Tuesday, November 15
Partner Work:
Read and discuss excerpts from Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities (handout)
- determine purpose and message for each vignette
- highlight use of conventions for each
- summarize setting & locate vivid and/or sensory description
Share/discuss
In-class Journal Prompt: We have discussed how protagonists can be drawn into a fantasy story’s quest in a number of ways – and not always willingly. Write only the beginning scene of a potentially much larger fantasy story, introducing the protagonist, the quest, and how he/she is drawn into the journey. The hero can be daring, reluctant, antiheroic, or something else entirely. Focuses for this prompt should be on characterization and world-building.
HW:
1st Period: Read “The Dome” (handout). Write a ½ page discussing fantasy conventions used, whether obvious or subtle. What in this story seems fantastic (in other words, stretches or defies believability, and asks us to suspend our disbelief)? What moral or message does the writer seem to be getting at through the spin on our world that he creates?
2nd Period: Finish prompt.
Thursday, November 17
Discuss homework reading and story conventions
Read and discuss prologue from Sabriel (handout)
- plot, characters and setting – how does the writer hint at bigger things?
- fantasy conventions?
- emerging themes or ideas?
Journal Prompt: As we have seen, fantasy hinges on creating settings (or entire worlds) that are different than our own or that include elements that could not possibly exist in our own reality. These worlds can defy our laws and scientific explanations through the use of magic and mysticism. The worlds can be whimsical, serious, or downright dark. Using the conventions we’ve discussed, build a fantasy setting that you might want to use for the unit fiction project. Remember to include vivid and specific details, and choose those details wisely so that, like Nix, you are able to hint at a deeper world through a relatively short description.
HW: Complete journal assignment for Monday, 11/21
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Weekly Agenda: November 7-9
Monday, November 7
Discuss homework reading and story conventions
Read and discuss “The Nine Billion Names of God” and “There Will Be Soft Rains”
- plot, characters and setting?
- science fiction conventions?
- purpose, theme or message?
HW:
Journal Prompt: In all the examples of science fiction we have read, the course of human (and sometimes the universe’s) history is shifted because people have somehow tampered with science or technology. Brainstorm types of technology or forms of science that strike you as potentially destructive if abused. Then select one from your list and cluster out some ideas until you have a rough idea of a plot. Finally, write a 1 or 2 page scene (NOT whole story) that depicts the moment a) right before something goes terribly and irrevocably wrong; b) the moment when the characters or human race realize something has just gone disastrously wrong; or c) long after the turning point in human history, from the point of view of whoever or whatever remains. Complete by Wednesday, 11/9.
Wednesday, November 9
Volunteers share journals
Introduction to Conventions of Fantasy & Speculative Fiction
Partner Work:
Read and discuss excerpts from Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities (handout)
- determine purpose and message for each vignette
- highlight use of conventions for each
- summarize setting & locate vivid and/or sensory description
Share/discuss
HW: Read “The Dome” (handout). Write a ½ page journal entry discussing fantasy conventions used, whether obvious or subtle. What in this story seems fantastic (in other words, stretches or defies believability, and asks us to suspend our disbelief)? What moral or message does the writer seem to be getting at through the spin on our world that he creates?
Discuss homework reading and story conventions
Read and discuss “The Nine Billion Names of God” and “There Will Be Soft Rains”
- plot, characters and setting?
- science fiction conventions?
- purpose, theme or message?
HW:
Journal Prompt: In all the examples of science fiction we have read, the course of human (and sometimes the universe’s) history is shifted because people have somehow tampered with science or technology. Brainstorm types of technology or forms of science that strike you as potentially destructive if abused. Then select one from your list and cluster out some ideas until you have a rough idea of a plot. Finally, write a 1 or 2 page scene (NOT whole story) that depicts the moment a) right before something goes terribly and irrevocably wrong; b) the moment when the characters or human race realize something has just gone disastrously wrong; or c) long after the turning point in human history, from the point of view of whoever or whatever remains. Complete by Wednesday, 11/9.
Wednesday, November 9
Volunteers share journals
Introduction to Conventions of Fantasy & Speculative Fiction
Partner Work:
Read and discuss excerpts from Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities (handout)
- determine purpose and message for each vignette
- highlight use of conventions for each
- summarize setting & locate vivid and/or sensory description
Share/discuss
HW: Read “The Dome” (handout). Write a ½ page journal entry discussing fantasy conventions used, whether obvious or subtle. What in this story seems fantastic (in other words, stretches or defies believability, and asks us to suspend our disbelief)? What moral or message does the writer seem to be getting at through the spin on our world that he creates?
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Weekly Agenda: October 31- November 4
Tuesday, November 1
In-class:
Share results of Friday’s in-class prompt
- trade with a partner
- volunteers share with the class
Writing dialogue (purposes and punctuation)
- Read PFN Roles of Dialogue, pp.
