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Literature and Creative
Writing Grades 6-8
In Literature and Creative writing for middle school, we
will be reading several fiction books and examining how the authors used various
aspects of literature. The aspects of literature we will be covering are
character, setting, theme, point of view, style and tone. Students can either
buy or borrow the books from the library. Don't worry if students have
previously read these books. It never hurts to reread a good book! In creative
writing, we will be writing stories using these aspects of literature to make
our own stories interesting and fun to read. Students will be expected to
participate in class by discussing the readings, sharing their writings, and
respectfully sharing their ideas about other student's writings. Students will
need a three-ring binder. They may write their stories by hand or on the
computer. They will be expected to save all planning and rough drafts. If using
the computer, students should make a copy of their previous drafts before
correcting or adding to them. If a student misses a class I will e-mail the
material they missed, and they should send any assignments they may have
completed to me. Students are expected to have their assignments ready the day
they are due. If you have trouble or are confused about anything do not hesitate
to call or e-mail me.
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These
assignments will be due the following week.
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September 8 -Find a picture book with a round main
character. -Find a picture book that has a flat main character. -Begin Redwall
(1st quarter) -Write the rough draft of a story that would appeal to children
ages 4-7. -Go through the "Having a Writing Conference With Yourself "
sheet. -Read the story to someone else.
September 15 -Find a picture book that has a static
protagonist. -Find a picture book that has a dynamic protagonist. -Read Redwall
(2nd quarter) -Revise your story. Add talking and thinking.
September 22 - Read Redwall (3rd quarter) -Find a picture
book or short story in which character is determined by action or in which
action is determined by character. -Go through the "Editing
Suggestions" sheet. -Edit for spelling and punctuation to the best of your
ability. Get Mom or Dad to edit for spelling and punctuation or send it to me
for final editing. -Write a final copy.
September 29 -Finish Redwall -Complete the Aspects of
Literature sheet. -Plan a new story which has a particular conflict. Write an
outline of the story.
October 6 -Begin Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry (first third)
by Mildred Taylor. -Begin the Aspects of Literature sheet. -Find 2 picture books
or short stories one with a Person-Against-Self plot and one with a
Person-Against-Person plot. -Write the rough draft of your story.
October 13 -Continue Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (2nd
third). -Continue the Aspects of Literature sheet. -Find 2 picture books or
short stories one with a Person-Against-Society plot and one with a
Person-Against Nature plot. -Revise your story. -Go through the "Having a
Writing Conference With Yourself " sheet.
October 20 -Finish Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. -Complete
the Aspects of Literature sheet. -Complete the "Editing Suggestions"
sheet. Get an adult to go through a final editing with you. -Write a final
copy.
October 27 -Begin reading The Night Journey (1st
half) by Kathryn Lasky. -Complete the Aspects of Literature sheet. -Begin the
planning of your next story. This story will include flashback. Make you
protagonist dynamic. Fill out a story map. Add plot devices.
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November 3 -Complete The Night Journey. -Complete the
Aspects of Literature sheet. -Write the rough draft of your flashback story.
Share it with family members for their feedback. -Go through the "Having a
Writing Conference With Yourself " sheet. Include suspense or
foreshadowing.
November 10 -Begin A Year Down Yonder (1st half) by
Richard Peck. -Begin the Aspects of Literature sheet. -Find 2 picture books or
short stories, one with a progressive plot and one with an episodic plot. -Write
a final draft of your story. Go through the "Editing Suggestions"
sheet. Have an adult edit your story. Write the final copy.
November 17 -Complete A Year Down Yonder . -Complete
the Aspects of Literature sheet. -Study for character and plot test. -Begin
planning a new story. This one should have an episodic plot. This story will end
up as a short chapter book. Plan for 4 episodes. Each episode should have the
basic elements of plot.
November 24 -Plot and character test. -Begin The Witch of
Blackbird Pond (1st third) by Elizabeth Speare -Begin the Aspects of Literature
sheet. -Begin the rough draft of your story. Work on the first two episodes.
December 1 -Continue The Witch of Blackbird Pond
(2nd third). -Continue the Aspects of Literature sheet. -Write the rough draft
of the last two episodes of the story. Share your story with your family and get
their feedback. Go through the "Having a Writing Conference With Yourself
" sheet.
December 8 -Complete The Witch of Blackbird Pond -Complete
the Aspects of Literature sheet. -Find 2 picture books or short stories, one
with a backdrop setting and one with an integral setting. -Write the final draft
of your stories. Go through the "Editing Suggestions" sheet. Get an
adult to check your story. Write a final copy.
December 15 -Setting Test None
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