Tuesday, September 11, 2018

My Name Means Poem


Text Box: We have read several poems this year about “who we are” – including the poem to the left. Now, we are going to use, “What My Name Means” as our inspiration poem to take a poem all the way through the writing process. The final copy of the poem will be displayed for back to school night. The final copy is due Tuesday, September 11. The process and final copy are a major grade. TPCASTT Notes & Brainstorming _______(10) First draft is complete, on time _______(10) Revision and Editing activities are completed in a meaningful way _______(20) Final copy has a complete heading on either the front or back _______(5) Title and poem are in correct, consistent format – no quotes on title on top of poem, each person begins a new sentence, quotation marks and punctuation in the correct format. No spelling errors. Minus 1 point per error up to 10 points _______(10) Content: 10-15 people, plus “I” – thoughtful, reflects the author; at least three “ands” before the shift; at least four “ands” after the shift; “I” section adds to our understanding of your personality. _______(30) At least one highlighted and labeled literary device _______(10) The final draft of the poem has visual images that depict the qualities and interests mentioned in the poem _______(10) “What My Name Means”
By Jennifer Dignan 
Published in “Scope” September 2018

My sister thinks my name means
“sharer of back seats and secrets.”
My mom thinks my name means
“needs a lot of rides to gymnastics” and
“loves comic books, like me.”
My dad thinks my name means
“weirdly obsessed with that band Imagine Dragons” and
“loves corny jokes like me.”
My cat thinks my name means “always good for a snuggle.”
My best friend thinks my name means
“tells me the truth no matter what; best giggle in the world.”
My art teacher thinks my name means “gifted.”
My music teacher thinks my name means
“definitely tries hard.”
My neighbor thinks my name means
“kid who cuts the grass.”
My dentist thinks my name means
“kid who needs to floss.”
I think
There’s some stuff that they left out, like
“dreams of life in a big city” and
“lies awake at night sometimes,
Worrying about the whales” and
“having doubts about gymnastics” and
“loves nothing more than to close her eyes
And listen to the rain.”









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Independent Reading and Classically Inspired List


Independent Reading:  While we will read and analyze lots of texts in class, you are expected to have an independent reading book going at all times.  For most of you this is your normal state of being. J The vast majority of the time, I want this to be completely a book of your choice – fiction, non-fiction, manga, hieroglyphics – whatever you love.  Just read and bring it to class every day. 

A few times this year, I’m going to ask you to choose a book from a list or genre to read independently. Every week or so, I’m going to ask to see your independent reading book and ask you do something with it.  If you are reading the book, it should be no problem!  Yes, this will count as a grade. And, of COURSE, feel free to read MORE!

1st Nine Weeks: Open Choice due 9/11; Classically Inspired due 10/4*
2nd Nine Weeks: 2 Open Choice
3rd Nine Weeks: 1 Bio Book; 1 Open Choice
4th Nine Weeks: 1 Classic; 1 Open Choice


*Below is a list of suggested reads for your Classically Inspired, but I will be happy to approve other books if it is classically inspired!  What do I mean by “classically inspired’?  The book is either inspired by or a retelling of a classical and traditional story such as a fairy tale, myth, legend, tall tale or folk tale.

  • I want you to read something you have NEVER read – something new and interesting!  
  • MOST of the books on this list are the first book in a series, or one of a collection of books with a similar theme by the same author.  You are welcome to read ANY book from these series/collections if you have already started the series.
  •  All books on this list are recommended for 6th grade, 10-12 year olds, but I always encourage kids and parents to check out books on Amazon and Common Sense Media to get more detailed reviews to make sure it’s a good book for YOU.  See footnotes below.
  • I have copies of many of these, and our library has even more!  You will need a copy in class by Monday, Sept. 17. (I can be a little flexible on this date if you are not getting from me or the library.)  You will need to bring the book to class each day.  You will need to finish reading the book by Thursday, October 4.
  • I will get assignments to you soon.  Right now, just procure a book!




Anything by Rick Riordan ! ^

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marrisa Meyer + ! ^

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine * 

The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman ^

Just Ella  by Margaret Haddix ^

Flunked (Fairy Tale Reform School)  by Jen Calonita +

Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer + ! !

Red Rider’s Hood (Dark Fusion Series #2) by Neil Schusterman *

A Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy +

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz *

Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin (or Jack or Red) by Liesl Shurtliff *

The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer +

Breadcrumbs   by Anne Ursu and Erin McGuire

Cronus Chronicles by Anne Ursu +

The Tail of Emily Windsnap by L Kessler + (in second book ^)

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey + ! !

Loki’s Wolves by  K.L. Armstrong and M.A. Marr  +

Middle World (The Jaguar Stones Series) by J & P Voelkel +

Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs ^ +

Book of the Dead (TombQuest, Book 1) by  Michael Northrop +


+ first in a series

*part of a set of related books that don’t necessarily need to be read in order

! violent
^ smoochies alert

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