Hello Seniors!
I am grateful for being able to work with you every single day. It is amazing that we are 1/4 of the way through our school year and our time together. Let's continue to grow as writers and thinkers - staying open to new ideas and being willing to try new and different approaches to finding our most authentic voice.
Take advantage of opportunities to improve your class status and grade. I know this is important - however work ethic and a willingness to "be the process" is what we are working towards. Participate in daily classwork and activities and share your writing. Be sure to reflect on what is working for you stylistically and be okay with your endeavors that are less successful.
Office Hours/Tutoring - Monday/Wednesday after school.
* If you need to meet at another time - please schedule this with me accordingly.
Additional Credit Activities - completion of these writing assignments will contribute to your improvements as a writer (the over-arching goal of our class). It is highly suggested that if you are in hopes of attaining an A in the class for the semester that you take advantage of these opportunities. The deadline to submit these works is MONDAY 12/2. However, revise and resubmit work is open indefinitely - you can expect a January deadline. You WILL also get additional credit if these works become part of your Semester Portfolio - which you will submit in January on Midterms/Finals Day.
*** All assignments must be typed and publishable works
* Letter to LTAB Poet - Dear Nova, Lamar, Adam, Nate (1-2 pages in length)
* Grateful List - based of off our Sacred Writing prompt - (5-10 worthwhile entries of gratitude)
* Revise and Resubmit - Any Writing Invites, Personal Statement, etc... (you must submit your work with the original piece...you must have a reflection on what you have changed and why it is now a better piece)
* Read a book of your choice. Submit an authentic reflection which includes insight into author style and choice. Must be 1-2 pages in length. Clear your book selection with me on/by THURSDAY. IF you do not clear your book - I will not accept your reflection.
* 5-10 pages of your own writing/poems/independent endeavors - come and speak with me if you want more information on this...
Here is our tentative class schedule:
Monday
* Sestinas - We will experiment with this poetic format in class...you will write your own Sestina draft which will be due on TUESDAY for a credit/no credit grade
Tuesday
* Workshop with Rolland (from Glassless Minds)
* Rolland will share his insight and experience with Spoken Word
* You will produce your own poem based on an in-class writing activity - a draft will be due on WEDNESDAY for a credit/no credit grade
* Note - if you are absent - you will still be required to complete the activity
Wednesday
* Return Work - Personal Statements, Klosterman Copy, Mentor Text Poem
* Display exemplary student examples
* Independent Writing - poem revisions
* Slam Team Selections and Poem Expectations
Thursday
* Writing Activity (TBD)
* Grade Updates
Friday
* Inspirational Texts
* Authors Chair
* WW Cypher
Work hard, play hard! If you are going to be absent, make sure to speak with me. You are still responsible for completing all your work.
Be good. Be grateful. Have a great week.
Samakosky
Turner
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Friday, November 8, 2013
Week #11 - Spoken Word, Socratic, a Gallary Walk, and Inspiration!
Hello Seniors!
This is a quick little update to get us to Tuesday. Make sure you check back on 11/12 for a more extensive update on our week and our assignments.
I hope you are enjoying your long weekend. The writing and the risks you are taking are super elevated and noticeable. I am truly impressed with your Personal Statements and Klosterman Copy content, stylistic choices, purposeful diction, differing syntax, and use of Mentor Text. I know we are only going to get better as we further embrace the writing, editing and revision process.
As soon as you begin turning in work that has been edited numerous times - you will see your scores skyrocketing. It is clear that the talent is there - however, the grit and the tenacity is always a work in progress.
Now...WE will be getting louder than "Louder Than A Bomb". It is our turn to play with language and delivery - healthily competing against one another. Please attend class, be a part of all the activities, and continue to write and explore your life's terrain.
There will be more information available when you check back concerning future writing assignments and opportunities. Office Hours will be on Wednesday/Thursday - so make sure to speak with me - now is the time to express any concerns you have. Grades will close on 11/22...the same day we head to Thanksgiving Break. Please advocate for yourself.
TUESDAY
* Socratic Seminar - Engage in an adult themed conversation - demonstrate critical thinking and inspire your classmates to do the same.
* Be ready with the texts you were asked to read and annotate. Your participation and insight is crucial - a failure to speak, ask questions, or offer text insight will result in a ZERO. You miss out on this opportunity if you are not in class...which will affect your grade as well.
* Texts:
"I Wanna Hear A Poem" - Steve Coleman,
"If" - Rudyard Kipling,
"I'll Be Knocking Out Goddamn Poetry....Flight" - Sean Adams
"Pretty Good" - Anonymous
Continue to write and reflect. Be present, be critical, and realize that EVERYTHING is worth writing about.
You are a tremendous talent. I believe in you.
Samakosky
Turner
This is a quick little update to get us to Tuesday. Make sure you check back on 11/12 for a more extensive update on our week and our assignments.
I hope you are enjoying your long weekend. The writing and the risks you are taking are super elevated and noticeable. I am truly impressed with your Personal Statements and Klosterman Copy content, stylistic choices, purposeful diction, differing syntax, and use of Mentor Text. I know we are only going to get better as we further embrace the writing, editing and revision process.
