Tuesday, January 30, 2007

REVIEW AND EDIT

Students will review and edit their writing prompts. They will proof, add detail and rework the timed essay. As a result, students will be able to see improvement in their writing.

Students will evaluate their work according to the PSSA Rubric for Persuasive Writing.

See page 26 of the link:

PSSA Link:http://www.pde.state.pa.us/a_and_t/lib/a_and_t/Gr11WritingSamp.pdf

1.5.11A Write with a sharp, distinct focus

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Final Journal

Creative Writing Project

Elvis rescued the following people:
Allie Katie
Bethanne Jim
Karen Jolynn
Terra Haley
Myranda Renee

They all arrived safely back in Las Vegas. As a matter of fact, Jim is now an Elvis impersonator in an act with the real Elvis.

As for the rest of the crew, they were rescued ten years later by Mrs. Christian and her new friend who is a true "Pirate of the Caribbean." They all reside in the US -- except for Jean, Molly and Breonna who decided to stay on the island. Eventually, they claimed ownership of the island and now run a billion dollar resort. Jean is not only the owner, but the head chef.

It is hard to believe that those rescued by Elvis never revealed the location of the others who were still stranded on the island.

Jumping into the future, it has been 15 years since the group was first stranded on their island. For your final journal, write at least a two page letter discussing any final thoughts on your experience. Also, include your current job and lifestyle. Conclude by explaining how the island changed your life.

Monday, January 15, 2007


Thursday, January 11, 2007

Creative Writing - Island Journal

Allie and Katie received equal votes. Therefore, they are "exempt" from this week's journal challenge.

We have now adopted two rescue plans. The members of the island will begin putting them into action. However, this will take some time since the island dwellers only have access to rudimentary tools.

As the group is finishing their daily chores, they are getting ready to work on the rescue plans.

Katie, Allie, Jolynn and Terra are out gathering food. Suddenly they stumble on a body. Jolynn jumps back and the girl discuss if it is dead. Terra rushes over to the person and with a sigh of relief she declares that it isn't anyone from the island group. Suddenly she screams, "It's Elvis, and he's alive!"

The King begins to regain consciousness. The girls take him to a nearby cave for shelter from the sun. Katie and Allie bring him food and water. He explains how he has been alive all of these years and staged his death for privacy purposes. He washed up on this island when he was out looking for his lost film....the original cut of Blue Hawaii. (He is sure it is on this island.) He is not sure what happened during his travels, but he is very happy to be alive.......like a real Pirate of the Caribbean.

Several hours later, he goes to the main section of the island to meet the lost group. That night, they sing together as he and Jim play the guitar. As he is "dancing" and singing "Hound Dog" to the group, a high-pitched beeping sound echoes. Everyone grabs their ears.

Elvis says, "It's the remote to my boat! I'm saved!" He tells the group that he will be able to leave in one week, and he will take the Katie and Allie and eight other passengers with him. His boat will automatically return this location as a result of an advanced GPS system.

However, he can't report the location of the rest of the group for fear of revealing his true identity. He has been safely living amongst Elvis impersonators at the "Viva" Las Vegas Wedding Chapel in Nevada.

In order to be one of the people rescued, you must write a journal about your week-long experience with Elvis. Also, you must include as many Elvis facts as you can in your journal.....This will entail a little research. (Remember, Elvis loves to hear about himself, and he loves flattery. So, the more you talk about him and his life, the better chance you have of getting off of this crazy little island.)

At the end of the week, Allie and Katie will pick the eight people to accompany The King off of the island.

Good Luck!

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Creative Writing - Island Journal

Goal: To vote for the person with the best "Rescue Plan"

-Today the group will meet in the studio.
-Students will read their journals aloud
-Students should pay attention to the individual plans and persuasive comments in the journal entries
-When the group is finished reading, we will vote for a winner

.1.4.11D Maintain a written record of activities, course work
1.4.11B Write complex informational pieces
1.5.11A Write with a sharp, distinct focus

Monday, January 08, 2007

Creative Writing Project - Journal #3

Persuasive essay

48 hours has passed, and people are a bit angry with each other. Half of the tribe won't speak to Hayley or Renee.

