Memoir Progress

Goal: Memoir progress, get more writing, more revision, or more dialog into your memoir.

Agenda:
Read
Writing workshop

• Group 1: You need to make progress on getting your draft written. Don't talk, write. We will come by and check on you. 
• Group 2: You need to make progress on getting your draft written. Don't talk, write. We will come by and check on you. 
• Group 3: Read through THIS DOC and see what advice applies to YOUR memoir. Edit your memoir based on at least one piece of advice or example from that doc. Share your document with a peer at your table and read each other's work. Add comments about the questions you have. 
• Group 4: Read through your memoir. Look for places where you need to add more dialog or description. You probably have much more story to tell about this event. Be sure people will know what this event meant to you. 
• Group 5: Read through THIS DOC and see what advice applies to YOUR memoir. Edit your memoir based on at least one piece of advice or example from that doc. Share your document with a peer at your table and read each other's work. Add comments about the questions you have. 
• Group 6: Read through your memoir. Look for places where you need to add more dialog or description. You probably have much more story to tell about this event. Be sure people will know what this event meant to you.

Homework:
Read, always read. (You need two books read by 10/14.)
Finish your memoir draft, get the whole story into your document. Draft grades on Friday 10/2. (If you need extra time on a computer ask for an advisory pass, come at lunch, or come after school.)
Looking ahead, final draft of memoirs due 10/8. (Lots of revision time between now and then.)

Dialog Challenges

Goal: Adding dialog, and formatting it like a boss.

Agenda:
Read
Dialog challenge #1
Dialog challenge #2

Dialog challenge #1

1. Copy and paste the text below into your English Journal. 
2. With your partner discuss how you would correctly format this dialog. You probably need to add some paragraph breaks and punctuation. 

Well, why were you down at the swimming pool anyway? my mom asked as she pulled the dripping carton of eggs out of the shopping bag. I told you I need to get in shape before the swim team tryouts. Damn half these eggs are broken. But sweetie, you know that kids under 13 aren’t allowed at the pool without an adult. Why didn’t you ask your father or I to go with you. Because you guys are busy and if I wait for you to take me it will get later and the pool will get more crowded with adults who want to swim laps and I just don't like sharing a lane with some hairy dude in a speedo. Honey, the lifeguards know you are under 13 and they will be watching for you. They just aren’t going to let you swim there. I’m sorry, but we need a better solution.

Dialog Challenge #2

1. Add dialog to your memoir. 
2. You don't need to remember the actual words anyone said. You can write what you think they said or what you think they probably said.  
3. Also try to avoid using the word SAID over and over. Here are 200 words you can use instead of said. 

First Draft Memoir

Goal: Writing the first draft of your memoir.

Agenda: 
Read
How to access your writing prompt
Writing time

Writing prompt:

1. A Google Doc for you to write your memoir has already been shared with you!
2. Go to Drive.google.com, (login), and look in the "shared with me" section. 
3. Open the Doc called (period, name, first draft memoir.) Add it to your drive. 
4. DO NOT make a copy of the document. (If it already has your name on it you don't need to make a copy.) 

Writing time: 

• You may listen to music, but not streaming music. Pandora and others slow down the network for everyone else. (Also if you aren't getting writing done then your music privilege goes away fast.)
• You may not talk. Writing requires concentration. Please respect your classmates need for a quiet writing space. 
• Write a complete draft, beginning, middle, and end. If you finish early go back through your writing and continue adding details, dialog, and descriptions. 
• You may write about something you already started writing about in your English journal, but write it fresh. Don't copy paste from your EJ. First see how you write the story today. Later you can look back at your EJ to see what you might still want to add. 

Homework: 

• Finish your draft. It does not need to be perfect (yet). It does need to be the whole story. 
• Read: You should have completed your first book by now. You need to finish your second book by 10/14/15. (That's sooner than you think.)
• Open House is Thursday, October 8th. Tell your parents. 

Reading Progress and Article of the Week

Goal: Read and summarize the article of the week.

Agenda:
Read
Reading Progress
Article of the Week

Reading Progress:
Fill out THIS FORM to update me about your reading progress.

Article of the week:
Please use your Google account to loing to Newsela.com.
Click on "Binder" and scroll down to "Your Work."
Read "Doctors recognizing that reading, writing can be therapeutic"
In your English Journal, write a 1-2 paragraph summary of the article you just read. (This is homework if you need more time.)

Homework:
READ: You should be finishing your first book this week. You need to have two books read by 10/14/15.
Check your Six Word Memoir. Is it read to be printed? Make sure it fills the page, looks good, and has your name at the bottom.

More Ideas for Memoir Writing

Goal: Generating more ideas for memoir writing.

Agenda: 
Read
4 Quadrants
Writing
Sharing
More Writing

Four Quadrants: 
Just like yesterday you are going to add a new table to your English Journal.
Put today's date at the TOP of the page.
Add a 2x2 table under it. (Just like yesterday.)
Make your table look like the one below.
Add 2-3 memories that relate to each of your senses in each box.

Writing: 

• Write for ten minutes about one of the memories you listed in your chart. Include details about who, where, when, why. Describe the details of the sense you are writing about. 
• Not: It smelled good, BUT My grandmother's kitchen smelled like melted caramel and roasting chilies, but under those was the fruity hand lotion she kept on the counter and reached for every time she finished washing dishes. 
• Make this memory real for your readers. The smallest details often say the most. 
• Tell the story, use what you remember, guess about the details you can't quite recall.