On Friday, my class hit the "plot rollercoaster" pages of their NaNo workbooks. As we discussed plots, inciting incidents, rising action, climax and falling action, they started to get the "oh-oh's" the sound kids make when they raise hands and can barely contain a thought or question. I heard the first couple of "this-is-funs" and today I am excited to be putting up our word count poster, assigning word count contracts and getting the final push towards the starting line next Monday morning.
I'm mid-planning on two works for myself--a total of 100,000 words. One is a youth novel and the other a mainstream fiction written in magic realism, my favorite genre. Today, Scrivener debuts the beta version for Windows. And, I am anxious to download it to play tonight. My charts and graphs are creating a grand clutter of notebook, loose binder paper pages, and assorted napkins. Its an organizational explosion I don't dare show my students who I'm insisting keep a quite neat binder with pockets and spaces to keep all their goodies in one tidy place.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Teacher's With Wild Ideas
I had a very entertaining High School Biology teacher. He began our AP Bio class Senior year by throwing sheep hearts across the room to students who answered some random bio related trivia questions correctly. Of course, we didn't realize this was the prize until the first correct response was uttered. I remember with vivid sensation the excitement I held daily walking to his class.
Now that I'm a teacher, I get an equal rush out of creating wild rollercoaster moments with my students. This is easy to do when I direct science club each week. Social studies often lends itself to these experiences too. Like measuring out the dimensions of Christopher Columbus' ships and drawing them in chalk on the pavement then assigning "jobs" on deck and setting sail for a class period while imagining months confined to such a vessel in unknown waters with unknown dangers lurking ahead.
Reading instantly takes us to new places, but writing can be approached so dryly as to leave students begging to write as few sentences as possible in their next paragraph. The word "paragraph" alone can elicit sighs and moans.
Today, I put a bunch of "parts" cut-out from various sources and put them on the board. I said to my class, "I need a new character for a story. Can you help me make one?" We picked head shapes (there were a few animals and inanimate objects in the mix), eyes, hair, horns, ears, headwear, bodies (again animals and inanimate objects were present) and on and on... pretty soon we came up with a character that would take a lot of sentences to describe thoroughly. "It" had more than several interesting attributes that could help or hinder it on a long adventure. I then handed over the concept to them. They pondered silently (a rare moment of absolute hear-a-pin-drop silence in a 5th grade classroom) and then a blank piece of paper with a set of cut-outs along with some 'blanks' for them to make their own ideas. Of course, a couple of the artistic types were stifled by cut-paste characters and set right to drawing away as their minds would take them, but my less than skilled technicians loved it. Cut, paste, re-arrange, research, draw in a few bits here and 9 characters entered our rooms. Not all had names, but many were already named by the time their figures were formed. It was easy for the kids then to start writing away the answers to the Main Character Questionairre's in the YWP Workbook.
They all wanted to make another. I gave no reaction and sent them on to their Karate class. Tomorrow.... supporting characters and VILLIANS!! *bwahahaha*
Now that I'm a teacher, I get an equal rush out of creating wild rollercoaster moments with my students. This is easy to do when I direct science club each week. Social studies often lends itself to these experiences too. Like measuring out the dimensions of Christopher Columbus' ships and drawing them in chalk on the pavement then assigning "jobs" on deck and setting sail for a class period while imagining months confined to such a vessel in unknown waters with unknown dangers lurking ahead.
Reading instantly takes us to new places, but writing can be approached so dryly as to leave students begging to write as few sentences as possible in their next paragraph. The word "paragraph" alone can elicit sighs and moans.
