DearParents, Imveryexcitingtobeofferingthiscoursetoyourstudents!Mygoalistodeveloptheirstrengths,andreally developaloveforwriting.Whatfollowsismyplanforthefirsthalfofthecourse.Theplanforthesecondhalf willbecomingtoyoubytheendoftheweek.Thefirstsixweeksfocusoncreativewriting,andthefinalsix weeksfocusonacademicessaywriting. Theactivitieswedoinclasswillbesupportedbyasmallgrammarportion,inclasspracticeandhomework. Pleaseletmeknowifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcerns.Imthrilledtobeteamingupwithyouinthispartof yourstudentseducation!

Manyblessings, AnnaPercuoco

Course: Middle School Writing Instructor: Mrs. Anna Percuoco

Email: anna.l.duncan@gmail.com Cell phone: 770-315-7046

Session
#1: Jan 7

Theme/Topic
Introduction to Creative Writing: Word Choice

In Class Work
1. Grammar: basic sentence structure review 2. Creative Writing: Word Choice a. Looking at Advertisements 3. Writing your own Advertisements 1. Grammar: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Homonyms 2. Haikus a. Lecture & Practice 1. Grammar: image words, personification 2. Snapshots a. Lecture and Practice b. No personal pronouns 1. Grammar: past tense verbs 2. First person narrative sketches a. Talking about what happened b. Talking about how it happened

Homework for Next Session

**Create an advertisement based on a picture you receive in class

#2: Jan 14

Imagery

**Write 4 Haikus

#3: Jan 28

Descriptive Snapshot

**Write a Descriptive Snapshot

#4: Feb 4

First Person Narrative

**Write a First Person Narrative Sketch

#5: Feb 11

Letter to the Editor

1. Grammar: Transition words, sentence endings 2. Letters to the Editor a. What is the purpose? b. Persuasion and Respect c. Parts of a letter

**Write a Letter to the Editor

#6: Feb 25

Dialogue

1. Grammar: how to use quotation marks **Dialogue worksheet 2. Where is it going? 3. Practice writing your own dialogue in class 1. Resolving Common Errors a. TBD: what the teacher notices in the students writing b. Some ideas: contractions, run-ons, comma splices 2. Differences between Descriptive Snapshot and Observation Report a. Not trying to paint a picture b. Trying to describe what happened and how things looked and felt c. 5 senses d. Structure (All Write 188) **My Ride to New Hope: An Observation Report

#7: Mar 4

Introduction to Essay Writing: Observation Report

#8: Mar 11

Summary

1. Resolving Common Errors a. TBD: what the teacher notices in the students writing 2. How to write a summary (All Write 191)

**Favorite Movie Summary **Choose Persuasive Essay Topic

#9: Mar 18

Expository Essay

1. Resolving Common Errors a. TBD: what the teacher notices in the students writing 2. Explanation of a basic outline 3. Practice one in class Have cards ready with topics and get students to brainstorm together on outlines

**Outline for Persuasive Essay

#10: Mar 25

Persuasive Essay: Rough Draft

#11: Apr 1

Persuasive Essay: Group Edits

1. Composing Sentences #1: Combining Sentences 2. How to write a rough draft 3. Review of transition words 1. Composing Sentences #2: Expanding and Varying Sentences 2. How to do a peer edit 3. In class peer edits 1. Think of something to do on the last day-maybe a fun grammar game? 2. How to polish off your final draft 3. Check for Errors Think/Pair/Share

**Rough Draft of Persuasive Essay

**Response to Peer Edit

#12: Apr 8

Persuasive Essay: Final Draft

**Final Draft Due by 4/15

Books I might need: 1. 50 Writing Lessons That Work (ISBN: 978-0590522120) 2. 100 Writing Lessons (ISBN: 978-0545110020) 3. Sentence Composing for Middle School (ISBN: 978-0867094190) Detailed Plan: First 15 mins of Every Class: Sharing Homework with Class 1. Comments and ideas 2. How was the assignment? Difficult or easy? Explain! Session #1: Word Choice
1.

2.

3.

Grammar Subject/Predicate Nouns and Verbs Adjectives Lecture: How do Advertisements work on us? Provide Students with an example or two Discuss as a class Writing your own Advertisements Break up into pairs and work together Front of Advertisement: choose 3 words to describe your product

4.

