Final Homework!

http://www.evite.com/event/006B3XJROMR4VEUZOEPE6IEZVVN3Q4

Homework this week:
1.  Find the Evite I sent your parents (by email) and let me know who is coming on the LAST DAY OF CLASS when you will receive your novels!
2.  Look back at your novel and find your favorite paragraph to read - you will read one paragraph for everyone present on May 15th.  

See you Friday! 

Due May 8th

http://www.evite.com/event/006B3XJROMR4VEUZOEPE6IEZVVN3Q4

Homework this week:
1.  Find the Evite I sent your parents (by email) and let me know who is coming on the LAST DAY OF CLASS when you will receive your novels!
2.  Look back at your novel and find your favorite paragraph to read - you will read one paragraph for everyone present on May 15th.  

See you Friday! 

Due May 1st

Thank you Eric, Camila and Lulu for your excellent "Story Box Project" presentations of the Magician's Nephew!  

This Friday, May 1st we look forward to the "Story Box" presentations of: 

Sydney, Audrey, Cecily, and Sophia 

Be sure to bring the boxes you created in class!  

There is no other homework!

Due April 24th

We finished reading The Magician's Nephew and now we are going to work on a creative way to share the main points of the story!  Your assignment is to begin a "Story Box Project."  You will gather materials at home and we will complete it in class on Friday!

STEPS:

1.  Each of you will gather 5 small boxes from your home (jewelry boxes, cereal boxes, shoe boxes, amazon boxes, pencil boxes - any of these will work! If you cannot find enough boxes email or call me because I would be glad to bring some.)
2. Now, think about the story.  What "items" could help you tell the story creatively?  You can gather toys, common household items, draw pictures or print pictures.  Place these items in the boxes.  You can decorate the boxes if you like.
Here are some examples from Snow White:

3.  You should bring items for at least 3 boxes.  But leave 2 boxes empty because:  I will bring clay, markers, pens, colored pencils and paper to class so you can make the items you want to create for your last 2 boxes.  I will also bring string or ribbon to tie your boxes.  Be sure to decide before class what you want to make for your last 2 boxes.  

HAVE FUN & BE CREATIVE!  

(the boxes and all the items you bring will go home with you)

Due April 17th

There is no homework for this week ! See you Friday!

Due April 10th

There is no homework for this week ! See you Friday!

Due April 3rd

There is no homework for this week ! See you Friday!

Homework Due March 27th

Polly and Digory in the Wood Between the Worlds. 

In class last week we read the The Magicians Nephew.  In our reading, Polly, Digory, Uncle Andrew, Queen Jadis, the Cabbie and his Horse had all entered the wood between the worlds, jumped into a pool and were transported to another world - we think. What we do know is that everything was dark and silent. Draw a picture of what you imagine was around them, if they could see it in the dark. Make sure to include all of the characters in your picture.  (No "right" answers here- don't look ahead!) Be creative and imagine what might be around them and what each character might be doing in the dark. Your picture will not be "in the dark" it will be like you have special glasses to see what they cannot see.  Title your picture.

Due March 20th

There is no homework for this week ! Hope you had a wonderful spring break!

Due March 6th

There is no homework for this week ! See you on March 6th!

Due February 27th

There is no homework for this week ! See you on February 27th!

Due on February 20th

1.  If you have not already, please purchase a copy of the Magicians Nephew by C.S. Lewis and have it in class no later than February 27th.  We will begin reading it on the 20th - but I will give everyone until the 27th to get the book.  It is available on Amazon for 7.99 new but you can easily find it used for less than $3.  

 2. If you have not already done it please fill out this "Book Cover Design Form" . 

Click on this link to see Emma's portfolio of designs. (Be sure to let the page load as you scroll down - there are lots of images to see!)

3.  EXTRA CREDIT and EXTRA FUN!!!!   Crystal Sea Drama Company's advanced players are performing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),  a comedy containing all the works of William Shakespeare in 97 minutes! I will be talking to the director about a group rate for FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20th.  Please let me know if you could attend that night!  

