Workday and Authors Chair

Hello Writers!

Take the time today to write, draft, take some chances, maybe...just maybe...have some fun?  Let's work quietly, independently, and efficiently.  Find your zone.  We will share - casual Authors Chair - for the last 20 minutes of class.  Hopefully drafts of tomorrow's assignments.

1.  SWT - Long Edition.  See prompts for assistance.
2.  Portfolio Return
3.  Poetry Club?
4.  Authors Chair

HW
1.  LTAB - Reflection
2.  Creative Piece - LTAB Inspired
* See previous posts for ideas, requirements

EC
* LE on 2/5
* Poetry Club - 2/6
* SD Slam - 2/11

Prompts:
1. Breathe
2. ___________ Street
3.  Letter to _________
4.  Look  
5. Counting...

Finish LTAB

Hello Writers!

Today we finish our film.  Each story has some sort of resolution? What was your poet's journey or discovery?  Make sure to cover basic information, poets, your focus poet, and your takeaways.  Include names of people and poems.  Why begin the Semester with a film like LTAB?

1. Film - "Louder Than A Bomb"- Take Notes
* Track a Poet
* Reflection due on Friday
* Creative Activity - due Friday
2. LE?
3. Reminder - Return Books
4. Writing Time 

HW
* LTAB - Activities Due Friday
* Reflection - Track a Poet
* Creative Activity - LTAB Inspired
*** Ideas: Honest Poem, When You Tell Them, 13 Ways, Free Verse...
*** Topics - Grandparents, Ancestry, Letter to..., Siblings, Writing (Nate's Poem),
Soci/Political (Lamar Solo, Counting Graves)

EC
* Poetry Club TODAY at lunch - Symposium People MUST show
* SD Slam 2/11 - Last Qualifying Round

Continue Film - LTAB

Hello Writers!

Today we continue with our film.  Continue to take notes and track your poet. Your reflection will include basic information, poets, your focus poet, and your takeaways.  Include names of people and poems.  Why begin the Semester with a film like LTAB?

1. Film - "Louder Than A Bomb"- Take Notes
* Track a Poet
* Reflection due on Friday (Details to Follow)
* Creative Activity - due Friday
3. Return Books

HW
* LTAB - Activities Due Friday
* Reflection - Track a Poet
* Creative Activity - LTAB Inspired - Honest Poem, When You Tell Them, 13 Ways, Free Verse...

EC
* LE TONIGHT
* Poetry Club TMRW - Symposium People MUST show
* SD Slam 2/11 - Last Qualifying Round

Louder Than a Bomb - Welcome to Second Semester

Hello Writers!

Let's spend this week reconnecting with our community and our kinship as writers as storytellers.  We will take the time to view the film "Louder Than a Bomb" - it is more of a movement than a movie.  Follow these students on their journey to tell their narratives and note how the medium of spoken word connects individuals and bonds communities.  Take note and connect.  Here is to a positive and fun second semester together.

1. SWT
2. Film - "Louder Than A Bomb"- Take Notes
* Track a Poet
* Reflection due on Friday (Details to Follow)
3. Return Books

HW
* LTAB - Activities
* Track a Poet due on Friday

EC
* LE on Tuesday
* Poetry Club on Wednesday - Symposium People MUST show
* SD Slam 2/11 - Last Qualifying Round

Prompt
1. Louder than a bomb...
2.  New beginnings...
3.  18 weeks...
4. 80 days...
5.  This is a last time....

Semester Final - Portfolio Due

Hello Seniors!

We are all meeting on different days this week - but we are doing the same activities.  You are expected to be here and to participate.  Grades close this week.  You have ONE more semester of high school. Make the most of your time here. Your voice matters.

1.  Hellos and Post Its
2.  Cipher - Introduction Edition
3. Gallery Walk - This is a quiet activity
* Please take the time to write some praiseworthy notes to you classmates and fellow writers
4. Authors Chair - Portfolio Edition
5. Discussion/Reflection


Things to look forward to next semester:
* Short Story Unit - Walter Mitty
* Locomotion - Poetry as a Narrative (will include Socratic Seminar)
* Screenplays (Master of None is a mentor text!)
* Writing for Kids
* April 30/30
* Spoken Word Slam
* Guests! Guests! Guests!
* Portfolio TWO
* Graduation!

