Directions:  Think about the main character in your book.  Using the information that you recorded about your character during your previous Writers' Workshop, write a paragraph introducing your character to me.

Below is an example:

Crossover Dribble by P.J. Farris  (Mayhaven Publishing, 2007)

Mrs. Moen, I'd like you to meet Joe Perkins.  Joe is going into 8th grade and lives on a farm similar to the farms in the Dakota school district.  He loves to play basketball and planned to attend a summer basketball camp until his father was involved in a serious car accident and ended up in the hospital.  Because his dad couldn't work the farm, Joe had to work in his place.  Throughout the summer, Joe worked the farm with his grandfather and a hired hand, Cuda, who was not only a good mechanic but also a good high school basketball player.  Although Joe was disappointed that he had to miss basketball camp, he made the best of it by playing one-on-one basketball with Cuda, who taught Joe how to do the crossover dribble.

Grading Rubric

Your Character Introduction should contain the following:

Character's name, age, gender are provided.

Setting (place and time) are explained so the character is given a context.

Character's interests as well as the challenges and conflicts s/he faces are explained.

Character's attitude and emotions are described.

Word choice you use in your writing is excellent.

All of your sentences are complete, and you use a variety of sentences.

All mechanics (spelling, apostrophes, commas) are correct.

First Grade is worth 30 points

Second Grade is worth 50 points

You will get two grades for this assignment.  I will grade your introduction and give you feedback for improvement.  You will then make improvements to your introduction and receive a second grade.  All improvements must be completed by Monday, October 8.  IT WILL BE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO SCHEDULE TIME IN THE LIBRARY OR ON A CLASSROOM COMPUTER DURING YOUR HOMEROOM TIME.  WE WILL NOT BE RETURNING TO THE WRITING LAB AS A CLASS.  You will receive a zero on the second assignment if you do not make the necessary improvements.

Welcome to Book Blog! 

This blog will be used to talk about books-books you are currently reading, books you've already read, and books on your "must-read" list. 

My role as Book Blogs faciliatator will be to encourage and to support your discussions about books and to help you develop a reading-writing connection in your literacy life.  At first, I will be posing questions to help you get started, but as the year progresses, you will be given many opportunities for open discussion. 

Please be patient.  First, we must work on becoming good communicators who know how to talk about books!