If you cannot attend on the 20th but would like to see the show, tickets can be purchased here- http://www.crystalseadrama.org/Tickets.html   

 

Due on February 13th  

1.   Your illustrations for your novel are due this week!  Complete the pictures (On blank white paper (nothing on the back) with deep dark colors or black ink submitted in a large envelope or folder for protection, numbered  lightly on a back corner to indicate order.)  Please include a separate page that says:

Drawing #1 goes after the sentence " George ran to the bus" currently on page 3

Drawing #2 goes after the sentence " Karen threw the apples at him."  currently on page 4

etc.   Audrey and Sydney  - I will send you an email later in the week with the size your book cover drawing needs to be.   

2.  Please purchase a copy of the Magicians Nephew by C.S. Lewis and have it in class no later than February 27th.  We will begin reading it on the 20th - but I will give everyone until the 27th to get the book.  It is available on Amazon for 7.99 new but you can easily find it used for less than $3.   

 Congratulations! You have finished your novels!  

Please check the list below to make sure you have completed these items from last week! 


#1  Several of you mentioned that you wanted one or two more weeks to submit your "final, final" draft.  Please email me if I should hold off on copy editing the novel you sent me and tell me the date to expect your "final final" version! (Last day copy editing can begin is February 25th)

  pamela.classes@gmail.com  

When you submit your novel after these edits, in the subject line of your email write:  "Your Name - Final, FINAL Version of Novel"

#2   If you have not already done it please fill out this "Book Cover Design Form" .
Click on this link to see Emma's portfolio of designs. (Be sure to let the page load as you scroll down - there are lots of images to see!)

#3  EXTRA CREDIT and EXTRA FUN!!!!   Crystal Sea Drama Company's advanced players are performing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),  a comedy containing all the works of William Shakespeare in 97 minutes! I will be talking to the director about a group rate for FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20th.  Please let me know if you could attend that night!  

If you cannot attend on the 20th but would like to see the show, tickets can be purchased here- http://www.crystalseadrama.org/Tickets.html   
 

Due on February 6th  (No Friday School January 30th.)

1.   The time has arrived!   Submit your completed, edited novel as a Word Document attached to an email no later than 2:00 p.m, Thursday, February 5th.  

Send your novel to this email address ONLY :  pamela.classes@gmail.com  

In the subject line of your email write:  "Your Name - Final Version of Novel"

We will have a "Novel Submission Party" in class on the 6th and everyone who has submitted their novel will get a sweet surprise!  I will go and buy the surprise at 5:00p.m. on the 5th so only those who have submitted on time will receive the prize.  After I confirm that I have received your novel I will email you that I have received  it and give you a choice of flavors.   (If I do not hear from you I will choose for you.)  

Notes:    a. You MAY submit early.  

                b. If you are AT ALL concerned about the technical step of attaching a word document to an email and sending it to me - CALL ME this week.  210-865-3309.  I am SO happy to help - but please - this week, not next! 

                c.  If you and/or your parents are stressed by this deadline for completing your novel and feel you cannot accomplish it please call me this Tuesday or Wednesday to discuss.  I will be glad to help you in any way I can - but NOT AT THE LAST MINUTE.  :)  

2.   Book Cover Design  and Interior Book Design.   PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS INFORMATION (INCLUDING VIEWING THE LINKS BEFORE FILLING OUT THE FORM BELOW!)  

I am so pleased to offer you the opportunity to have book cover design and typesetting done by Emma Grace, my daughter.  Emma has been designing book covers for 3 years and has designed over 200 book covers.  Many of her book covers are featured on books that have been published and are available on Amazon.  Emma is also the Design Intern for Crystal Sea Drama Company: she does the theater posters, website advertising and publicity for Crystal Sea.  This year Emma opened her Etsy Shop where she sells her graphic design posters, invitations and book covers.  Click here to see her book cover design shop where you can order an exterior and interior design for $225-$275.  I am so grateful that she is still willing to offer this service to you, my students,  for FREE.  