Today, I put a bunch of "parts" cut-out from various sources and put them on the board. I said to my class, "I need a new character for a story. Can you help me make one?" We picked head shapes (there were a few animals and inanimate objects in the mix), eyes, hair, horns, ears, headwear, bodies (again animals and inanimate objects were present) and on and on... pretty soon we came up with a character that would take a lot of sentences to describe thoroughly. "It" had more than several interesting attributes that could help or hinder it on a long adventure. I then handed over the concept to them. They pondered silently (a rare moment of absolute hear-a-pin-drop silence in a 5th grade classroom) and then a blank piece of paper with a set of cut-outs along with some 'blanks' for them to make their own ideas. Of course, a couple of the artistic types were stifled by cut-paste characters and set right to drawing away as their minds would take them, but my less than skilled technicians loved it. Cut, paste, re-arrange, research, draw in a few bits here and 9 characters entered our rooms. Not all had names, but many were already named by the time their figures were formed. It was easy for the kids then to start writing away the answers to the Main Character Questionairre's in the YWP Workbook.
They all wanted to make another. I gave no reaction and sent them on to their Karate class. Tomorrow.... supporting characters and VILLIANS!! *bwahahaha*
NaNo Packs
The Young Writer's Program does a great job of sending out cool packs, with buttons stickers, and a progress poster. I decided to take it one step further. WalMart had a great deal on 100pg spiral notebooks with a colorful multi-hued starship shaped type mosaic on them--think bright enough to stand out and not get lost. I purchased nine of them and a bunch of mid-range black ink pens with a soft grip. Each student will start with one of each of those. There is a nice blank piece of paper just behind the cover for pasting the image of their main character (MC) on one side, and a "cover" on the other. I've been working on some ideas for the novel I'm writing NOT with my class.
For some odd reason, I've decided that in spite of my insane life these days, I'll pull together enough writing minutes and inspiration to do two novels. At the moment, I'm completely absorbed in the idea for my non-YWP novel. Adventuresome archeologist on a mission to make her parents proud, lost in the search for love, meets ancient Aztec legends, some unkown undead, and a handful of missing people with nothing but blood left behind.
The kid and classroom safe novel features a pegasus born with wings much too tiny for flying. Unfortunately, he is to be king, but can't fly across the alabaster wall into the kingdom of his forebearers and take his rightful place on the throne. It will go to a villianous treasonous peg, looking for nothing but power. Our hero must enlist the help of some horses to teach him how to make it over the wall without his wings. After years of being considered lowly to the pegs, who will help him and even if they do, how will he ever make it?
Ahhh... story telling. :-) There are infinite possibilities. The limit really is one's imagination.
For some odd reason, I've decided that in spite of my insane life these days, I'll pull together enough writing minutes and inspiration to do two novels. At the moment, I'm completely absorbed in the idea for my non-YWP novel. Adventuresome archeologist on a mission to make her parents proud, lost in the search for love, meets ancient Aztec legends, some unkown undead, and a handful of missing people with nothing but blood left behind.
The kid and classroom safe novel features a pegasus born with wings much too tiny for flying. Unfortunately, he is to be king, but can't fly across the alabaster wall into the kingdom of his forebearers and take his rightful place on the throne. It will go to a villianous treasonous peg, looking for nothing but power. Our hero must enlist the help of some horses to teach him how to make it over the wall without his wings. After years of being considered lowly to the pegs, who will help him and even if they do, how will he ever make it?
Ahhh... story telling. :-) There are infinite possibilities. The limit really is one's imagination.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Building Excitment
Last month, I gave my students their first "fun" challenge. On the board I wrote 4 prompts. They ranged from the fantastical to the realistic, first person to third, and silly to serious. I told them nothing about them, simply allowed the kids to come back into the room from recess to see them on the board. Questions started to fly.
I explained a "word war". We already keep track every other week of how well they can read aloud for one minute working on fluency and comprehension. Now they were to get 5 minutes to continue with one of the prompts. It was one of those glorious moments when they were getting out binders and paper before I even had to ask!
At the end of five minutes the war was won by a student with 163 words. A close second, and fourth followed in the 150 range. Every student wrote over 125 words in the five minutes. Of course they wanted to share them. Immediately, I had 9 eager readers with 9 short works that were in high demand.
We've since done several of these and added things like a list of words to try to fit in, or "dare" scenarios. Long before I ever mentioned NaNoWriMo, my students were already starting to ask. "Hey, can we keep writing a whole story?"
