Mystery Story Drafting

Today we are beginning to draft our mystery stories. Students will be drafting their stories in a document created for them in Google Classroom. Students will have several days to work in class on their drafts with mini lessons at the beginning of class on elements they should include in their stories.

Rough Draft Requirements

• Don't change the formatting on the document. It is already how it should be. Don't change the font, size, margins, or spacing. 
• Typed story should be 3-7 pages long. Absolutely no more than 10 pages. 
• Follow your prewrite sheet and the requirements listed there. 
• Remember to include at least 5 events in the rising action and a good lead at the very beginning (action, reaction, or dialogue). 

If a student needs to work from home, he/she will need to log-in to the Google Drive account to access their rough draft.Students should know their log-in information, but is some information to check if you are having log-in problems

• The username should be the student's legal first name and a four digit number as follows:
• example: brianna1234@trussvillecityschools.org
• MANY students accidentally type in ".com" instead of ".org" check this if you are having issues
• The password should be your first and last initial and your six digit lunch number
• example: bo123456

If you cannot access your account from home, and you have checked the hints above, send me an email. Hopefully, I will see your email and be able to help. NOTE: not being able to log-in is not an excuse for an incomplete assignment. If you can't log-in, continue working on a separate piece of paper to make sure you have it finished when it's due. We can get it typed into your Google Doc later if that happens. 

I am also more than happy to meet students before school to allow them time to work on the chrome book. If you want to come before school, just ask me the day before, so I can write you a pass. Students will not be allowed to leave the gym to come to a classroom without a pass from a teacher.

Mysteries of Harris Burdick- Mystery Story Insprirations

We are beginning a new unit on "Mystery Writing" this week. Each student will choose one image from the "Mysteries of Harris Burdick" as inspiration for this writing assignment. Below, you will see several pictures from the "Mysteries of Harris Burdick." Choose one picture on which to base your mystery story. You will need to use the caption in your story.

Picture Title: The Third Floor Bedroom

 Caption:"It all began when someone left the window open..."

 Picture Title: The House on Maple

Caption: "It was the perfect lift off..."

 Picture Title: Missing the Venice

Caption: "Even with her mighty engines in reverse, the ocean liner was pulled further and further into the canal..."

 Picture Title: Oscar and Alphonse

Caption: "She knew it was time to send them back. The caterpillars softly wiggled in her hand, spelling out 'goodbye.' " 

 Picture Title: Uninvited Guests

Caption: "His heart was pounding. He was sure he had seen the doorknob move..."

 Picture Title: Archie Smith, Boy Wonder

Caption: "A tiny voiced asked, 'Is he the one?' "

 Picture Title: A Strange Day in July

Caption: "He threw with all his might, but the stone came skipping back..."

 Picture Title: The Seven Chairs

Caption: "The fifth one ended up in France..."

 Picture Title: The Harp

Caption: "So it's true, he thought, it's really true..."

 Picture Title: Another Place, Another Time

Caption: "If there was an answer, he'd find it there..."

Picture Title: Captain Tory

Caption: He swung his lantern three times and slowly the schooner appeared..."

Van, Allsburg Chris. The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1984. Print.

Once you have chosen the image/caption you want to use, you will need to write down some ideas and brainstorm for your story.  Title it "Mystery Brainstorm" and answer the following prompt: 

• What is the picture title and caption you have chosen to use? 
• Write a detailed description of the picture. Consider the setting you see, any potential characters you notice, and anything that stands out to you from the image. 
• Next, write any and all ideas you have for the story using the picture as inspiration. The ideas do not have to flow together at this point; you are just jotting down ideas for possibilities within the story.  Consider ideas for character(s), conflict, plot, and setting. 

Figurative Language Test- Corrections

Students took a test on figurative language on Friday, 9/30/16. The class averages for grades ranged from 77-88. Many, many students did very well on this test. However, there were also a lot of students that did not. I am allowing any student who would like to improve their grade to do so by making corrections to their test. This is entirely up to the student, but I would advise any student that made less than a 75 to make corrections. Students will need to complete their corrections on their own time (not in class). If you need to use a chromebook to access the test, let me know, and I will be happy to write you pass to come early to school and work in my classroom. This blog post will only be active for a few weeks, so don't wait until the end of the nine weeks to make up your points.

Directions

• Use this link to access the Figurative Language Test
• Look at every question you missed. Use your notes, study guide, and any resources you have to find the correct answer. 
• Write the correct answer (either beside the incorrect one or on another sheet of paper) AND explain WHY you know this is the correct answer
• Turn in your original test and the corrections (with explanation of "why") to me

NOTE: You will receive half credit back for every correction you make. Example: current grade 70/105, your new grade would be an 88/105. 

Roots Test

We have a Roots Test this Friday, 10/7/16, on Roots 4-6. The roots are: chron, dict, min.

Roots Test 2 Quizlet

Strange Visitor Analysis

Tuesday we read "Strange Visitor" in class. This story is full of suspense and mystery...and it even ends in a cliffhanger! Today, we worked in class on analyzing the plot, conflict, and setting of the story. Many students finished in class, but if you did not finish it will be due at the beginning of class on Thursday.

Below is a copy of the story for you to use if you need to work from home. Additionally, there is another copy of the analysis sheet if you misplaced your own copy.

"Strange Visitor"

"Strange Visitor" Plot, Conflict, and Setting Analysis

Identifying Plot, Conflict, and Setting

Hyperbole and Onomatopoeia

Hyperbole in Pop Culture

Onomatopoeia Song