Writing Assignment: Fiction Writing

Good readers create good writers, and vice versa. 

In our reading practice, we have focused predominately on narratives, studying such things as main ideas (an overall moral or message) and character traits. We’ve also looked at how the creators of narratives add depth and complexity to their work through the use of an emotional arc and a particular point of view or perspective.

In our writing practice, we have also examined narratives, noting how published authors use the main writing traits (ideas, organization, word choice, voice, sentence fluency and conventions) effectively (or not, however the case may be).

Now students can apply what they've learned to their own fiction writing!

We always have time in class to practice different types of writing forms, and to play in a creative writing 'sandbox' (a session I call Free Write) but this is a specific writing assignment: short narrative writing.

Lately in class we have been practicing the 'planning' phase for story writing.

Stories are made up of 3 essential ingredients: character, setting and plot.

It doesn't really matter where you start: a character idea will lead to a corresponding setting and plot, a setting idea will naturally lead to a character and a plot...and so on. 

We have played around with this creation process, creating characters with inner and outer traits and generating plot and setting ideas that 'fit' with them. We have taken a proposed setting and generated a plot idea and a character. We have taken a general plot outline, such as

• ·      A battle is fought and won
• ·      A lost treasure or relic or object is found.
• ·      True love is searched for and found.
• ·      A difficult ordeal is survived.

and created a character and setting to match...and from that developed a more complex plot line.

Students have now received a planning package in which they can use the planning process to develop a strong outline for their proposed piece of fiction.

Students will work both in class and at home to complete the short story (emphasis on SHORT. Max 4 typed or 6 hand written, no chapter books please!)

First draft tentatively set for Dec 4. 

Final draft due Dec. 11

Crafting a narrative is a complex art. 

It is one of the most challenging writing forms (when we do persuasive essays in the new year, they are gong to seem like a breeze!) but I think everyone is up for it, particularly after all of our study on narratives. 

I can't wait to see what students come up with!

MOVIE CASI (aka using short films to enhance reading comprehension)

In SCDSB, some Gr. 4-8 teachers will administer a reading comprehension assessment called a CASI.

This includes a short piece (non fiction or fiction) to read, and then a series of questions.

For fiction, these questions include:

• summary
• main idea
• narrative traits (such as plot, setting, character)
• character traits
• evaluation of title
• connection to text (text to self, text to world and/or text to text)
• evaluation of perspective or point of view

Students completed their first CASI in September.

From that, I can determine which areas need support.

For example, several students confused summary with main idea, or did not provide enough evidence to support their conclusion, or made fairly superficial inferences when discussing a connection, etc.

We can use that as our starting point, to learn how to be more specific, to provide proof, to go deeper into the text, to develop our ideas more thoroughly and with more conviction.

A great way to practice this is to use short films. They are narratives, and thus allow for the same discussion points as the CASI. Being so short, they allow for repetition. We can tackle main idea x 5 in a fairly short amount of time, while still analyzing stories that have depth and complexity. (Also, they are a lot of FUN).

In class, we watched:

Order Up
Octopi in Love
Hello Music Video
Pixels
Plot Device

And for each we discussed the various CASI questions.

We also looked at emotional arcs as a subtext: in addition to the obvious plot there is a not so obvious emotional journey. Therein lies the substance for our more complex inferences, the deeper meaning and connections.

To consolidate these skills, I have given students an at home assignment, their own version of a Movie CASI. They can choose any movie they want, or they can choose a new short film I've provided (The Butterfly Circus).

Due date is Wed. Nov. 25th.

Please let me know if you have any questions!
Mrs. J

PS We will be applying these skills to short stories December/January and the next 'official' CASI will likely take place mid to late January.

Totally Random: Chloe

In which I pull a name at random and ask: what do you want on the blog?

Chloe wanted to share these comics from the web.

 

 

 

 

Guest Blogger! Carina

As an extension to learning, each student will have a chance to write a short blog post for this class blog! Here is Carina's contribution!

One Direction's new album called Made In The A.M. is coming out on November 13th. 

Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson make up the greatest band of the last 10 years! They are all from Europe, and they came together as a band after performing on the X-Factor. They perform pop music and they have made 4 other albums. 

They have been working hard in the studio to make this new album and if you liked their other albums you should definitely invest in this one.

