Age of Miracles/Speculative Short Story

AGENDA:

Bellwork: Natalie Goldberg Test 1


VIEW:  Ted Talk with Karen Thompson: Walker
https://www.ted.com/talks/karen_thompson_walker_what_fear_can_teach_us

Post a response in COMMENTS after viewing this video. 

WRITING:  Work on short stories

HMWK: for Monday, read to Ch. 11 pg. 94 for discussion, possible QUIZ

Age of Miracles

Age of Miracles Discussion Questions

AGENDA:
1. Bellwork



2. Think, Pair, Share...post a comment to Questions 1 and 2

Questions to consider after reading The Age of Miracles.
1. As readers, why do you think we’re drawn to stories about the end of the world? What special pleasures do these kinds of narratives offer? And how do you think this element works in The Age of Miracles?
2. Julia is an only child. How does this fact affect who she is and how she sees the world? How would her experience of the slowing be different if she had a sibling? How would her experience of middle school be different? 

WRITE:
Continue to work on speculative fiction piece

HMWK:  Read to Ch. 8 for discussion on Thursday 

Speculative Fiction/Age of Miracles

AGENDA:

1.Introduce diagramming: Pop chart

http://www.wikihow.com/Diagram-Sentences

2. Bellwork: Diagram two sentences based on models


3. Today, for a creative writing prompt, look over the following questions and write about one of them.  See where it takes you.  Any ideas for a story, play or poem? If you do have an idea, work on it for your first major project--a 4-5 page speculative fiction story.

What if? We love to frame questions like this. Fortunately these questions can typically help the creative juices flow as well. Try using these “what if” scenarios to spark additional ideas for stories, poems or whatever your heart cares to write. 

Creative Writing Prompts on What If Scenarios

1. What if you found your pet flying around the room?

2. What if you woke up and had a super power?

3. What if you suddenly lost your ability to drive a car?

4. What if you received a call that your parent was deathly ill or had even passed away overnight?

5. What if you discovered that you had another sibling?

6. What if you had the option of winning a large sum of money at the price of losing a significant memory?

7. What if you discovered that a loved one was a serial killer?

8. What if inanimate objects could speak to you?

9. What if the world found out the world was going to be destroyed in 2 weeks?

10. What if you met someone who could see the future?

11. What if your friend joined a cult that worshipped dogs?

12. What if you could change your career right now? You can do anything you want and do it well.

13. What if you could pick the next person to be a great leader of a country? Who would it be?

14. What if you woke up in a world that had absolutely no crime?

15. What if you could change people’s views on social issues such as abortion and other rights? How would you use it?

16. What if you stumbled upon $100,000 cash that was from someone who sells illegal drugs?

17. What if you had the ability to grow plants to their maturity at will?

18. What if you could speak to people who have died? Who would you speak to?

19. What if you could time travel into the past and future? How would you use this skill? What would you change?

20. What if your pet could only talk to you at midnight for an hour?

21. What if you discovered a creature that promised it could give peace to the world?

22. What if you could sacrifice your life to save a community of people who need drastic help?

23. What if you could live in any world from a fantasy or science fiction novel or show?

24. What if you could find the strength to forgive anyone, no matter how badly they have hurt you?

25. What if you could make any religious belief truly real? Which one would you pick and why?

26. What if you could stop a substance from being addicting? What would it be?

27. What if you could make someone fall in love with you?

28. What if an alien suddenly approached you and asked for your friendship?

29. What if you found out that someone has been hunting you for the past year with the intention of killing you?

30. What if you found a piece of jewelry that could give you the ability to fly?

31. What if you were hiking and heard a young child screaming deep into the woods?

32. What if you found out that in your past life you were a great historical figure?

33. What if electricity and any other power source was unavailable for a full week? What would happen?

34. What if your child or another loved one suddenly disappeared?

35. What if you found out that your coworkers could all read your mind?

36. What if you were unable to smile for a full month?

37. What if you could resurrect only one person who has died?

38. What if you had the problem to completely solve only one of the world’s issues? What would it be? How would you come to that choice?