In publishing, no one gets to choose their book cover.  The publishing company pays a designer to create the book cover based on a summary of the book. The author only sees the book cover when it ships to the bookstores!  I am SO happy that Emma is willing to listen to your ideas when she creates a cover.  Remember that she is NOT illustrating these by hand - but is using copyright free images and graphic design tools. (This means that you should give her information about your book & links to book cover designs that you love, but allow her to use her artistic skills to create an appropriate & beautiful cover.) Click on this link to see Emma's portfolio of designs. (Be sure to let the page load as you scroll down - there are lots of images to see!)  

With your parent's help fill out this "Book Cover Design Form" no later than February 5th at 10:00 p.m. (But, hey, why not now? It is easy!)

3.  Continue to work on your illustrations.  You have until February 13th to complete the pictures (On blank white paper (nothing on the back) with deep dark colors or black ink submitted in a large envelope or folder for protection, numbered  lightly on a back corner to indicate order.)  

IMPORTANT: No Friday School on  January 30th since the San Antonio Police Department will be using our building!  

EXTRA CREDIT and EXTRA FUN!!!!   Crystal Sea Drama Company's advanced players are performing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),  a comedy containing all the works of William Shakespeare in 97 minutes! I will be talking to the director about a group rate for FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20th.  Please let me know if you could attend that night!  

If you cannot attend on the 20th but would like to see the show, tickets can be purchased here- http://www.crystalseadrama.org/Tickets.html    

Due January 23

1.  Type the last 5th of your novel for class this week.  YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR ENTIRE NOVEL TYPED. Edit the spelling, punctuation, and grammar as you type.  You should work with a parent on this. *** Continue to edit your novel for content as you get feedback from the class.

2.  Brainstorm at least 3 titles for your novel.  The entire class will  help you choose the final title for your novel on Friday.  

3.  Draw 2 more pictures for your novel.  Be sure to draw these on clean paper with nothing drawn or written on the back of the drawing.  Use strong colors as light shading will NOT show up.  IMPORTANT: 

No Friday School on  January 30th since the San Antonio Police Department will be using our building!  Your homework for February 6th: email your entire, fully edited novel- typed and corrected for publication before class on February 6th.  pamela.classes@gmail.com

***This is an ideal opportunity to see what punctuation, spelling and other mechanical challenges your student faces by looking at their written work.  It is okay to publish the novel with NO editorial changes (misspellings, lack of paragraphs etc.) BUT I think you will find that your student really wants this work to be accessible to others.  When I have done the editing process with my own children in the past I usually choose to work on ONE AREA EACH WEEK - for example sentences - capitalization, ending punctuation.  We review the rules and then together, with me typing, we correct our first 300-500 words.  If I am focusing on sentences, I just correct spelling as I go, without much comment - because we will focus on spelling later. I would be cautious about changing the story.  If you have any questions please call me!
210-865-3309

Due January 16

Until the end of January your assignment will be essentially the same - check every week but you can plan on dividing your work up this way:

1.  Continue to write your novel until you have finished.

2.  Create one illustration for your novel EACH WEEK (4 total drawings due this week 1-16)

3. Type 1/5 MORE of your novel for class this week so that you have 4/5 typed.    Edit the spelling, punctuation, and grammar as you type.***  You should work with a parent on this.

YOU WILL BEGIN TO EDIT THE STORY ITSELF AFTER WE HAVE OUR FIRST EDITORIAL ROUND TABLE.  

Examples of 4/5 Words Typed
IF you wrote this many words:	The first week this many words TYPED (1/5) would be due
1500	1200
2000	1600
2500	2000
3000	2400
3500	2800
4000	3200
5000	4000
10,000	8000

  
Your typing/editing schedule should be as follows:

• By December 12 - Type 1/5 of your novel 
• By December 15- Type 2/5 of your novel 
• By January 9 - Type 3/5 of your novel 
• By January 16- Type 4/5 of your novel 
• By January 23- Type 5/5 of your novel 
• By February 6th your entire, fully edited novel is due in typed and corrected form for publication. 

