Twists, Changes, and Revelations

Today,
You learned that RF stories all contain key moments in stories that signal a) a major change, b) a revelation of c) A great twist in the story. Your RF story should have at least one of these techniques included.

Important - Read the new file on the right side of the blog. - Starting in March, if you do not meet the deadline for a piece of work - you need to complete this extra work BEFORE you can resubmit for a grade. Otherwise, the grade will NOT be changed.

Mentor Scenes
RF Scenes: Enjoy Jackson's piece. Look how well he used personification
Min Jung's piece clearly captured the meanness of the character. She moved her characters around the scene perfectly.

Next Week

• You will begin writing your final RF stories once your outlines have been approved.
• Book Club Discussion:  Wed - During this book club you will need to examine a scene or short chapter using your 'word choice' protocol.  - You will have to feed back to the class your 'new thinking' - This will be graded!
• Grammar: Compound-complex sentences: Big Sentence Clauses TEST coming in approx. 10 days. This old blog page contains tons of practice exercises for you to consider using over the next couple of weeks: Sentence Fluency Test Practice.
• Membean test Fri. (40 questions) - You will need to total 50mins of practice by next Friday (25 in class)

Enjoy Timmy's RR - What were his best parts?

Reading for Structure

Today, you learned how to use your reading for 'structure' lens. Notice how when you created you own breakdown of how you plan your evenings, the structure showed what you valued the most. (or parents what your parents valued the most!) Writers take very special care to organize the structure of their  stories in a unique way to show case what they value.

No additional H/W tonight - Check last night's post to see what you should be doing!

Enjoy Lukas's RF scene. Can you hear his strong 12 year old voice in this? Can you spot the symbolism? Can you do this Untitled

Planning Grid Assessment Criteria
You will come close to finishing your RF planning grid in Friday's class. Students who score an 'A' will have planned:

• A series of independent scenes (approximately 3-10 - This number can vary)
• Scenes that show a gradual rise in tension towards the climax of the story
• The stated craft descriptor for how these scenes are written (e.g. I will use dialogue here)
• A purpose for each of the scenes
• A mention of  the conflict in the story (internal/external)
• A key scene that shows the twist, revelation, of moment of change in the story
• Name settings  (try to stick to a maximum of 3)
• Characters (try to stick to a maximum of 3)
• Named social issue and author's stance on this issue
• Named literacy devices that will be included e.g. symbolism, irony, foreshadowing, repetition, figurative language 
• Named POV for the story

  

  Planning Grid

  
  

Enjoy Rachel's RR - I enjoyed the way she critiqued the narrator!

Realistic Fiction: Planning Grid

Files to drop RF pieces
C/D RF: Scene Assessment
E/F RF: Scene Assessment
G/H RF: Scene Assessment

All Classes
Complex Sentences H/W - Due Friday

Homework Task: Use this link to study your AAAWWUBBISS words

H/W Write x4 complex sentences. Divide up the dependent clause and the independent clause. Next to the sentence write N or Y if it needs a comma or not

e.g.  My sister likes to play tennis      because her father is an ex-professional      N
(Do the work in your Sentence Clauses Unit under today's mini lesson



Planning Outline for your RF story: Due Friday
This is a pencil and paper outline of your key ideas in your story. This does not need to be finished by Friday, but you should have made a decent start on it.

"Failing to plan is planning to fail" 

Reading Classes only
Remember: You should be at 50mins for Membean by Friday morning.

There will be no additional H/W added Thursday

Add to your calendars.
The final due date for your summative RF paper will be Thursday  Match 20th. Don't stress about this date. I am just giving you the heads up. 

Active Listening and Learning to Focus

In today's 5 minute society, maintaining effective classroom focus is an important 21st century skill. Being present simply is NOT enough. Learning to Focus - Which areas do you need to work on?

• Eye Contact
• Note Taking
• On topic questioning
• Hand raised
• Good posture
• Learner focused body language
• Quiet
• Patience
• Actively contributing
• Respect for peers

How will use what you learned today to become an active listener in the future?

Add comments for +1 points sharing your take-aways from today's session. In Thursday's class, you will share how you applied your 'focus skills' across other subjects.

C/D and E/F Classes
Your 2nd reading response should be linked to the file on the right side of the blog by the end of today. You may use any reading responses practices that you have done in class.

Membean - You should complete a minimum of 50mins of Membean this week. (30 in class and 20 at home)

All book club books need returning by Thursday, so I can redistribute the titles. Please bring them in tomorrow if you are done with the novel. 

All classes
You will have between 20-30minutes to put the finishing touches to your 'scene' for tomorrow.
Approx. length is 1-2 pages.

Advice - Listen to your P.E. teachers - Make sure you warm up before sport!!!

Ouch!!!!

Assessment Week

This week you will have to turn in a number of pieces for assessment

1) Your first RF scene. Use the files below to copy your file into. Follow the instructions on your file.
These files should be dropped by the end of Wednesday's writing class

C/D RF: Scene Assessment
E/F RF: Scene Assessment
G/H RF: Scene Assessment

2) Book clubs: Use the Book Clubs file to  write your groups final thoughts on your novel. Everybody should be finished with the first book club book by Tuesday's class. You will be issued new book clubs on Tuesday.

Book club Discussion Sheet: E/F
Book Club Discussion Sheet C/D


3) Reading Response - Your second video RR is due Feb 25th. Due your youtube link into the file on the right side of the blog.

Suggestion: Cut/Paste - text into this 'teleprompter' - This way you can record yourself speaking directly into your computer camera.