Poetry Book Assignment

You have written some lovely poems this marking period! Now we are going to make a book to put all of that work together. Here are some guidelines: 

1. Go through all of the poetry you have written. 
2. Find a theme or topic to make your book about.
3. Create a title and design a cover page (use drawings or pictures). 
4. Choose your FIVE best poems (write more if you have to) and put them together in your book. 
5. You will need to retype old poems to make the book cohesive. 
6. Edit/Add pictures
7. Put it all together!

QUESTION? JUST ASK!

Diamante Poems

Here is today's poetry form! Please make sure you try at least three and turn in your best poem!

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/diamante_poems_2/

Acrostic Poems

Try writing an acrostic poem today! Use the link below!

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/acrostic/

Poetry Mini Unit!

Bell Work

In your notebooks, answer the question: WHAT IS POETRY?

Introduction
Good Morning Middle School Students!

We are going to begin our poetry mini unit today. As we begin to write poems remember that when writing poetry it is important to use your IMAGINATION. 

The best poems make people THINK and FEEL. They help us to look at the world DIFFERENTLY. (Arts Standards 1 & 2)

Today's Assignment
1. We are going to work on shape/theme poems today and use an interactive computer tool. 

2.Click below: 

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/theme_poems/

3. Follow the steps given. Try the process as many times as you would like. Print your best poem to turn in. 

*Did you know? A shape poem is called a CONCRETE poem!

EXTENSION: Did you know you can create your own shape poem by hand? If you would like more of a challenge, try this! See me with questions. 

Format For a Play

Bell Work/Do Now
Please copy the following into your notebooks:

Stage Directions

• Stage directions can either come before dialogue to set up a scene or within lines of dialogue. 

• The lines within dialogue explain how lines are supposed to be said or something a character is supposed to do. This type of stage direction is italicized but is also contained inside brackets or parenthesis. 

Whole Group Time

• Pass back work. 
• Read play example (Standard 2)
• Answer questions. 

Work Time

• Finish up play synopsis and character list (due at the end of class today.)
• Begin draft of play (Standard 1)
• Questions asked and answered.

Closure

• Turn in work. 
• Clean up your space. 

Homework

• None- Unless you were unable to turn in your work today. 
• If you need to finish your play synopsis for homework, I will accept it tomorrow for a late grade. 
• If you owe any work, take this time to catch up. 

Steps to Follow When Writing a Play

Bell Work/Do Now

Please copy the following seven steps into your notebooks. 
REMINDER: Notebooks are graded!

Steps to Follow When Writing a Play

Step 1: Begin with an idea. 

Step 2: Develop the story before turning it into a play. 

Step 3: Create interesting characters. 

Step 4: Create the world carefully. 

Step 5: Write believable dialogue. 

Step 6: Write a lot of action. 

Step 7: Keep it simple. 

Whole Group Time

1. Hand in signed progress reports and/or any missing work. 

2. Discuss and go over The Steps to Follow When Writing a Play. 

3. Go over deadlines/questions.

4. Arts standards

Arts Standards

Standard 1: Creating, Performing and Participating in the Arts

Students will actively engage in the processes that constitute creation and performance in the arts (in this case, theater) and participate in various roles in the arts. 

Standard 2: Knowing and Using Arts Materials and Resources

Students will be knowledgeable about and make use of the materials and resources available for participating in the arts in various roles. 

Work Time

1. Continue working on play synopsis/summary. 

2. Build character list/conflict. 

Closure 

1. Write your due date in your agenda:

Synopsis is due Wednesday, October 1st!

2. Clean up your space, log off your computers and push in your chairs. 

Homework

Work on your synopsis if you are behind schedule. 

Have a great day!

One Act Play Assignment

ASSIGNMENT 

A one act play can have as few as one character or as many as 15. It can be set in anytime, cover any theme, be in any language and tell any type of story. The only real definable feature is that a one act play simply has only that, one act. It is like a short story told only with dialogue.

Your assignment, worth 100 points is to write your own one act play. Your plays should be typed and formatted properly. This assignment, besides the guidelines below, is pretty wide open. I encourage you to write what you know and to write about what interests you. Your play can be anything you want it to be. It can be a play for kids. It can have musical numbers, be set in outer space or inside your own house. You can be the star of the play or it can be about people who are nothing like you. You tell the story you want to tell!

*This assignment addresses NYS Arts Standards 1 and 2, along with Common Core Standards for ELA. We will discuss these standards in class tomorrow!


GUIDELINES

• At least 4 pages long (This is easier than expected when writing a play.)
• 12 pt. font
• Follows proper dramatic format
• Is an original creation- all your own work!

TIMELINE

The following are dates when you will have to get something turned in to show your progress and receive feedback. These check-in dates are a third of your grade, 

Wednesday, October 1, 2014- A synopsis, or a summary of your one act play. Compile a list of characters. Identify the conflict; explain how the plot proceeds and how your play will end. 

Friday, October 3, 2014- Minimum of two pages of your play with dialogue and stage directions hand written or typed. 

Tuesday, October 7, 2014- Typed rough draft of your play (at least four pages completed.) 

Thursday, October 9, 2014- Final copies of your play typed and turned in by the end of the class period. 

Reminders

• You will receive various resources to help you with the play writing process. Please keep these materials organized and use them!
• If you are unsure of something, ask for help. 
• This is an arts class- do not be afraid to find your voice. 
• Have fun!