UHCL Writing Center Summarizing UHCL Writing Center Spring 2015.
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Writing Center
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“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” ~William Wordsworth
Task of the Day:
(Teacher, select a task card and tape it here.)
Instructions:
1. Read the prompt on the task card. 2. Grab a sheet of creative writing paper
and begin writing according to the prompt.
3. Write any imaginative thoughts that come to your mind. Add details that make your writing creative and interesting.
4. Use more than one sheet if necessary. 5. Illustrate your writing.
Title: “__________________________” by: ________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________
My Illustration
Task Card 1
Write about what it would be like to be president for a day. Would you enjoy it? Why or why not?
What things would you do? How would you change our country? Would you make a good president? Why or why not?
Task Card 2
Pretend that you just won a million dollars. What would you do with it and why?
Would you be happy? Why or why not?
Task Card 3
If you could have any super power, what would it be and why? What would you do with your super power?
Task Card 4
Imagine that you had a pet that could talk. What kind of pet would it be? Describe its characteristic traits. Would you enjoy
having this pet in real life? Why or why not?
Task Card 5
Imagine that you could go anywhere in the world for a day. Where would you go and why? What kinds of things would you
see and do?
Task Card 6
If you could be any character from a book, who would it be? Describe some of your favorite characteristic traits about him/
her. Why would you want to be this character?
Task Card 7
Imagine that you just invented a robot. What kind of robot would it be? What kinds of things could it do?
Task Card 8
Imagine that you could go on any game show (E.g. “Wheel of Fortune”). Which game show would you want to go on? Describe what you hope your experience would be like.
Task Card 9
What do you want to be when you grow up? What kind of career would you like to have and why? How
would your family look like, or would you want to live alone?
Task Card 10
If you had a genie who could grant you three wishes, what would those wishes be and why? (Sorry, you can not wish for
more wishes.)
Task Card 11
If you could switch lives with anyone in your family, which family member would it be and why?
Task Card 12
Imagine that you were stranded on a deserted island. What would your plan for survival be?
Task Card 13
Pretend that you only had one day left to live. What would want to do before you die? Why?
Task Card 14
Imagine that you could have any meal you wanted at the snap of your fingers (just one meal).
What meal would it be? Describe it.
Task Card 15
If you could live anywhere else in the country, where would you want to live? Why?
How would life be different for you compared to how it is now?
Task Card 16
Pretend that you just found out that your mom is going to have sextuplets! You are going to have six more babies at home.
Would you enjoy it? Why or why not? What would your life be like with six (more) younger siblings in your home?
Task Card 17
Imagine that you lived in the mansion of your dreams. What does that mansion look like on the inside and outside?
Task Card 18
Would you want world peace? Why or why not? What does world peace look like to you?
Task Card 19
If you could go back into time and relive any memory, which would you choose and why?
Task Card 20
Finish this story: “One day, I got lost at the mall…”
Task Card 21 (Teacher Created)
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
PPooeettrryy You’ll learn how to write the following
types of poems:
CCiinnqquuaaiinn DDiiaammaannttee AAccrroossttiicc
HHaaiikkuu LLiimmeerriicckk
Teacher Directions: 1. Post the cover page and the
Student Directions at the center so that students know what to do.
2. Cut out the sample poems. 3. Laminate the poems (optional). 4. Photocopy the worksheets (about
10 of each). 5. If you have a tray, place the
sample poems in the top tray and the worksheets in the bottom tray.
It’s as easy as that!
Student Directions: 1. Read all five of the sample poems. 2. Pick the sample poem that you
enjoyed best. 3. Find the worksheet that tells you
how to write that kind of poem. 4. Using the worksheet as a guide,
write your own poem. 5. If there’s time, try another poem!
*Bonus Step*
Illustrate your poem on a separate sheet of drawing paper.
(Sample Poem #1: Cinquain)
school fun, creative
learning, reading, exploring playing with my friends
education
(Sample Poem #2: Diamante)
winter cold, wet
raining, snowing, frosting gloves, scarves, sandals, sun
playing, shining, burning bright, hot summer
(Sample Poem #3: Acrostic)
H as many friends who love her E veryone is special to her A lways helps others in need T akes good care of her pets H as a good sense of humor E ncourages others to do their best R eaches for the stars
(Sample Poem #4: Haiku)
The very last fall leaves Dropping to the ground like snow
Announcing winter
(Sample Poem #5: Limerick)
There was an old man with a beard, Who said, “It is just as I feared!
Two owls and a hen, Four larks and a wren,
Have all built their nests in my beard!”
Cinquain
Line 1: A noun that tells what your poem is about
Line 2: Two adjectives that describe the noun
Line 3: Three “–ing” words that describe what your noun does
Line 4: A 4-word phrase that tells more about your noun
Line 5: A synonym for your noun (also a noun)
______________
______________, ______________
______________, ______________, ______________
____________ ___________ ___________ ___________
______________
Cinquains are 5-line poems that describe a noun.