Back of Advertisement: write 3 full sentences using those words Homework: Write your own advertisement Using the teacher-selected image, write your own advertisement like we did in class. Front of Advertisement: choose 3 words to describe your product Back of Advertisement: write 3 full sentences using those words CREATE WORKSHEET FOR THIS

Session #2: Imagery

1.

2.

3.

Grammar Synonyms Antonymns Homonyms Play SAH Game First level: Teacher writes two words on board, students classify them as Ss, As or Hs of each other. Second level: Teacher writes a word of the board and students have to come up with its S, A, or H. Lecture: What is a haiku? Where do they come from? What are the strengths of such a short poem? Connect to Word Choice lesson Writing your own Haikus Write two as a class Play Haiku game

4.

Break up into two groups Both groups give the other group a word for the haiku to be based on This happens 3 times: Noun, Verb, Adjective Homework: Write your own Haiku

Session #3: Descriptive Snapshot

1. 2.

3.

4.

Grammar Image Words & Personification Lecture: Observation! Go on a nature walk to get ideas Jot down notes of things you saw Writing your own Write two sentences based on things that spoke to you Share what you wrote Write one as a class based on something everyone observed No using personal pronouns! Homework: Write a Descriptive Snapshot Ask Mrs. Percuoco if you need a topic

Session #4: First Person Narrative

1. 2.

Grammar a. Past Tense Verbs Types of 1st Person Narrative

3.

4.

Fiction b. Non-fiction c. Brainstorm of Topics Writing your own First Person Narratives a. 15 min free write b. Share what you wrote Homework: Write your own First Person Narrative a. Choose a type before you leave today!
a.

Session #5: Letter to the Editor

1.

2.

3.

Grammar Resolving Common Errors TBD: based on what the teacher notices in the students writing Some ideas: contractions, run-on sentences, comma splices Lecture: The Structure Purpose of writing: Topic Brainstorm Headings: Where do the addresses go? Greeting Introduction Main Points: Logical Arguments, Supporting Your Purpose Personal Illustrations: Supporting Your Purpose Ending: Repeating the Purpose of Your Letter Name & Signature Writing your own Letters to the Editor

4.

Write one together as a class for practice Homework: Write your own Letter to the Editor If you need ideas, ask Mrs. Percuoco

Session #6: Dialogue

1. 2. 3.

4.

Grammar How to use quotation marks Lecture: Where is it going? Create a short outline for the beginning, middle and end of your dialogue Writing your own dialogue Pick two characters and only write their dialogue At the top of your paper, just write two sentences to describe the characters CREATE A WORKSHEET FOR THIS Homework: Write your own Dialogue Follow the worksheet Mrs. Percuoco hands out

Session #7: Observation Report (Introduction to Essay Writing)

1.

2.

Grammar TBD: what the teacher notices in the students writing Some ideas: contractions, run-ons, comma splices Lecture: Differences between Descriptive Snapshot and Observation Report Not trying to paint a picture Trying to describe what happened and how things looked and felt Using the 5 senses

3. 4.

Structure (All Write 188) In-class activity here! Homework: Write your own observation report Topic: My Ride to New Hope

Session #8: Summary

1. 2. 3. 4.

Resolving Common Errors TBD: what the teacher notices in the students writing How to write a summary (All Write 191) Read a picture book to them in class Write a summary together on the board! Homework: Favorite Movie Summary Write a summary of your favorite movie Choose Persuasive Essay Topic

Session #9: Expository Essay

1. 2. 3. 4.

Grammar: Resolving Common Errors TBD: what the teacher notices in the students writing Lecture: Explanation of a basic outline Practice one in class Have cards ready with topics and get students to brainstorm together on outlines Homework: Persuasive Essay Outline

Session #10: Persuasive Essay (Rough Draft)

1. 2. 3. 4.

Grammar: Composing Sentences #1 (Combining Sentences) Lecture: How to write a rough draft Review of transition words Homework: Rough Draft of Persuasive Essay

Session #11: Persuasive Essay (Peer Edit Response)

1. 2. 3. 4.

Grammar: Composing Sentences #1 (Combining Sentences) Lecture: Peer Edits Create Worksheet! In-class Peer Edits Peer Edit Response

Session #12: Persuasive Essay (Final Draft)

1. 2. 3. 4.

Fun Grammar Game! Lecture: How to Polish off your Final Draft Check Essays for Peer Edit Changes Homework: Final Draft due by 4/15