English III Memoir Project

English III Memoir Project “In order to write a memoir, we need to see that literature is made out of the everyday stuff of our lives.” -Lucy Calkins, The Art of Teaching Writing

What is a memoir? It is a recording of events of a person’s life. It is the exciting, scary, ridiculous, and even mundane moments that make a person who he/she is.

Many of you may believe that as a high school junior, you have not lived long enough to have experiences worth sharing in a memoir. You are wrong; everyone has a story to tell. Even as teenagers, you have experienced a variety of things that have shaped your life. In this memoir project, you will offer a small glimpse into what made you into the person you are today.

As we reflect on America’s past and present through literature, it is imperative that you realize how this parallels with your own life. The memoir project’s goal is to have you reflect on where you have been so that you can possibly see more clearly where you are going. This is also our goal for the year. Studying literature to find where we, as Americans, have been will help us understand better where our nation is today and where it is headed in the future.

Due Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2013

Tips for the CONTENT of your project:  Of course, write this in first person! This is your story.  You do not need to tell your life story. A glance is all you need to offer.  Start early so that you can have a draft to work on before you are ready to turn in the final copy.  Remember to pay attention to your grammar!  When deciding what memories to write about, think about the most vivid ones from your life.  Don’t worry so much about what stories you think others may find important. A memoir is about events that you feel were important in your life.

I will be the only ones reading your memoir project. The portion you choose to share with the class is up to you. Memoir Project Prompt Checklist

As you begin to collect your Memoir Project materials, make sure you have all of your journals. Here is a completed list of journals. Respond to all 8 prompts and respond to a 9th prompt that you create.

______#1 – Tell about your kindergarten experience. What did you learn? What do you remember? Who was your teacher?

______#2 – What is the best piece of advice you have ever given or received? Why is it such an important piece of advice and what have you learned from it?

______#3 – What is your favorite childhood memory? Why does this stand out among the rest?

______#4 – Who is your best friend? Why are you best friends? Why do you get along so well with them? How long have you been friends with them?

______#5 – Do you have any siblings? What are their names? Do you get along? OR Are you an only child? Do you like it? Would you like to have siblings?

______# 6 – Who is your favorite teacher? What is his/her name and when did you have them? What did he/she teach you? Did you learn any life lessons from him/her?

______# 7 – If you could speak to anyone (living or dead), who would it be? What would you talk about? Why would you choose him/her?

______# 8 – If you could visit anywhere in the world for a week, where would it be? Why there? What would you do on your vacation?

_____Wildcard. What detail or event must be in your memoir that is not included on this list?

COVER PAGE - Create a creative cover page that reflects YOU!

JOURNALS -Your journals must be at least ½ a typed page in length -12 pt. font, Times New Roman, double-spaced -Only 2 journals are allowed on a page. A journal should not go on to the next page. -9 total ½ page journals REQUIRED from given prompts

ESSAY - 2-3 page TYPED paper about one EVENT or PERSON that has affected/changed your life. This can be related to one of the nine journal prompts, but it cannot repeat the ½ page you already wrote.

READING MAP -You must include your Reading Map as the last page in your Memoir Project along you’re your reflection.