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In-Class Writing
This year, you will be writing regularly in class on the
Wednesday/Thursday block day. You will sometimes have a
prompt you must address, but many days, you will be able to
free write. In order to receive credit for your entries, they
must be dated. The in-class writing time is for writing ONLY.
You're welcome to decorate your pages and/or add pictures
or drawings (after you have made your entry), but you must
write the entire time we have set aside for writing. You have
several options for how you want to collect your writing:
Journal: You may simply write in a paper notebook or bound journal. You may leave this in class, or keep it yourself.
Google Doc, shared only with me. Create one Doc, titled Journal and add the date to every new entry. DO NOT make a new doc for every entry, keep it all in one doc.
Blog: Create an announcement page on your portfolio site. Every time we have a block day, create a new entry. It will automatically date it. Share this page with only me.
Here is some advice on setting up a Google Doc Journal and a blog...
Writer's Notebooks
In addition to the in-class writing, you may choose to create a
Writer's Notebook instead of reading an independent book
and writing a Google Clasroom post, except for third
quarter,when you're required to read a specific kind of book. Your Writer's Notebook may take the form of any of the above formats (paper, Doc., or Blog). Make sure your Writer's Notebook is clearly separate from your in-class writing.
Here is how Writer's Notebooks work...
Think of your Writer’s Notebook as a life net. It is a place for you to collect thoughts, ideas, and experiences in your life. Great and tragic things need not be the only types of experiences you record – the lightest thoughts can sometimes be the most weighty. Your notebook will help you take some of these ‘seed’ ideas and craft them into polished pieces of writing. Remember, diamonds look like ordinary rocks before they are cut – but with hard work and care they can become precious stones. See video below for ideas. Attached below are two documents with all kinds of great suggestions/ideas/prompts for things to write about as well.
*This is not something you can throw together last-minute
and expect to credit for. You notebook should look
something like the one in the video below (or otherwise
reflect obvious effort and care).
Resources:
Great video of a teacher's writer's notebook
Ralph Fletcher's advice to writers: video
Some other points to consider
There will be times when you do not have your notebook and you may want to record a thought. You will find yourself jotting ideas down on napkins, shopping receipts, or an old test. It’s good to have a place, like a shoebox or a clip attached to your notebook, to put loose material.
The notebook is NOT a diary.
Diaries are a type of memoir writing where you record your life as it unfolds. While you may have some diary-type entries, the writer’s notebook is mainly for you to collect material that you may write about later.
If you do not want me to read an entry, fold or staple the page in half. When I see such a page, I will skip over it.
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