Writers Workshop:

Writers Workshop is a popular way of

organizing a writing class for the one simple reason:

"It works better that any other writing system"

It works because it is based on the idea that students learn to write best when they write frequently, for extended periods of time, on topics of their own choosing while using a variety of ways of publishing -- journaling, free writing, blogging, & reading responses

Our New Clasroom Writing Center!

Poetry:

Students will create original poetry using figurative language to enhance & enrich their writing!

The use of figurative language:

What is Figurative Language?

Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else,

you are using figurative language.

Simile

A simile uses the words “like” or “as”

to compare one object or idea with another to suggest they are alike.

Example: busy as a bee

Metaphor

The metaphor states a fact or draws a verbal picture by the use of comparison.

A simile would say you are like something; a metaphor is more positive - it says you are something.

Example: You are what you eat.

Personification

A figure of speech in which human characteristics are given

to an animal or an object. Example: My teddy bear gave me a hug.

Alliteration

The repetition of the same initial letter, sound, or group of sounds in a series of words.

Alliteration includes tongue twisters. Example: She sells seashells by the seashore.

Onomatopoeia--

The use of a word to describe or imitate a natural sound or the sound

made by an object or an action. Example: snap crackle pop

Hyperbole --

An exaggeration that is so dramatic that no one would believe the statement is true.

Tall tales are hyperboles.

Example: He was so hungry, he ate that whole cornfield for lunch, stalks and all.

Idioms

According to Webster's Dictionary, an idiom is defined as: peculiar to itself

either grammatically (as no, it wasn't me) or in having a meaning

that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements

(as Monday week for "the Monday a week after next Monday")