Personal Essay - Time to Process

       We have been reading personal essays for the past three weeks. By reading mentor text, we can better understand how to write this new powerful genre. From reading Tony Hawk's "Do What you Love,"  Macklin Levine's "The Beatles Live On," and YingYing Yu's "Duty to Family, Country," we have learned that a personal essay is best when it has meaning that is of personal significance. Personal essay topics vary as they give a glimpse to the reader into your life experiences. We generated ideas using our reading, from our past notebook ideas, and from what we have experience or faced in our own lives.

One topic I have been grabbling with is the idea of free time and how society is not understanding it's importance. Take a look at the four drafts and see how I raised the level of writing each time.

My Pick - Fire Girl

       After seeing and hearing Ainsley's book talk on Fire Girl by Tony Abott, I got so excited that I decided to reread this book. My take away from this book was that when we do even the smallest act of kindness toward someone we never know what impact we may have on someone. So be kind!

Book Talks - Presents to Ourselves

     

Tis the season to be jolly and giving gifts. And what wonderful gifts we have

given each other with our book talks. Such gifts as Fire Girl, The One and Only Ivan, Toby Alone, The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane, Turtle in Paradise, Found, Mockingbird, Red Kayak, Out of My Mind, So B. It, Mick Harte Was Here, Esperanza Raising, and Revolution is Not a Dinner Party to name a few.

     Do you have a favorite? There are so many to chose from. Which one are you going to choose to take with you on your holiday to read? Maybe you can take two or three. What a fantastic gift.

   Did I mention that I was so proud of your book talks? Take a look at our I can statements and see which ones you are able to complete. I realized that some of you have never given a book talk before, while some of you are regular pros at it. It was great to see your confidence, clarity, and eye contact come through. Overall I was impressed with your enthusiasm as you delivered your hooks and gave wonderful succinct summaries. The excerpts that you read were well chosen and most picked a stand out idea to share. I can't wait to pick up one of these amazing books.