Project: Developing the Writer In You

Step Description Expected Student Results
1 Student Task: Write and revise a letter of introduction to
their mentors. Introductory letters must have the following
characteristics presented in a letter containing no spelling
mistakes and no run on sentences or fragments:

1. Statement of introduction ( including description of
family, community, and school)
2. Discussion of academic interests (including explanation
of motivation and reading habits)





Student Task: Write and revise a letter of introduction to
their mentors. Introductory letters must have the following
characteristics presented in a letter containing no spelling
mistakes and no run on sentences or fragments:

1. Statement of introduction ( including description of
family, community, and school)
2. Discussion of academic interests ( including explanation
of motivation and reading habits)

2 Mentor Task: The mentor will ask student about his/her
interests related to reading genre and writing topics.

Student Task: Students will share their interest in
literature genres with their mentor.

Student Task: Students will brainstorm story topics and
create an overall theme of a story to include characters,
setting, and conflict.
Mentor Task: The mentor will ask student about his/her
interests related to reading genre and writing topics.

Student Task: Students will share their interest in
literature genres with their mentor.

Student Task: Students will brainstorm story topics and
create an overall theme of a story to include characters,
setting, and conflict.
3 Mentor Task: The mentor will ask student about his/her
interests related to reading genre and writing topics.

Student Task: Students will share their interest in
literature genres with their mentor.

Student Task: Students will brainstorm story topics and
create an overall theme of a story to include characters,
setting, and conflict.

Student task: Students will write a short story in a genre
of choice and upload it for the mentor to proofread and
provide feedback.

Mentor task: The mentor will provide feedback, editing, and
encouragement to the student based on their submission.

Mentor Task: Discuss optional word choices with student for
(help student to increase his vocabulary).

Mentor Task: Help student clarify his thinking concerning
the qualities he is attempting to express through figurative
language.

Student task: The student will edit their short story and
resubmit it to their mentor.

Mentor Task: The mentor will ask student about his/her
interests related to reading genre and writing topics.

Student Task: Students will share their interest in
literature genres with their mentor.

Student Task: Students will brainstorm story topics and
create an overall theme of a short story to include
characters, setting, and conflict.

Student task: Students will write a short story in a genre
of choice and upload it for the mentor to proofread and
provide feedback on by Friday.

Mentor task: The mentor will provide feedback, editing, and
encouragement to the student based on their submission.

Mentor Task: Discuss optional word choices with student for
(help student to increase his vocabulary).

Mentor Task: Help student clarify his thinking concerning
the qualities he is attempting to express through figurative
language.

Student task: The student will edit their short story and
resubmit it to their mentor.

4 Mentor Task: Communicate with the student to help him or her
decide on their next story topic, plot, characters, etc.

Student Task: Brainstorm topics for a longer story of
interest.

Student Task: Discuss possible topics with mentor. Create a
list of characters, character personality and physical
traits, and plot development details. Share topics and
details with mentor.

Student Task: Begin writing story based on interests. Share
work with mentor at least two times a week.

Mentor Task: Communicate with the student to help him or her
decide on their next story topic, plot, characters, etc.

Student Task: Brainstorm topics for a longer story of
interest.

Student Task: Discuss possible topics with mentor. Create a
list of characters, character personality and physical
traits, and plot development details. Share topics and
details with mentor.

Student Task: Begin writing story based on interests. Share
work with mentor at least two times a week.
5 More Poetry:

Student Task: Student will choose one or more poems from 3 of the poets listed below or a poet of their choice. Share the poem with mentor (upload a copy) and discuss the topic of the poem, its meaning, its effect on you, the way the poet created that effect. Then write a poem in the style or in the form that the poet used. For instance, if he used a famous person as his inspiration, you do the same.

POETS: Robert Frost; Nikki Giovanni; Pablo Neruda; Dylan Thomas; Maya Angelou

Mentor Task: Help students decipher poems and share what effect they have on you. Help them to clarify their thoughts in the fewest words possible by using specific words, allusions, and figures of speech.		 Copies of chosen poems
One original poem in the style of a chosen poet

More Poetry:

Student Task: Student will choose one or more poems from 3 of the poets listed below or a poet of their choice. Share the poem with mentor (upload a copy) and discuss the topic of the poem, its meaning, its effect on you, the way the poet created that effect. Then write a poem in the style or in the form that the poet used. For instance, if he used a famous person as his inspiration, you do the same.