WRG - Portfolio Pieces and Introductions

Hello Seniors!

Take time today to work in your WRG to share your pieces and/or introductions.  Assist your classmates with choices and decisions.  Offer suggestions.  Be kind and considerate - yet tough and honest.  Have out the rubric - be able to assess yourselves accurately.  This is a great opportunity to receive authentic feedback about your collective work as a writer this semester.

1.  SWT
2.  WRG - Portfolio
3.  Work Time
4.  Work Check - Ari Reflection

HW
1.  Portfolio DUE - Final Day

EC
* LE Tonight

Prompts:
1.  The things I am most proud of this semester...
2.  One more semester? What?
3.  This summer I plan to...
4.  Forces of Nature...
5.  No expectations...

Portfolio Workday

Hello Seniors!

Take the time to work on your Portfolio.  Write. Edit. Revise. Sequence. Work on all your spacing, use of white space, font size.  Fix errors, spelling, names, capitalize as needed.  Continue with your introduction letter - be sure to focus on what the writing is doing and your intended purposes as the author.  All good stuff. 

1. Ari - Reflections and Take Aways
* Share your notes
2. Portfolio Time

HW
1. Ari Refection Due Tuesday
2. Workshop on Tuesday - Bring ONE piece w/copies for WRG.  This can be your Introduction.
3. Portfolios DUE next Week

Guest/Mentor - Ari Petrou

Hello Writers!

Today we get to hang with the amazing talent that is Ari Petrou.  Ari is in his second year at Berkeley.  He is majoring in Sociology and minoring in Hip Hop.  He has been honing his craft since the age of 14.  This is his return to Point Loma after a one year hiatus.  Ari is young and has direction.  He is motivated and using his skills to astoud and entertain.  Welcome him to our class with enethusiasm, interact, and participate!

1.  Hang with Ari
* Take notes, ask questions
2. Reflection due on Tuesday

HW
1.  Portfolio!
2.  Ari Reflection

Portfolio Requirements - Semester One

Hello Seniors!

Here are the requirements for your Portfolio.  You will also receive a checklist/rubric for your own keeping and self scoring.  Please pay attention in class and ask questions.  You will have this week to work on your writing, editing, and publication.  Your Portfolio is DUE on the day we meet for Finals...please see the schedule below.  We will participate in a Gallery Walk and Authors Chair.


1.  Cover Page/ Title Page
2.  Table of Contents
3.  Dedication
4.  About the Author
5.  Introduction
6.  Honest Poem
7.  Kid Again
8.  Comic Sans
9.  Free Verse 9/17
10.  Charlie Letters
11.  Personal Statement
12.  Hands
13.  Letter from ________ to ___________
14.  Klosterman - "Something Wicked..."
15.  Free Verse - 11/13
16.  Partner Poem - "When You Tell Them..."
17.  13 Ways of Looking at....
18.  "21" - Numbers Poem
19.  Sonnets (Two)
20.  Free Verse - 12/17
21.  Sestina
22.  Guest Reflections - Sante, Flaco, Happy, Jaleesa, Anita, TJ, Dallas, Stephanie, Crystal, Mackenzie, Ari
23.  TEN additional pages
24.  Overall Production - Easy to follow, Page numbers, Grammar, Spelling, etc..

Portfolio Week - Introductions, Contents, Production

Hello Seniors!

Here we are - the end of the first Semester.  It is time to look back and reflect on all the writing you have done over these last months.  You have grown tremendously.  You have experimented with structure, style, diction, editing techniques, and all kinds of play.  You've met lots of artists and real world writers and you have had the chance to visit other collectives to be inspired and motivated.  And...we are only half way done.  Are you taking advantage of all the opportunities?  What will your writing say about you?  Your story?  Your narrative?  Take this week to put together your Portfolio.

1. SWT
2. Portfolio Talk
3. List - See Blog
* Handout
4. Work Time - Introductions

HW
1. Mackenzie Reflection - DUE Tmrw
2. Introduction Draft due WED - Typed
3. Portfolio DUE on FINALS Day

EC
1. SD Slam TONIGHT
2. LE TUES
3. Poetry Club on WED

Prompts:
1.  The NINE rights
2.  Guests
3.  Writing Response Groups
4.  Favorite Assignment(s)
5.  Most Challenging Assignment(s)

Authors Chair - Sestina Edition

Hello Everyone!

