Writing Prompt 5/3/06
Francis Scott Key was a Washington attorney who once wanted to be a clergyman. He wrote amateur verse which was mainly religious. Key wrote the national anthem during the War of 1812 while interceding for release from the British on behalf of a friend. He wrote his poem from a prisoner exchange ship in the Baltimore harbor after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry. The flag that flew over McHenry can be seen in the National Museum in Washington, D.C. The tune of the anthem is that of an old English song, "To Anacreon in Heaven." "The Star-Spangled Banner" became our national anthem in September of 1931.
For Language this week you are to write a personal reflective paragraph. This means you will need to SERIOUSLY think about the topic: WHAT THE U.S. FLAG MEANS TO ME. Look at an American flag. Think of all the places you have seen it, how it has been displayed, how it might have been used. Brainstorm your ideas on the back of this paper then write your paper.
REMEMBER:
___ 5-8 sentences, including a topic and concluding sentence
___ five elements of good writing; focus on PURPOSE and IDEAS
___ clearly reworked rough draft
___ final is neat and written in ink
___ signature of adult who helped you proofread your work for content and PRESENTATION
___ all three papers stapled together with final on top
Writing Prompt 5/4/06
We have been blessed with many special gifts and talents. Perhaps it is the ability to sing or play a musical instrument. Perhaps it is athletic ability or the ability to be compassionate and kind. Think of the special gifts or talents that you possess. On the back of this paper make a list or create a web brainstorming these gifts. Next to each, give a reason why you are grateful for it.
Your assignment this week is to write a thank you note of at least one paragraph to someone for giving you, encouraging you, or teaching you a particular talent. Express your appreciation and tell why you particularly enjoy this talent or gift. You should be focusing on PURPOSE and IDEAS this week.
REMEMBER:
Remember the structure of a written composition. The first paragraph introduces your entire theme and discusses your first main idea. Its concluding sentence smoothly takes your reader to the next paragraph. The second paragraph must have its own topic sentence which should be strongly related to the transition from the first paragraph. The details of this paragraph pertain to your second main idea. This paragraph should also have a transitional sentence to take your reader to your third paragraph. This paragraph must also contain a concluding sentence that summarizes your entire composition.
REMEMBER:
__ 1. 5-8 sentences for EACH paragraph, for a total of 15-24 sentences.
__ 2. Focus on the five elements of good writing, particulary DIRECTION (structure).
__ 3. A CLEARLY reworked rough draft.
__ 4. Signature of adult who proofread your composition for PRESENTATION.
__ 5. Good copy in ink.
__ 6. All THREE papers turned in with final on top.
Writing Prompt 5/8/06
For Paragraphs a Week this week you will be writing your Life Skills essay. An essay is a written composition in which you express your thoughts and feelings on a specific topic. This is a time for you to think about all the things you have learned in Life Skills class. Take a few moments to go through your workbook to review all the information contained in the Life Skills program. Think of the things Officer Mike and you discussed in class. Try to picture in your mind the videos and skits you watched and remember the words of the high-schoolers who came to share with you.
You will be writing several paragraphs in which you express your commitment to stay drug-free and violence-free. Be sure to include in your essay:
* How you feel about the Life Skills program.
* What you have learned that can help you stay drug-free and avoid violence.
* Why it is important to be drug-free and avoid violence.
REMEMBER:
____ 1. the five elements of good writng, especially PURPOSE and DIRECTION
____ 2. 5-8 sentences per paragraph
____ 3. transitions between paragraphs
____ 4. an introduction to cover the ENTIRE essay and a conclusion to wrap-up the ENTIRE essay
____ 5. signature of adult who helped you proofread your essay for PRESENTATION only
____ 6. clearly reworked rough draft
____ 7. all three papers turned in with a neat final in ink on top
Writing Prompt
On the back of this paper, brainstorm ideas for your creation. Use your ideas to write a paragraph that would be suitable for the Ty product catalog. Remember that this catalog is what retailers use to select the products to sell in their stores.
For extra credit, draw your Beanie Baby on art paper and attach it to your paragraph.
REMEMBER:
Writing Prompt
Now that this school year is almost at an end, it's time to take a look back and evaluate the good points and the bad points. For Language class this week you'll be writing two paragraphs. In the first paragraph you'll examine the good points of this year, while in the second paragraph you'll examine the bad points. Include at least three details in each paragraph, remembering to explain why you felt this was good/bad. Don't forget to include a transitional sentence to take your reader smoothly from the first to the second paragraph. This transitional sentence may serve as the topic sentence of your second paragraph.
On the back of this sheet brainstorm two lists. Title one "good"; title the other "bad." List at least five items for each. You only have to select three from each to FULLY explain in your paper.
CHECK:
Writing Prompt
For English this week you are to write a paragraph about water. You may choose any type of water: a drop of rain, a river, a tear, a storm, the ocean,...any type of water. On the back of this paper list ten to fifteen types of water. Select one of them to write about. You might want to discuss how the water is used, where you find it, what it looks like? Whatever you choose, be sure to stick to the topic.
REMEMBER: