Monday, December 21

Homework check: Double Entry Journals on independent reading.
Amnesty Announcement. (No regular reading log due day after break).

Sam presented her short story; class commented on the writing.
Groups shared DEJs on independent reading, and chose exemplars of each.
Shared exemplars with the class.

DUE DATES

MONDAY, January 4: Bank/amnesty logs accepted: 1 past log can be submitted w/o penalty on the Monday after break; up to 2 future logs can be banked.
MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Friday, December 18

Homework check: Double Entry Journals on Lamott.

Writers' Groups.
Groups shared DEJs and drafts, chose exemplars of each.
Shared exemplars with the class.
(Sam S. will present her piece again on Monday.)

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18: DEJ with a note on "Character" and on "Plot" in Bird by Bird (44--63).  Have a draft ready to share with your group!

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Thursday, December 17

Reminder re: Friday's deadlines, need to review dialog mechanics.

Writers' Workshop.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18: DEJ with a note on "Character" and on "Plot" in Bird by Bird (44--63).  Have a draft ready to share with your group!

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Wednesday, December 16

Montana shared a poem from last week; discussed her process.
Writer's challenge: genre twist! (This is optional)
Reminder re: Friday's deadlines, need to review dialog mechanics.
Returned graded rough drafts.

Writers' Workshop.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18: DEJ with a note on "Character" and on "Plot" in Bird by Bird (44--63).  Have a draft ready to share with your group!

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Tuesday, December 15

Lesson taught by a sub in Ms. Bishop's absence; short class due to early release schedule.

Writers' Workshop.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18: DEJ with a note on "Character" and on "Plot" in Bird by Bird (44--63).  Have a draft ready to share with your group!

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Monday, December 14

Lesson taught by a sub in Ms. Bishop's absence.
COLLECTED reading logs.
Students shared independent reading DEJs.
COLLECTED DEJs.
Writers' Workshop.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18: DEJ with a note on "Character" and on "Plot" in Bird by Bird (44--63).  Have a draft ready to share with your group!

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Friday, December 11

Shared drafts in Writers' groups.

Writers' Workshop.  Rough drafts due for a grade today.

DUE DATES

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4: DEJ with a note on "Dialog" and "Set Design" in Bird by Bird (64--79).
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11: Rough drafts due for a grade; share through Google Docs.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Thursday, December 10

Groups shared Lamott DEJs.
COLLECTED DEJs.

Writers' Workshop.

DUE DATES

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4: DEJ with a note on "Dialog" and "Set Design" in Bird by Bird (64--79).
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11: Rough drafts due for a grade; share through Google Docs.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Wednesday, December 9

Homework check: Anne Lamott DEJs. (Owing to absences, we will hold the DEJs to share until tomorrow.)

Writers' Workshop.

DUE DATES

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4: DEJ with a note on "Dialog" and "Set Design" in Bird by Bird (64--79).
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11: Rough drafts due for a grade; share through Google Docs.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Tuesday, December 8

Writers' Workshop.

DUE DATES

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4: DEJ with a note on "Dialog" and "Set Design" in Bird by Bird (64--79).
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11: Rough drafts due for a grade; share through Google Docs.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Monday, December 7

Homework check: DEJs.
COLLECTED reading logs.
Writer's Groups shared DEJs.
Presented exemplars and stories from last week's writing groups.
COLLECTED DEJs.

REMINDER: For Friday, December 11, share a rough draft (any genre, but fiction with dialog encouraged) with Ms. Bishop for a grade.

DUE DATES

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4: DEJ with a note on "Dialog" and "Set Design" in Bird by Bird (64--79).
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11: Rough drafts due for a grade; share through Google Docs.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Friday, December 4

NEW ASSIGNMENT: Rough draft for a grade. Due next Friday.

Writer's Groups met, shared drafts and models, and chose exemplars to present.
First model shared with the class; we'll continue presentations on Monday.

REMINDER: For Friday, December 11, share a rough draft (any genre, but fiction with dialog encouraged) with Ms. Bishop for a grade.

DUE DATES

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7: Reading logs and DEJs on independent reading are due at the beginning of class.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4: DEJ with a note on "Dialog" and "Set Design" in Bird by Bird (64--79).
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11: Rough drafts due for a grade; share through Google Docs.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Thursday, December 3

NEW ASSIGNMENT: Read "Dialog" and "Set Design" in Lamott's Bird by Bird (64--79) and create a note on a DEJ for each. Due next Wednesday.

Writer's Workshop.

REMINDER: For Friday, December 4, write a draft that includes dialog to share with your writing group.  In addition, find a model that makes use of dialog, and upload it, and your comments on it, to the Private Writing Zone.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4: Drafts with dialog should be published to share with group (any genre). Share a model of writing which includes dialog to the Private Writing Zone with your comments.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4: DEJ on "Dialog" and "Set Design" in Bird by Bird.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Wednesday, December 2

NEW ASSIGNMENT: Read "Dialog" and "Set Design" in Lamott's Bird by Bird (64--79) and create a note on a DEJ for each. Due next Wednesday.

Writer's Workshop.

REMINDER: For Friday, December 4, write a draft that includes dialog to share with your writing group.  In addition, find a model that makes use of dialog, and upload it, and your comments on it, to the Private Writing Zone.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4: Drafts with dialog should be published to share with group (any genre). Share a model of writing which includes dialog to the Private Writing Zone with your comments.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4: DEJ on "Dialog" and "Set Design" in Bird by Bird.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Tuesday, December 1

Writer's Workshop.

REMINDER: For Friday, December 4, write a draft that includes dialog to share with your writing group.  In addition, find a model that makes use of dialog, and upload it, and your comments on it, to the Private Writing Zone.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4: Drafts with dialog should be published to share with group (any genre). 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4: Share a model of writing which includes dialog to the Private Writing Zone with your comments.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Monday, November 30

Homework check: DEJs.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.
Groups shared DEJs, presented exemplar to the class.
Writer's Workshop.

HOMEWORK: For Friday, December 4, write a draft that includes dialog to share with your writing group.  In addition, find a model that makes use of dialog, and upload it, and your comments on it, to the Private Writing Zone.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4: Drafts with dialog should be published to share with group (any genre). 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4: Share a model of writing which includes dialog to the Private Writing Zone with your comments.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Wednesday, November 25

Short class due to half day schedule/college fair.
Reviewed college fair materials.  Reminded class of homework for Friday after Thanksgiving.

HOMEWORK: For Friday, December 4, write a draft that includes dialog to share with your writing group.  In addition, find a model that makes use of dialog, and upload it, and your comments on it, to the Private Writing Zone.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4: Drafts with dialog should be published to share with group (any genre). 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4: Share a model of writing which includes dialog to the Private Writing Zone with your comments.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Tuesday, November 24

Ms. Soel taught this lesson.
Writing exercise: write a scene using only dialog and signal phrases ("he said," etc.)
Students shared and discussed their scenes, as well as the process of writing dialog.
Discussed what we know about the uses of dialog, strengths in one another's writing in the exercise.

HOMEWORK: For Friday, December 4, write a draft that includes dialog to share with your writing group.  In addition, find a model that makes use of dialog, and upload it, and your comments on it, to the Private Writing Zone.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4: Drafts with dialog should be published to share with group (any genre). 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4: Share a model of writing which includes dialog to the Private Writing Zone with your comments.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Monday, November 23

Homework check.
COLLECTED DEJs and weekly reading logs.

Writer's groups shared this week's drafts.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20: Drafts should be published to share with group (any genre). 
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20: Completed Google Doc collection of your models, comments, and drafts from the Private Writing Zone should be shared with Ms. Bishop.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Friday, November 20

Writer's Workshop.
Drafts will be shared on MONDAY.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20: Drafts should be published to share with group (any genre). 
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20: Completed Google Doc collection of your models, comments, and drafts from the Private Writing Zone should be shared with Ms. Bishop.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Thursday, November 19

Call for missing DEJs and reading logs!

Assigned creating a Google Doc collection of each student's models, comments, and drafts, for use in creating the writing portfolio for this class.

