Natasha Poems and Writing Time

Hello Writers!

Let's edit and revise today!  Follow WRG protocol and get the assistance you need.  Give the feedback you would wish to receive. If you finish early - which you shouldn't - you should be making changes! Use your time wisely.

1. Prompts - See Below
2. Meet Natasha Hooper
"Black/America" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-lh8KuTL3o
"The Art of Becoming" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5kgnVJr5f4  
"Islamaphobia" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qf9onCjdUA
"Brown Bodies" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDob-D8RAcg
3. Writing Time

HW
* 'I Wanna Be a Kid Again" -  Final Draft due TMRW

EC
* LE on Tuesday
* Poetry Club - Wednesdays
* SD Slam on 10/9

Prompts:
1. Small Talk...
2. What you do not understand is... 
3.  Think of the sea...
4.  She mentions flowers...
5.  What is this magic?

WRG - "I Wanna Be A Kid...."

Hello Writers!

Let's edit and revise today!  Follow WRG protocol and get the assistance you need.  Give the feedback you would wish to receive. If you finish early - which you shouldn't - you should be making changes! Use your time wisely.

1. Prompts - See Below
2. Work Check - You ready for WRG?
2. Meet Natasha Hooper
"The Art of Becoming" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5kgnVJr5f4  
"Islamaphobia" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qf9onCjdUA
"Brown Bodies" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDob-D8RAcg

HW
* 'I Wanna Be a Kid Again" -  Final Draft due Friday

EC
* Poetry Club - Today

Prompts:
1. The first day of....
2. In this one photo, I am wearing...
3.  My first best friend....
4.  I remember when she said...
5. Let's talk about ice cream....

"I Wanna Be A Kid Again...." Writing Time

Hello Writers!

Let's get nostalgic this week.  Growing up can be hard - but there are some wonderful memories too.  Allow yourself the time to reflect on people, places, shows, music, foods, and kid-like innocence to really capture this assignment.  You've been waiting so long to be an adult, but really....don't we all just want to be kids again?

1. Prompts - See Below
2. "I Wanna Be A Kid" - Write, Brainstorm, Review Mentor Texts
3. Meet Natasha Hooper
"The Art of Becoming" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5kgnVJr5f4  
"Islamaphobia" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qf9onCjdUA
"Brown Bodies" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDob-D8RAcg

HW
* 'I Wanna Be a Kid Again" - Draft due with copies and ready to workshop for Wednesday WRG
* "...Kid Again" - Final Draft due Friday

EC
* LE w/Poetry Club is TONIGHT!  Earn EXTRA CREDIT!
*Sign up so we know you are coming!
* Poetry Club - TMRW

Prompts:
1. The ten songs that are on my Nostalgia playlist...
2.  Let me tell you about my first love....
3. Remember when I caught you looking at me? Well.....
4.  If it weren't for __________ introducing me to ___________
5.  It was simpler when....

"I Wanna Be A Kid Again...."

Hello Writers!

Let's get nostalgic this week.  Growing up can be hard - but there are some wonderful memories too.  Allow yourself the time to reflect on people, places, shows, music, foods, and kid-like innocence to really capture this assignment.  You've been waiting so long to be an adult, but really....don't we all just want to be kids again?

1. Prompts - See Below
2. Mentor Texts
* Handouts
* "I Wanna Be a Kid Again" - See format, see structure, note mentor text
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEhk8jrAwWk&list=RDaEhk8jrAwWk
* 90's Love - Asia Samson
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtPWAznIQQA
3. Writing Brainstorm - Make lists and word associations
4. Writing Time

HW
* 'I Wanna Be a Kid Again" - Draft due with copies and ready to workshop for Wednesday WRG
* "...Kid Again" - Final Draft due Friday

EC
* LE w/Poetry Club is TOMORROW!  Earn EXTRA CREDIT!
*Sign up so we know you are coming!
* Poetry Club - Wednesday

Prompts:
1. When I was little, I used to watch....
2.  My earliest memory is....
3.  My grandmother used to say...
4.  We used to pretend that...
5.  Do you remember that one time when....

