Writing Lab; Chalk Circle (conclusion); Race Novel Discussion: #1

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Lab: (until 7: 50)

It's not a lot of time, but please use the lab time to work on your portfolio or workshop something you've written. If this hasn't happened yet, make a schedule for yourself during our Feb. break to write (and complete the required reading).

See prompts in the last few posts for ideas for your writing. Remember that the "epic theater" prompt is required. You could also create a draft to send off to Geva's upcoming playwriting contest (March 1 deadline).

Remember that you are graded for your behavior during the lab. If the class doesn't use the time to write, we'll use it for other stuff.

At 7:45 please go to the classroom to conclude The Caucasian Chalk Circle. When we complete the play, please get together in your small reading groups based on your chosen book:
In your groups with whatever time we have remaining, please discuss chapter 1 of the book you chose.  Each participant should choose 1 passage from the first chapter that impressed you and discuss it with the others in the group. See reading guides for your novel.

HOMEWORK: Consider submitting to one of the upcoming contests for extra credit (send me a comment about what contest you entered and when and with what--also include your work in your portfolio for MP3):

  • Geva's playwriting contest (a short play, no longer than 10 pages); deadline March 1.
  • Consider submitting to this contest (open only to Rochester City School District students). Your "how it feels to be me" essays might be a perfect fit. He's looking for non-fiction, so ... submit a draft of something you have (or write something new for the contest and put it in your portfolio). Deadline Feb. 25.
  • The Reel to Real media contest (a short film, video, poem, story, etc. about overcoming adversity)--Consider your non-fiction work, or create a short film/documentary using one of your non-fiction works as a script; i.e., read your work as Voice Over for a "slice of your daily life" video--just like those podcast projects of long ago...); Deadline March 30.
  • The Harvard Radcliffe contest (an essay on education); Deadline
  • The SPJ/JEAjournalism contest (300-500 words on a topic); Deadline

Complete the book you chose over the break and be prepared for a test and discussion on that book. Prepare for the test by reviewing the sociology and political science summaries we have read recently (see past handouts) and applying some of these ideas to the book you are reading. 

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