Introduction
Hello and welcome to our classroom's newsletter. Each week, we will be publishing our writing to feature in our classroom's online newspaper.
The rules are simple. You will roll your role! You get only one chance to roll a number 1-6 (unless the number you have rolled is a repeated number from the weeks prior).
You will be placed into writing groups. You are not allowed to switch, change, or modify your role. Everyone will eventually have the opportunity to be each role.
The roles are as follows:
- Roll a numero uno and "you know" where to go. Your role is to write about a place (could be a restaurant? a travel destination? your favorite place? etc.)
- Roll a 2 and you will write a review. This could be a review on: a movie, class, food, book, etc.
- Roll a 3 and you will interview 3 different people. (You must interview one person from our class, one person from MHS, and one person of your choosing).
- Roll a 4 and you will write the top news FOR you.
- Roll a 5 and you will write about your Vibe (top 5 songs with the reason why).
- Roll a 6 and draw your pics in six. (You are in charge of illustrating the comic strip!)
So, let's roll!! Once you have your role, head into the tab and begin brainstorming your writing. You should expect to revise and rewrite your writing multiple times with Ms. Benson and your writing group before publishing your part. On Friday, you will read your classmates' writing and leave them feedback.
Let's ROLL your ROLE!
Task
---Roll 1---
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Write 1-2 paragraphs (minimum of 6 sentences) discussing a place to go. Your task is to research, inform, and convince your audience that this place should be their next destination. If you choose Mexico, for instance, be prepared to dive in further: what city? Why? What is it like there? Have you been? How long does it take to get there? Do you travel by plane, car, bus, walking, boat?
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Include at least one image.
---Roll 2---
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Write 1-2 paragraphs (minimum of 6 sentences) reviewing a topic of your choice. Your task is to listen/watch/experience your topic, then write a compelling and honest review. If you review a book/movie, you should not have any spoilers. Your task is to review and inform others whether they should or should not listen/watch/experience.
- Include an image of what you are reviewing (e.g. the book's cover, a movie poster, etc.)
---Roll 3---
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You will interview 3 people:
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1 person has to be someone different from our class. (E.g. if Ms. Benson is interviewed by one person, no one else thereafter can interview Ms. Benson).
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1 person has to be from MHS. They can be a student in our class, your friend at lunch, the principal, a teacher, etc. They have to be on our campus.
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1 person can be anyone of your choice. It can be your mailman, your neighbor, the cashier at a store, a fictional character (Harry Potter, for instance), yourself, your family, etc.
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In your interview, you can ask any questions that you would like. You must ask at least 3 questions to each person you interview. Then, you will organize your thoughts and their responses.
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Include who your interviewees are, a bit of background about them, and why you interviewed them.
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Some questions you can ask:
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What is your favorite thing to do after a long week?
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How do you manage your stress?
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Would you rather eat something too sweet or something too salty for the rest of your life?
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---Roll 4---
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You will research the top news to share with the class.
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Your news can be related to our classroom, our school, our environment, or our world.
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Make sure your research is classroom-appropriate, unbiased, and unopinionated.
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This role is research, not advice/review. Use your own words to explain the news. If you do use someone else's words from the article, be sure to cite your sources and do not plagiarize.
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Some sites to consider using: NewsELA, CNN Student News, FluentU, Smithsonian Tween Tribute.
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Write 1-2 paragraphs (6 sentence minimum) informing your audience, summarizing the article, and focus on paraphrasing and citing your sources.
---Roll 5---
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What's your Vibe? (roman numeral 5 is V).
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Share your top 5 songs.
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In 10 sentences or more, list the song's name and artist. Then, explain (support) your choice with reasoning. Would you recommend this song to others? Why or why not? When is your favorite time to listen to the song (at home, on way, to get excited, to cry, to go to sleep, in the shower, etc.)?
---Roll 6---
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Draw your pictures in six comic strips!
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It can be funny, sentimental, advice, a "zoo wee mama" moment, etc.
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Must include dialogue between at least 2 characters.
Process
The Writing Process
Step 1: Brainstorm
Step 2: Drafting (Rough Draft Stage)
Step 3: Revising
Step 4: Peer-feedback
Step 5: Revising
Step 6: Conference with Ms. Benson
Step 7: Revise (Final Draft Stage)
Step 8: Publish
Evaluation
You will be evaluated on:
- Your use of class time (3 pts)
- Your meeting with Ms. Benson (3 pts)
- The Writing Rubric: (24 pts)
Total grade per role: 30 pts.
Conclusion
I can't wait to read your writings featured in our classroom's Bulletin!
Teacher Page
Please click the following link to schedule your Writing Conference with Ms. Benson:
Any questions? Email Jbenson@musd.net with the subject line: Ms.Benson's Bulletin.
You will publish your final draft to Teams by Thursday (by 10:30 AM) each week.