"Teachers: Classroom Change Agents"

Mrs. LaToyia Watts JacksonJune 2014

“A Writer’s Death to Resurrection”

Intro ActivityAbbreviated Autobiography

• This is the age of IM, texting, and Twitter. To capture the spirit of the moment, write the story of your life (your “abbreviated autobiography”) in 150 words or less. Here’s mine for an example:

• Born lucky in Georgia. Great mom. Crazy dad. Raised in Alabama. Tuskegee is the city. Country town. Grandparents raised me. Good people. Honor student. Played clarinet. Danced. Pageant girl. The 90’s were great. AAMU. Presidential Scholar. Loved college- books and that boy! Stupid love. Sorority. Graduated Magna Cum Laude. Moved to Georgia. Haven’t lived here since 15 months old. Albany. Teaching English. WHS. Masters from GSW. Married Jesse. Lucky man! Two kids- Jaliya and Trey. Mom died; relationship with dad needs work. Specialist from Nova. Hope to be Dr. Jackson by Christmas. Always challenged; rarely bored. Reading. Traveling. Shopping at New York and Company. Crafts. Music. Movies. Teaching high school students. Family is important to me. Experiences shape opportunities. Learning doesn’t prepare you for life; it is life. Optimist. Full of potential. Grateful for life! Looking to the future; confused but hopeful. Life is hard; but worth living.

•   149 words

The objective of this workshop is to help students bury bad habits in writing and find new strategies that will help them enhance their reading and writing skills.

Common Core: Anchor Standards

Text Types and Purposes*1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and

relevant and sufficient evidence.2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and

accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen

details, and well-structured event sequences.Production and Distribution of Writing4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task,

purpose, and audience.5. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with

others.Research to Build and Present Knowledge7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating

understanding of the subject under investigation.8. Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of

each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.Range of Writing10. Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time

frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.

What are some things that students should not do in

writing?

A Writer’s Tombstone

Connect Reading to Writing

Read like a detective; but, write like a

reporter.”

“Reading with a pencil.”

Annotation is a note of any form made while

reading text.

LEARNING STRATEGIES

•The Literary 3x3 is a simple and ultra brief writing activity to prompt students to think outside the plot•The task: students summarize the novel/story they have read without using specific names or events•The catch: they must create this summary using only 3 lines of 3 words each. LITERARY

3x3

LITERARY 3x3

•The 3x3 exercise forces students to think outside the “main character does this…then this…the end” type of formula.•Let it be a game – students should try to create the most insightful 3x3s•Use the words generated to prompt further writing

3 x 3 Rules3x3 will use: 3x3 may use: 3x3 will not

use:

•Complete sentences•Effective word order•Strong words, especially verbs and adjectives

•Abstract nouns•Contractions using “is”

•Proper nouns/names•Repeated words•“to be” verbs•Pronouns•Clichés•a, an, the

Literary 3x3 Examples The fun comes out in the discussion:

consider these examples of “3x3”s for these popular Disney movies – can you guess what they are?

A. B.

C.

Arrogance transforms handsomenessMistake creates captivityInner beauty conquers

Curiosity seeks freedomSilence creates confusionLove breaks spells

Innocence craves recognitionGuilt prompts desertionDuty calls home

YOUR TURN!!!CHOOSE A NOVEL AND WRITE YOUR

3x3.

•It is important to be able to communicate to your reader a coherent and logical essay; it is an essential skill to have.

•Forget about retelling or summarizing!

Bye! Bye! Five Paragraph Essay

Introduction

Attention-getter (hook)

Necessary Information (author’s name, title of story, 1-2 sentence summary)

Thesis Statement (a one sentence statement that answers the prompt and is a road map for paper).

Body Paragraphs

At least two is needed (depending on what you are asked to write about)Must have the following:

Topic sentenceIntroduce QuoteQuoteAnalysis

Topic Sentence

•Topic Sentence is your main idea. What are you going to prove to your reader in this paragraph?

•Do not restate the plot! Your topic sentence should be something that can be seen and realized through the text itself.

Introduction of the Quote

You must always introduce the quote. You can NEVER have a quote start sentence. Introduce a quote by explaining what is going on during the time of the quote.

Quote

•Pick quotes that truly provide an explanation of your main idea. This is your concrete evidence- the actual words of the characters that you use to prove your point. •Always cite your quotes and write them in MLA format.

•Ex. “Quote.” (Chopin 12).

Analysis of the Quote

This is where you show me what you got! Truly analyze here-don’t simply translate.

Conclusion

Restate thesis in new wordsClincher (final thoughts)

Your Turn“Shame” by Dick Gregory

Analyze the writer’s theme through his use of tone, word choice, and structure.

Ex-Basketball Player by John Updike Updike

Question #11. Explain the "untold" story of the

poem.a)Why is Flick working in a garage if he

was so good at playing basketball?b)How does Flick fit into his present

job?c) Does Flick live in the present?

Explain.

Question #2What is the theme of this poem?

Remember to state theme as a "general truth about life."

Question #3Quote one example of each of the

following from the poem and explain how the example fits the definition of the term: SimileMetaphorPersonificationImagerySymbol

Paint the Tone

• Look at the paint card you have. Choose one of the six colors.

• Write a paragraph (5-7 or more sentences) to explain that color. Tell a story! You must use the name of the color in the paragraph.

• Based on the figurative language you give to the reader/listener, other students should be able to tell what color family that color belongs to.

• Share with the class!!! Be creative!! Have Fun!!

Paint the Tone

Fakebook Project• http://www.classtools.net/FB/home

-page

Six Word Memoir

• The legend says that the great American writer, Ernest Hemingway, was once challenged to create a novel using no more than six words. His response: "For sale. Baby shoes, never worn."

 

Six Word Memoir

Quote of the Book~This quote should be that one passage or

quote that captures the essence – the true meaning – of the novel for you, the reader. In a well-written paragraph(s) explain exactly HOW this passage is the one perfect quote from the book.   Give specific supporting details.  This paragraph should be at least ½ page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpjHSiQLPmA.

“Strangers” Short Film

“Strangers” Short Film• Describe the tone of the film.• Write an analysis of the short film.

Other Ideas• Digital Storytelling• Current Event Journal Entries• Life Quotes• Twitter, Instagram, Facebook• Music Soundtrack• Paper Bag Project• Others: _____________________

QUESTION/ANSWERTHANK YOU!!!!!

LATOYIA WATTS JACKSONDOUGHERTY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM

ALBANY, GAlatoyia.jackson@docoschools.org