POETS: Robert Frost; Nikki Giovanni; Pablo Neruda; Dylan Thomas; Maya Angelou

Mentor Task: Help students decipher poems and share what effect they have on you. Help them to clarify their thoughts in the fewest words possible by using specific words, allusions, and figures of speech.
6 Student Task: Student will read Kate Chopin's short story "Desiree's Baby", which is available in full text online. Discuss elements of the story with mentor. Student will create a poem that includes aspects of the characters, showing action, revealing attitudes, and referencing the contents of his short story.

Mentor Task: Read "Desiree's Baby" and be ready to help the student analyze the character names, the way Chopin shows rather than tells the actions of the characters and their attitudes,
 Student Task: Student will read Kate Chopin's short story "Desiree's Baby", which is available in full text online. Discuss elements of the story with mentor. Student will create a poem that includes aspects of the characters, showing action, revealing attitudes, and referencing the contents of his short story.

Mentor Task: Read "Desiree's Baby" and be ready to help the student analyze the character names, the way Chopin shows rather than tells the actions of the characters and their attitudes,
7 Poetry ideas:

The mentor will suggest periods during which a time capsule may have been filled and buried and will discuss contents, conclusions, and intent with the student.

The student will: Discuss with mentor the items from his youth that he would have included in a time capsule. For instance, if you were a teenager during the 1960's, you might include a peace sign, a tie-dyed shirt, or a flower necklace. A copy of a Jimi Hendrix album might suffice as well.
Student will then create a poem reflecting on the thoughts and conclusions drawn by the opener of a time capsule after examining the contents of a time capsule and imagining what the individual who placed those items in the capsule may have been thinking. What has changed? Why? What seems to be "timeless"? Why do you think that is?
 Poetry ideas:
The student will: Discuss with mentor the items from his youth that he or she would have included in a time capsule. For instance, if you were a teenager during the 1960's, you might include a peace sign, a tie-dyed shirt, or a flower necklace. A copy of a Jimi Hendrix album might suffice as well.
Student will then create a poem reflecting on the thoughts and conclusions drawn by the opener of a time capsule after examining the contents of a time capsule and imagining what the individual who placed those items in the capsule may have been thinking. What has changed? Why? What seems to be "timeless"? Why do you think that is?
8
Mentor Task: Mentor will read and reflect on situations in their own experience that caused hardships and the process through which they overcame or helped others overcome those hardships. They will read and respond to student's work.

Student Task: Student will compose a poem reflecting on a certain event, hardship, or memorable occasion in their own life.
 Mentor Task: Mentor will read and reflect on situations in their own experience that caused hardships and the process through which they overcame or helped others overcome those hardships. They will read and respond to student's work.

Student Task: Student will compose a poem reflecting on a certain event, hardship, or memorable occasion in their own life.
9 Editing and Publishing

Student Task: Continue editing drafts of poetry, asking mentor for input. Continue to explore sites mentor has provided for writing contests (teacher will have some as well). Together with mentor, evaluate poetry and the short story. Choose one or more to enter into a contest.

Mentor Role: Continue evaluating drafts of the poems. Aid student in choosing (and editing if necessary) one or more pieces of work for submission to a contest.		 Contest entry form and with writing sample to be entered.

Student Task: Continue editing drafts of poetry, asking mentor for input. Continue to explore sites mentor has provided for writing contests (teacher will have some as well). Together with mentor, evaluate poetry and the short story. Choose one or more to enter into a contest.

Mentor Role: Continue evaluating drafts of the poems. Aid student in choosing (and editing if necessary) one or more pieces of work for submission to a contest.
10 Finalizing

Student Task: Complete the portfolio construction of their original poetry. Write thank you letter to mentor.

Mentor Task: Help student make final editing decisions and encourage him to complete the work on time.		 Final portfolio including Student Outcomes from the entire project.