
 * from Smart Board**
 * Plot Structure Blank Chart**
 * 10-31-11 Personification**

**Choose an object that you would like to personify.** First view is in movie format. There is no sound. I didn't want to taint your creativity, so it is an unedited movie. To the right of the video is a link. If you have PhotoStory3 on your computer at home, you should be able to download it, and edit as you please. It may take a minute or two to open. You can save your work on your flash drive, then we will finalize it and upload your version of Gus's Great Escape at school. You can change the title too! Have fun! media type="file" key="Gus's Great Escape.wmv" width="300" height="300"
 * Click pdf file to view Salty commercial comments**
 * 11-22-11**
 * Gus's Great Escape-Personification**
 * Narrate this story from Gus', the centipede's, point of view. **

media type="file" key="Vocal Verbs and Vocal Adverbs for wiki.wmv" width="300" height="300"
 * 12-8-11**
 * Using vocal verbs and vocal adverbs** can really spice up your writing. Take a look at the dialog below. Click the pdf link to view then watch the video to see and hear the the dialog before it was spiced up and after.

This is the easiest form of poetry. We will have a lot of fun with this!
 * 1-4-12**
 * How to Write a Freestyle Poem**


 * 1-21-12.**


 * As we come close to the end of publishing our first books, I want to commend you on your writing and illustrating efforts. I love reading your work and I love that you are all reading each other's works. We will begin our next big writing adventure soon. As you start to think about your next story, start to gather ideas on the topic you would like to write about, the characters you may want to include and even the setting of the story.**


 * Watch this video where Rick Riordan tells his fans how he came about writing his first Percy Jackson book //The Lightning Thief//. I found it to be very interesting on who inspired him to write the story and how his middle school students helped him to revise certain aspects of the story. You all have the power to create, inspire each other, and constructively critique each other's work. You all have the power to write and become awesome writers. Find a topic that grabs you and run with it. Let's have fun with our next writing adventure!**

media type="custom" key="12167862" align="center" **1-23-11** **I am so excited that Kat Falls, author of //The Dark Life// and its sequel //Rip Tide,// will be Skyping with up this February. Put your writer's cap on and create a list of questions you have for her, questions that you have about the writing process. Here is a copy of the email she wrote accepting our invitation to Skype. Thank you Kat Falls!** Hi Denise--

Thank you for writing. Of course I'll skype with your class!

I do have to admit I've only skyped a few times before and that was after my children had it up and running, but I'm sure I can figure it out. :) If you don't mind waiting until February, that would work better for me. I promised my editor I'd finish a draft of my new book by January 30th and I'm going to be hard pressed to meet that deadline.

I love that you have your students making their own books. I did something similar when I was a kid, only I used a stapler. Still, stapled or bound, there's nothing like holding a tangible product of your creativity and hard work. I'm still beyond excited when I see my latest book in print for the first time.

Just let me know a good date and time to skype and we'll make it happen.

Best wishes, Kat