Hello parents of ELA 8 students!

ELA 8 is well on its way. We spent the first few weeks of school getting to know each other, getting back into a reading routine and starting our first unit of the year, Memoir. We read three really wonderful memoirs and analyzed them as a class. We discussed the definition of a memoir and began to analyze conventions of the genre.

8th graders are beginning the process of writing their own personal memoirs this week. Each memoir must fit the following characteristics:

• A narrative based on your own life

• Focused on a specific memory, moment, time, or topic from your life (not your whole life)

• Rich in detail and storytelling techniques, including:

  • Use of Sign Post Moments

  • Complex sentences

  • Specific word choice

  • Imagery (5 senses)

  • Figurative language

• Reveals multiple important aspects of your identity

The final memoir will be at least one page typed & double spaced, it must be edited for spelling and grammar, and it must include a title. Students will have time each day to work on writing their memoirs in class but are expected to complete them using time outside of class as well.

Upcoming Deadlines

• (Tonight) Friday September 29 @ midnight - Memoir First Draft: Students need to have at least one full page of writing of their memoirs, double spaced, complete on Friday. Students complete the assignment in Google Classroom.

• Next Friday October 6 @ midnight - Memoir Final Draft: Students need to finish & revise their memoirs and submit a final draft on Friday, October 6.

How You Can Help at Home:

Talk to your student about their memoir topic. If they seem stuck on coming up with an idea, help them brainstorm important moments of their life that they could write about. Times of one's life that can make for great memoirs include: big changes in your life (changing schools or moving), visiting somewhere far away or very different from where you are from, the moment you realize someone is a true friend that has your back, working hard towards achieving a goal, a time you were disappointed, a time you had so much fun that you can still remember it now, family traditions or holidays, and more.

I've been talking to students about what an "Important Moment" truly means. It does not have to be a story that is so unique or dramatic. They are not writing a book meant to entertain millions. It just has to be a moment that is significant to their own lives and reveals parts of who they are as a person. We have students writing about beloved pets, fights with friends or family, moving to a new school, sports triumphs and losses, and fun summer trips, among many other things.

If students seem stuck on how to begin writing, ask them to describe the time and place of their memory. Ask them to use the 5 senses and write down everything that they can remember.

If students seem stuck on writing the middle part of the story, tell them to write down the order of events as they remember them. Ask them to identify what the most dramatic/exciting moment was (the climax) and then work backwards from there. Once they have the events written down, ask them what they remember about the events. Was there dialogue they can include? Descriptions of the people or places involved?

If students seem stuck on ending their memoir, ask your student what they learned or what the deeper meaning of this memory is. They can end with reflections on what the memory reveals about them as a person.

Throughout this week, encourage your student to work on their memoir writing at home so that they have a full draft to submit on Friday!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out!

Ms. Hogan