Week ending October 21, 2011

This week students have been finishing up their responses to Ryan's story. This assignment is now due. We read a new story entitled,"First Kiss" written in a humourous way by a former Isfeld student. The story poked fun at a first kiss gone wrong. The Personal Unit which we will continue with for a little while longer, continues to focus on individual's personal experiences and how they grow and learn from these experiences.

Students answered a few questions on this story, and we discussed the basic structure and elements of a good story.The last task was to create their own "FIRST"story. The intent of this assignment is to get students to recall a first experience. Examples might include: first time riding a bike, first goal in hockey, first time to the dentist, first big trip, first big dance recital, first day of high school, etc. If students cannot think of a "first" experience, they may write a fictional story on the same topic, it should be realistic not exaggerated. This is the first creative piece of writing students will have completed so it will give me an idea of their creative writing ability. We will be working on this in class, a due date has not been set yet.

Assignment Criteria: ( Marked out of 20 on the following)

• the story should be a minimum of three paragraphs or longer focusing on a first experience
• the story should have a proper beginning, middle and end
• the beginning of the story should hook the reader into the story
• try to incorporate show not tell into the writing, as well as strong description
• make sure full sentences and paragraphing is done properly
• have the story edited by a teacher, peer, or parent
• type up the story

PARENTS AND STUDENTS PLEASE NOTE: An interim report will be sent home with your son/daughter the week of Nov. 14. This report will only be a reflection of the work we have done so far, and is not a final mark in any way. There will be a place for you to sign, record comments and return to me.