- Punctuation Practice
- Dialogue Practice: One-sided Conversation Activity (see example – handout)
- (Halloween) Journal prompt: A group of five friends have gathered with a medium to perform a séance. At least one of these friends has recently lost someone close to them. Unbeknownst to everyone, another friend is responsible for that person’s death. Write 2 pages of dialogue that provide characterization, advance the plot, and allow for description of setting and atmosphere.
HW: Complete journal
Thursday, November 3
In-class:
Introduction to Conventions of Science Fiction
Read and discuss “By the Waters of Babylon”
- purpose and message?
- use of conventions?
- setting & vivid, sensory description
HW: Read “There Will Be Soft Rains” and write a half page (in your journal) explaining how and where this story employs science fiction conventions.
In-class:
Share results of Friday’s in-class prompt
- trade with a partner
- volunteers share with the class
Writing dialogue (purposes and punctuation)
- Read PFN Roles of Dialogue, pp.
- Punctuation Practice
- Dialogue Practice: One-sided Conversation Activity (see example – handout)
- (Halloween) Journal prompt: A group of five friends have gathered with a medium to perform a séance. At least one of these friends has recently lost someone close to them. Unbeknownst to everyone, another friend is responsible for that person’s death. Write 2 pages of dialogue that provide characterization, advance the plot, and allow for description of setting and atmosphere.
HW: Complete journal
Thursday, November 3
In-class:
Introduction to Conventions of Science Fiction
Read and discuss “By the Waters of Babylon”
- purpose and message?
- use of conventions?
- setting & vivid, sensory description
HW: Read “There Will Be Soft Rains” and write a half page (in your journal) explaining how and where this story employs science fiction conventions.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Weekly Agenda: October 25-28
Wednesday, October 26
Discuss “The Fall of the House of Usher” (handout) and homework responses
- outline plot
- discuss characterization
- identify key gothic horror conventions
- analyze diction ←→ mood and atmosphere
Journal Prompt:
In “The Fall of the House of Usher” we get an immediate introduction to the story’s setting, written to immediately inspire dread, fascination and fear in both the narrator and the reader. In your journal, imagine your own gothic setting. Then, drawing on aptly chosen description, diction and gothic detail, write a first-person account of a traveler’s arrival at the place. Try to create a sense of dread, fascination and fear.
HW: Read “The Monkey’s Paw” and underline/highlight and label all instances of Gothic horror conventions that you find (use your slide notes as a reference).
Friday, October 28
Discuss “The Monkey’s Paw”
- identify gothic horror conventions at work
- characterization
- mood and atmosphere ←→ diction
Journal prompt:
1. Read aloud the excerpt from “Colour Out of Space” (handout)
2. Many horror stories are told by supposed witnesses of the story’s events who have themselves lived to tell the tale (like in “The Fall of the House of Usher” and the excerpt from Lovecraft’s “The Colour Out of Space”). For the rest of this period, write the tale you imagine Ammi to have told the narrator, explaining the devastated heath near Arkham and the eerie atmosphere that remains. Remember, whatever tale he told convinces the narrator that he must never return to that part of the world.
3. Think about characters, setting, plot, atmosphere, and sensory details while writing.
4. Apply gothic horror conventions!
HW: None, unless you still need to finish today’s in-class writing
Discuss “The Fall of the House of Usher” (handout) and homework responses
- outline plot
- discuss characterization
- identify key gothic horror conventions
- analyze diction ←→ mood and atmosphere
Journal Prompt:
In “The Fall of the House of Usher” we get an immediate introduction to the story’s setting, written to immediately inspire dread, fascination and fear in both the narrator and the reader. In your journal, imagine your own gothic setting. Then, drawing on aptly chosen description, diction and gothic detail, write a first-person account of a traveler’s arrival at the place. Try to create a sense of dread, fascination and fear.
HW: Read “The Monkey’s Paw” and underline/highlight and label all instances of Gothic horror conventions that you find (use your slide notes as a reference).
Friday, October 28
Discuss “The Monkey’s Paw”
- identify gothic horror conventions at work
- characterization
- mood and atmosphere ←→ diction
Journal prompt:
1. Read aloud the excerpt from “Colour Out of Space” (handout)
2. Many horror stories are told by supposed witnesses of the story’s events who have themselves lived to tell the tale (like in “The Fall of the House of Usher” and the excerpt from Lovecraft’s “The Colour Out of Space”). For the rest of this period, write the tale you imagine Ammi to have told the narrator, explaining the devastated heath near Arkham and the eerie atmosphere that remains. Remember, whatever tale he told convinces the narrator that he must never return to that part of the world.