First off, as many of you know the band announced in August that they would be taking a break. They've already lost one member and many of their diehard fans think that this will be their last album. If you were to invest in it now, you would own a collectors item. 

Secondly, being part of the fandom I have been able to preview some of the songs on the album and I would say that you are in for a big surprise, they sound awesome! 

Pre-order it now, you won't be disappointed!!

Carina

Totally Random: Mollie

In which I pull a name at random and ask: what do you want on the blog?

Mollie wanted to share a photo from her trip to Japan.

Next Class Read Aloud

Currently, we are 2/3 the way through Running To Extremes, a 'creative autobiography' of Ray, an ultra marathon runner.

We

Using QR Codes for a 'Museum' Simulation

On Friday afternoon, I put together what I called a 'museum' simulation.

I wanted to incorporate that feeling of being in a museum, of being reflective while walking around touring exhibits.

I did this by asking students to bring in their devices and earbuds (I had school iPads and headsets on hand for those who did not have or forgot).

They also needed a free QR reader app so that they could read QR codes. I had three sets of QR codes posted about the room (as the 'stations' or 'exhibits' to visit).

Using a QR code generator, I linked the QR codes to various youtube & website videos about Canadian history (in particular, those to do with Native history around the time of Confederation, such as the Indian Act and Louis Riel and the Red River Rebellion).

Using their device, and their headsets, students were to visit each station and, using the QR code reader app, view the linked videos.

Students were also given a 'passport' to fill out (essentially, a question to be answered at each station).

Also, at each station was a large poster sized piece of paper subdivided into sections with each students name on it. In their assigned section they were asked to write a thoughtful comment on what they had just viewed (sort of like signing a guest book).

In this way, student's 'toured' the classroom, engaging on an individual level with the material.

As always when viewing media, I'm interested in hearing student's evaluation of it's effectiveness. (For example, if the material is portrayed as a song is it engaging? Or is too distracting and gets in the way of understanding? Students had different view points on the matter.)

Totally Random: Matt

In which I pull a name at random and ask: what do you want on the blog?

Matt wanted to share his photoshop creations.

Students: Reminder About Tomorrow!

Reminder...tomorrow for history class you will need:

• ear phones or ear buds
• a QR Code reader app like this one for your device

I have the school ipads booked and also some extra ear phones BUT not enough to go around so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE come prepared with these items.

Many thanks,
Mrs. J

Totally Random: Tyra

In which I draw a name at random and ask: what do you want on the blog?

Tyra wanted to share a picture from her trip to NYC.

Maker Cycle #3: Create a travel commercial about a famous fictional setting

Our upcoming maker cycle #3 is due in December and we will be working on it through November.

The topic for this cycle is 'travel' and I have decided that this task will be a bit more teacher directed.

I'm going to give this a specific fictional spin...and also, a more substantial media component.

For this cycle, students will need to create a commercial for a famous fictional setting.

Consider these posters for famous Star Wars locales:

Of course, there are other famous fictional settings beyond the Star Wars universe and we will brainstorm these in class.

The posters give an idea of how you can turn a fiction setting into a travel destination.

Students will need to create a commercial rather than a poster. For that, we will take a look a 'real life' travel commercials and determine the criteria and purpose of a travel ad.

Here are some to look at:

Colorado Travel Ad

California Travel Ad

Jamaica Travel Ad

As to media creation, you can create in imovie, prezi, Haiku Deck, etc. 

These will be posted on your student blogs along with your other maker cycle project for your learning hub members to view in December. 

COMING SOON! Student Guest Blog Posts & 'Totally Random'!

As an extension to learning, each student will have a chance to write a short blog post for this class blog!

It can be on any subject they want (tho of course must be appropriate for a school setting).

We will be brainstorming some potential topics.

Students are to work on it outside of class and email me their proposed posting. It can include pictures and/or video.

We will be working through the class list on a weekly basis.

Stay tuned for the first guest blog post coming soon!

ALSO: I'll be asking students at random: what do you want me to put on the blog? So expect some totally random stuff too. Just for fun.

The Class Blog is Back!

Hello!

This blog is back up and running! As before, I will be posting here on the main page about classroom events and reflecting on classroom activities.

Day plans, math day plans and current learning goals will also be activated again! Check out those pages to see what we are doing daily/monthly in the classroom!

Any questions, please let me know!

Mrs. J