As soon as you begin turning in work that has been edited numerous times - you will see your scores skyrocketing. It is clear that the talent is there - however, the grit and the tenacity is always a work in progress.
Now...WE will be getting louder than "Louder Than A Bomb". It is our turn to play with language and delivery - healthily competing against one another. Please attend class, be a part of all the activities, and continue to write and explore your life's terrain.
There will be more information available when you check back concerning future writing assignments and opportunities. Office Hours will be on Wednesday/Thursday - so make sure to speak with me - now is the time to express any concerns you have. Grades will close on 11/22...the same day we head to Thanksgiving Break. Please advocate for yourself.
TUESDAY
* Socratic Seminar - Engage in an adult themed conversation - demonstrate critical thinking and inspire your classmates to do the same.
* Be ready with the texts you were asked to read and annotate. Your participation and insight is crucial - a failure to speak, ask questions, or offer text insight will result in a ZERO. You miss out on this opportunity if you are not in class...which will affect your grade as well.
* Texts:
"I Wanna Hear A Poem" - Steve Coleman,
"If" - Rudyard Kipling,
"I'll Be Knocking Out Goddamn Poetry....Flight" - Sean Adams
"Pretty Good" - Anonymous
Continue to write and reflect. Be present, be critical, and realize that EVERYTHING is worth writing about.
You are a tremendous talent. I believe in you.
Samakosky
Turner
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Week #10 - Louder Than A Bomb, Imitating Klosterman, Elements of Spoken Word...
Dear Seniors!
Hello! Thank you for checking the blog. I am more than impressed with your Personal Statements. You are amazing people with amazing stories - thank you for sharing and intrusting your words. Many of you still need plenty of revision - make sure that you take advantage of your opportunities to resubmit your work for a second assessment. You will get these back this week.
Office Hours/Tutoring will be on Tuesday and Wednesday after school. I am updating grades this week. If you have any questions or concerns - please make sure to speak with me at the appropriate time - so that we are able to assist you as needed.
Poetry Club - Wednesday @ Lunch
Poetry Day - Poets meet Poets with Mission Bay HS on Saturday 12/7 at 10 a.m. Please let me know if you are interested in attending this event. You will receive additional credit for attendance.
This week we will be transitioning into our Spoken Word/Poetry Unit. Be open to this awesome genre which offers numerous opportunities to share your writing, your voice, your insights, and your opinions. Be ready to inspire others, as well as being enlightened yourself. I know that you will both enjoy and honor this very cool artistic medium. Write on!
Monday/Tuesday
* Sacred Writing Time
* Imitating Klosterman Writing Assignment - draft due Wed. Final due Friday
* Film - "Louder Than A Bomb" - Note a Poet
Wednesday
* Writing Activity - in class writing
* WRG - Klosterman Writing Assigmnent draft. Please bring copies for your group
Follow all WRG protocol in order to receive full credit
Thursday - (assignments subject to change)
* Poetry Gallery Walk
* Note a Poet
* Writing Activity - in class writing
Friday - Participation Day
* Klosterman Writing Assignment Due - No Late Work
* Inspirational Texts
* WW Cypher
*Author's Chair
Have a good week. Make sure to involve yourself in the writing process....draft, revise, edit, draft.
Make sure you advocate for yourself. Continue to be your most authentic self.
Samakosky
Turner
Hello! Thank you for checking the blog. I am more than impressed with your Personal Statements. You are amazing people with amazing stories - thank you for sharing and intrusting your words. Many of you still need plenty of revision - make sure that you take advantage of your opportunities to resubmit your work for a second assessment. You will get these back this week.
Office Hours/Tutoring will be on Tuesday and Wednesday after school. I am updating grades this week. If you have any questions or concerns - please make sure to speak with me at the appropriate time - so that we are able to assist you as needed.
Poetry Club - Wednesday @ Lunch
Poetry Day - Poets meet Poets with Mission Bay HS on Saturday 12/7 at 10 a.m. Please let me know if you are interested in attending this event. You will receive additional credit for attendance.
This week we will be transitioning into our Spoken Word/Poetry Unit. Be open to this awesome genre which offers numerous opportunities to share your writing, your voice, your insights, and your opinions. Be ready to inspire others, as well as being enlightened yourself. I know that you will both enjoy and honor this very cool artistic medium. Write on!
Monday/Tuesday
* Sacred Writing Time
* Imitating Klosterman Writing Assignment - draft due Wed. Final due Friday
* Film - "Louder Than A Bomb" - Note a Poet
Wednesday
* Writing Activity - in class writing
* WRG - Klosterman Writing Assigmnent draft. Please bring copies for your group
Follow all WRG protocol in order to receive full credit
Thursday - (assignments subject to change)
* Poetry Gallery Walk
* Note a Poet
* Writing Activity - in class writing
Friday - Participation Day
* Klosterman Writing Assignment Due - No Late Work
* Inspirational Texts
* WW Cypher
*Author's Chair
Have a good week. Make sure to involve yourself in the writing process....draft, revise, edit, draft.
Make sure you advocate for yourself. Continue to be your most authentic self.
Samakosky
Turner
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