3. Think about characters, setting, plot, atmosphere, and sensory details while writing.
4. Apply gothic horror conventions!
HW: None, unless you still need to finish today’s in-class writing
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Weekly Agenda: October 17-20
Tuesday, October 18
Literary Fiction First Draft DUE
Peer Workshop:
- Trade stories with partners of your choice
- Complete draft feedback forms, then discuss
In-class revision time & optional teacher conferencing (for additional feedback and assistance with plot development)
HW: Complete typed final draft. DUE Thursday, 10/20
Thursday, October 20
Literary Fiction Story DUE
Introduction to genre fiction (see Powerpoint slide notes)
Overviews of:
- gothic/horror
- science fiction
- fantasy
- mystery
Elements of gothic/horror writing
Read “The Fall of the House of Usher” (handout)
-annotate gothic conventions wherever you find them
HW: Complete annotations and be ready to discuss/share
Literary Fiction First Draft DUE
Peer Workshop:
- Trade stories with partners of your choice
- Complete draft feedback forms, then discuss
In-class revision time & optional teacher conferencing (for additional feedback and assistance with plot development)
HW: Complete typed final draft. DUE Thursday, 10/20
Thursday, October 20
Literary Fiction Story DUE
Introduction to genre fiction (see Powerpoint slide notes)
Overviews of:
- gothic/horror
- science fiction
- fantasy
- mystery
Elements of gothic/horror writing
Read “The Fall of the House of Usher” (handout)
-annotate gothic conventions wherever you find them
HW: Complete annotations and be ready to discuss/share
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Weekly Agenda: October 4-7
Tuesday, October 4
Analyze setting passages (PFN pp. 90-92) – Partner Work with Element Questions
In-class Journal assignment: Write in response to PFN prompt #2, p. 93
Cinematic Listening Exercise: Setting (Turn in to basket!)
Story Settings DUE (Benchmark Deadline #1)
HW: Read PFN pp. 138-144 (Middles, Types of Plot, Questions to ask about plot)
Thursday, October 6
Read and discuss “Videotape”
- Selective use of description
- Answer post-reading questions to turn in (in packet)
Review guidelines for developing plot:
- Keep length in mind (1-page synopsis, 4-6 page story)
- Depth over breadth
- Dynamic character development over complex plot development
In-class work time: Begin plot synopsis for unit story
HW: Complete Literary Fiction Plot Synopsis (Benchmark Deadline #2 – Monday, 10/10)
Analyze setting passages (PFN pp. 90-92) – Partner Work with Element Questions
In-class Journal assignment: Write in response to PFN prompt #2, p. 93
Cinematic Listening Exercise: Setting (Turn in to basket!)
Story Settings DUE (Benchmark Deadline #1)
HW: Read PFN pp. 138-144 (Middles, Types of Plot, Questions to ask about plot)
Thursday, October 6
Read and discuss “Videotape”
- Selective use of description
- Answer post-reading questions to turn in (in packet)
Review guidelines for developing plot:
- Keep length in mind (1-page synopsis, 4-6 page story)
- Depth over breadth
- Dynamic character development over complex plot development
In-class work time: Begin plot synopsis for unit story
HW: Complete Literary Fiction Plot Synopsis (Benchmark Deadline #2 – Monday, 10/10)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Weekly Agenda: September 26-29
Monday, September 26
Lecture: Plot
- basic plot structure
- 11 roles of plot according to Passion for Narrative reading
Read “The Use of Force” (fiction packet) with questions. Discuss:
- post-reading questions
- characterization
- conflict & plot → roles of plot in this story?
- symbolism/message/meaning
Scenes returned; groups share their partner work
HW: Read PFN pp. 138-144 (Middles, Types of Plot, Questions to ask about plot)
Wednesday, September 28
LATE START
Read PFN pp.79-89 (Roles of Setting, Time, Questions to ask about setting)
Analyze setting passages (PFN pp. 90-92) – Partner Work with Element Questions
In-class Journal assignment: Write in response to PFN prompt #2, p. 93
HW: None
Friday, September 30
NO SCHOOL
Lecture: Plot
- basic plot structure
- 11 roles of plot according to Passion for Narrative reading
Read “The Use of Force” (fiction packet) with questions. Discuss:
- post-reading questions
- characterization
- conflict & plot → roles of plot in this story?
- symbolism/message/meaning
Scenes returned; groups share their partner work
HW: Read PFN pp. 138-144 (Middles, Types of Plot, Questions to ask about plot)
Wednesday, September 28
LATE START
Read PFN pp.79-89 (Roles of Setting, Time, Questions to ask about setting)
Analyze setting passages (PFN pp. 90-92) – Partner Work with Element Questions
In-class Journal assignment: Write in response to PFN prompt #2, p. 93
HW: None
Friday, September 30
NO SCHOOL
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