Writer's Workshop.
Drafts will be shared on MONDAY; Friday will also be for Writer's Workshop

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20: Drafts should be published to share with group (any genre). 
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20: Completed Google Doc collection of your models, comments, and drafts from the Private Writing Zone should be shared with Ms. Bishop.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Wednesday, November 18

Call for missing DEJs and reading logs!

Assigned creating a Google Doc collection of each student's models, comments, and drafts, for use in creating the writing portfolio for this class.

Writer's Workshop.
A draft to share with your group should be ready by Friday.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20: Drafts should be published to share with group (any genre). 
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20: Completed Google Doc collection of your models, comments, and drafts from the Private Writing Zone should be shared with Ms. Bishop.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Tuesday, November 17

Reminder around labeling drafts for grading, and to look for a teacher comment on the draft confirming that it was actually received.
Homework check: Double Entry Journals (DEJs) on independent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.

Writers' Groups:
Shared DEJs and chose a representative to present to the class.
Groups presented last of last week's student drafts, DEJs, and the model prose poem "Football" with the whole class.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Friday, November 13

Reminder around labeling drafts for grading, and to look for a teacher comment on the draft confirming that it was actually received.

Writers' Groups:
Shared model poems and comments on them.
Shared student drafts.
Presented representatives to the whole class.

(The final draft due date has been extended to Tuesday, November 17.)

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Thursday, November 12

Reminder around labeling drafts for grading, and to look for a teacher comment on the draft confirming that it was actually received.

Writers' Workshop:
This week, for Friday, have a draft posted to share with your writing group, a model poem and comment posted to share, and a final draft shared with Ms. Bishop to grade.

(The final draft may be a revised version of last week's rough draft, the same as the draft you share in group, or a completely different draft.)

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6: Submit a rough draft (any genre) for a grade.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Wednesday, November 11

No school due to Veteran's Day.

Tuesday, November 10

Short class today due to early release day schedule.
Check in about sharing drafts through Google Docs: check that you label rough drafts and final drafts for grading, and look for a teacher comment on the draft confirming that it was actually received.

Last draft from last week shared with the class.

Writers' Workshop:
This week, for Friday, have a draft posted to share with your writing group, a model poem and comment posted to share, and a final draft shared with Ms. Bishop to grade.

(The final draft may be a revised version of last week's rough draft, the same as the draft you share in group, or a completely different draft.)

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6: Submit a rough draft (any genre) for a grade.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Monday, November 9

Homework check: Independent reading DEJs.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.

Writers' groups met, shared DEJs and selected one to share with the rest of the class.
Groups presented chosen DEJs, models and drafts with the class. (One draft remaining.)

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6: Submit a rough draft (any genre) for a grade.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Friday, November 6

COLLECTED rough drafts.
Writers' groups met, shared models and drafts, and selected pieces to share with the class on Monday.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6: Submit a rough draft (any genre) for a grade.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Thursday, November 5

Writers' Workshop.
Remember: this week, in addition to the gradeable rough draft for Ms. Bishop, you should post a model poem, with a comment from you explaining why you like it, and a draft to share with your group.  (That could be the same one you hand in to me, but it does not have to be.)

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6: Submit a rough draft (any genre) for a grade.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Wednesday, November 4

Writers' Workshop.
Remember: this week, in addition to the gradeable rough draft for Ms. Bishop, you should post a model poem, with a comment from you explaining why you like it, and a draft to share with your group.  (That could be the same one you hand in to me, but it does not have to be.)

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6: Submit a rough draft (any genre) for a grade.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Tuesday, November 3

Writers' Workshop.
Remember: this week, in addition to the gradeable rough draft for Ms. Bishop, you should post a model poem, with a comment from you explaining why you like it, and a draft to share with your group.  (That could be the same one you hand in to me, but it does not have to be.)

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6: Submit a rough draft (any genre) for a grade.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Monday, November 2

Homework check: DEJ on independent reading.
Groups finished sharing their chosen models and original poems with the whole class.
Students shared DEJs on independent reading with their groups.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs and DEJs.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6: Submit a rough draft (any genre) for a grade.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Friday, October 30

Writers' Groups.
Students shared their chosen model poems and comments with one another.
Students shared their original poems with one another.