As a result, you are all thinking about how to get off of this crazy island. Create a "realistic" plan that will enable the group to safely get off of the island or to be rescued.

* Persuade the island tribe that you are the best person to execute a rescue mission, and that your rescue plan is the best. You must specifically discuss why you and your plan should be selected.
1. You must describe your plan in detail. Be sure to include safety factors and a drawing/ chart of your plan.
2. Include your resources
3. Discuss "who" will be key players in this mission
4. Discuss a time frame
5. Discuss why you believe your plan will be the most successful.

The group will select one person/ plan. You will vote tomorrow.
The person who is selected to execute their plan will be exempt from Wednesday's journal. Also,
as the "Winner", you will be the leader of Wednesday's island challenge (journal).

Be very convincing, use specific reasons and explanations, and incorporate any research that will persuade your "fellow islanders" to vote for you.

1.4.11D Maintain a written record of activities, course work
1.4.11B Write complex informational pieces
1.5.11A Write with a sharp, distinct focus

Friday, January 05, 2007

Creative Writing - Island Journal

Goal: To solve a mystery after reading descriptive journal entries

"Who took the food?"

-Today the group will meet in the studio.
-Students will read their "individual clues" and journals aloud
-Students should pay attention to the individual clues and the emotions and descriptive comments in the journal entries
-When the group is finished reading, we will deduce who stole the food.

1.4.11D Maintain a written record of activities, course work
1.4.11B Write complex informational pieces
1.5.11A Write with a sharp, distinct focus

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Creative Writing Project

Island Journal #2

The group has been on the island for a week. Things have been going well up to this point. Huts were built 1000 feet from the fresh water.

Hut 1 *Please note that if you live with a person, you learn a lot about them
Hayley ** Look for clues to solve the Problem.
Bethanne
Renee
Allie
Breonna
Jolynn

Hut 2
Jean
Josh
Jace
Jim

Hut 3
Terra
Miranda
Katie
Karen
Molly
Leah

Several hours ago, the group finished picking all of the fresh fruit and veggies on the island. Jean and Hayley cooked the meal. Things were going well until Allie and Terra went to the storage hut to get more bananas.

They returned to the group to announce that1/4 of the food supply is gone. Allie and Jace survey the situation. They only notice human footprints near the hut. This rules out the possibility that animals took the food.

As the group sits around the fire, they stare at each other with accusing glances. Josh whispers to Bethanne. Hut 1 decides to return to their sleeping quarters. As Jolynn walks over to her cot, she looks down and notices some sort of seeds and 2 papayas near Breonna's cot. (Breonna's cot is located between Hayley's, Bethanne's and Allie's cots.

Immediately, Renee runs out and reports the findings to the group.

In today's journal, write about this situation. Each person has been given a clue. As you write, use your clue and try to solve this mystery and find the missing food.

1.4.11D Maintain a written record of activities, course work
1.4.11B Write complex informational pieces
1.5.11A Write with a sharp, distinct focus

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Creative Writing Project

Goal: To organize the setting of our creative writing project

1. The class will gather and read their first journal / ISLAND LOG aloud to the class

2. We will discuss our findings and our research incorporated into our journal entries.

1.4.11D Maintain a written record of activities, course work
1.4.11B Write complex informational pieces
1.5.11A Write with a sharp, distinct focus

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Island Journal

1. Today we are going to review jobs

2. Next, we will write a two-page journal on the following:

You and your group washed up on the shore about an hour ago. Everyone is sitting together. Emotions are running high.

In order to survive, the groups agrees that each person must have a job. Prior experiences and skills are discussed. As a result, each person is assigned a special task.

Next, the group takes a few minutes to contemplate the challenges that they may face.

Using your journal, write about your new position. Assuming that your research is part of your prior knowledge, discuss what you believe must be done to survive. (Use your research as you discuss your surroundings.)

How can you use your position to help the group?

1.4.11D Maintain a written record of activities, course work