Create a dialogue using the basic rules

Show me you know the five basic rules of dialogue by creating a dialogue that describes what these individuals are saying to each other.  Have fun with this and provide of insight and history into their conversation.  Remember to practice the basic rules of dialogue listed below.  Yes, grammar definitely counts!

Dialogue - The five basic rules

1.  Put quotation marks around the words that actually come out of a person’s mouth.
2. Capitalize the first word of what the person says.
3. Punctuation goes inside the quotation marks.
4. Use commas or periods after dialogue tags depending on where they are in the sentence.
5. Start a new paragraph each time a person speaks.

Don't forget to leave your first and last name at the end of your writing!

Spring Vacation

Dear Students,

I am hoping to live vicariously through you when it comes to spring vacation next week.  While I am looking forward to getting more sleep, much of next week will be busy grading amazing Middle Ages Zine projects and working on the Yeoman.  Then there is the "spring cleaning" I have been meaning to get to this month.

So please share with me your plans for next week weather they include traveling, visiting, gaming, sleeping, eating, shopping, vegging, or what else.  Please include the details of your hopes and plans.  Where will you be, who will be with you, and what will you be doing?  Why and how will it all happen?  Help me see what you will be up to, feel your excitement and emotions, hear the environment you will be doing this, and it something involves food - I want details!

This should be a paragraph in length and at least 5 sentences.  Yes, spelling and grammar counts.  No abbreviations and watch your capitalization.

I am looking forward to your responses!

Best wishes,
Mrs. Allan

Spirit Week at LOJ

Dear Students,

Next week will be our second and last Spirit Week here at LOJ.  It's time to think back to special memories or events from our last Spirit Week in October of 2012, as well as our expectations for this next Spirit Week (2/11 - 2/15).

Our last Spirit Week in October included:

• Sports Day
• Bright Color Day
• Halloween
• PJ Day

Spirit Week Days next week will be:

• Monday, Feb. 11 – Lazy Day (any comfy clothes will do!)
• Tuesday, Feb.12 – Decades Day: 6^th Grade in 60’s Gear, 7^th in 70’s and 8^th in 80’s
• Wednesday, Feb.13 – Hawaiian Day (Appropriate dress!)
• Thursday, Feb.14 – Red, White and Pink Day
• Friday, Feb.15 – Formal Friday (dress nicely)

Write a 5 + sentence paragraph response on what was your favorite Spirit day back in October and why.  Then share what you are looking forward to for next week and why.  Make sure to include details about clothing, costumes and people.  Don’t forget grammar counts!  Avoid using abbreviations and capitalize proper nouns!

Please end with your first and last name and period!  No name = No credit!

Wishes for the holiday season

Take some time to reflect on this holiday season and what it means to you.  What are your hopes and wishes during this time?  Are there family traditions you are looking forward to recreating?  Do they involved food, friends, or family?  Do you have plans or expectation for the winter break?

When writing about the season, remember to use descriptive words and phrases.  This blog response should be at least ONE paragraph in length and at least 7+ sentences.  Remember spelling and grammar counts!

Have fun and enjoy sharing your wishes for the season!

Your response is DUE by Friday, December 14 at 5 p.m.

Creating a scene with dialogue

Dear  Students,
Please pick one of the images and create a scene and the dialogue to go with it.  Have fun but remember to follow the grammatical rules for writing dialogue.  Your blog response should be a minimum of 5-7 sentences in length.  Don't forget to leave your first and last name along with your class block.  Your response is due by Friday, October 26 by 4 p.m.

Best wishes,
Mrs. Allan

Dear Students,

What has been your favorite Halloween costume? 

Mine was when I was in 6th grade, and I dressed-up as a rag doll.  It was probably my favorite costume due to the involvement of both my mom and older sister, Amy.  I came up with the idea but didn't know how to pull it off.  Luckily my mom had an idea for my hair.  She actually took apart a mop and washed the mop top before dying it bright red.  I was a little horrified about wearing a cotton mop top on my head yet amazed at the intensity of the red cotton yarn.  She then braided the yarn and helped me develop a wig I could proudly wear.  Raggedy Ann had nothing on me.  Now it was my older sister's turn to help me.  During the summer Amy had been a bridesmaid and was forced to wear a light blue, gingham check bridesmaid dress with a white pinafore apron.  She enthusiastically cut three feet off the bottom of the dress and pinafore apron and hemmed it by hand for my short stature.  She was thrilled to see some good come of this 1970's abomination of a bridesmaid dress.

The morning of Halloween, both of them helped me into my dress and stockings.  My sister then gave me an old pair of black ballet slippers to wear for shoes.  After arranging the wig on my head and making sure it would fall off, my mom used lipstick to paint bright, ruby red circles on my checks and a brown eyeliner pencil to draw freckles and eye lashes.  After a while, my face began to itch, but I was “all smiles” due to the group effort.  That is why the rag doll costume is one of my favorites.

Now it is your turn.  Write to me about your favorite Halloween costume and focus on including some great descriptive details.  Remember grammar counts so edit your response carefully before posting.  Points will be taken off for "Unacceptables".

Don't forget to sign your name!  You need to complete this assignment before Friday, October 12 at 4 p.m.

Describe a favorite place

Dear Students,

Keep your audience in mind.  As a writer, you want the reader to form a mental picture and understand why this place is important or meaningful to you.  Please pay attention to the following guidelines:

• Grammar counts! - Refrain from using texting lingo, abbreviations, and lower case "i".
• This should be a paragraph in length.  Think about putting your audience in the moment and the use of descriptive details.
• DON'T FORGET your first name and last name along with the period you have language arts (Example: Kristin Allan - LASS 1/2 or 4/5)

Your response is due by 4 p.m. on Friday, September 28th.