***This is an ideal opportunity to see what punctuation, spelling and other mechanical challenges your student faces by looking at their written work.  It is okay to publish the novel with NO editorial changes (misspellings, lack of paragraphs etc.) BUT I think you will find that your student really wants this work to be accessible to others.  When I have done the editing process with my own children in the past I usually choose to work on ONE AREA EACH WEEK - for example sentences - capitalization, ending punctuation.  We review the rules and then together, with me typing, we correct our first 300-500 words.  If I am focusing on sentences, I just correct spelling as I go, without much comment - because we will focus on spelling later. I would be cautious about changing the story.  If you have any questions please call me!
210-865-3309

This week in class we did a lesson on punctuation for dialogue - so they should be able to help with that!

CONGRATULATIONS to Leilani, Eric, Sophia, Audrey, Sydney,  Cecily and Hannah who have WON Nanowrimo!  

 Lauren has just a few hundred more words to write and  should plan to turn in your total word count by Friday December 19th to WIN and get credit for her novel.  

Until the end of January your assignment will be essentially the same - check every week but you can plan on dividing your work up this way:

1.  Continue to write your novel until you have finished.

2.  Create one illustration for your novel EACH WEEK (2 drawings due this week 12-19)

3. Type 1/5 MORE of your novel for class this week so that you have 2/5 typed.  (the first 1/5 was due last week so if you did not begin you will type 2/5 this week!)  Edit the spelling, punctuation, and grammar as you type.***  You should work with a parent on this.

YOU WILL BEGIN TO EDIT THE STORY ITSELF AFTER WE HAVE OUR FIRST EDITORIAL ROUND TABLE.   DOUBLE THIS FOR THIS FRIDAY 12-19

Examples of 1/5 Words Typed
IF you wrote this many words:	The first week this many words TYPED (1/5) would be due
1500	300
2000	400
2500	500
3000	600
3500	700
4000	800
5000	1000
10,000	2000

  
Your typing/editing schedule should be as follows:

• By December 12 - Type 1/5 of your novel 
• By December 15- Type 2/5 of your novel 
• By January 9 - Type 3/5 of your novel 
• By January 16- Type 4/5 of your novel 
• By January 23- Type 5/5 of your novel 
• By February 6th your entire, fully edited novel is due in typed and corrected form for publication. 

***This is an ideal opportunity to see what punctuation, spelling and other mechanical challenges your student faces by looking at their written work.  It is okay to publish the novel with NO editorial changes (misspellings, lack of paragraphs etc.) BUT I think you will find that your student really wants this work to be accessible to others.  When I have done the editing process with my own children in the past I usually choose to work on ONE AREA EACH WEEK - for example sentences - capitalization, ending punctuation.  We review the rules and then together, with me typing, we correct our first 300-500 words.  If I am focusing on sentences, I just correct spelling as I go, without much comment - because we will focus on spelling later. I would be cautious about changing the story.  If you have any questions please call me!
210-865-3309

This week in class we did a lesson on punctuation for dialogue - so they should be able to help with that!

Due December 12th

CONGRATULATIONS to Leilani, Eric, Sophia, Audrey, Sydney, and Cecily who have WON Nanowrimo!  

Since Hannah and Lauren were traveling during most of November they should plan to turn in your total word count by Friday December 19th to WIN and get credit for your novel.  

 Until the end of January your assignment will be essentially the same - check every week but you can plan on dividing your work up this way:

1.  Continue to write your novel until you have finished.

2.  Create one illustration for your novel

3. Type 1/5 of your novel for class this week.  (and 1/5 for class every week until complete.)  Edit the spelling, punctuation, and grammar as you type.***  You should work with a parent on this.

YOU WILL BEGIN TO EDIT THE STORY ITSELF AFTER WE HAVE OUR FIRST EDITORIAL ROUND TABLE.   

Examples of 1/5 Words Typed
IF you wrote this many words:	The first week this many words TYPED (1/5) would be due
1500	300
2000	400
2500	500
3000	600
3500	700
4000	800
5000	1000
10,000	2000

 
Your typing/editing schedule should be as follows:

• By December 12 - Type 1/5 of your novel 
• By December 15- Type 2/5 of your novel 
• By January 9 - Type 3/5 of your novel 
• By January 16- Type 4/5 of your novel 
• By January 23- Type 5/5 of your novel 
• By February 6th your entire, fully edited novel is due in typed and corrected form for publication. 

