To access your writer’s notebook, click on your name below.
To join your Zoom class meeting, please click the button below.
The passcode is: 888626
To access the novel for your class, click the button to the right. In order to be able to annotate it digitally, you will need to download it to your computer.
This summer, you will be writing a short story that will be featured in our first ever, Hall of Stories, Collection of Short Stories book!
Your homework MUST be completed by the time your class begins. You are not allowed to work on past homework during class.
Answer these final questions in great detail. Write as much as you need. Follow PIE.
1.What do you think is Neal Shusterman’s most important message? Explain how the characters, setting, conflicts, and symbols work together to communicate that message.
2.The scythes choose names based on historical figures. Why do you think Neal Shusterman made that choice instead of giving them ordinary names? Choose one scythe and explain how their chosen name reflects – or perhaps contradicts – their actions and beliefs throughout the novel. Support your answer with evidence from the story.
3.If you could ask Neal Shusterman one question about Scythe, what would you ask, and why do you think that question is important?
If you read today, you may make any final adjustments to your story. ALL story final drafts must be done and on your final draft tab by Sunday at 11:00 pm. Whatever is on that tab, will be what I publish.
Class 10 Archives
Finish reading & annotating Scythe
Complete your response to literature questions following PIE:
1.Choose one recurring symbol (such as the Thunderhead, the scythe ring, robes, journals, or another repeated object or tradition). What larger idea does it represent? Support your answer with evidence from the novel.
2.How does Neal Shusterman use symbols to help readers understand the responsibilities and dangers of power? Use examples from the novel to support your answer.
3.Choose one symbol that has changed in meaning as the story has progressed. Explain how its meaning has evolved and what that change reveals about the novel’s themes. Support your answer with evidence.
Go through your rough draft using the Revision Roadmap – Final is due Wednesday
Class 9 Archives
Read & annotate chapters 36-39
Don’t forget to keep up your plot tracker & add theme ideas to your annotations as you go. ADD looking for more of the symbolism that we taked about today.
Literature questions:
- What strengths help Rowan survive difficult situations?
- What strengths help Citra?
- Which character’s decisions do you admire most?
- How do Rowan and Citra handle pressure differently?
- Which character has demonstrated the most courage?
- What role does strategy play in success?
- How do fear and stress influence decisions?
- Which decision in this section was the most significant?
- What would you do differently if you were one of the protagonists?
- Which character do you trust the most right now?
Revise, revise, revise your short story – use the Revision Roadmap above!
Class 8 Archives
Read & annotate chapters 32-35
Don’t forget to keep up your plot tracker & add theme ideas to your annotations as you go.
Literature questions:
- How have Rowan and Citra changed since the beginning?
- What sacrifices have characters made?
- Is doing the right thing always worth the cost?
- What would you have done differently in their place?
- What makes someone a hero?
- Are heroes born or created through experience?
- What has been the most important turning point in the story?
- Which character’s choices have had the greatest impact?
- What values seem most important to the novel?
Continue your rough draft focusing on making sure the characters are learning lessons. Remember: The rough draft is DUE on Friday!
Class 7 Archive
Read & annotate chapters 28-31
Literature questions:
- When is it appropriate to challenge authority?
- How does loyalty influence character decisions?
- Can loyalty ever become dangerous?
- What examples of corruption have become most obvious?
- How should people respond to unfair systems?
- Is it ever acceptable to break rules for a greater good?
- What is the difference between justice and revenge?
- Which characters seem most trustworthy?
Finish descriptive dialogue piece
Work on rough draft – DUE FRIDAY – how much you do each day is up to you. Plan accordingly.
Class 6 Archives
Read and annotate chapters 23-27
Literature Questions:
- What makes Scythe Goddard such a powerful figure?
- How does Goddard’s philosophy differ from Faraday’s?
- Why are some people attracted to powerful leaders?
- What qualities make a leader dangerous?
- Can someone be charismatic and harmful at the same time?
- When does confidence become arrogance?
- Is power changing Rowan?
- Can people justify bad actions if they believe the outcome is good?
- What responsibility comes with authority?
This week, choose your POV carefully. Rewrite opening if needed (rough draft tab)
Finish POV switch exercise that we started in class (creative writing class 6 tab)
Finish your blueprint if needed
You have permission to continue on your rough draft this weekend if you want. It will be due by next Friday, so if you want to lighten up your week, go for it!
Class 5 Archives
Read and annotate chapters 19-22
Literature Questions:
- How have Rowan and Citra changed since the beginning?
- Which character has experienced the greatest growth so far?
- What role do challenges play in personal development?
- Are Rowan and Citra becoming stronger or simply harder?
- What sacrifices have already been required of them?
- Which character do you sympathize with most?
- What would you have done differently in their situation?
- How do difficult experiences influence who we become?