Today we celebrate your writing, your art, your technique, your words, your voice.  Sign up and share.  Take advantage of the opportunity you have to show what you bring to our community conversation.  Time is eluding us this semester (and in general) so make choices that work authentically for you.  Yay!

1.  SWT
2.  Mackenzie - Reflections
3. Cipher
4. Authors Chair

HW
1. Mackenzie Reflection due Tuesday
2. Portfolios - Due Week of Finals
* See Blog for update
* Handout next week

EC
1. SD Slam on Monday
2. Poetry Club on WED
3. Symposium?

Prompts:
1.  Colorblind
2. Send me an Omen
3. You found me...
4.  What is home?
5.  Glad and Sorry...

Guest/Mentor - Mackenzie Batliner

Hello Everyone!

Today we welcome Mackenzie Batliner. Return of the Mack!  This young lady is super talented and brings her honesty and story to her songs and poems.  She works hard at her craft and it is a pleasure to have her visit with us.  Engage - ask questions - and have fun.

1.  SWT
2.  Mackenzie!
* Take Notes - Who, What, When, Where, Why, How

HW
1. Sestina due TMRW
2. Mackenzie Reflection due Tuesday

EC
1. Slam on Monday

Prompts:
1.  Shatter
2.  Closure
3.  Letter to You
4.  Woman in the Interview
5.  Man in the Interview

Writing Response Groups - Sestina

Hello Sestina Lovers!

Today we workshop.  We hold one another accountable.  Be kind. Be tough.  Question. Suggest. Praise.  Wish. Follow Protocol.  Listen.  Have out your mentor text and handout.  Double check that all words are in the correct place.  Can any words be changed?  Do you see ideas that the writer maybe has not thought about?  Your goal is make each other better.  Go.

1.  Prompts
2.  Sestina Drafts - Workcheck
3. WRG

HW
1. Sestina due Friday

EC
1. LE attendees?
2. Poetry Club TODAY

Prompts:
1. Truth
2. Salvage
3. Boyfriend
4. Girlfriend
5. Tall
6.  Maybe

Sestina - Writing Day

Hello Seniors!

Today we write.  Take your time.  Start over.  Play.  Try.  Move your first stanza around so it fits better.  Change out a word.  Begin with your tercet.  Use the words in class.  Use a different version of a word from class.  You get the picture.  Write.  Type.  Edit.  Find a title.  What is your poem turning out to be about?  Sometimes you don't know what you are writing until you are writing it.  Be open. Be honest. Be you.

1.  Prompt - See Below
2.  Sestina - Review, Discussion, Examples, Questions
3.  Writing Time
4.  Conferencing Time

HW
1.  Sestina - Typed draft due TMRW w/copies for WRG.
* Final copy DUE on FRIDAY
2.  Portfolio DUE on day of FINALS


EC
1. WW goes to LE TONIGHT!  It will be worth it! Let's support Amen Ra!
2.  Poetry Club TMRW at Lunch!

Prompt:
Write the first stanza of a sestina using these words.  Choose your letter deliniation.

Stand, Spell, Watch, Silver, Lighthouse, Forgive

Sestina Time!

Hello Seniors!

This week we will work on Sestinas!  There is a lot to pay attention to - but this format will have you using words in all kinds of new and creative ways.  Play around.  Take chances.  This will be one of the last official pieces for your Semester One Portfolio.

1.  Welcome Back
2. Prompts
3. Sestina - Handout and Lesson
4.  Writing Time

HW
1.  Sestina - Draft w/copies due on Wednesday
2.  Sestina - Final Copy due Friday
3.  Portfolio Due - Finals Day w/Gallery Walk.
* You must be present

EC - Last Opportunity
1. LE Tuesday - 1/8
2. SD Slam - Monday 1/14
3. Sarah Kaye/Phil Kay in Orange County on Friday 1/18

Prompts - Pick one of these six words.  Change the words or tense to make it fit.  How many ways can you use it.  Play and have fun.  Pick Two words if you want.  This will help with writing your Sestina.  Yay!

1.  Inspire
2.  Pride
3.  Maroon
4.  Connect
5.  Educate
6. ?