1. WRITE NOW! BELLRINGERS Sept. 4-Sept. 7

2. “Life is a book and you are the author. You determine the plot and pace and you—only you— turn its pages.” --Beth Mende Conney SEPT 4 TH - WRITE NOW! READ THE FOLLOWING QUOTE : In your writing journal, answer the following questions in complete sentences. Use paragraph form for your responses. What do you think this quote means? What do you think the author’s purpose was for saying or writing this? How can you be inspired by her words?

3. VIEW THE FOLLOWING VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6I24S72Jps SEPT 5 TH - WRITE NOW! In your writing folder, respond to the following video. Use complete sentences! 1) What are the “five things” needed to write a short story that’s “mad exciting?” 2) What is the BEST story that you have ever read? Choose ONE of those five things, and tell me how the author masterfully developed it in your favorite story.

4. Respond to the following questions in your writing journal: What is one of the earliest book you remember reading or having read to you? Do you remember when it was read? What made this book memorable? Was it a picture book or a chapter book? Was it read by a parent, teacher, or yourself? Why do you think this is something that you remember? Explain in detail about this book itself and why it was special. SEPTEMBER 6 TH WRITE NOW!

5. SEPTEMBER 7 TH WRITE NOW! I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way Staring at the blank page before you Open up the dirty window Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find Today is where your book begins The rest is still unwritten ______________________________ READ THE FOLLOWING LYRICS TO NATASHA BEDINGFIELD’S SONG (A SONG IS A POEM PUT TO MUSIC). What do you think the MESSAGE is in this song? Respond in two-three sentences about the message that you think she is sharing with us. " Unwritten" -NATASHA BEDINGFIELD I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned Staring at the blank page before you Open up the dirty window Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find Reaching for something in the distance So close you can almost taste it Release your inhibitions Feel the rain on your skin No one else can feel it for you Only you can let it in No one else, no one else Can speak the words on your lips Drench yourself in words unspoken Live your life with arms wide open Today is where your book begins The rest is still unwritten “ There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. ” There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.

6. “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” Maya Angelou