Groups began sharing their chosen model and original poem with the whole class.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6: Submit a rough draft (any genre) for a grade.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Thursday, October 29

Idea of poems that are noting a moment.  Shared Gary Snyder's poem, "Late October Camping in the Sawtooths" with Czeslaw Milosz's commentary as today's mini-lesson.

Writers' Workshop.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY OCTOBER 30: Have posted another poem of your own AND a model poem to share and discuss with your group.  (Add a comment to the model poem you share!)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6: Submit a rough draft (any genre) for a grade.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Wednesday, October 28

Idea of "a lot in a little": poetry as a carving away of whatever's not completely necessary.
Shared Nemerov's poem, "Because You Asked about the Line between Prose and Poetry" with a comment as today's mini-lesson.

Writers' Workshop.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY OCTOBER 30: Have posted another poem of your own AND a model poem to share and discuss with your group.  (Add a comment to the model poem you share!)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6: Submit a rough draft (any genre) for a grade.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Tuesday, October 27

Idea of "a lot in a little": poetry as a carving away of whatever's not completely necessary.
Shared Sandburg's poem, "Grass" as an example; shared my comment on my post of it as a model of a comment.

Writers' Workshop.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY OCTOBER 30: Have posted another poem of your own AND a model poem to share and discuss with your group.  (Add a comment to the model poem you share!)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6: Submit a rough draft (any genre) for a grade.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Monday, October 26

Discussed final poem shared will be held over from Friday.
Reviewed upcoming due dates.
HW check: independent reading DEJs.
Writers groups shared, discussed DEJs.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs and DEJs.

Writers' Workshop.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY OCTOBER 30: Have posted another poem of your own AND a model poem to share and discuss with your group.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6: Submit a rough draft (any genre) for a grade.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Friday, October 23

Students shared one model poem and one student poem each in their writers' groups.
Groups reflected on most effective lines and stanzas of all the poems, and selected one of each to share with the whole class.

Class listened to and discussed each of the poems.  (Some discussion of the final poem shared will be held over until Monday.)

Remember reading logs and DEJs on independent reading for Monday!

DUE DATES

FRIDAY OCTOBER 30: Have posted another poem of your own AND a model poem to share and discuss with your group.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6: Submit a rough draft (any genre) for a grade.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Submit a final draft (any genre) for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Thursday, October 22

Reminder of Friday's assignments: post one model poem (not by a student and not a poem that rhymes) that you like in the Private Writing Zone, and be prepared to discuss why you like it and write a poem of your own and post that to share as well.

Remember, good quality poetry can be found online through the Poetry Foundation!
Shared, discussed the poem "What the Living Do."

Writers' Workshop.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY OCTOBER 23: Have posted a poem of your own AND a model poem to share and discuss with your group.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Wednesday, October 21

Reminder of Friday's assignments: post one model poem (not by a student and not a poem that rhymes) that you like in the Private Writing Zone, and be prepared to discuss why you like it and write a poem of your own and post that to share as well.

Remember, good quality poetry can be found online through the Poetry Foundation!

Writers' Workshop.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY OCTOBER 23: Have posted a poem of your own AND a model poem to share and discuss with your group.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS: Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Tuesday, October 20

Read and discussed William Carlos Williams's poem "This Is Just to Say."
Shared parody poems based on "This Is Just to Say."
Writer's challenge: write a concrete poem in the style of William Carlos Williams.  (Alternatively: write a parody poem based on "This is Just to Say.")

Assignment before Friday: post one model poem (not by a student and not a poem that rhymes) that you like in the Private Writing Zone, and be prepared to discuss why you like it; write a poem of your own and post that to share as well.

Writers' Workshop

DUE DATES

FRIDAY OCTOBER 23: Have posted a poem of your own AND a model poem to share and discuss with your group.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS:  Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.

FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Monday, October 19

Homework check: Double-entry Journals (DEJs) on independent reading.
Students shared DEJs in groups; groups presented a favorite DEJ to the class.

COLLECTED weekly reading logs and DEJs.

