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EXTRAORDINARY IN THE ORDINARY

The second unit focuses on writing style. In particular, students will become acquainted with memoirs by writing their own, piece-by-piece, day-by-day. This fully embodies the spirit of moderate expressivist writing theory. The memoir project is about the experience of reflection and self-discovery more so than finely-tuned compositions.

 

  • Final copies of entries A-D are due Monday, November 4th

  • Final copies of entries E-L are due Tuesday, November 12th

  • Final copies of entries M-Q are due Friday, November 15th

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HANDOUTS FROM CLASS:

 

 

ENCYCLOPEDIA PROJECT

Final copies should be neatly written in ink or typed.

Write your drafts in your English notebooks!

 

Cover Page

Should include name and class period

Have something that represents YOU on the cover (picture, quote, drawing, etc.)

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A: Acrostic Poem

  • Needs to include your first and last name

  • Should not just be a list of adjectives, it needs to be full lines!

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B: Beliefs

  • List ten things you strongly believe

  • These can be anything from religious faith to your philosophy on life and love; it is totally open-ended!

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C: Cause and Effect

  • žThink of five events in your life that have affected the person you are today. What was the cause? What was the effect?

  • žPlease make a “T” chart showing the causes on one side and the effects on the opposite.

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D: Disney/Cartoon Character

  • žDraw or print a picture of your favorite Disney or cartoon character

  • žWrite 1-2 paragraphs comparing and contrasting yourself to that character.

  • žUse one color highlighter to show an example of internal characterization.

  • žUse a different highlighter to show an example of external characterization.

  • žInclude one metaphor or one simile and underline it.

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E: Expressive Writing

  • Write about an important day or time in your lifeIt MUST include:

  • A strong point-of-view (this is YOUR voice)

  • –A strong opener/hook!- scenario, onomatopoeia, interjections, question

  • –Your own personal feelings

  • –Figurative Language: INCLUDE imagery, a metaphor or simile, symbolism, and a message

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F: Flashback/Foreshadow

  • Where do you see yourself in ten years?

  • Write two paragraphs about where you see yourself in the future.  What will your life be like?  Be specific!  In your paragraphs flashback to when you realized what you wanted for your future. 
     

​G: Grab Bag

  • žIf you had to grab 5 items from your home to keep forever, what would they be and why?

  • žDescribe the significance (literal use) of each item to your life.

  • Also, discuss the symbolic meaning that each of the items have in your life.

  • You need to include a small illustration of each item.​

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H: Hopes and Dreams

  • Create a “bucket list” of at least 20 extraordinary things you want to do or accomplish in your life. 

  • Include a brief explanation for each (one sentence or less!)

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I: In 7th Grade...

  • Imagine that you are asked to write a book about the beginning of your 7th grade year.

  • Write a 3-4 sentence summary of your book.

  • What would the moral or message be? Why?

  • Try to think of three themes (other than “friendship” or “perseverance”) that you would include. Explain why you chose each theme.

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J: Just a Picture 

  • žIdentify the different aspects of the work (setting, actions, colors, objects, etc.)

  • žInterpret the meaning. What do you think the piece might be about?

  • žWhat interesting decisions did the artist make?

  • žWhat is ordinary about the piece?

  • žWhat is extraordinary about the piece?

ENCYCLOPEDIA PROJECT

Final copies should be neatly written in ink or typed.

Write your drafts in your English notebooks!

 

Cover Page

Should include name and class period

Have something that represents YOU on the cover (picture, quote, drawing, etc.)

ž

K: Kindred Spirits

  • Write each of the following things (in complete sentences) about your best friend. Use the dictionary for any terms you don’t understand.

1. My kindred spirit, or best friend, is ___________________.

2. The biggest impact my friend has had on my life is…

3. My friend is significant to me because…

4. Sometimes, my friend and I will simultaneously ____________________.

5. One positive influence my friend has had on me is…

6. I contribute _______ to our friendship. He/she contributes ________ to our friendship.

 

 

L: Literary Lyrics

  • žPrint the lyrics to your favorite song. Highlight and label the following:

•Simile

•Metaphor

•Personification

•Alliteration

•Onomatopoeia

•Hyperbole

•Symbolism

•Theme

•Conflict

 

M: My Biggest Challenge

  • žThink back to a time in your life when you were faced some with adversity.

  • What was the situation?

  • What did you do to overcome it?

  • žWrite about this experience in at least two paragraphs.

