Tuesday, 16 October

The class began with writers considering an event in their life or the life of a character that had a strong impact.

After sharing we read, analyzed and discussed "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" by J. D. Salinger.

Homework (a significant draft of morbid fiction) was checked.

For homework for Thursday, writers were asked to expand their draft, and to write
1) one thing they think they have done well on their draft
2) two questions they have about their story draft or their writing.

Writing Down the Bones Projects were due today.
Writers all turned in their projects (a "receipt" was entered in Edbox). Writers began presenting their projects to the class.

Mr. Zartler gave a brief lesson on the idea of "exploding the moment," he asked writers to try exploding a moment using memories, fantasies, predictions, flashback, connections, or confessions as the material.

The class read and discussed "Bullet in the Brain" by Tobias Wolff. This story has excellent examples of exploded moments.

Writers were reminded that at least the beginning of their morbid fiction piece is due on Tuesday 16 October.

Tuesday, 9 October, 2012

Class began with the vocabulary word: pathetic fallacy. Pathetic fallacy is the term for when non-human things are portrayed with human characteristics. Sometimes setting is treated with pathetic fallacy in order to help create a mood.

Free Write: Writers were encouraged to develop a descriptive list for fall, then to use setting for their writing. Writers were encouraged to use the writing to develop material for their morbid fiction.

The class then reviewed direct and indirect characterization. Direct characterization being when the author explicitly makes a statement about the character (the reader may still need to draw an inference). Indirect characterization is when the author describes how others react to the character in order to explain what kind of person the character is. (An analogy is when one person flinches their head back, one may assume that someone else had been about to hit them.)

Writer's then identified direct and indirect character attribution in "In the South." The class discussed Raymond and Jill and created a Venn Diagram of their personalities.

HOMEWORK: Writers have their Writing Down the Bones project due on Thursday!

Thursday, 4 October, 2012

The opening writing prompt for class was, "The relationship was dying...."

Most of class was dedicated to reading and analyzing the story "In the South". Students received a graphic organizer to help each of them organize their analysis of the story in terms of the symbols and metaphors for death, decay, and dissolution.

This analysis will be continued on Monday.

Tuesday, 2 October, 2012

Class began with the following two quotes as prompts:

"It's not the tool; it's the craftsman."

"Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle that fits them all." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Mr. Zartler checked that students had brought at least two different writing instruments.
A new due date was given; a rough draft of the morbid fiction is due on Tuesday, 16 October.

Students received a handout on the Seven Deadly Sins & Seven Cardinal Virtues; these powerful motivators were discussed int he context of conflict in story stories (and in life).

Mr. Zartler taught a lesson in the creation of metaphors; writers created metaphors for the sins and virtues.

Writers experimented with writing tools.

Monday, 1 October 2012

In class today writers began with the prompt:
"What I've learned about writing so far is....."

After sharing, the class discussed what makes a good project. Clarity, creativity, and care are a lovely alliteration of the qualities that seemed most important.

Writers were then given the due date for their Writing Down the Bones project. The project is due on Thursday, 11 October. That means that conference period this week and next week are the best times to get some help. There were a variety of in class activities to help writers figure out the best ideas for their project including ....

The homework assignment was graded, and used to help prepare writers for their projects. Students who did not have the homework must write a summary of two chapters of Writing Down the Bones  as an alternative assignment.

HOMEWORK: For tomorrow bring in at least two different writing implements.

Back to School Night: Thursday, 27 September 2012

Jamie Zartler
Creative Writing English 7-8

Thank you for being here this evening. We should partner because we have the same goals.

To partner we need to be in communication.
Email: JZartler@pps.net works best for me. 503.916..5160 75 700 might work better for you.

I'm generally not at Grant Monday afternoons, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

I do use Edbox, and you should, too.

All this contact information  is on the school web page:
Zartler on granths.com .

This is also the place to find my syllabus for this course. The main ideas captured there are: This is an English Course; students need to read and to write. Students should learn thinking skills as well as skills that will help them learn and be productive their entire lives.

You can also find my Creative Writing Blog. The blog is vital to your student's success. The blog is primarily designed to help students track what they missed (or forgot that they didn't miss) in class. I generally ask students to "check the blog" as a first step when they have missed class. However, they may need to follow up with me for handouts or other activities. (Interestingly, some parents have found the blog a useful cure for the short lived question, "What did you do in school today?")

If you have concerns that I don't have time or that are not appropriate to address now, please contact me as soon as possible.

Again, thank you for being part of your student's education and the Grant Community.