Read and discussed William Carlos Williams's poem "A Sort of a Song."
Read and discussed critical essay on "A Sort of a Song," and discussed the writing principle of "No ideas but in things."

Students put poem and essay into the binder for possible use in the end-of-course portfolio essay.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16: Rough draft reflective essay due for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS:  Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.

FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Friday, October 16

Writers' Workshop.
COLLECTED (or shared via Google Docs) reflective essay drafts.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16: Rough draft reflective essay due for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS:  Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Thursday, October 15

Shared one last piece of reflective writing with the class.

Writers' Workshop.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16: Rough draft reflective essay due for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS:  Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.

FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Wednesday, October 14

Homework Check: Independent reading DEJs.
Writer's groups shared their DEJs and observations on their reading.
COLLECTED DEJs and weekly reading logs.

Groups presented pieces chosen last week to share with the class.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16: Rough draft reflective essay due for a grade.

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS:  Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.

FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Friday, October 9

Writer's groups.
Students shared their reflective essays with one another, and got feedback from their peers.
Groups selected 1--2 pieces to share with the class.

DUE DATES

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS:  Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.

FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Thursday, October 8

On Friday: be prepared to share your reflective essay.

Writer's Workshop.
Students continued work on a reflective essay/memoir.

While this essay will ultimately be collected for a grade, and must be original work, not previously used for any class, students may also spend time in class polishing previously written essays for the Common App, if they wish.

DUE DATES

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS:  Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.

FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Wednesday, October 7

On Thursday: Publish the draft of your reflective essay, for use in group on Friday!

Writer's Workshop.
Students continued work on a reflective essay/memoir.

While this essay will ultimately be collected for a grade, and must be original work, not previously used for any class, students may also spend time in class polishing previously written essays for the Common App, if they wish.

DUE DATES

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS:  Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.

FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Tuesday, October 6

Today's class short due to early release day schedule.
On Thursday: Publish the draft of your reflective essay, for use in group on Friday!

Reviewed sample college application essay and prompts.
Assigned a reflective essay, 500--650 words, which CAN meet the requirements of the Common App college essay, but does not have to do so.

While this essay will ultimately be collected for a grade, and must be original work, not previously used for any class, students may also spend time in class polishing previously written essays for the Common App, if they wish.

Brainstormed possible subjects for the essay.

DUE DATES

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS:  Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.

FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Monday, October 5

Homework check: DEJs on independent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.
Groups shared and discussed DEJs.  What makes each good writing?
Groups shared 1 favorite DEJ and the chosen draft from Friday's group meeting with the class as a whole.

DUE DATES

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS:  Publish drafts for writers' groups on Friday.

FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Friday, October 2

Writers' Groups.
We will share representative pieces on Monday.

DUE DATES

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS:  Publish drafts for writers' groups tomorrow.

FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Thursday, October 1

Reminder:  DEJs were due yesterday.

Writers' Workshop.  (Drafts due to share with groups on Friday!)
Students published their writing to the Private Writing Zone by the end of class.

DUE DATES

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS:  Publish drafts for writers' groups tomorrow.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Wednesday, September 30

This lesson, short due to club day, was taught by a sub in Ms. Bishop's absence.

Students shared their double-entry journals on  Lamott's Bird by Bird, 28--43, from "School Lunches."

Writers' Workshop.  (Drafts due to share with groups on Friday!)

DUE DATES

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS:  Publish drafts for writers' groups tomorrow.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Tuesday, September 29

Reminder:  for Wednesday, September 30, Read Lamott's Bird by Bird, 28--43.  Write a double-entry journal on "School Lunches."

Writers' Workshop.  (Drafts due to share with groups on Friday!)

DUE DATES

MONDAYS: Weekly reading logs, DEJs on independent reading.
THURSDAYS:  Publish drafts for writers' groups tomorrow.
FRIDAYS: Weekly writers' groups.

Monday, September 28

Reminder:  for Wednesday, September 30, Read Lamott's Bird by Bird, 28--43.  Write a double-entry journal on "School Lunches."

Homework check.
Students without their independent reading DEJs lost class participation credit for today.
Began with reading/writing workshop, to allow unprepared students to catch up.
Writers' groups met, shared, and discussed DEJs on independent reading.
Groups shared with the whole class the piece chosen on Friday.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs and DEJs.

