Brand new information has just been released regarding the Writing Pilot Program for the state of North Carolina's fourth and seventh grade students. Watch for updates as I receive new information.
Specific journal topics
A) A response to something the student has read: This could include cereal boxes, music lyrics, information from a website, a magazine article, or even a billboard (not watching a movie!). A reading journal should be 3 paragraphs in which the student considers the reading from 3 aspects:
1) summary -- what was it about (no more than 4 well-constructed sentences; should be in student's own words)
2) usefulness -- how does this information relate (or not) to the real world? who needs this information and why? what purpose does it serve?
3) critique -- as an informed reader, did you LIKE what you read? why/why not? is the author knowledgeable about his/her subject? is the author 'connecting' with his/her intended audience? are the words too difficult? was it boring? why/why not?
Reading journals should indicate that the student has been actively engaged with the text he/she has read and has really thought about the information presented.
B) An entry of an Opinion: Based on everyday life, students should use about 3 paragraphs to discuss events and reactions to things in everyday life. Choosing something which is debatable will make the writing easier!
Students should write 3 paragraphs using these aspects:
1) introduction -- give the background information on the topic selected (should be facts, not opinions)
2) consider the OPPOSING point of view (those who disagree with you) and discuss why they believe as they do (consider the other side)
3) discuss your own opinion on the topic convincingly (use reasons and supporting details)
C) Assigned Journal Topic: Based on current reading assignments, students are to think about the circumstances in the reading and how these events relate to their own lives. Students should "fill a page" or write 25-lines on a page. These should NOT be double-spaced. Typed entries should be at least half a page at font size 12.
The poetry unit will be completed during the first/second grading period, and students will be expected to compose original poetry as well as discover poetry by famous poets.
Students will be assigned a "book report," which will involve creative presentations of the information, including a biography project in the fifth grading period.
Students will be assigned a Mythology Project during the third/fourth grading period.