Of course I told them, "Sure you can!" ;-)
I explained a "word war". We already keep track every other week of how well they can read aloud for one minute working on fluency and comprehension. Now they were to get 5 minutes to continue with one of the prompts. It was one of those glorious moments when they were getting out binders and paper before I even had to ask!
At the end of five minutes the war was won by a student with 163 words. A close second, and fourth followed in the 150 range. Every student wrote over 125 words in the five minutes. Of course they wanted to share them. Immediately, I had 9 eager readers with 9 short works that were in high demand.
We've since done several of these and added things like a list of words to try to fit in, or "dare" scenarios. Long before I ever mentioned NaNoWriMo, my students were already starting to ask. "Hey, can we keep writing a whole story?"
Of course I told them, "Sure you can!" ;-)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Welcome to My "Novel" Classroom
When I first heard of the National Novel Writing Month, it came at a perfect time in depths of my writing misery. I was stuck with an idea in my head and a lot of failed attempts to put it onto paper. Organization, thought generation, and mostly confidence were my undoing. A quick trip to the NaNo forums and I felt invigorated. Resources were at my fingertips. My brain salivated with desire to chew out a novel in thirty days with this story that had been bouncing around hollering for a way out.
Thirty days and 50,000 words later, my novel was no where near complete. It still isn't. However, I have tackled other writing projects since. I've won a short story contest, published a few short stories, and started a couple more novels. Becoming rich or famous is not one of my writing endeavors. I write because I like to. Its fun.
At the time I first did NaNoWriMo, I was not working as a teacher. This year I am. I'm teaching fifth grade at a private school in my town. Last month, when it dawned on me that NaNo was just a couple short months away, I sent the information about the Young Writer's Program to my administrators. They were positively thrilled with the idea.
October is upon us and my class is excitedly awaiting their chance to embark on this adventure. Ten year olds are fabulous that way. I've used a few strategies to get them going. Their enthusiasm is invigorating. But, being the realist I am, I know November hasn't actually arrived. The pens have yet to hit the page on an actual story. Writer's block will rear its ugly head, discouragement will weigh us down at times, and we will have to be able to push on. I love to trudge. I'm good at it. With eagerness, I await the moment I get to show my class how to strap on the mud boots and keep lifting each leg until we get through the slop.
As we do, I will share it here. I'm a writer after all and the bug to write out journey bit me like it does in so many other ways. For any other NaNo teachers out there, please share what you are doing. Even if you don't NaNo, that's okay. If you spend a significant time opening young minds with lots of reading and the power of creative writing, join in. Noveling is a novel idea to teaching language arts and inspiring the motivation to learn about other subjects too.
Thirty days and 50,000 words later, my novel was no where near complete. It still isn't. However, I have tackled other writing projects since. I've won a short story contest, published a few short stories, and started a couple more novels. Becoming rich or famous is not one of my writing endeavors. I write because I like to. Its fun.
At the time I first did NaNoWriMo, I was not working as a teacher. This year I am. I'm teaching fifth grade at a private school in my town. Last month, when it dawned on me that NaNo was just a couple short months away, I sent the information about the Young Writer's Program to my administrators. They were positively thrilled with the idea.
October is upon us and my class is excitedly awaiting their chance to embark on this adventure. Ten year olds are fabulous that way. I've used a few strategies to get them going. Their enthusiasm is invigorating. But, being the realist I am, I know November hasn't actually arrived. The pens have yet to hit the page on an actual story. Writer's block will rear its ugly head, discouragement will weigh us down at times, and we will have to be able to push on. I love to trudge. I'm good at it. With eagerness, I await the moment I get to show my class how to strap on the mud boots and keep lifting each leg until we get through the slop.
As we do, I will share it here. I'm a writer after all and the bug to write out journey bit me like it does in so many other ways. For any other NaNo teachers out there, please share what you are doing. Even if you don't NaNo, that's okay. If you spend a significant time opening young minds with lots of reading and the power of creative writing, join in. Noveling is a novel idea to teaching language arts and inspiring the motivation to learn about other subjects too.
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