Darien Public Library Writing Contest
Darien Public Library is inviting all of you to enter their annual writing contest. Many of you have terrific poems and short stories written this year, which you may want to consider editing for submission. Download and print the attached entry form here –> Writing Contest Entry 
Form 2012 TWC
Persuasive Writing
Stude
nts are currently learning how to write persuasively by writing their own persuasive essays on topics of personal interest. While all of the writing, revising, and editing is taking place right here in class, students should be typing their revisions and editions on a word processor at home and bringing a clean copy to class every day for writer’s workshop.
Write Your Short Story!
We are now in the process of writing our own short stories using many of the style techniques we discovered in Joan Bauer’s writing. In order to write your absolute best story, it is important that you devote time to writing EVERY DAY both in class and at home! I will be giving you about a half hour each day in class to write. In addition, please schedule 20-30 minutes each day to write at home. You will be blown away by what you can write when you simply make time in your schedule to write every day. 
3rd Annual MMS Post-It Writing Contest!
The 3rd annual MMS post-it writing contest is fast approaching! Earn some extra credit for submitting an entry to me by Thursday 10/20! Click here for entry guidelines –> 3st Annual MMS PostIt
Joan Bauer Book Clubs!
We are now reading many of Joan Bauer’s novels in our book clubs. Be sure that you are prepared for each meeting with your book post-ited and your WNB responses. See your group’s calendar and “How To Prepare” guidelines! 
Persuasive Writing Baseline Assessment
All seventh graders will be writing a baseline persuasive essay on Monday 10/3, Tuesday 10/4, and Wednesday 10/5. This piece will give me an idea of what each student already knows about how to write a persuasive essay without any prior instruction. This data is important since we will be learning how to write a persuasive essay later this year. Students need not be nervous or prepare anything in advance. However, please bring 2 pencils already sharpened to class on Monday 10/3, Tuesday 10/4, and Wednesday 10/5.
Actively Reading & Responding to Literature
This week we will be taking some time to review and learn how to actively read and respond to literature. This will equip us with strategies to become better readers independently, as well as prepare us for our upcoming book club unit! Stay tuned for more details. To participate fully in this week’s activities, please have with you, in addition to all daily supplies, 1) your current independent reading book and 2) post-it notes.
Book Hooks
On Friday 9/16, we will be reading each other’s hooks to get recommendations for independent reading books. Periods 2, 4, 5 please meet in the library with all English materials! Period 8 we will be in our normal classroom.
PERIODS 2, 4: Meet in the library at the computers on Tuesday (9/13) and Thursday (9/15) with all English supplies (flash drive) and your book hook drafts.
PERIOD 5: Meet in room 330 (computer lab) on Tuesday (9/13) and Thursday (9/15) with all English supplies (flash drive) and your book hook drafts.
PERIOD 8: Meet in room 230 (computer lab) on Tuesday (9/13) and Thursday (9/15) with all English supplies (flash drive) and your book hook drafts.
We are beginning to read and write book hooks beginning on Thursday, September 8th. Please remember to meet in the library on Thursday, September 8th and Friday, September 9th with all your English supplies.
