Yes! I can write!
Grade 9 Academic
Journal writing
1D Writing: 1.1,1.2,2.1,2.2,2.3,2.4,2.53.1,3.2,3.3,3.4
At the start of every odd day in the 5 day cycle, students will begin with a 15 minute journal write time. They will be provided with a prompt on the board that they can choose to use or to pick something that is of interest of them. They will be expected to write for the entire time and kindly return their writing away when it is time to change the learning focus.
Collaborative Writing
1D Writing: 1.1,1.2,1.3,1.4,2.1,2.6,2.7,3.1,3.2,3.3,3.4,3.5,3.6,3.7
Students will be given groups will be asked to create a story for a grade 3 class. They will be provided with a chart of different character, setting and conflict ideas to choose from or they may choose one on their own. Each group will be asked to write a story that would be read to a younger brother or sister at different times in the year, ex. a scary story for October time, or a snow story in November, or a love story (kiddy appropriate!) for February. They will be required to work together to create something that can be printed out and published to the grade 3 class.
Sentence Combining
1D Writing: 2.2,2.4,3.2,3.3,3.4,4.1
Students will be provided with a story comprised only of kernel sentences. The students will work in groups of 2-3 to rewrite the story. They will need to combine several kernel sentences to create a complex sentence. The kernels will be grouped together so as to avoid any student getting overwhelmed, but for any who want the challenge, a story can be provided without the grouping!
Vocabulary Growth
1D Writing: 3.1,3.2
Students will be provided with a chart to complete with each reading assignment.The chart will be provided to each student's Google drive account with additional words being added as chapters are being read.
A sample from the first 2 chapters of Lord of the Flies can be found here.
Apprentice writing - paraphrasing
"Writers learn their craft by striving to meet the standards set by reading good models" (Enabling Writing 3rd Ed. p. 345) Students will be exposed to excellent models and be provided with the opportunity to try writing like them.
1D Writing: 1.4,1.5,2.1,2.2,2.3,3.1,3.2,4.2
During the poetry unit, students will be presented with a collection of poems to look at, think about, talk about and analyse. Students will be asked to take one of the poems and, in their own words, rewrite the poem. They will be translating the poem into their own words which demonstrates their understanding of what is happening in the poem.