Choose a poem from this list
Due Fri:
Look at Wednesday's post to make sure you have all the requirements ready as expected for your first grade of this new semester.

C/D -E/F Classes.
I will be checking you Membean practice tonight to make sure you have completed  between 50-60mins in total for the week.

What makes you... (state your emotion)

Recap: We learned in a Word Choice Grammar unit today about diction and how words often have either a positive or negative connotation.

Ready to write an 'unforgettable' piece of poetry?   :-)

H/W
Finish your first poem: DUE: FRI
Step 1 - Identify the strong ideas

Step 2 - Turn those ideas into poetry

Suggestions

• Think about whose perspective you want to write the poem from
• Think about the story you want to tell. Is it before, during, or after the event?
• How will you show your emotions about the topic?

Grading Criteria
1) Your poem in someway tells the story of your article. (literately and/or figuratively)
2) Your poem in someway communicates your feelings about the topic behind your article (literately and/or figuratively)
3) Your poem uses a variety of poetic devices
4) Approx. length 12-20 lines in poetry format
5) You have an effective title that powerfully relates to your poem
6)  Strong diction is used throughout the poem (Words like 'IS, ARE, WAS, & Pronouns are mostly avoided)

In class in Friday, you will write a brief explanation about the 'poetic choices' you made when writing your poem. e.g. I used this title because...

Make sure you have the first three slides of your poetry portfolio created like the example

H/W

• Monday's H/W - Check Monday's blog post
• 15 minutes of Membean
• Independent Reading 30 mins (Get back into your routines

Reading logs DO NOT need completing anymore - see right side of blog -sidebar- to see what we will do instead. I will go over this in Thursday's class

Rise and Shine

What will  you do to excel this semester?


H/W
For Tuesday (C/D & E/F classes only)

• Poetry Reading Unit: How to Eat a Poem (Make sure you have a copy of this file)
• You need to bring to Tuesday's class the lyrics of a song you really like. (Choose 'age appropriate' song)

For Wednesday
Bring a printed version of an article that you have found on the internet about a topic that makes you angry e.g. $70,000 Missing from Newton Town Donations
You will be writing on this paper, so make sure you have a printed copy

2) Finish your brainstorm about all possible topics for your poems. Just write bullet point ideas

• What has really affected your heart?

• What people have been important to you?

• What are some experiences or central events you'll never forget?

• What happy or sad memories do you have?

• What secrets have you kept in your heart?

• What small things or objects are important to you?

Welcome Back

I hope you all enjoyed your holiday. I did!

We hit the ground running with new units when we return. Make copies of these files and place them into your shortcuts. Remove all 'old' shortcuts.

Poetry Reading Unit: How to Eat a Poem
H/W: You need to bring to Tuesday's class the lyrics of a song you really like. (Choose 'age appropriate' song)

Poetry Writing Unit: Crafting Engaging Poetry
H/W: For Wednesday's class Bring a printed version of an article that you have found on the internet about a topic that makes you angry e.g. $70,000 Missing from Newton Town Donations
You will be writing on this paper, so make sure you have a printed copy

Grammar: Unit 6 Word Choice

The expectation is that you will complete at least 30minutes of Membean practice between Monday and Friday. Those of you that did not complete the last Membean test on  the last day of school last semester will take that test on Tuesday. Well done to those who choose to continue praticing Membean into January: Jess, Jordan, Ethan, Marium and the most hardworking student on Membean over the break (notice the superlative!) ZACK!

What will you do this sesmester to be..."the best that you can be?"