39. What if you realized you were going to die 24 hours from now?

40. What if you could become a world-renowned expert on one subject? What would it be?

41. What if you woke up and your body was made out of bacon or some other type of food?

42.  What if you had the power to instantly destroy the world?

43. What if you had the chance to do a complete reset on your life?

44. What if you found out all the answers to the greatest mysteries in the world?

45. What if you could break all the rules and never get caught for three days?

46. What if you could completely change the way you look? What would you change?

47. What if you could change the political structure of any nature? What would you change? Why?

48. What if you could create any mythological creature of your choice? What would it be?

49. What if you could cast a spell on someone you dislike? What spell would it be?

50. What if you could be fluent in any specific language? Which language would you choose?

51. What if someone from private numbers were constantly calling you for three days straight?

52. What if someone tried to say you committed a crime that you did not do?

53. What if you found out that your significant other betrayed you?

54. What if you could stop an event in history from happening? Would you or would you be afraid of the possible negative repercussions from it?

55. What if you were having a disagreement with someone and they pulled out a firearm?

56. What if you could control the score of the a major sporting event such as the Olympics, Super Bowl or World Cup?

57. What if you could meet yourself as the opposite sex? For example, if you are a woman, you might meet yourself as a man. Would you talk to your other self? How would you react?

58. What if you woke up and found out that you were a centaur? How would you react? What would you do?

59. What if you could meet your true love, but he or she would be catching you in the act of doing something unethical?

60. What if you could have all your bills paid for the rest of your life, but you had to eat 300 mushrooms everyday?

61. What if you could write a letter to God and know that he will listen and take into account everything you say? What would you write?

62. What if you found out that you were going to come back as a ghost after you die?

63. What if you had a chance to do a boot camp? What kind of boot camp would you do and why?

64. What if you could create your own TV show with all your friends and loved ones as the cast? What kind of show would it be and who would play which parts?

65. What if you could ask for a warning about anything such as your death, a job loss, or an injury? What would you ask for and why?

66. What if you could drive to another object in our solar system such as the moon, sun or another planet? Would you?

67. What if you could successfully help a fundraiser raise the funds for their goal? What fundraiser would it be and why would you choose to help?

68. What if you found out you were going to accomplish everything you set your mind to for the next 10 hours? What would you do?

69. What if you could ask for a miracle and it would actually happen? What would that be?

70. What if you could control exactly how the last day of your life would go? What would it be like? Who would be with you?

71. What if you found the cure for one illness, mental or physical? What would you choose to cure?

72. What if you could make a high quality parody of something? What would it be?

73. What if you could stop time but you could only use this skill three times? How would you use it?

74. What if you could give your neighborhood a gift, that is free of charge for you? What would it be? Remember gifts can have both positive and negative intentions.

75. What if you could be anywhere for the next hour? Where would you go or would you just stay where you are?

HMWK:  Read first 4 chapters of Age of Miracles

Pop Chart Lab Diagrammed Sentences from Famous Novels

https://www.popchartlab.com/products/a-diagrammatical-dissertation-on-opening-lines-of-notable-novels

http://www.businessinsider.com/famous-novels-opening-lines-2014-2

Welcome Back Creative Writing Majors!

AGENDA:

Welcome to SOTA's  Creative Writing Lab and the Creative Writing program. 
Welcome video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH3akqBwYfo 

1. Explanation of seating arrangement, how to sign in to the computer for the year and save this blog as a favorite
How to log in: (MM/DD/YYYY)
Go to blog: http://grammarandstyle09.blogspot.com
Save as favorite
2. Review Course Criteria/Writing Lab procedures and assign lockers!

3. Activity: Pass out journals.  Watch how to be awesome: Write your response in  your journals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH3akqBwYfo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwlhUcSGqgs

4. Introductions--About the Author--Using Word on the Mac--
How to log in: (MM/DD/YYYY)
Go to blog: http://grammarandstyle09.blogspot.com
Save as favorite

Write a short biographical paragraph about yourself in the 3rd person (he or she) for the publication of your new book. Describe yourself to let your reading public know more about who you are, what you have accomplished, what interests you, and what your life is like.

Example:
Alexander Christie is currently a 9th grade creative writing major at School of the Arts. He is 13 years old. He currently lives with his parents in Rochester, New York and has a sister studying theatre in New York City. In his free time, he enjoys reading books and writing short stories. His family is very supportive of his writing and everything else he is invested in. Although he hasn’t written any long term pieces of writing, he hopes to write and publish a novel someday. Aside from writing, he also enjoys singing, dancing, and acting in various productions. He loves living in an arts community and being able to do the things he loves. Going into his 9th grade year, he is excited to be learning new things about writing and himself. He hopes that he can continue to express himself through the arts after school, and share his knowledge with the world.

Share these bios.  Learn how to post in comments on blog.

