The lost vocab word! FOUND!

fluid (adj.)

Choosing a Story Idea

Vocab Word: capricious (adj.)

Friendship Stories

Most of us value our friendships deeply. Here is your opportunity to pay homage to your friends in a story!

1. Create a small friendship tree. Make branches for all the people you consider your close friends.
2. Read "Goat Wrestling."
3. Taking Notes about your friends: Who is an important friend in your life? Why is that person important to you? What is a story about that person that comes to mind?

Vocab Word: erudite (adj.)
Tom looked erudite in his cap & gown at graduation, because he acquired knowledge and wisdom at school.

The next vocab quiz will be on Thursday, November 6!!! Be ready!


My friends Katie, Taiwo, and Jenny. A long time ago!

Family Stories

We are returning one of the most abundant sources of story inspiration: the family. Love 'em or not, they are there. And they always offer us stories. Today we read "Let It Snow" by David Sedaris from his collection Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim.

1. Create a small family tree. Make branches for all the people you consider your family.
2. Read "Let It Snow".
3. Taking Notes about your family: Who is an important family member in your life? Why is that person important to you? What is a story about that person that comes to mind?

Vocab Word: filial (adj.)
Karina had a filial relationship with her teacher. It was like they were mother and daughter.

My niece, Hannah, and my nephew, Colin.

Artifact Stories

So you have a personal artifact, an object that has significance for you and indicates to someone else what you value. In order to find a story in this artifact, write about the following things:

1. Describe the artifact in detail. What does it look like? How does it feel? How does it sound? What does it smell like?
2. Where & when did you get this artifact?
3. Why is this artifact important to you?
4. What do you think this artifact says about your personality?

Your final product should be two paragraphs about your artifact.

Vocab: artifact (n.) an object that has significance for a person or for a group of people; an object that shows the lifestyle and values of a person or a group of people

Vocab: esoteric (adj.)
Jeff & Sally kept their conversation esoteric. They were whispering in the corner of the library.

Finding Stories in Your Identity

Many of us can tell stories that show how we cam to be the people we are today.

1. First you identify things describe your identity: culture, ethnicity, activities, personality traits, and our home or important places.
   
2. Second, you explode two of those descriptions using a bubble map. Ask yourself what are the details?
   
3. Lastly, choose two things that have stories behind them. Write a one paragraph story for each.

Today's Vocab Word: acquiesce (v.)
During his dog training, Rover learned to acquiesce to his owner's commands. When he was told to sit, he sat. When he was told to roll over, he rolled over.

Vocab Word: malicious (adj)

Javish's Haloween costume scared me, because it looked so evil and malicious.

Vocab Quiz!

Today we had a vocab quiz on the following words: ubiquitous, palpable, irrelevant, voracious, cherub, & juxtapose. If you missed the quiz, make sure you see me for the make-up!

I know I'm not there, BUT . . .

you still have a story to read and notes to take.

If you are in Block B, you are reading "White Angel" by Michael Cunningham. A beautiful story! Do not miss out on all the IMAGERY and the poignant SYMBOLISM.

If you are in Blocks C, D, & E, you are reading "Spear" by Julius Lestor. A powerful story about being yourself. Do not miss the IMAGERY and the SYMBOLISM that shows each characters identity!

You all are responsible for taking detailed notes for your discussion next week. See you Tuesday.

REMINDER: The vocab test has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 15. STUDY!

Did I mention paragraphs?

Today I need your final draft paragraphs about one symbol in "Nineteen Thirty-Seven" by Edwidge Danticat. In my hand! So I can read it! Thanks!

Today's Vocab Word: irrelevant (adj.) The judge said the evidence was irrelevant, beceause it had nothing to do with the crime.

Paragraph Projects are due on Wednesday, October 8!!!

Make sure you hand in the following items and staple them together:
• Final draft with a title;
• First draft with revision suggestions;
• Completed Symbolism Brainstorm sheet;
• “Nineteen Thirty-Seven” Imagery Brain Organizer (green);
• Annotated “Nineteen Thirty-Seven” story.

Today's vocab word: palpable (adj) In the haunted house, my fear was palpable, because I could feel my body shaking.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

White Angel - BLOCK B ONLY!

Have you noticed I love reading sad, melancholic stories? This one in particular has so much beautiful, palpable imagery. Ultimately we will be engaging in a Shared Inquiry Discussion about this story. But in order to prepare for it, you must take careful notes on its imagery, symbolism, and relationships. You can take notes on the sheet I gave you or in the margins of the short story. Enjoy!

"White Angel" by Michael Callinan



Today's Vocab Word: palpable (adj.)

Editing

As we continue to write and revise our writing, you must become a bit of an editor. Today we learned some editing marks and practiced using them on a piece of writing. Check them out here:

http://www.reallygoodstuff.com/product_details.aspx?item_guid=defead31-248a-42aa-978a-b36209e76c36


Today's vocab word: cherub (n.) My baby nephew is divinely chubby and sweet like a cherub.

What NOT to write in your essays . . .

I solemnly swear I will not use these words or phrases in my formal writing:

• I think . . .
• I believe . . .
  
• I feel . . .
• I know . . .
• My opinion is . . .
  
• In conclusion . . .
  
• good
  
• bad
• stupid
• dumb
• b/c; w/o
• They talk about . . .

Today's vocab word: juxtapose (v.) When my brother and I juxtapose ourselves, you can see how much taller he is than I.

Organizing Ideas

Now that you have chosen a symbol from "Nineteen Thirty-Seven"and brainstormed all the ideas about that symbol, it's time to organize those ideas.

On the back of the Symbol sheet, organize your ideas into the appropriate boxes. NOTE: You do not need to come up with more ideas for the back of the sheet; just organize the ones you already have.

Today's vocab word: voracious (adj.) We ate voraciously and without a word at Thanksgiving dinner. We had spent the whole day preparing and cooking but not eating!