Authors Chair - "I Am..." / Cipher

Hello Writers!

Today we celebrate your voices!  I can't wait to see and hear your amazing work.  Let's provide feedback, words of encouragement, and a sincere Friday stoke!

1. Prompts - See Below
2. Work Check - 'I Am..."
3. Jaleesa - Discussion
4. Authors Chair/Cipher

HW
* Jaleesa Reflection due on Monday

EC
* LE w/Poetry Club is this Tuesday!  Earn EXTRA CREDIT!  Sign up so we know you are coming!* Poetry Club - Wednesday

Prompts:
1. Sometimes...
2.  Not even three years has passed since....
3.  Growing up, I always wanted...
4.  My father's family....
5.  In the photos, my......

Guest Writer - Jaleesa Johnson

Hello Writers!

Today we welcome Jaleesa Johnson to our Writers Workshop.  Jaleesa can tell a story, she can make you smile, and she make you laugh.  Pay attention to how she uses themes from her own story and life to make sense of the world around her.  There is a fine art to crafting humor (as many of you already know) - so have fun today!  Ask questions, take notes, maybe ask for suggestions on your piece.  Whatever!  Enjoy today and make it work for you!  Yay!

1. Prompts - See Below
2. Guest Writer - Jaleesa Johnson
* Take Notes, Ask Questions
* Jaleesa Reflection due on Monday

HW
* "I Am Comic Sans" - Final Draft due TOMORROW!
* Authors Chair/Cipher on Friday!

EC
* Slam Diego is TONIGHT!

Prompts:
1.  In six weeks....
2.  In nine more years...
3.  And even though I felt kinda....
4.  When we were small....
5.  Everyday, the memories get a little....

WRG - "I Am Comic Sans...."

Hello Writers!

This week we delve into a little comedic writing. We will use the Sweeney's piece, "I Am Comic Sans" as mentor text.  We will borrow style, structure, organization, and humor to write our own persona pieces.  This assignment allows you to have fun and to bring voice to a subject matter that you feel is worthy.  Make us laugh, be appropriate, and play with this comedic piece. 

1. Prompts - See Below
2. WRG - "I Am Comic Sans..."
* Work diligently and follow P, Q,W protocol.  Use your time well.

HW
* "I Am Comic Sans" - Final Draft due on Friday
* Guest Writer TMRW- Jaleesa Johnson

EC
* Poetry Club - Today
* Slam Diego is this THURSDAY!

Prompts:
1.  I was surprised to see...
2.  That ain't no tragedy...
3.  I hear a man's voice saying...
4.  No cereal. No oatmeal.  Not even pancakes....
5.  Late Saturday afternoon....

"I Am Comic Sans" - Writing Time

Hello Writers!

This week we delve into a little comedic writing. We will use the Sweeney's piece, "I Am Comic Sans" as mentor text.  We will borrow style, structure, organization, and humor to write our own persona pieces.  This assignment allows you to have fun and to bring voice to a subject matter that you feel is worthy.  Make us laugh, be appropriate, and play with this comedic piece. 

1. Prompts - See Below
2. "I Am Comic Sans" - Writing Time
* Use your time effectively

HW
* "I Am Comic Sans" draft due TMRW w/annotations and questions, and FOUR copies
* WRG TMRW - Must be here to get credit
* "I Am Comic Sans" - Final Draft due on Friday
* Guest Writer on Thursday - Jaleesa Johnson

EC
* LE - TONIGHT
* Poetry Club - Wednesdays
* Slam Diego is this THURSDAY!

Prompts:
1. People always say....
2.  Loving you is easy cause....
3.  And some nights...
4.  Tuesdays...
5.  I wake up....

"I Am...Comic Sans" - Mentor Text

Hello Writers!

This week we delve into a little comedic writing. We will use the Sweeney's piece, "I Am Comic Sans" as mentor text.  We will borrow style, structure, organization, and humor to write our own persona pieces.  This assignment allows you to have fun and to bring voice to a subject matter that you feel is worthy.  Make us laugh, be appropriate, and play with this comedic piece. 