5.. Visit Grammar and Style Websites--Using the internet
Stephen Fry on Language:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7E-aoXLZGY&feature=youtube_gdata

Grammar Girl
www.grammar.quickanddirtytips.com

Grammar Bytes

http://www.chompchomp.com/menu.htm
The Blue Book
www.grammarbook.com

6. Take the pretest and post your results:
http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar_quiz/grammar_pretest.asp

HMWK:  Get course criteria sheet signed for 10 points

Portfolio

9th grade Portfolio

9th Grade FINAL PORTFOLIO INSTRUCTIONS

There are two (2) parts to your final portfolio:

A. A 4-6 page, double-spaced, typed self evaluation essay
B. A variety of your best work chosen from all your CW classes
Your final portfolio will count for both 9th grade creative writing classes and will be reviewed by Mr. Craddock and Ms. Gamzon. It will constitute 25% of your final grade.
Part A. Self Evaluation Essay (see details below)
Part B. Portfolio
Select work that you created this year in Ms. Gamzon’s or Mr. Craddock’s classes. All work should be copies of original work. No journals will be accepted. Follow the guideline below.
Table of contents. Your table of contents should order your portfolio into the following parts:
a. Poetry
b. Fiction
c. Non-fiction
d. Scripts
e. Special projects
Poetry. Choose 6-8 of your best poems. Select work that shows your understanding and growth in the field of poetry. Each poem’s title should be listed on the table of contents.
Fiction. Choose 4-5 of your best fiction pieces. Select work that shows your understanding and growth in the field of fiction. Each fiction piece’s title should be listed on the table of contents.
Non-fiction. Choose 2-3 of your best non-fiction pieces. Select work that shows your understanding and growth in the field of non-fiction. Each non-fiction piece’s title should be listed on the table of contents.
Scripts: Choose 1-3 of your best scripts. Select work that shows your understanding and growth in the field of script writing. Each script’s title should be listed on the table of contents.
Special Projects: Choose 3-4 of your special projects (documentary, newsletter, brochure, literary magazine, online blog, etc.) that show your growth and creative ability. Each project should be listed on the table of contents. If you have been working on a project not assigned in class, you may include this work in your special projects. (Example: I am working on a novel, and I haven’t told my teachers or I have written a musical, etc.) Please do NOT print your special project, unless you already have an extra copy. Instead, please write about these projects in your reflection.

Self Reflection Non Fiction - Creative Essay: 
During the entire freshman year, we have thrown quite a bit of information, projects, and assignments your way. We did not do this to be cruel, but to see how you react to pressure, deadlines, writing & reading skills, and so that you had the opportunity to grow as a writer and a student. It is true that the most important qualification for writers is that they write. Apart from this, reading is also the most important way to improve your writing at this stage of your development and education. These introductory courses are designed to get you to know yourself as a student and writer a little better. Part of this is the need to self-reflect. Examine the writing rubrics below and the material in your portfolio. Reflect on your work this year.
Reflective piece: 4-6 pages, double-spaced. Write about how you’ve grown as a writer this year, what has been easy/hard for you, what areas you feel you need more work in; reflect on your progress as a writer, a reader, and as a student. Write about each selected piece you have chosen to include in your portfolio (per genre): why did you include these pieces in your portfolio? How does the piece show your growth and development as a writer in this particular genre? What did you learn about yourself concerning writing from this assignment or project? Discuss the writing process you used to create the work, where you got your ideas, what you learned about the form or genre of the work as you wrote and revised it, what you learned about yourself as a writer, etc. Discuss special projects and reading that had an impact on you. Which books you read were of high interest and what did you learn about writing from reading them? What did you learn about writing and about yourself through these assignments and courses this year?
Rubric
_____ Table of Contents 10 points
_____ Reflective Essay (4-6 pages) 30 points
_____ Poetry (6-8 poems) 10 points
_____ Fiction (4-5 short stories) 10 points
_____ Non Fiction (2-3 creative essays) 10 points
_____ Scripts (1-3 scripts) 10 points
_____ Special Projects (3-4 special projects) 10 points
_____ Grammar (Work is clean, copy-edited, free of errors) 10 points
Penalty: (-1/2 point for each grammar error. Up to -10 points)
_____ Portfolio turned in complete and on time: bonus 10 points
Penalties:
• Late portfolios (-10 points per day late)
• Handwritten work (-1 for each handwritten page)
• Grammar errors (see above) & missing required components of your portfolio

View Like Water for Chocolate

AGENDA:

Homework for Monday:  Read Chapters April, May and June.

View movie Like Water for Chocolate.  Alquasia go to Amazon to continue video.