Parent Notes

Dear Parents,

    For the next five weeks we will be reflecting on our lives and will be publishing an autobiography.  It is an opportunity to look back and share experiences, feelings, and special memories with your child.

    Your student will receive a folder with a grading sheet and a list of suggested topics to help him or her start writing.  I encourage them to write on as many topics as they can and use the best ones for the final draft.  We will work on editing and revising in class.

    Your child may choose a binder to use for this assignment.  This does not need to be, nor do I expect this to be, an expensive project.  Students are encouraged to be creative with their artwork and pictures as they write their story.  They may use photos, scanned photos, clip art, or memorabilia if they desire in the final copy.  The final autobiography is due on Thursday, October 27.

    I would like to ask you to write a paragraph or two about your child that could be included in chapter one.  Take this opportunity to write about how special they are to you.  This will be something they will treasure forever.

    I am excited about this assignment.  This has been a positive experience for students in the past.  I hope you will get involved and encourage your child to complete this assignment.  We will work on this during school, but some of it may be required to be completed at home.  You can email me topics written at home, and I will print them at school.  You can also copy items to a memory stick and I can print autobiography topics that way.

    If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 572-7010 or use my email at patricia.jones@canyonsdistrict.org.



Please sign this copy and return to me indicating you have read and discussed this assignment with your student.  Thank you.

                    Parent signature__________________________________
                    Student signature__________________________________
Assignments

Due: Thursday, October 27, 2009

 

Autobiography Grading Sheet (Requirements)

 

Chapter One

Me, Myself and I

a) Must include at least 5 topics

b) Personal history required as 1 topic

 

Chapter Two

My Family

a) Must include at least 3 topics

b) Mom, Dad, & Siblings required as 1 topic

 

Chapter Three

Other People in my Life

a) Must include at least 5 topics

 

Chapter Four

Personal Trivia

a) Must include at least 3 topics

 

Chapter Five

My Future

a) Must include all topics

 

Title Page

Table of Contents

Dedication

I Am Poem

Time Line

Family Tree

Rock Person

 

Rough Drafts

 

General Neatness and Creativity

 

Total 1,000 Points

 

 

Suggested Topics for Autobiography

 

Chapter One: Me, Myself and I

 

*History of my life (Required)  Important dates, achievements, events that have shaped your life.  This should be about i page typed.

*If you could change 3 things about yourself, what would you change and why? How would you go about making these changes?

*What are 10 things you love to do and why?

*If you could spend an entire day being invisible, what would you do? Why is this a special place?

*If you want some quiet time alone, to think or whatever, where would you go? Why is this a special place?

*If you could start over today, what would you do differently?

*Have you eveer been to the circus? If yes, what was your favorite act and why?

 

Chapter Two: My Family

 

*My family...Mom, Dad, Siblings (Required)  Tell about each person in your family.  Include things that you remember about them.  You could tell a funny story, etc.  You should have a separate page for each person.

*Parents teach us many things as we grow up. Can you name some things you would like to teach your parents?

*When was the last time you told your parents that you loved them? Write a note to tell them why they are special to you.

*If you went to visit a relative or a friend for a week, what would your family miss most about you?

*Ask your parents how they felt the first time they saw you.

*Ask your parents how life has changed since they were kids.

*Does your family have any traditions that you want to carry on when you have your own family?

*How do you get along with your brothers and sisters? OR, if you are an only child, write about how you and your friends get along.

 

Chapter Three: Other People in My Life

 

*My best friend and why. Tell about your friends.  You may want to include a separate page for each of your best friends.  Why are they your friend?  What do you like about them?  How long have you known them?

*The person or thing that most influenced my life.

*What do you think about sleep overs? Have you ever had any sleep overs at your house? Why are they fun? Write about some of your favorite sleep over memories.

*What are some of the funniest things that have ever happened to you.

*Describe a time when you couldn;t stop laughing.

*Other friends

 

Chapter Four: Personal Trivia

 

*My favorite holiday and why.

*My hobbies and interests or talents

*My pets:  Do you have a pet?  Tell about them.  If you do not have a pet, what kind of a pet would you like to have.  Tell about it.

*My first night away from home...when I don't remember and when I do.

*Do you consider yourself a little shy, very shy, or not shy at all. Explain.

*What is the scariest dream you remember. What is the happiest dream you remember. Describe each.

*Prices to: a postage stamp, gallon of gas, gallon of milk, movie ticket. newspaper, video. Compare these prices to when your parents or grandparents were your age.

*When you are grown and have a home of your own, what will you do that you aren't allowed to do now?

*Write about a few of the worst things you ever remember tasting. Write about some of your favorite things to eat.

*How would you describe yourself to someone who didn't know you? Write not only about how you look, but also about your likes and dislikes.

*Hobbies and interests:  sports, dance, collections, activities, books, etc.

*Why do I live in Utah?  Interview an adult in your family to find out when and why your family moved to Utah.  Have you lived somewhere else?  Where?  What do you life about living in Utah?

*Person you most admire.  Why do you admire this person?  What qualitites do they have?

 

Chapter Five: My Future

What do you want to accomplish in your llife?  College, work, etc.  What will you be doing

In five years I will be .....

In ten years I will be .....

In twenty years I will be ......