  • žUse as many descriptive words as possible, and avoid the “throw out” words we discussed in class.

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N: Nature

  • žRead the poem “To Autumn,” by John Keats

  • Consider how setting affects your reading of the poem, if it does at all.

  • Your encyclopedia entry for N is to reflect on the relationship between setting and imagery in at least two paragraphs.

  • Do they depend on one another? Does changing the setting amplify the imagery? Why or why not?

  • Use examples from your experience today.

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O: Ode to...

  • žWrite an ode to a noun of your choice using two stanzas of at least 6 lines each.

  • You must stay on topic!

  • žThink about what this noun makes you feel, what it does to enhance your life, and how lost you would be without it.

  • Odes take on a serious tone, so leave the jokes out on this one. 

 

P: Project Playlist

  • žWhat is the soundtrack to your life?

  • žCompile a playlist of songs that you strongly connect with or that represent your life.

  • žInclude a brief explanation about why you chose that particular song.

  • Try and compile 8-10 songs, and include the artist and song title.

  • Example, "Lonely Boy" - The Black Keys

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Q: Quote Me on That

  • žFind a quote that you connect with. It can be about any school appropriate topic.

  • žCopy the quote down (include who said it)

  • žWrite a response to it. What about the quote strikes you? How does or can it apply to your life?

  • žAlso consider one alternate interpretation

  • Sites such as brainyquote.com would be an appropriate resource.

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R: Rhyme of My Design

  • žChoose a person that you find extraordinary. It can be a famous person, a hero, a friend, or a family member.

  • žWrite a biographical poem about them (minimum 10 lines).

  • žIt must include an end rhyme, enjambent, and an alliteration. Highlight all three of these!

ž

S: Symbolism-- Individual Crest

  • žUsing the family crest template, illustrate a symbol that represents each of the following—

  • žUpper left – something you care strongly about.

  • žUpper right – something you excel at

  • žLower left – the school subject you most enjoy

  • žLower right – your career aspiration

  • žCenter – your most prominent personality trait

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T: Theme

  • žWrite a short story or a poem dealing with a theme of your choice. You may NOT actually name the theme OR any synonyms of the theme in your entry!

  • For example, if you select “bravery,” you may not say brave, courageous, chivalrous, valiant, fearless, etc.

  • You have to SHOW the theme of bravery.

  • Either 3 paragraphs or 3 stanzas

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U: Understanding Plot

  • žCreate a plotline of the best summer of your life.

  • Draw your plotline.

  • Label all of the sections of your plotline (exposition, rising actions, climax, falling action, resolution)

  • Next to each label, write your example.

  • Under each example, explain why it belongs in that particular part of the plot line.

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V: Visual Literacy

  • žIn what way have you helped someone else achieve a goal/dream in their life?

  • žWhat two people have had the biggest influence on your life so far? Explain your answer.

  • žHow would your goals and dreams be different if you did not have these people in your life?

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W: World Concerns

  • žChoose a global issue that concerns you. Write it at the top.

  • žExamples:

  • •War, Economy, Pollution, Global Warming, Endangered Animals, Poverty, Human Rights, The Ocean, Health, Terrorism, Technology, Education, Disaster Relief

  • žAnswer the following questions in complete sentences:

  • 1. Why does this issue concern you?

  • 2. What is the current perception of this issue today?

  • 3. Predict what will happen to our world if the issue is not resolved.

  • 4. What can the United States do to fix the issue?

  • 5. What can kids and teens do to help fix the issue?

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X: Marks Your Favorite Spot

  • žOf the places you have been, from either your backyard or the back of a plane to Europe, what is your favorite spot to go to?

  • žWhat do you love about this place?

  • žWhat do you do there?

  • žWhat do you feel when you’re there? Excitement? Calm?

  • žWrite at least two paragraphs explaining your favorite spot in the world.

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Y: Years Back...

  • žIf you could live in any other decade than the 2010s, which decade would it be and why?

  • žIf you think the 2010s are pretty darn great, explain why this is the best decade to live in.

  • Write your response in 1-2 paragraphs.

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Z: Zoo Animal

  • žAs cleverly suggested by 1st hour, the final entry for your encyclopedia will be about a zoo animal.

  • žOK, it can be an animal, mammal, reptile, or insect since those are all found at the zoo.

  • žPick your favorite and write about why it’s your favorite (one paragraph)

  • žInclude a picture of your…living thing.

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