Hello Again - I invite you to our first  post - our;
 "Where are You From?" Creative Writing Exploration as our first entry in our Portfolios.

We will start with our Title and byline - (no last names, only initials)

Next our Epigraph - that reflects your writing piece.  To follow with our Where are You From? share.

We will explore our past (which is always present and within us), looking at our beginnings...  We are working on telling our stories, which we must do in order to learn from them and to also, learn more about us.

Begin by opening your journal and getting quiet and receptive.

*Consider this common question:  Where are You From?  It is a question we are often asked, and we usually answer with a word or two - New York, Connecticut or Michigan.  But your CHALLENGE here is to answer it with a series of images, pictures and memories.

Start by writing - just making a list of sentences -

I am from....
I am from...
I am from ...

(as discussed and demonstrated in class)

Complete each sentence with an image or memory or moment from your life.  Explore the question fully and freely.  Answer the question with images of place, land, the neighborhood.  Answer the question with images of family, ancestry and history.

To explore this question is to explore many things - your beginnings - your connections, your joys and struggles - the mystery and wonder of your life.

Now, refine these sentences - make them strong and true and grounded - weave images together in the form of a poem or story.  Just weave together images from all facets of your life -

Writing Process - Rough Draft - imagine - play with it - create your masterpiece
Sleep on it - go back - embellish, add, revise - Rough Draft

Re-read your paper -  do you like it?  Start to edit - any corrections that need to be made?  Is it 5th grade style?  COPS - Have someone else read it - be open to suggestions - corrections. Make them if need be.

Now, sit down and write your final hard copy - put it in your writing folder.  Take your completed piece to the computer and post and share on our writing blog.

Post up with your Title, Byline and Epigraphs - Happy Writing!

Keep your Final Hard Copy in your Writing Portfolios - Thank you, Thank you - Ms. Lane