Slice of Life Story Challenge March 2011 Slice

Slice of Life Story Challenge March 2011

Slice of Life Story Challenge • • • Who: You What: The First-Ever Slice of Life Story Challenge When: Tuesday, March 1 st –Thursday, March 31 st Where: On the pages of your writer’s notebook Why: To preserve little slices of your life in written form because: – There’s no one else in this world like you – No one has the same experiences as you – Your life is precious! Therefore, even the littlest things that happen to you need to be recognized in writing.

A Slice of What? • In a nutshell, a Slice of Life story is simply a small sliver of your ordinary life. It’s not the whole, but a slice. The only point to it is sharing a piece of your everyday. I like to try out craft moves, test personification, take a risk with alliteration, or push myself to craft authentic dialogue. I look at it as a chance to try out the things I’m noticing other writers doing. Basically as long as you are sharing a piece of your life, you can’t do it wrong! The only wrong way is to not try. • Information came from twowritingteachers. com

Slice of Life Story Challenge • How: – Write at least one slice of life as an entry in your writer’s notebook every day in the month of March. (this will count as your class and home entries) – Write about the slice, or piece of life of that day. DO NOT write about events in the past! – Instead of writing in class, we will use that time to share our slices from the day before. – I will check your slice of life entries periodically throughout the 31 days to see your progress. This will be random and unannounced.

Will it be graded? • Yes, this will be your writer’s notebook grade with a heavier weight. I will be looking for at least 18 slices of life. Students who write more than 25 entries will receive bonus points. Students who write 31 slices of life will receive a writing reward on April 7, 2011.

What about CHIPS and the length? • Your entries must be at least half a page or longer. • Your entries should be as neat as possible and you should think about CHIPS when writing them. Of course, they don’t have to be perfect, but if I can’t read them you’re not thinking about CHIPS.

Slice of Life: Pursed Lips 2/27/08 • “Beep, beep, beep…. ” the alarm clock blared as I stumbled across the room to shut it off. I groggily wipe the sleep out of my eyes as I slowly put my warm, cozy robe on. The girls are excitedly jumping at my feet and wagging their tails to let me know they need to go outside. We advance towards the back door as they rush outside to relieve themselves. I pour my coffee into a colorful, striped mug as I wait for the girls to come back from outside. Once they’re back inside, my coffee and I creep towards the bathroom to prepare for my morning shower. I carefully place the mug beside the sink before retrieving my towels. “Ah, the hot water feels good against my cold skin, ” I thought. After my shower, I am eager to enjoy my coffee. I pick up the colorful, striped mug and touch it to my lips. I take a big gulp and “AUGH!” I cry. Pursing my lips and spewing it into the sink. “That’s not my cup of Joe from this morning, ” I thought. I looked down and realized that it was the coffee from yesterday, which was also in the same type of colorful striped mug that I forgot to pour out. I guess I have learned my lesson to take dishes to the kitchen when I am finished.

SOL: Today You Turn Two 2/8/11 Today you turn two Good for you Sad for me Oh, how I love you EB Time ticks away I wish you could stay This way Giggles and smiles Frustrations and trials The adventure starts Where we both do our parts Of living, loving, and learning Today you turn two Good For you Sad for me Oh, how I love you EB

SOL: As the Sirens Blare 2/24/11 • As the sirens blare I drive down the bypass wondering if Kroger will be open. I decide that I will attempt to purchase the one ingredient needed for our dinner recipe. I pull into a parking spot and notice people entering the rather large building. Their faces didn’t sense urgency to get home. They seem to be going their merry ways. I enter Kroger and notice that I could not hear the sirens. I begin to wonder if the employees and customers know we are in a tornado warning. Beep, beep is all I hear as I select the Parmesan cheese from the shelf. I too didn’t sense the urgency of the sirens. Is it because I am immune to them or is it because I really wasn’t worried?

Guidelines • Please cut and paste guidelines into your writer’s notebook. If you don’t have a notebook, get one pronto!