1. Prompts - See Below
2. Work Check
* Amen Ra Reflection
3. "I Am Comic Sans" - Introduction
* Notes, Ideas, Brainstorm

HW
* "I Am Comic Sans" draft due on Wednesday w/annotations and questions, and FOUR copies
* WRG on Wednesday - Must be here to get credit
* "I Am Comic Sans" - Final Draft due on Friday

EC
* LE - Tuesdays
* Poetry Club - Wednesdays
* Slam Diego is this THURSDAY!

Prompts:
1.  Listen up...
2.  Sorry that I'm....
3.  You think that I'm....
4.  Enough of this...
5.  Mondays...

Authors Chair and Cipher

Hello Writers!

Let's celebrate our work and our classmates.  Today we will feature not only wonderful pieces of writing - but we will learn about our peers as well.  Be respectful and interact kindly.

1. Prompts - See Below
2. Work Check
* "When You Tell Them..."
* Chrissy Reflection
3. Authors Chair and Cipher

HW
* Amen Ra- Reflection due Monday.

EC
* LE - Tuesdays
* Poetry Club - Wednesdays

Prompts:
1. I arrived at 8 o'clock...
2.  Contrary to nature's way....
3.  Forgetting to forgive, forgiving to forget...
4.  My mother's middle name is....
5.  She glances at her old school pictures...
6.  At 3:30 am...
7.  Silence did what silence does....
8.  All that's left....

Guest Visit - Amen Ra

Hello Writers!

Today we are joined by Amen Ra!  You are super fortunate to get to work with one of the kindest and most talented writers in our city and within the spoken word genre. 

Ra is a writers, a performer, a teacher, a host, and an advocate for honest and true voices.  Please do your best to be engaged, ask questions, and learn style and structure from today's lessons.  Take notes and be certain you are able to reflect on a wonderful day together.  Lucky you.

1. Prompts - See Below

2. Guest Writer - Amen Ra

HW
* 'When You Tell Them..." due TMRW Typed. No Late Work
* Chrissy - Reflection due TMRW
* Amen Ra- Reflection due Monday.


EC
* LE - Tuesdays
* Poetry Club - Wednesdays
* Alternative Open Mics?  Ask Ra!


Prompts:
1.  Everything looked so delicious, I just wanted to...
2.  Today's a bad day....
3.  There's these two guys I know....
4.  When people ask how, I say....
5.  Whenever that song comes on, the one that goes....

WRG

Hello Writers!

Today we workshop! We discuss, we edit, we revise, we praise, we question, we wish.
Please engage yourself in the process.  Give and get legitimate feedback.  Good luck!

1. Prompts - See Below
2. Who is Amen Ra?
"Sandlot Poem" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLCAYEq8aGQ
3. WRG
4. Interview/Writing Time (if time)

HW
1. "When You Tell Them..." Final draft due on Friday.
2. Chrissy Reflection - Due Friday

EC
* Poetry Club- TODAY at Lunch

Prompts:
1.  I can't imagine moving away...
2.  It's been four years...
3.  And at lunchtime...
4.  In a little town, with a long name...
5.  My birth certificate says....

"When You Tell Them..." Interview and WRG demo

Hello Writers!

Welcome to another wonderful week together.  Now that we are familiar with the class structure and the choices you have when writing - we will now partner up to help one another tell our stories.  Enjoy this opportunity - you have a lot of responsibility to honor your classmates.

1. Prompts - See Below
2. Mentor Texts
* Samakosky Example
* Brave New Voices - Washington DC Girls --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv00xjClbx0
* "Lost Voices" - Darius and Scout --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpPASWlnZIA&t=6s
3. Interview Time - Get your info.  Let each other talk. Don't just ask questions - have a conversation.

HW
1. WRG - TOMORROW
* Poem Draft due with annotations and questions and copies.
* Final draft on Friday.
2. Chrissy Reflection - Due Friday

EC
* LE - TONIGHT
* Poetry Club- Wednesdays at Lunch

Prompts:
1. I had a chance to get away...
2.  The way she laughed at my jokes...
3. Some days, like today and yesterday and probably tomorrow, all my.....
4.  Before somebody asks....
5.  The monsters that come at night...
6.  When you don't know...

