Night+Write

The purpose of Night Writes is to provide students an opportunity to practice writing to a prompt in preparation for TAKS in March. Using strong verbs, creative tags, figurative language, and avoiding "tired" words such as very, really, pretty, etc. will make the piece more intersting. Night Write topics will be posted here each month. It may be helpful to review the Writing Rubric attached below. NIGHT WRITES ARE DUE ON FRIDAYS! __Texas Write Source:__ is a FANTASTIC resource! Personal Narratives begin on pg. 62 and Expository on pg. 129.

This assignment is not meant to be stressful and parent help is expected and appreciated. This guide may help:


 * Monday ** - brainstorm the prompt and make a plan - students can use strategies from their Writer's Notebooks to generate ideas
 * If the plan is strong and thorough, it is easier to write the paragraphs - Check out this planning guide from Read, Write,Think [|Planning Guide]
 * Tuesday ** - create beginning, middle, and ending paragraphs
 * Wednesday ** - add an introduction/lead that will really capture the reader's attention and a strong closing
 * Thursday ** - review for spelling, grammar, etc. and publish the final copy on the Night Write paper- give a big sigh of relief - your work is done!
 * Friday ** - turn it in to Mrs. Wheeler - this includes PLAN and PUBLISHED COPY

Topics for January/February: Think of one thing you would like to do in the future and how you could make that happen. || Feb. 10 ||
 * Week of: || Type || Topic || Due Date ||
 * Jan. 9 || EX || Exercise if often something people resolve to do in the New Year. Think about what resolutions or goals do you have and why? Be specific. These goals do not have to be school related. || Jan. 13 ||
 * Jan. 16 || EX || Martin Luther King, Jr. noticed that all people in the USA did not have the same rights and worked very hard to change the laws so that all people had the same rights. Think about a problem that you know about either in your community, your home, or at our school that needs to be changed. Why would you change it and how? || Jan. 20 ||
 * Jan. 23 || PN || Have you heard the expression "An elephant never forgets?". Think about something that you can't forget. Write a story about that event. || Jan. 27 ||
 * Jan. 30 || PN || This week is Global Fest where we learn about different cultures and countries. Think about a time when you learned something new. Write a story about that experience (could be riding a bike, eating a new food, etc.) || Feb. 3 ||
 * Feb. 6 || EX || "Only you can control your future." Dr. Seuss
 * Feb.13 || EX || During this week, we have Valentine's Day. Think about how you could show love or friendship to someone who seems lonely or is new to our school, class, sports team, neighborhood, etc. OR if you have been new, write about how others showed you friendship. || Feb. 17 ||
 * Feb. 20 || PN || Great friends are really important. Think about your best friend. Write a story about the day you met. || Feb. 23 ||
 * Effective February 27 Night Writes will be discontinued. Thanks!!

Samples of Papers that earned 4 or 3 on TAKS test (prior years) ||
 * [[file:Writing Strategies.doc]] || [[file:Personal Narrative Planning Guide.doc]] || [[file:personalnarrative_sample.pdf]] || [[file:Papers Set 2.doc]]
 * [[file:Lead - Endings with Mentor Texts.doc]] || [[file:Endings.doc]] || [[file:Revising.doc]] || [[file:Ways to Revise.doc]] ||