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__Directions__: Choose //one// of the following prompts and respond thoroughly. This should be a developed paragraph with meaningful supportive details. 1. Clarence the Candymaker rubbed his hands gleefully. Today, he would introduce the world to a whole new kind of Valentine's Day candy.
 * Mandatory Wiki Due Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 **

2. My mom (or my dad) is the best mom (or dad) in the whole wide world, so I couldn't give her (him) some plain, old ordinary Valentine's Day gift. No, I needed to find a Valentine's Day present as special as she (he) is. ...

3. Should schools allow children to celebrate Valentine's Day in the classroom? Why or why not? Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper arguing your position.

__Directions:__ Choose **one** of the following prompts and respond thoroughly. This should be a developed paragraph with meaningful supportive details. Let's see at least one **semicolon** use, too!
 * Mandatory Wiki Due Friday, January 25, 2013**

1. You’re at the doctor’s office for a regular check up when the doctor suggests you get a flu shot as well. You hate shots, so you come up with the most outlandish excuse as to why you can’t get one. Start your story with “You’re not going to believe this, but … ” and end it with “And that’s why I can’t get a flu shot today.” Be sure to correctly punctuate any dialogue. This response should be at least 10 sentences long. Remember to use a semicolon.

2. Wednesday, January 23 is //National Handwriting Day//, and it's no coincidence that it's John Hancock's birthday as well! The forms of written communication have changed over the years from writing on stones, feather pens and ink bottles, the Pony Express, typewriters, computers, email, and text messages. Write a paragraph about the pros and cons of these changes in written communication over the years. This response should have a clear topic sentence, at least four supportive sentences (two pros and two cons) and a conclusion.

3. In observance of Martin Luther King Day, you will //dream//. Read or watch MLK's //I Have A Dream// speech. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs. For this prompt, you will need to think about some big dreams you have for America. You may use the same format as MLK, but your dreams should be your own. This prompt should be at least ten sentences long, but it's hard to place a minimum on this one. Be sure it's meaningful and thoughtful.

__Directions:__ Choose **//one//** of the following prompts and respond thoroughly. This should be a developed paragraph with meaningful supportive details.
 * Mandatory Wiki Due Friday, January 18, 2013**
 * I wish I had one... because ...
 * I wish to be a ... when I grow up. Then I will....
 * I wish there were a law that said..... This would be a good law because....
 * I wish I could forget the time I ..... because....
 * I wish I could see...... because.....
 * I wish I could learn..... because.....
 * I wish everyone would learn to ..... Then everyone would.....
 * I wish I never......
 * I wish I had one more chance to..... Then I would.....
 * I wish everyone loved......
 * I wish all children would......

 For this week's Wiki assignment, you will share your New Year's resolutions. This assignment will focus on the writing trait of //organization//. You will need to explain your resolution in a paragraph, which includes a topic sentence, at least three supporting sentences, and a conclusion. We will discuss resolutions and the organization of this wiki writing in class.
 * Mandatory Wiki: Due Friday, January 11, 2013**

Over the holiday season, many of us are busy shopping for just the right gift for our loved ones. We hunt in catalogs, stores, and online for just the perfect present. For this week's wiki assignment, we will practice using the word choice trait by writing a description of a sweater for sale in a catalog. You may imagine what kind of catalog your sweater would be found in (i.e. catalogs might appeal to skiers, hunters, or those looking for high fashion.) You must use only 50-75 words or less to convince your audience to buy the sweater. In addition, you must use at least one simple sentence, one complex sentence and one compound sentence. TAP: Task: Write a 50 word or less description of a sweater for a catalog. Audience: Your audience will be your peer group. Purpose: Your sweater description will need to convince your reader to buy the sweater. (It also will help our word choice trait and force us to look at sentence structure again.)
 * Mandatory Wiki: Due Friday, December 7, 2012**

Since this will be the last Wiki assignment before Thanksgiving, this week's assignment is to write a letter in friendly letter form to someone important in your life. Be sure to express your sincere gratitude for the things this person does for you. Be specific and sincere. Practice using your voice in this letter. Remember, sharing our deepest feelings helps to strengthen the voice in our writing.
 * Mandatory Wiki: Due November 9, 2012 **

 (To help with proper friendly-letter formatting, do not use the tab key on the Wiki to write the date and closing; you should use the space bar.)

Directions: Choose one of the prompts below and write a paragraph for your response. Be sure to revise your response for word choice and edit for spelling and grammar.  1. What would you do if you were Dr. Ebeling for a day? (Be sure your actions are reasonable.) //OR// 2. If you could change places with anyone, who would it be and why? //OR// 3. Write a paragraph about **bullying**.  Be sure to define this term in your own words. Consider the following questions/statements when responding to this prompt. Describe a time when you felt **bullied ****.** Explain what happened and how you felt. Have there been times when you've witnessed other people getting **bullied ** and done nothing (or something)? How did this make you feel? What can **bullying ** look like in fifth grade at Summit School? <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">*
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Mandatory Wiki: Due October 19 **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Due to popular demand, this is an optional wiki writing assignment that will be due by Friday, October 5, 2012. (Actually, I will read them on Monday, October 8, so if you need the weekend to complete it, go ahead!) Take a shot at the prompt below. Try to include your response to each of the questions for the most thorough entry. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**PROMPT:** The 2012 election is quickly approaching! What are the most important characteristics a United States presidential candidate should have? If you were running for president, what attributes do you possess that would make you the best choice for president? What are the most important issues in this election, and what is your stand on them?
 * October 2, 2012: OPTIONAL WIKI ASSIGNMENT**

Directions: For this assignment, you will respond to a **RAFT** writing prompt. R= Role; A= Audience; F= Format; T= Task Choose the ROLE by thinking about the perspective from which you will write. (You will "become" this thing, and write from that perspective!) //**Role=**// Cell membrane Nucleus Cytoplasm Animal cell Plant cell Chloroplast Cell Wall Sunlight
 * Our Very First Wiki Assignment! Due Friday, September 28, 2012**

//**Audience=**// Plant cell Animal cell Nucleus Cytoplasm Cell membrane Chloroplast Cell Wall Sunlight

//**Format=**// Debate Recipe Chain letter Love letter Diary entry Friendly letter Obituary Want Ads Poem Dialogue

//**Task= Write to inform others about your learning!**// You need to write something using one of the formats above to help explain to someone things about our Living vs. Nonliving lessons. Remember, write from the perspective of one of the items under "roles", and write to something under the "audience" section. Choosing one of the items under format tells you //how// you will write your wiki entry! For instance, you might choose plant cells as your role, sunlight as your audience, and write a love letter from the plant cell to sunlight. This should be fun, entertaining and informative!