A Professional Learning Community

A Professional Learning Community

TRAVISMIDDLE SCHOOL

“A Professional Learning Community”

Principal

David Manchee

Assistant Principals

Greg Vincent

Brandy Self

Kim Hutchinson

Counselors

Cory Miller

Ginger Cannon

Jarod Davis

Librarian

Jane Howard

Diagnostician

Renea Chambers

Nurse

Marty Cline

Secretary

Margarita Zuniga

Parent Liaison

Ann Hill

2815 Martin Road, Amarillo, TX 79107 * (806) 326-3800

Camp NaNoWriMo

Dear

Camp NaNoWriMo is a summer program based on the successful National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) that takes place each November. The program is designed to challenge you to write a novel of ______words over the course of the month. The goal can be easily reached by committing to at least one hour of writing perday. You are expected to create a well-developed rough draft of your story. It does not have to be ready for publication.

The next session of Camp NaNoWriMo begins at 12:00 am July 1 and ends at midnight on July 31. You can participate two ways.

1. Set up an account at . You will set your word goal and use the other tools available to plan your novel. You will have access to a community of other writers which will allow collaboration you’re your peers and educators around the world. I will be participating as well. My Camp NaNoWriMo user name is MsWorth. Please add me to their buddy list.

2. If you do not have internet access, you can still write! You may type or handwrite your story and turn it in at the beginning of the school year along with your word count.

You are in complete control of your story. You may write about whatever you wish. The goal of this activity is to encourage your voice and prove you DO have something to write about.

The grade for this assignment will be based on the percentage of the word goal your student reaches . For example, If your goal is 36,000 words and you write 30,000 words, your grade for the writing assignment will be an 83.


“Book Talk” Activity

Things to Discuss in Your Book Talk

  • Tell us the title, the name of the author, and the genre. (e.g. fantasy, mystery, realistic fiction)
  • Do some research on the author and tell us about other books he/she has written. (There may be some information on the book cover.)
  • Tell us about the setting. Where and when did the story take place?
  • Who is the main character in your book? Describe him/her.
  • Was there a conflict or struggle that the character had to overcome?
  • Share some story details but don’t give away too much of the plot.
  • What was the mood of this novel: funny, sad, exciting?
  • What was the theme? (The central idea or lesson about life that the author wants to know.)
  • Why did you like it? What do you remember most about the book?
  • You may want to read a passage from your novel: an interesting quotation, a piece of good description or a memorable line or paragraph.
  • Who would you recommend this book to and why?
  • Why should the viewer want to go out and get this book?

You will want to include the following in your presentation:

1- An exciting introduction to the book

2- Pictures of the book, author, characters, setting, etc

3- Tell a little bit about the book / author

4- Two short readings from the book

Please remember to be creative and make the book interesting for the audience! Make us want to read your book!

BOOK REQUIREMENTS- You are not required to choose a book from the attached list, but please remember that you are a Pre-AP student and your book should offer you a reading challenge. We are beyond picture books and low level chapter books, such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid. If necessary, you can come see me during office hours and we will find you a book that is appropriate for your assignment.

Book Talk Rubric

Name______

Title of Book ______Author______

10 points / 8 points / 6 points / 3 points
Interesting / Prepared / Presentation was extremely interesting. All of the required information was present. / Presentation was good. Presenter was obviously interested in the book. A few pieces of information were missing. / Presenter tried to introduce the book. Some of the required information was missing to make it interesting. / Presentation was not introduced very well and most of the required information was left out. Needs a lot of work.
Summary of Book / Information / The presenter gave a well organized summary of the story, without giving away the whole story! / Presenter gave a good summary of the book. The information was mostly organized. / The information was somewhat organized in the summary. However, it lacked many important details. / The information was in no way organized. It lacked details. The presenter obviously did not read the book.
Opinion of Book / The presenter gave a clear opinion of the book with supporting reasons. / The presenter gave an opinion of the book with some supporting reasons. / The presenter gave an opinion of the book but did not give many details to support their reasoning. / The presenter gave no opinion of the book nor did they give any supporting reasoning.
Connection to real life / Presenter gave clear examples of his/ her connection with the book. / The presenter connected with the book but could have provided more examples. / The presenter connected with the book but did not give examples. / The presenter in no way connected to the book.
Voice / Presenter was loud and clear and easily understood. Bravo! / The presenter was mostly loud and clear. / The presenter was somewhat loud and clear. Needs some work with oral presentations. / The presenter could not be heard or understood at all!
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