First semester students are given a colored file folder and told to put the word “memories” and the year somewhere on the front. They may decorate the folder in anyway they choose, but they must leave a one inch margin on the left-hand side for the binding.

The students are given ten chapter titles that deal with memories, wishes, and dreams. I make up a checklist of items with possible titles and lengths for them to choose from each day. They may include pictures which correspond to the chapters, but everything must be typed or in blue/black ink.

I collect at least two chapters a week and evaluate them for structure, content, and mechanics.

All work must be done on typing paper.

The teacher can collect and mark the checkoff list each week if s/he so chooses.

I have a deadline for the folder book covers to be turned in. Approximately two weeks is given to the design of the cover. I then take them to the librarian for lamination.

Some of the chapter titles I have given them are as follows: 1. My Autobiography 2. The Person I Most Admire 3. An Interview with a grand parent or parent about when they were teenagers 4. My Dream House (describe spatially each room) 5. An Internet research on ten events happening around the world. They cut and paste; summarize the article; and also explain the effect the event might have on the world in the future. 6. Their favorite 100 Things 7. An anecdote of a funny or embarrassing nature 8. What Kind of Parents Do They Think They will be? 9. Their Ideas on Marriage

10. Write an original short story 11. Write a poem on what it is like being a teenager. 12. The last chapter I send home a letter to parents asking them to write a letter to their son or daughter telling them what they most admire about them. The letter must be returned to me sealed and the students should not read it until a later date.

They write a dedication and an author bio for the front with a Table of Contents. They include a recent picture of themselves.

They turn the chapters in by a due date and the organization is checked and the quantity is checked.

We will put the books together in class, wrap them as gifts if the student so chooses.

Standards:

Strand B: Writing

Strand C: Listening, Viewing, Speaking

Strand D: Languag

E-Mail

Mary Ann Beggs

!