***This is an ideal opportunity to see what punctuation, spelling and other mechanical challenges your student faces by looking at their written work.  It is okay to publish the novel with NO editorial changes (misspellings, lack of paragraphs etc.) BUT I think you will find that your student really wants this work to be accessible to others.  When I have done the editing process with my own children in the past I usually choose to work on ONE AREA EACH WEEK - for example sentences - capitalization, ending punctuation.  We review the rules and then together, with me typing, we correct our first 300-500 words.  If I am focusing on sentences, I just correct spelling as I go, without much comment - because we will focus on spelling later. I would be cautious about changing the story.  If you have any questions please call me!
210-865-3309

This week in class we did a lesson on punctuation for dialogue - so they should be able to help with that!

Due November 30th by NOON

So proud of how hard you are all working! 

THIS IS THE LAST WEEK OF NANOWRIMO!

1. Continue Writing your Novel- Write EVERYDAY or at least 5 Days this week!  You must complete your final Word Count goal by 11-30.  

• Audrey has already met her goal but agreed to keep writing her story.  Way to go, Audrey!
• Syndey has already met her goal but agreed to keep writing her story.  Way to go, Sydney!
• Eric has only 500 words to go and he agreed to complete his goal this week. Yeah, Eric!
• Leilani has already met her goal but agreed to keep writing her story.  Way to go, Leilani!
• Cecily has already met her goal but agreed to keep writing her story.  Way to go, Cecily!
• Sophia has only 50 words to go to meet her goal but agreed to write her story all week. Yeah, Sophia!
• Hannah and Lauren have been traveling so I don't know where they stand on their novels but I'm excited to hear from them soon! 

2. To win NaNoWriMo you need to finish your word count and then EMAIL ME no later than 12 noon on Sunday, November 30th.  When you email, tell me your final word count so I can enter your winning into the NaNoWriMo website so that your qualify to have your novel published.  

Or  - the more FUN option:  you can meet us on Saturday and give me your word count there:

3. We will have our: "Group Write In and WIN"

UPDATE:

The manager of the Barnes and noble just told us he would NOT ALLOW US TO MEET THERE :(

So- we will meet on the other side of 410 at La Madeleine (I have reserved the party room) 

WHEN: Saturday, November 29th
WHERE: 3:00 pm at the la Madeleine, 722 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78216, United States

Facing 410 - Park North Shopping Center (blanco &410)

BRING: your novel, a pencil and some paper, and some money for a hot tea, hot chocolate, or coffee.  I will bring PRIZES and a computer so you can log into NaNoWriMo and WIN!!!!

See you Saturday!

Please email me at pamela.classes@gmail.com and RSVP to the event on Saturday - I will arrive early to save seats! Let me know if parents or siblings are coming - the store will be BUSY on Saturday!

If you cannot attend please email me now and tell me:  "I cannot attend but I WILL send you my FINAL WORD COUNT no later than NOON on November 30th. "  

Homework Due November 21st

Due November 21st

Wow, you guys are amazing! Every single one of you exceeded your word count for week one and almost all of you exceeded it for week 2.  Your novels are progressing nicely - keep up the good work! Only 2 weeks left!

1.  Continue writing your novel - Write EVERYDAY or at least 5 Days this week!

• Use your completed workbook, your Journal (Composition Notebook) to help with ideas as you progress on your novel.  Follow the calendar you made with your family and the plan you made for writing this week.  
• You should write a MINIMUM of 10 minutes a day 5 days this week.  
• You should complete a MINIMUM of 3/4 of your final wordcount goal by November 21st.  This may take more than 10 minutes a day- it depends on how fast your write.  It might be good to plan to write at least one day for 20- 30 minutes early in the week.  

PRIZES!!! There will be prizes for all who achieve 3/4 of their wordcount by this Friday!

You can click on the image below to read the Nanowrimo Workbook online.  You can also print any pages you need to complete your work.