Diamante
Step 1: Think of two nouns that are complete opposite of each other. Write one on Line 1 and the other on Line 7. Step 2: On Line 2, write two adjectives that describe the noun on Line 1. Step 3: On Line 3, write three “-ing” words that relate to Line 1. Step 4: Write two nouns that relate to Line 1 on the first two lines of Line 4. Step 5: Write two nouns that relate to Line 7 on the last two lines of Line 4. Step 6: Write three “-ing” words that relate to the noun in Line 7 on Line 5. Step 7: Write two adjectives that describe the noun in Line 7 on Line 6.
1:______________
2:______________, ______________
3:______________, ______________, ______________
4:___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
5:______________, ______________, ______________
6:______________, ______________
7:______________
Diamantes are diamond-shaped poems that contrast two nouns
Acrostic
For this acrostic poem, use the letters of your name as the first letter of each line. Each line should tell something unique about you. If your name is short, use your
last name also. If it’s long, you can use a nick name instead.
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
An acrostic poem is written by using each letter of a word as
the first letter of each line.
Haiku
Line 1: 5 syllables Line 2: 7 syllables Line 3: 5 syllables
Now, write two Haiku poems:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
A Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that focuses on nature.
Their lines typically don’t rhyme.
Limerick
Follow these rules to write your own Limerick:
1. Lines 1, 2 and 5 each have seven to ten syllables. 2. Lines 3 and 4 each have five to seven syllables. 3. The lines have an ‘a a b b a’ rhyming pattern because Lines 1, 2 and 5
rhyme with one another. 4. Lines 3 and 4 rhyme with one another. 5. The last word of Lines 1 or 2 can also be the last word of the poem.
1: ______________________
2:______________________
3:______________________
4:______________________
5:______________________
Limericks are funny poems that follow specific rules
and structure.
Writing Games
This center is loaded with fun games and activities, because writing should always be fun!
Simple Subjects & Simple Predicates Game
Student Instructions:
1. Shuffle the simple subject and simple predicate piles of cards.
2. Pick up one simple subject and one simple predicate. 3. Use the two words correctly and creatively in a
sentence on the game sheet.
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Teacher Instructions:
1. Cut out the subject & predicate game cards and place them into two decks.
2. Copy the game sheet for students to use. 3. Display the student instructions at your center.
frogs castle
robots
artifacts
kangaroo
riddles
shadows koalas
Simple Subjects
imagination computer
glacier
birthday
centipede
friend
brother spinach
Simple Subjects
flew was
dances
glided
dreams
tasted
swam thinks
Simple Predicates
became sleeps
created
asked
wants
lived
drew invited
Simple Predicates
Simple Subjects & Simple Predicates Game Sheet Subject Predicate My Sentence
May the Better Sentence Win! Game
Student Instructions:
1. You and your partner will pick up one of the “dull sentences” strips for the both of you to improve.
2. Each one of you will then get your own game sheet and try to improve the sentence as best you can. You must keep all of the words on the strip.
3. Honestly vote on the better sentence. If you are having a disagreement, you may need the help of a third student or teacher. Play until you fill up the game sheet.
4. The player with the most points wins!
--------------------------------------------- Teacher Instructions:
1. Cut out the “dull sentences” strips and place them in a pile. 2. Copy the game sheet (about one for each of your students). 3. Display the student instructions at your center.
Dull Sentences
I went to the zoo.
My dad bought a car.
I took a plane to school.
Jenny’s birthday is tomorrow.
I will sing in the play.
I woke up late this morning.
Will you go?
Tommy likes to play.
Dull Sentences
I dreamt.
Toads can’t talk.
Pigs don’t fly.
I can’t wait.
Mary is my friend.
Owls slept.
The mice ran.
The grass is wet.
May the Better Sentence Win! Game Sheet Player’s Name: _____________________
Dull Sentence Improved Sentence Win? Y/N
May the Better Ad Win! Game
Student Instructions:
1. You and your partner will both grab one ad photo. 2. Create an improved ad for that item by re-drawing it in a
more creative way on your own game sheet. Then, write a persuasive sentence or slogan to entice buyers towards your product. Be detailed and creative!
3. The better ad wins a point. You may need to ask a third student or the teacher which ad is more appealing. ------------------------------------------
Teacher Instructions:
1. Cut out and laminate (optional) the ad photos. 2. Copy the game sheets. 3. Post the student instructions
Ad Photos
Game Sheet
Sample:
“The most succulent super burger you’ve ever tasted!”
“Teaching is my calling and students are my blessings.” -Mrs. Stephanie Yang
Thank you for supporting Mrs. Yang at:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Papernpencil