Objectives:
DPI Standard Course of Study http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/curriculum/
Technology Competency Goal 2
Enlist Competency Goals 1, 5, 6

Focus and Review:
Students will be referred to their portfolio guidelines for the semester.  Portfolio guidelines are listed at the bottom of this lesson, and any teachers are welcome to print these guidelines and modify them to suit their needs.  Students will be required to keep these guidelines in their notebook and check off completed assignments.  I will explain to students that they have already completed two pieces of writing for their portfolios, their mission statements and their important poems.  It is now time for students to write a poem about themselves and where they come from.  Before we begin the assignment, I will review poetry terms such as lyric and narrative poetry, and I will review the different types of figurative language and discuss using figurative language effectively.  This is a powerful assignment.  Students are generally shocked at the poetry they create in a relatively short time as a result of a little prompting from the teacher and a children's book.  These poems themselves become keepsakes for students (and parents!).

Teacher Input:
To introduce the concept of where students come from, I will read the children's picture book, Momma, Where are you From? by  Marie Bradby.  This is a great little book with wonderful illustrations about a little girl who asks her mother, "Mama, where are you from?"  She expects her mother to name a place, but instead the mother talks about how she grew up, what she liked and disliked about her childhood and heritage, and about the importance of her family and the traditions surrounding her family.  It is important to point out to students that the mother mentions the good and the bad about where she comes from, and rather than mentioning it to her daughter in a negative way, she manages to embrace all aspects of her heritage.  I will also read several examples of poems from previous students.  Each year my students publish a class magazine called Reflections, so these poems are readily available for students to read.

Guided practice:
I will also write a poem about where I am from to model for students.  Students will begin rough drafts of poems in class.  I will emphasis the importance of including imagery in student poems and other examples of figurative language.  Students will also be encouraged to write about where they are from in terms of location, as well as their heritage.
 
Independent practice:
Students will be required to complete, revise, edit, word process and print a copy of their poem.  They also need to attach a picture of themselves to their poem, as we will display the finished products in the hall.  Students who do not have access to a computer may use classroom computers.
 
Closure:
Remind students that we will be taking digital photographs at a later date to accompany their poems, and they will be creating a page in our class magazine using power point.

Purpose:  As you will learn this semester, a large part of the writing process is spent editing, revising, and polishing your work.  For this assignment you will be compiling the very best work you completed this semester and creating a writing keepsake that captures where you come from, who you are now, and the person you want to become in the future.  This portfolio will serve two main purposes, to teach you how to make a good piece of writing better, and to allow you to create a keepsake portfolio of your best writing from your ninth grade year.  This is a portfolio for you, and therefore, you should make every effort to create something you will be proud of.  Be Creative and Have Fun!

Requirements:  Your portfolio should not only include the required number of pieces of writing, but it also should be aesthetically pleasing to the eye.  Therefore, you should begin by choosing a binder with a clear pocket on the outside, so that you can make an inviting front and back cover.  Your front cover must include a title and your name, and may be decorated with artwork, pictures, clip art, etc.  Your entire portfolio should be typed.  Throughout your portfolio you may include artwork or photos to accompany your writing, and any additional pieces of creative writing.  Each piece of writing should be placed in a clear plastic cover for protection, but this is optional.  You should make a table of contents for your portfolio and number your pages.  You also may make creative dividers and divide your portfolio into sections.

Words of Encouragement:  At first glance, the requirements for your portfolio may seem overwhelming.  However, the majority of writing will be completed in class.  It will help you if you type assignments as you do them instead of waiting until the last minute.  You may save your work to an IBM disk and print in our classroom, if necessary.  Be sure to proofread your work carefully so that it is free from grammatical errors and misspellings.  If you do your work in class, there is no reason why you should not make an “A” on this assignment.  Good Luck!

Your portfolio must include the following pieces of writing and must be divided into the following sections:

I.  Poetry (Possible 20 pts.)

1. A copy of your mission statement – this should be the first piece of writing in your portfolio.
2. Important poem w/picture
3. Where I am from poem w/digital photograph
4. I Am or When I Was a Child poem w/digital or scanned photograph
5. A copy of your favorite poem written by someone else and an explanation
6. A song from pop culture that fits you or is particularly meaningful – include lyrics and explanation

II.  Journals (Possible 30 pts.)

7. A copy of your letter of gratitude
8. A family recipe and the origin and tradition of this recipe
9. Building Castles journal
10. Carpe Diem journal
11. Masks you wear – two journal entries
12. Shoe journal/creation – fill your shoes or walk a mile in your shoes
13. Journal about the greatest influence on your life, other than the obvious
14. September 11th remembrance poem, journal, or essay/reflecting on a day in your history
15. Your Greatest Accomplishment journal
16. Celebration of your character – 10 definitions and two journals about your greatest virtue and your greatest flaw.
Clay County School's ten celebrated character traits are pride, responsibility, tolerance, compassion, citizenship, cooperation, respect, commitment, honesty, and enthusiasm.
17. Your most prized possession
18. Celebration of a relative

III. Essays (Possible 30 pts.)

19.  Expository essay about literature you have read this semester
20.  Personal Narratives - 2 pieces of writing interviewing 2 of your oldest relatives
21. Descriptive Essay - describe your favorite place.  Be sure to use imagery.
22. Persuasive Essay - choose a topic you feel strongly about
23. Reflective Essay - self study and tri-fold brochure

IV. Creative Writing (Possible 10 pts.)

24. A copy of your grammar children's book

*Front/Back covers, Aesthetics, Mechanics (grammar, spelling, sentence structure, etc.) - Possible 10 pts.

Due Date ___________