DUE DATES

THURSDAY, September 24: First draft to share with writing group.
FRIDAY, September 25: First writers' group meeting to share drafts.

Remember: every Monday, students should have a new reading log and a new DEJ on independent reading ready to share.  Every Thursday, students should upload a new draft to share on Friday.

Friday, September 25

Assigned homework: for Wednesday, September 30, Read Lamott's Bird by Bird, 28--43.  Write a double-entry journal on "School Lunches."

First meeting of writers' groups.
Students read their drafts to one another and received specific positive feedback from each member of the group.
Groups selected one piece to share with the class as a whole.

DUE DATES

THURSDAY, September 24: First draft to share with writing group.
FRIDAY, September 25: First writers' group meeting to share drafts.

Remember: every Monday, students should have a new reading log and a new DEJ on independent reading ready to share.  Every Thursday, students should upload a new draft to share on Friday.

Thursday, September 24

Writer's Workshop: Be sure to publish a draft for your group by the end of class today!

DUE DATES

THURSDAY, September 24: First draft to share with writing group.
FRIDAY, September 25: First writers' group meeting to share drafts.

Remember: every Monday, students should have a new reading log and a new DEJ on independent reading ready to share.  Every Thursday, students should upload a new draft to share on Friday.

Wednesday, September 23

Homework check: TWO DEJs.

Writers' groups met, shared and discussed DEJs on Anne Lamott's "Short Assignments" and "Shitty First Drafts" (Lamott 16--27) and on Freedom Writers and the related handout.

Groups presented a favorite entry with the class for discussion.

DUE DATES

THURSDAY, September 24: First draft to share with writing group.
FRIDAY, September 25: First writers' group meeting to share drafts.

Remember: every Monday, students should have a new reading log and a new DEJ on independent reading ready to share.  Every Thursday, students should upload a new draft to share on Friday.

Tuesday, September 22

Reminder: Read "Short Assignments" and "Shitty First Drafts" (Lamott 16--27).  Write a DEJ and have it ready to share for WEDNESDAY, September 23.

Finished Freedom Writers.
Shared handout on the cliche of the "white savior" for students to read and reflect on.
Assigned DEJ on Freedom Writers (with or without consideration of the handout) for tomorrow.

Writers' workshop.

DUE DATES

WEDNESDAY, September 23: DEJ with two quotes and comments on"Short Assignments" and "Shitty First Drafts" (Lamott 16--27) AND DEJ on Freedom Writers (see above).
THURSDAY, September 24: First draft to share with writing group. (Will share on Friday, September 25.)

Remember: every Monday, students should have a new reading log and a new DEJ on independent reading ready to share.

Monday, September 21

Reminder: Read "Short Assignments" and "Shitty First Drafts" (Lamott 16--27).  Write a DEJ and have it ready to share for WEDNESDAY, September 23.

Homework check: DEJs on independent reading.
Silent reading/writing.
Shared DEJs.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.
COLLECTED DEJs on independent reading.

Writers' workshop.

DUE DATES

WEDNESDAY, September 23: DEJ with two quotes and comments on"Short Assignments" and "Shitty First Drafts" (Lamott 16--27).
THURSDAY, September 24: First draft to share with writing group. (Will share on Friday, September 25.)

Remember: every Monday, students should have a new reading log and a new DEJ on independent reading ready to share.

Friday, September 18

COLLECTED the Double Entry Journal on "Getting Started" (Lamott, Bird by Bird. 3--15).
HOMEWORK: Read "Short Assignments" and "Shitty First Drafts" (Lamott 16--27).  Write a DEJ and have it ready to share for WEDNESDAY, September 23.

Continued the movie Freedom Writers.

DUE DATES

WEDNESDAY, September 23: DEJ with two quotes and comments on"Short Assignments" and "Shitty First Drafts" (Lamott 16--27).
THURSDAY, September 24: First draft to share with writing group. (Will share on Friday, September 25.)

Remember: every Monday, students should have a new reading log and a new DEJ on independent reading ready to share.

