Writing Spices Review

Okay, so it's been a long time since you sat in my classroom & were surrounded by the writing spices.  So let's review.  Remember, using the writing spices all throughout middle, high school, college...forever =) will impress your teachers, make you sound intelligent, &, most importantly, make you a better writer!  

Here they are...

1. Simile: comparing two things with the word "like" or "as"
example: He's as old as a dinosaur!  Her heart beat like a drum.  

2. Alliteration: 3 or more words with the same beginning sound in a sentence or poem
example: Silvery skates slid across the sacred ice pond. 

3. Personification: giving human qualities to nonhuman things {this is my favorite spice}  
example: The wind sighed through the lonely cave.  

4. Million Dollar Words: "fancy" words that certainly aren't dead (overused)
example: The azure skies were peppered with dark loathsome clouds that seemed to chant, "Rain is on the way."

5. Dialogue: words spoken out loud by a character (or characters) in a story, with quotation marks placed around the spoken part - this should be sprinkled on, not poured
example: Lyla proclaimed, "There's the yellow spotted magenta butterfly!  Catch it, Hans!"

6. Metaphor: comparing things without "like" or "as"
example: The lake is a shining mirror and my canoe cuts through it with ease.  

7. Onomatopoeia: words that sound like the actual sound they are describing
example: It was a summer when the bees buzzed over the flowers constantly.

Spice up your writing!

Love,

Ms. Dawn

Are You Still Writers?

Hello out there in the great big, wide world of sixth grade!  

I'm here to ask you: Are you still writers?  If for a moment words sparked your excitement last year, do they still sizzle like tiny fireworks on the page, or have they merely fizzled out?  Do you let your pencil dance upon the edge of your notebook with poems & unusual characters' names scribbled in all directions (no compass in sight)?  Have you given a happy sigh when a writing assignment has come your way, or was it a loathsome groan instead?  Do you still remember azure & zephyr?  Can you recognize a portrait of Shakespeare or do you still confuse him with George Washington?  Have you plopped down & written a play lately?  Do strong words from the narrative of your own story still move you to tears?  (I hope so.  There's healing in that - & we all need that at times.)  Has the definition of personification been lost, or is it still there sitting comfortably in your memory?  Do you know the precious power you possess when you hold a pencil in your hand?  
Never forget - no matter your answers to the questions here - that you are a writer.

Love Always,
Ms. Dawn
your writing teacher

P.S.: Can you pick out the spices?

SORRY

So sorry I haven't been on here in a while!  I've not forgotten about you, dear students!

How could I ever possibly forget!  You're in my heart forever!

Love,

Ms. Dawn

Ms. Dawn Misses You All

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What's missing?

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Hope middle school is treating you well!  Remember you are all amazing!  I'm here if you need me!

Love,

Ms. Dawn

P.S.: Keep writing!

Middle School Survival Guide {Part 4: Academics}

Most of you are right smack dab in the middle of your first week of sixth grade!  How’s it going so far?  I miss you all!  Today I’m going to hand you some academic tips & tricks straight from a teacher & fellow sixth grade survivor: me!

Tips:

-Take notes!  This is a practice you will be taking all the way into college life.  Sometimes teachers will ask or recommend that you take notes, other times they won’t – however, if they haven’t said not to, it’s a good idea to whip out the old spiral-bound & pencil & jot down some thoughts from what they’re teaching, especially if it’s a tricky or problem area for you.  You can even doodle small images that will help you remember certain formulas, etc. in addition to writing down things.  Just make sure your notes don’t turn into a doodle fest!  Make it about what your teacher is teaching.

-Keep an agenda!  Don’t lose track of project due dates, homework deadlines, etc. & harm your grades.  Keep up with assignment dates & other key appointments in a calendar or agenda mate.  It’s your job to be a responsible middle schooler & keep track & up-to-date.

