Final Noveling Projects and End-of-Semester Reminders

End of Semester reminders: 

**Please return any books from our class library, including Of Mice and Men, Fahrenheit 451, and Feed.**

Complete THREE Written Annotations on Independent Reading books by 12/10. See post on Independent Reading or purple handout for guidelines on written annotations: http://stemmroots.blogspot.com/2014/08/independent-reading-annotated.html


National Novel Writing Month Culminating assignments
Entering the Homestretch:

**Total Word Count GOAL UPDATING Deadline: The site will “lock you in” at the goal you have set on November 24, so if you need to up your goal to something more ambitious and want the site to reflect that, be sure to do so before Monday, November 24.

Last day to enter your word count and have your word count validated and be celebrated as a “Winner” is November 30, at 11:59pm, but PLEASE do not wait until the last minute!!

**Monday, 12.1.14: 100% Word Count Check (you MUST bring your file on your flash drive or email document to Ms. Witham by 7:00am 12.1.14) (150 points)

10th Grade: Opening Pages workshop: Tuesday, 12.2: Bring in opening pages polished and edited as best you can, at least 300-500 words, printed. 
9th Grade: Opening Pages workshop: Wednesday 12.3: Bring in opening pages polished and edited as best you can, at least 300-500 words, printed. 

M-F, 12.1-12.5: Novel Finalization Week

Book Jacket Creation: Book jackets can be 8.5” x 11” or smaller if you choose to format like a small book

Excerpt revision, both individual and peer workshopping, using Cleanup/Editing Handout, NaNoWriMo Rubric, and workshop protocol. See rubric link below, under excerpt section.

About the Author/Book Summary writing.

Monday 12.8: Book Jackets due; Gallery walk. Book Jackets include:

☐ Creative cover [Title, Author, Image that conveys tone/plot/theme-should avoid simple clipart and go for more original, creative visuals] (30 points)

☐ Three Excerpts [See requirements below] (150 points)

☐ About the Author [At least two paragraphs, with interesting details, in third person—May work with a partner to write each others] (30 points)

☐ Back-of-Book Summary [at least three paragraphs, vivid character, setting, and conflict description, cliffhanger-ending] (40 points)

Excerpts should be at least 300-500 words each, typed, polished, revised for word choice and detail, and error-free.

See Rubric for Character, Plot, Setting, Dialogue, Voice, and Conventions at http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/files/ywp/nano_ywp_10_suggested_rubric.pdf

1.     Opening pages (required)

2.     [Choose two of the following]:

a.     STEMM-inspired/Research-inspired (research can include an interview you did, with a footnote at the bottom as to your source)

b.     A “call-to-action, stand against injustice” scene, where a character makes a persuasive argument about a societal ill/issue. (Remember Sherman Alexie’s Ode to Tolerance from ATDOAPTI)

c.      A scene that goes into the “lyric register,” slowing down time to convey strong emotion/turning point/conflict. The “Lyric register” involves a shift into poetic language, unusual syntax, or significant figurative language to convey the intensity of a character’s experience.

d.     A pivotal scene for your character that captures an essential moment from the plot rollercoaster (Inciting Incident/Plot Point 1, Plot Twist/Climax).

12.9-12.11: In-class Readings, mandatory. Option to sign up for After School NaNoWriMo Author reading. (practice reading excerpt at least 15-20 times out loud. Seriously. No, Seriously. Read it again. Trust me.) (50 points)

Author Reading in VHS Library:  Wednesday 12/10, 3:15-5pm:  Students sign up to read in front of a diverse audience and show off the incredible work they have done in a 3-4 minute reading. Students will have a fellow novelist introduce them. Invite parents, teachers, and friends.