Thursday, September 17

Checked homework, the Double Entry Journal on "Getting Started" (Bird by Bird, 3--15).
We will collect this in class tomorrow.

Checked in with the class on changes to the schedule owing to my absence:

• Drafts are now due to be uploaded to our Private Writing Zone next Thursday.
• We will share Double Entry Journals in small groups on Monday (and collect both weekly reading logs and DEJs on that day)
• We will begin work on creative nonfiction/ the Common App essay next week in class.

By popular demand, we continued the movie Freedom Writers.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, September 15: DEJ with two quotes and comments on "Getting Started" (Bird by Bird 3--15).
THURSDAY, September 24: First draft to share with writing group. (Will share on Friday, September 25  This is a change.)

Remember: every Monday, students should have a new reading log and a new DEJ on independent reading ready to share.

Wednesday, September 17

HOMEWORK: For Tuesday, September 15: Read "Getting Started" (Bird by Bird, 3--15) and write a Double Entry Journal which quotes two short passages, and comments on each.  Have this ready for my return!

This class taught by a sub in Ms. Bishop's absence.
Watched the movie Freedom Writers.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, September 15: DEJ with two quotes and comments on "Getting Started" (Bird by Bird 3--15).
THURSDAY, September 24: First draft to share with writing group. (Will share on Friday, September 25  This is a change.)

Remember: every Monday, students should have a new reading log and a new DEJ on independent reading ready to share.

Tuesday, September 15

HOMEWORK: For Tuesday, September 15: Read "Getting Started" (Bird by Bird, 3--15) and write a Double Entry Journal which quotes two short passages, and comments on each.  Have this ready for my return!

This class taught by a sub in Ms. Bishop's absence.
Watched the movie Freedom Writers.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, September 15: DEJ with two quotes and comments on "Getting Started" (Bird by Bird 3--15).
THURSDAY, September 24: First draft to share with writing group. (Will share on Friday, September 25  This is a change.)

Remember: every Monday, students should have a new reading log and a new DEJ on independent reading ready to share.

Monday, September 14

HOMEWORK: For Tuesday, September 15: Read "Getting Started" (Bird by Bird, 3--15) and write a Double Entry Journal which quotes two short passages, and comments on each.

This class short due to a fire drill.
Homework check: DEJs on independent reading.
Writers' Workshop.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.

(Remember, have your DEJ on Bird by Bird ready at the START of the block on Tuesday!)

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, September 15: DEJ with two quotes and comments on "Getting Started" (Bird by Bird 3--15).
THURSDAY, September 17: First draft to share with writing group. (Will share on Friday.)

Remember: every Monday, students should have a new reading log and a new DEJ on independent reading ready to share.

Friday, September 11

HOMEWORK: For Tuesday, September 15: Read "Getting Started" (Bird by Bird, 3--15) and write a Double Entry Journal which quotes two short passages, and comments on each.

Distributed notebooks; returned graded DEJs and added DEJs and the memoir model to the notebooks.

Writers' Workshop.

(Remember, have your Reading Log and DEJ on independent reading ready at the START of the block on Monday, and your DEJ on Bird by Bird ready at the START of the block on Tuesday!)

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, September 15: DEJ with two quotes and comments on "Getting Started" (Bird by Bird 3--15).
THURSDAY, September 17: First draft to share with writing group. (Will share on Friday.)

Remember: every Monday, students should have a new reading log and a new DEJ on independent reading ready to share.

Thursday, September 10

HOMEWORK: For Tuesday, September 15: Read "Getting Started" (Bird by Bird, 3--15) and write a Double Entry Journal which quotes two short passages, and comments on each.

Read and discussed "Means to a Memoir," brainstorming a list of the qualities that made it good writing.
(First graded piece of writing will be a memoir/reflective essay.)

Writers' Workshop.

(Remember, have your Reading Log and DEJ on independent reading ready at the START of the block on Monday, and your DEJ on Bird by Bird ready at the START of the block on Tuesday!)

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, September 15: DEJ with two quotes and comments on "Getting Started" (Bird by Bird 3--15).
THURSDAY, September 17: First draft to share with writing group. (Will share on Friday.)