- Are Rowan and Citra becoming more alike or more different?
Start tracking the plot (literature – create new sub tab “Plot Tracking”)
Write the opening scene of your story focusing on setting the world using show vs. tell / active voice vs. passive voice (Rough Draft tab)
- Introduce the setting naturally
- Show how the world affects everyday life
- Include at least one rule, danger, or opportunity
- Use active voice
- Show the setting through action and specific details
- Avoid stopping the story for a long explanation of the world
Class 4 Archives
Read and annotate chapters 14-18
Answer literature questions below:
- What signs of corruption are beginning to appear?
- Why might ambitious people seek positions of power?
- How can organizations lose sight of their original purpose?
- Should traditions always be preserved?
- Which traditions in the Scythedom seem valuable? Why?
- Which traditions seem harmful? Why?
- How do personal goals influence decision-making?
- What concerns you most about the future of the Scythedom? Why?
- Which scythe concerns you the most so far? Why?
Complete the planning of your world: Answer the 5 questions on Worlds Shape Stories and add great detail about the culture, locations, and what it looks like – fragments only for this part
Class 3 Archives
Read and annotate chapters 9-13. Please answer the following questions:
- How does Scythe Curie differ from Scythe Faraday?
- Which philosophy of gleaning seems more ethical?
- Why is public perception important for leaders?
- What role does compassion play in leadership?
- Which scythe would you most trust?
- Are good intentions enough to make an action moral?
- Why might different scythes approach gleaning differently?
- Is it better for leaders to be respected or feared?
- What qualities make someone honorable?
Finish “The Setting Switch” prompts B and C that we did not get to in class (Literature class 3 tab)
Choose one passage where the setting plays an important role. (Literature class 3 tab)
In your notebook , explain:
- What details make the setting memorable?
- How does the setting influence the mood?
- How does it affect the characters or conflict?
- Why couldn’t this scene happen exactly the same way somewhere else?
Write a journal entry from one of your characters perspective – remember to give them a voice (Must be at least one page – 12 pt type, Arial) – (My characters tab) We will read these on Monday to the class.
Continue brainstorming your world – (“My World” tab)
Class 2 Archives
Read and annotate chapters 5-8, and answer the following questions:
- What qualities does Faraday seem to value in an apprentice?
- Should someone ever be forced into a position of power?
- How does Faraday’s view of gleaning differ from what you expected?
- What responsibilities should come with authority?
- Which apprentice seems better suited for the role so far?
- What challenges would make this apprenticeship difficult?
- Would you have accepted or refused the apprenticeship?
- Should people with great power be held to higher standards?
- Is it possible to take a life ethically?
- Which lessons from Faraday seem most important so far?
Finish the Reading Between the Lines – Discover the Person activity if not done (literature class 2 tab)
Choose one character from your novel and record one example of each of the following (literature class 2 tab):
- Action
- Language
- Thought
- Body Language
- How Others React
Make sure to label which of the five are being used to convey the characteristic and how it shows this trait. Be prepared to explain what each clue reveals about the character.
Finish developing your three characters – protaganist, antogonist, important supporting character – remember to answer the questions (Character tab)
Choose one location from the IK2W World and study it closely. As you read, answer the following questions (CW Class 2 tab):
- What rules seem to exist in this place?
- What details make this location feel believable?
- What kinds of stories or adventures could happen here?
- What problems or conflicts might a character face in this location?
- What is one idea from this location that inspires you to build your own world?
Class 1 Archives
Read and annotate chapters 1–4 & answer the following questions: (Literature question tab) Don’t forget about your word bank!
- What was your first impression of Rowan? Of Citra?
- Why do you think Scythe Faraday chose these two teenagers?
- What details make this society seem appealing?
- What details make it unsettling?
- Would you want to live in a world where natural death no longer exists?
- Why do you think the scythes are separate from the Thunderhead?
- Is death necessary for a healthy society?
- What qualities make Rowan and Citra different from one another?
Independently brainstorm several possible story ideas using the “Beyond the Obvious” strategy. (My Masterpiece tab)
- Start with a simple idea.
- Ask multiple “What if…?” questions.
- Explore different possibilities.
- Select the idea that feels the most exciting.
- Record the story premise in the writing notebook.
Now, choose the one that you are compelled to write!
Before next class, spend about 15–20 minutes exploring the IK2W World on the website. (CW Class 1 tab)
Read the following sections on the main IK2W World page:
- The Story of Flicker
- The Introduction
- IK2W Academy
- Also, read the Firefly path page (click on the button at the bottom of the main page)
Then choose two additional locations that interest you. As you explore, answer the following questions:
- Which location was your favorite and why?
- What makes each place feel unique?
- What questions did these locations make you ask?
- If you could visit one location in the IK2W world, which would you choose and why?
Inspire Kids 2 Write 