Writing

Before you get started-- take [|a quick survey] to tell Mr. Mills what you like to write!

 What you will do in this project. ..
 * First, you will choose your focus: Poetry or Fiction? (Don't worry--you can change your mind . . . you can even do BOTH!)
 * You will form a group with 3 to 4 classmates. You will work with this group through all aspects of the writing process:
 * Coming up with ideas . ..
 * Creating drafts . ..
 * Work-shopping . ..
 * Publishing!
 * As an individual, you will also be responsible for leaving comments on the class [|Creative Writing Blog].
 * Your final projects will be:
 * Fiction : A collaborative story published on the [|Glypho.com] website!
 * Poetry : A podcast featuring all the members of your group reading their (and each other's) poetry!

The NITTY-GRITTY (if you're one of those pesky students who CARES about grades)
 * Fiction Rubric: [|tech fiction rubric.doc]
 * Poetry Rubric: [|tech poetry rubric.doc]

NEED A LITTLE INSPIRATION? LOOK HERE! Hey--all writers get stuck! If you want to look at examples of cool poems and stories, check out our [|class bookmark page!] Here you can see where Mr. Mills goes when he wants to read something cool. And if you've got a great site to share with everybody else--please add it to our collection!

rss url="feed://feeds.poetryfoundation.org/PoetryFoundation/PoemOfTheDayText?format=xml" link="true" number="3" date="true"

rss url="feed://www.americanliterature.com/feed/shortstoryfeed.xml" link="true" number="3" date="true"

 GAMES ANYONE? Who doesn't like to play games? NOBODY! But here's the catch--when you finish these games you'll have poems!
 * [|Magnet Poetry Game]
 * [|This one is for second graders . . . but see what happens when you input names, places and ideas from Mr. Voorhees' History Class!]
 * [|Another Magnet game--but more stylish!]

Here's a game to play with your group members:
 * [|SHIPWRECKED!]
 * Here's the deal. The first group who successfully solves this puzzle gets a PRIZE from Mr. Mills! (He can't promise the prize won't be books of poetry . . .)

 Give these poems a try. . . media type="youtube" key="yDc2sZ7eL2M" height="303" width="382" align="right"

I have to warn you: these poetry animations are creepy.

media type="youtube" key="YdtJtjK-u6A" height="292" width="368"

media type="youtube" key="JHgiEM65Yqo" height="267" width="448" align="right"

Check out the argument between Bart and Lisa. Can you guess who likes poetry and who doesn't?

media type="youtube" key="N9_6IODy0mU" height="385" width="480" align="center"

 Remember to leave a comment on the class blog! Mr. Mills makes daily entries into the class [|Creative Writing Blog]. It's YOUR JOB to leave comments twice a week. How do you know when to leave a comment? Whenever you read something that makes you think! Don't worry about your grade--Mr. Mills just wants you to engage in the creative writing process!

 PUBLISH YOUR WORK!  FICTION : Gather your group members and sign in on [|Glypho.com]. Here you will complete the writing process by adding ideas for plot, character, setting. . . EVERYTHING. You will also write. Each time you finish a chapter, you will receive feedback from other in your group (and who knows who else . . . it'll be online!). Every group member must write at least one chapter (as well as contribute to the other aspects of writing a novel. Happy writing!

Take a look at how Glypho works by contributing to [|Mr. Mills's idea for a story] !

POETRY : Mr. Mills created a Podcast to help you get going. Take a listen! media type="file" key="Introduction to Poetry Project.mp3" width="240" height="20"

 Explanation of Project:  This page is dedicated to solving the wicked problem (balancing content, pedagogy and technology) for a 10th grade creative writing class. Creative writing is typically considered a solitary pursuit, but for this lesson students will use technology to work collaboratively in creating, editing and revising their writing projects.

Students will use Web 2.0 tools for all aspects of the writing and learning process: gathering and researching ideas, giving me feedback, and, ultimately, publishing.
 * //Researching and Organizing Ideas //
 * Del.icio.us (social bookmarking site) will be started with several interesting sites for students to learn about creative writing and specific poets and writers from the eras being studied in other content-area classes. When they find new sites of interest, they will add them.
 * RSS Feeds will be used to keep students up to date on current creative writing information.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Internet Search Tools: Students will use a variety of search engines to find the specific content they seek.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Podcasts and Webcasts: Students will hear and see poets and writers performing their work.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Online games: Students will engage in games to write poems and study the plotting of stories.
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Formative Feedback/ Interaction with Teacher //
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Class Blog: Students will be required to leave comments on two of my blog postings every week. It is the students' choice as to when and which blog they comment upon. They may also ask general questions via the blog.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Survey: Students will give feedback regarding the creative writing project.
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Publishing Work //
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Audacity (podcast): If a group of students write poems for their final assessment, they will publish a "Poetry Reading" as a podcast on this website. Students will read their own poems, and at least one poem from each group member.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Glypho (creative writing site): If a group of students write fiction for their final assessment, they will publish a "novel" on the website Glypho. Each students will participate in every aspect of the writing process: generating ideas, offering comments and drafting new chapters.