Goals/Standards/Rubric: RICO: Refine, Invent, Connect, Own
Lessons for Writers Way Project
How do we as writers get from what we know to what we share?
Note: Lessons flow based on the introductory activities from our first two weeks of school.
1. Create a notecard with: name; favorite candy/candy bar; favorite music/song/artist; birthday; favorite food; favorite pop; favorite board game; favorite card game (not poker); favorite subject; favorite free-time at-home activity; favorite meal for birthday; what expect to be doing at age 18 after graduation from high school Directions:
2. Meet others: find those with similar likes and obtain their initials beside the item
3. Form a group of 2, 3, or 4 of those with the most similar likes
4. Create a Venn Diagram to show what is similar and unique
5. Create a poster of pictures to show your group's similarities and differences (include in an organized design with color, a title, symbols of same/different, artistic signatures)
6. Each person write part of presentation of poster and symbols
7. Present
8. Reflect
BioPoem Directions and Example
BioPoem Revision
Review of our past writing class lessons (last year)-- what makes good writing? Record traits.
Review my Bio Poem -- the revision and good writing. Discuss: What traits do the changes represent?
Revise own poem.
Circle one area from BioPoem and write about it in details.
Whole Class:
Listen to others (See Resources) as they are read.-- identify powerful parts.
Point out words and/or details that are powerful. Record.
Reflect: why are the words are powerful. Record the qualities of powerful words as well. (names/ verbs/ descriptions).
Discuss: Do you notice the difference between subject (what the essay is about) and tone (the author’s attitude toward the subject)? Record and summarize.
Discuss (Student Directions): What makes good writing? Can you identify powerful writing? What makes it powerful? Get your notebooks, and let’s work together to read and discover what makes powerful writing.
Small Group:
In small groups, complete the following tasks with a story provided to you:
Be prepared for the discussion with class. Use this information (your notes, the examples, the summary, the models you have read) to try your own story based on an item from your BioPoem or another idea.
See model handout about:
Share.
Define:
Definition of Memoir: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson998/Definition.pdf
Memoir Rubric: What to include: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson998/rubric.pdf
Resources:
Childtimes: A Three-Generation Memoir by Eloise Greenfield and Lessie Jones Little
Examples: John and The Snake; Hot Rolls; Chores; Sis Clara; Clothes; The Play; Watergate; My Best Friend; Farmwork
Hey World, Here I am! by Jean Little
Examples: After English Class, Surprise, Mr. Entwhistle, Cartwheels, Wars, Clothes, Mosquitoes
When I Was Your Age edited by Amy Ehrlich
Example: Shrimp by Paul Fleischman
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Examples: The House on Mango Street, My Name, Cathy Queen of Cats, Our Good Day, A Smart Cookie, Papa Who Wakes up Tired, Born Bad
Language of Literature, pages 106, 115
Continue memoir writing.
Grade 8 (Art/Craft with William Zinsser) and NPR's Drawing the Line Between Fact and Fiction
Other Resources:
Multiple Pasts Writing Memoir With Love RWT Lesson
Where do writers get ideas? List.
Interview with Michael Banks. Create idea lists (alphabet, events, timelines, event maps)
Words of Sandra Cisneros from The House on Mango Street, pages xxi-xxiv.
Beginning and Backs of books:
Where might the ideas have come from for these books?
After the Goatman
After the Rain
Part 3
Review what we have done in terms of RICO: Refine, Invent, Connect, Own
Adapted from RWT Lesson"Memories Matter" Possible Rubric Memoir Writing Information
Excerpt Chapter 10, "The Giver"
Importance of Memories and Importance of Memory for Writers -- How do we move from what we know (experience and memories) to the story we share?
Read Chapter 11
How do we move from what we know (experience and memories) to the story we share? Review words of Sandra Cisneros from The House on Mango Street, pages xxi-xxiv.
Part 4