Showing posts with label Revision. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Revision. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Revision in Action!!

Today, we dove into deep revisions on the first drafts of our creative short story assignments. First, we explored some of the key symbols for grammar and structural changes in our writing. (These all relate to our 13 Rules for Writing, which we discussed yesterday--click here for that list of rules!).

Here is a snapshot of our class board from today with these symbols:


In order to practice using these AWESOME symbols and finding these grammatical and structural issues, we then did a group revision of the start of a story about a character named Juku. Here is the Smartboard snapshot of our group revision:


And then you each had a partner in which to practice by helping one another find areas for growth in these first drafts of your short stories. It was fabulous to interact and watch as you did that beautiful thing: REVISION!

For tonight, start making some of the changes in your rough draft (no need to print off a new copy yet). 

Our word of the day is RECEDE, which means to lessen or decrease; to fade or back away. An example is: Mr. R's painful memories of riding the school bus in second grade have receded now that he is older. 

Have an awesome evening!

Peace,

Mr. R

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Creatively Seeing Our Synthesis Statements in A World We Imagine...

Our final paragraph of our Synthesis Essay! Alright! You've all worked very hard to craft your synthesis statements, see their parts within Habibi and Emman uel's Gift, and to agree or disagree with how this synthesis plays out in other books, films, or in your own life.

Now, in our final synthesis paragraph, we're going bigger.

We're going bolder.

We're going bolder!

We're going into the land of imagination. As you work on your fifth paragraph of the synthesis essay tonight, the key question to ask is this: HOW COULD MY SYNTHESIS STATEMENT CHANGE THE WORLD? 

In other words, if your synthesis statement were true, how would the world be different? We want to try and include three sentences that discuss your response as a way to close our essays.

Here is our back board from today, where we discussed how to begin this final paragraph, and also viewed the assignment sheet:


Remember that the rough draft of paragraph five is due tomorrow. It doesn't have to be perfect! IN fact, it shouldn't be perfect! Because all good writing is rewriting. We will revise and workshop these paragraphs tomorrow, but give it your best shot to try and envision how your synthesis might play out in the world around you.

Here is an example of how I might think about this question:

When I was a freshman in high school, my high school cafeteria was completely segregated. The school I attended, Windsor High School, was about half black and half white, and during lunch, students separated based on their races. As a timid freshmen, seeing this self-segregation saddened and shocked me. I wondered why. If my synthesis statement were true in this high school world, my cafeteria would have looked very different. Students of all races would have sat with one another. Students' internal interests and ideas would have been elicited as far more important than their outward appearance. 

Like I am asking all of us to attempt, this would be my own first-attempt at a final paragraph. I would revise.

Yes! Revision!

Tonight, give it your best shot to write creatively about how your synthesis could or would change the world around you. 

And here is a picture of our front board, which we used to help guide our peer edit of paragraph four today:


And finally: our word of the day was EXACERBATE, which means to make worse. This verb can be used, for example, like this: If we get any more snow, it will exacerbate the driving conditions.

Have an awesome evening my amazing students!

Peace,

Mr. R.


Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Revision is at the Heart of Great Writing (and Great Living!)

Today, we explored your first drafts of your short story project. You received your drafts back with what may feel like an enormous amount of comments and notes from me! However, do not worry! All good writers STILL receive tons of comments and revisions on their writing.

Remember: All good writing involves loads of revision and hard work. It's a process that is riveting and fun--but also one that is all about perseverance.

We explored the ways I've made comments on your papers, and here are two pictures of our boards today so you can be reminded of what we discussed in conjunction with your stories. Refer to your notes and these pictures to help as you work on your revisions. Remember that your second drafts are due next Wednesday, October 22. Include your first drafts stapled underneath your second drafts.





Our word for the day was JOVIAL, which means cheerful, joyful, gleefully happy. I was jovial when I arrived in Room 340 this morning to teach!

And, before signing off, here is a question to ponder and share about The Absolute Value of Mike: How are you similar to or different than Mike? 

Thursday, October 2, 2014

From Object to Idea

Over the past two days, we have explored symbolism in a deeper way. Authors use symbols as a way to portray powerful ideas through objects, events, and actions.

Yesterday, you each used word associations and emotions to map out what comes to mind when you saw various images--from the American flag to an apple to a gun to a rainbow. Each of these images brought up many similar emotions and associations among you all, however we saw key differences and unique connections as well.

Symbols can mean different things to different viewers and readers, and authors work hard to craft symbols that help to support and enhance both the impact and the interest of their stories. In your second drafts of your short stories, you can try to do the same!

We explored the short story  "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury and applied what we've learned about symbolism.

Our word for the day yesterday was recede, which means to decrease, or to move away. When my brothers and I build sand castles on the beach, we wait for the water to recede before we start.

Our word for the day from today was flourish, which means to grow well, or to thrive. This year, I hope you each flourish as writers in Rm. 340!

Remember to continue reading 10 pages or more in your independent reading books each evening, AND ENJOY YOUR BOOK.

I hope to get your first drafts of your short stories back your way next week with loads of lovely and riveting revisions so that you can dive in to draft number two! Remember that good writing is like good living: it takes lots of learning and revision along the way. Three cheers for revision!

And next Monday, we will all start our first class novel, The Absolute Value of Mike, by Kathryn Erskine.