-Ask!  If you are struggling in a subject or with a certain topic of study, ask questions.  If you feel nervous about asking something in class, find some time right after class when everyone’s leaving {or some other time that’s free or leave a note on their desk signed} to talk to your teacher & let them know you’re struggling.  Believe me, teachers aren’t always aware of a student’s struggle until she/he voices it.  The teacher can provide you with extra help or other resources, and, most importantly, the teacher knows you want to do better and are willing to do your part for your education.

-Don’t procrastinate!  Do you know what it means to procrastinate?  We all do it sometimes – it means to put something off until the last minute.  Oh, I used to be really bad at this!  Learn from my mistake & don’t start procrastinating!  So many times I would put off a school project & find myself up all night the night before an assignment was due – it wasn’t sleepover ‘awake-all-night fun,’ it was sleepless agony as I tried to whip up a fabulous project that should have taken at least four days in one miserable night that usually ended in tears or accidently gluing your head to Mount Rushmore.  Yikes!  When you are assigned a project, jot the date down in your agenda, & then begin working on it in steps each day until it is finished with time to spare.  It will be a lot less stressful & better done!

Remember to do your personal best!  That's all you can do & all you need to do!  I truly do think you're great!

Love,

Ms. Dawn 

Middle School Survival Guide {Part 3: Style}

Most of you will be donning school uniforms daily.  You may think there's no way to personalize your look & show your individual style, but where there's a will there's a way. Be sure to check with your school dress/uniform code first to make sure you're not breaking any rules.

Style Tips {Girls}:
-add jewelry {unique bracelets, necklaces, & earrings can really make a statement}
-add hair accessories or style your hair in a special way
-use a long scarf as a belt
-wear colorful tights or leggings

Style Tips {Guys}:
-tie on a smart-looking necktie
-match your shoe color to another article of clothing (such as a belt or tie)
-get a nice haircut

Style Tips {For All}:
-add fun key chains, pins/badges, etc. to your backpack
-add fun socks or footwear 
-try a bold belt

I used to love to pick out my first day of school outfit, even when I was wearing a uniform!  You can still be unique in a sea of identically colored polo shirts, just use the tips & come up with some of your own!

Love,
Ms. Dawn

Middle School Survival Guide {Part 2: Friends}

Sixth grade is brand new territory.  All your peeps from elementary won't necessarily be headed to the same middle school as you.  This can be totally bittersweet (a bit sad / a bit happy).  Don't worry, BFFs are just waiting to be made wherever you go this fall!  


Here's some helpful friendship tips:
-Be yourself!  You don't want to hang out with someone whom you can't be you around!  Be who you are from the start & you won't have to worry about that.  Real friends like the real you!  Remember that Shakespeare quote?  "To thine own self be true."  Believe it & live it!
-Smile!  People that smile are like magnets - people want to be are them.  Flash your best smile & brighten someone's day; you may gain a friend in the process!
-Hang with the right crowd!  In middle school you can start to really feel the pressure - peer pressure, that is.  Peer pressure is where you feel pressured by people in your age group (those are your peers, & no they don't have to be your exact age to be your peers, just in the ballpark) to act a certain way, do certain things, etc.  You may feel pressure to hang out with the popular, yet not-so-nice, crowd.  Don't do it!  These guys may act like your besties now & turn on you later.  If people are doing things you know aren't right, don't seek out their friendship - in fact, avoid 'em like nasty mystery meat surprise!
-Speak!  This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is often hard when you are new & trying to get adjusted yourself to speak to other newbies.  However, this is one of the best ways to make friends.  Say "hello" to someone who looks like good friend material or someone who looks like they just need a friend.  Chat with a locker neighbor about what they did over the summer or even ask a fellow student (peer) for directions to a class (this can start up conversation).  I met one of my best high school friends by simply inviting them to eat lunch with me in the cafeteria, & the rest, as they say, is history! 
-Be friendly!  Being friendly is another magnetic move!  People want to be friends with friendly people.  Don't make jokes at anyone's expense or laugh at others' mean jokes, even when peer pressure weighs down on you something heavy!  Befriend those who seem to be friendless - these can be some of the most rewarding of friendships... & never ever bully!  

Love & Forever Friendship,

Ms. Dawn