"When You Tell Them My Story..."

Hello Writers!

Welcome to another wonderful week together.  Now that we are familiar with the class structure and the choices you have when writing - we will now partner up to help one another tell our stories.  Enjoy this opportunity - you have a lot of responsibility to honor your classmates.

1. Prompts - See Below
2. Mentor Texts
* Samakosky Example
* Brave New Voices - Washington DC Girls --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv00xjClbx0
* "Lost Voices" - Darius and Scout --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpPASWlnZIA&t=6s
3. Interview Time - Get your info.  Let each other talk. Don't just ask questions - have a conversation.

HW
1. Poem Draft due Wednesday. Final draft on Friday.
2. Chrissy Reflection - Due Friday

EC
* SD Slam Starts TONIGHT - 8pm at Queen Bees. $5 cover.  Go check this out!
* LE - Tuesdays
* Poetry Club- Wednesdays at Lunch

Prompts:
1. When you tell them my story, make sure to mention that...
2. Tell them that my favorite bands/artists are....
3. This one time, when I was...
4.  If I could live anywhere for a year...
5.  Sometimes when I look up at the sky....
6.  Don't forget....

Authors Chair

Hello Writers!

Authors Chair! Yay!

1. Prompts -
2. Chrissy Croft Write Up
3. AC/Cipher

EC
* LE - Tuesdays
* Poetry Club- Wednesdays at Lunch
* SD Slam on 9/11

Guest Writer - Chrissy Croft

Hello Writers!

Today we are joined by National Poetry Champion - Ms. Chrissy Croft.
Please enjoy today, take notes, ask questions, and participate!

1. Prompts - See Below
2. Chrissy Croft

HW
* "Hands" - Due TMRW. Typed. No late work.
* Authors Chair/Cipher - sign up!

EC
* LE - Tuesdays
* Poetry Club- Wednesdays at Lunch
* SD Slam on 9/11

Prompts:
1.  The other night...I had to make a tough call...
2.  I feel most safe when...
3.  The thing about getting close to someone else is...
4.  I grew up in a home where....
5.  I used to love looking through....
6.  Album after album....
7.  There was a time when....
8.  I didn't know anything about these messy personal details...

"Hands"

Hello Writers!

Use both pieces of text to inspire your own original "Hands" piece.
Imitate and acknowledge the author's choice of style, structure, content, and format to write your own "Hands" poems.  Enjoy the process and have fun with this piece.

1. Prompts - See Below
2. Read and Annotate:
Sarah Kay - "Hands" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2BEBa3ri9c
Bob Skeele - "Hands

HW
* "Hands" - Your piece will be due on Friday. Typed and ready to present.
* Mentor/Poet/Guest Writer - Chrissy Croft will visit us TMRW
* Authors Chair on Friday

EC
* LE TONIGHT - Tuesdays
* Poetry Club Today at Lunch!

Mentor Text - "Hands"

Hello Writers!

Welcome to our second week together.  We will be reading TWO mentor texts this week and using the Author's style, structure, content, and format to write our own "Hands" poems.  Enjoy the process and have fun with this piece.

1. Prompts - Stick Your Finger Activity
* Await Instructions
2. Read and Annotate:
Sarah Kay - "Hands" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2BEBa3ri9c
Bob Skeele - "Hands

HW
* "Hands" - Your piece will be due on Friday. Typed and ready to present.
* Mentor/Poet/Guest Writer - Chrissy Croft will visit us on Thursday.
* Authors Chair on Friday

EC
* LE TONIGHT - Queen Bees @ 8 pm - $5 cover
* Poetry Club TMRW at lunch

Authors Chair/Cipher

Hello Beautiful Writers!

Today we celebrate you!  Welcome to your first Authors Chair.
Please have out both pieces that are due today.

1. Cipher - Golden line from the week
2. Authors Chair
3. Work Check - Drafts
* "Loading a Boar"
* "Honest Poem"

EC - Lyrical Exchange Open Mic - EVERY TUESDAY night at Queen Bee's - $5