Remember: every Monday, students should have a new reading log and a new DEJ on independent reading ready to share.

Wednesday, September 9

Announced change to schedule: the first draft to share with student writing groups will not be due until the end of class on Thursday, September 17.

Readers/Writers' Workshop.
Checked in around today's work; what did each student do today in class?
Shared information about writing models and writing prompts on the class blog.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, September 8: First reading log,  DEJ on independent reading due.
THURSDAY, September 17: First draft to share with writing group. (Will share on Friday.)

Remember: every Monday, students should have a new reading log and a new DEJ on independent reading ready to share.

Tuesday, September 8

Short classes today due to early release day schedule.
Reminded students, start of each week, should bring a reading log and a DEJ on independent reading, and on Fridays, a draft published on the Private Writing Zone (should be uploaded by Thursdays).

Readers/Writers' Workshop.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs and Double Entry Response Journals (DEJs).

REMINDER: TO MAKE UP LOST CLASS PARTICIPATION POINTS DUE TO AN ABSENCE, DO AN EXTRA DEJ ON INDEPENDENT READING.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, September 8: First reading log,  DEJ on independent reading due.
FRIDAY, September 11: First draft to share with writing group.

Friday, September 4

COLLECTED signed syllabus forms.

Reminded students, for Tuesday: need a reading log and a DEJ on independent reading, and a draft published on the Private Writing Zone by next Friday.

Writers' Workshop.

REMINDER: TO MAKE UP LOST CLASS PARTICIPATION POINTS DUE TO AN ABSENCE, DO AN EXTRA DEJ ON INDEPENDENT READING.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, September 8: First reading log,  DEJ on independent reading due.
FRIDAY, September 11: First draft to share with writing group.

Thursday, September 3

COLLECTED signed syllabus forms.
Homework check: DEJs on Bird by Bird.

Using our DEJs, discussed specific passages from Bird by Bird, what made them interesting to us.
COLLECTED DEJs for a grade.

Reviewed how to enter and use the Private Writing Zone for drafts.
Reminded students, for Tuesday: need a reading log and a DEJ on independent reading, and a draft published on the Private Writing Zone by next Friday.

Writers' Workshop.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, September 8: First reading log,  DEJ on independent reading due.
FRIDAY, September 11: First draft to share with writing group.

Wednesday, September 2

COLLECTED signed syllabus forms.

Distributed Double Entry Journal (DEJ) rubrics
Using a passage we'd read together from Bird by Bird, Ms. Bishop modeled completing a DEJ.
Discussed how DEJs are graded, reviewed their purpose.

Reviewed allowed activities for Writers' Workshop:

• Can work on current draft (writing or revising)
• Can read independent reading or work on DEJ on that reading.
• Can read assigned readings or work on DEJ on them--do our homework.
• Can confer with other writers in the classroom on the writing.

Writers' Workshop.

HOMEWORK: For Thursday, finish reading the introduction to Bird by Bird and create a DEJ on it.  Due at the beginning of class.

DUE DATES

THURSDAY, September 3: Finish reading introduction to Bird by Bird and bring a completed Double Entry Response Journal (DEJ) to class.

TUESDAY, September 8: First reading log,  DEJ on independent reading due.

Tuesday, September 1

COLLECTED signed syllabus forms.
Finished partner introductions to the class.
Using classroom laptops, students joined the Private Writing Zone blog for the class, open only to authors.
Signed out copies of Bird by Bird and began reading the introduction together.

DUE DATES

THURSDAY, September 3: Finish reading introduction to Bird by Bird and bring a completed Double Entry Response Journal (DEJ) to class.

TUESDAY, September 8: First reading log,  DEJ on independent reading due.

Monday, August 31

Students created classroom folders.
Reviewed syllabus; introduced class blogs.
Students completed Creative Writing surveys.
Shared surveys with a partner.
Began partner introductions to the class.

DUE DATES

THURSDAY, September 3: Finish reading introduction to Bird by Bird and bring a completed Double Entry Response Journal (DEJ) to class.

TUESDAY, September 8: First reading log,  DEJ on independent reading due.

Syllabus