Patterned Way of Working

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Orpheus the Lyrical

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Orpheus the Lyrical
Online Game for
Figures of Speech Vocabulary Review

Six Traits of Writing

Ideas
Main idea (gist) is clear, supported, and enriched by relevant evidence, anecdotes, and/or details. Details are relevant, revealing; quality details go beyond obvious and are not predictable

Organization
Organization enhances and showcases central idea; order of information is compelling, moving reader through text. Thoughtful transitions clearly show how ideas (paragraphs) connect throughout entire piece.

Voice
Author speaks directly to reader in a unique, compelling, and engaging way that delivers purpose and topic. Commitment to topic is strong; author’s passion about topic is clear and compelling.

Word Choice
Vocabulary is powerful and engaging, creating mental imagery; words convey intended message in precise, interesting, and natural way. Words are precise and accurate; author’s message is easy to understand.

Sentence Fluency
Sentences have flow, rhythm, and cadence; are well built with strong, varied structure that invites expressive oral reading. Varied sentence beginnings add interest and energy.

Conventions
Author uses standard writing conventions effectively to enhance readability; technical errors are few and only minor editing is needed to publish. Word count is within range; grammar/usage, spelling and punctuation are correct and contribute to clarity and style.

Sample Blogs

Molly's Mystery Journal

Dimitri's School Blog

Cierra's Blog

Knowledge is . . .

"Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave." 

-- Frederick Douglass

Just Because Poem

"Just Because" poems ask you to describe yourself in the first line of the poem.  The next three lines in each stanza tell what you are NOT.  The final line restates the first line and adds a tag that will direct the reader to do something.




SAMPLE FORMAT:

1. Just because I'm . . .
   a.
   b.
   c.
2. Just because I'm . . .
   a.
   b.
   c.
3. Just because I'm . . .
   a.
   b.
   c.
Just because I'm . . .
ADD TAG LINE

______________________________

Just because I'm an only child
   I'm not pampered
   I'm not shy
   I'm not proud

Just because I'm an only child
   It doesn't mean I'm lonely
   Selfish doesn't describe me
   And, I'm not spoiled

Just because I'm an only child
   I know I'm not perfect
   I can't always be the best friend
   I'm not a nerd

Just because I'm an only child
Let me be me.

Picture Poem

View a photo or drawing.

• Name four emotions you feel as you view the picture
   
• Name three things you see and say something you notice about each
  
  
• Use a simile to describe something the picture reminds you of
  
  
• Ask one question that comes to your mind -- either about the picture or about the experience of writing this poem
  
  
• Create a title that captures the overall GIST of the moment

Calligram: Shape Poem

Shape or "concrete poetry" is poetry in which the typographical arrangement of words is as important in conveying meaning as the words themselves. There really aren’t any "rules," so a shape poem could simply be one word . . .

D i v E r s i T y !

There is a special shape poem called a calligram. This poem takes on the shape of the subject it is written about. For example, a poem about love might be written in the shape of a heart.

Create a calligram by writing an ode to a particular object. (tear drop, heart, flower, car, shoe, backpack, tree, bird)

I Sail

by Jon Parsons

i

sailsail
i
sailsailsailsail
i
sailsailsailsailsailsialsail
i
sailsailsailsailssailsailsailssailsailsail
i
sailsailsailsailsailsailsailsailsailsailsailsailsailsailsailsailsail
i
sailsailsailsailsailsailsailsailsailsailsailsailssailssasilsailsailsailsailsailsail
i
i
as the ship was heading into a storm the captain said 

sometimes you can do everything right and still lose
and though it may seem that the race is finite
it's only one lap around the track
only an again

.