1. In your writing journal, answer the following questions: 1. What was new and creative with how JUDITH VIORST described Alexander’s horrible day? (Literary devices) 2. Sum up the idea in one simple sentence. 3. List three details that show NEW thinking about the idea. (Not your same old boring bad day). 4. List details that draw upon the five senses (sight, touch, taste, smell, hearing).

2. In your writing journal, write the Main Idea of the story. As details (support) are shared with you, write a list of what happens to Alexander that supports his main idea. Do not use complete sentences; just list them

3. Working with a partner, review your list of Alexander’s day. Group the details into what might be a paragraph and write an introductory statement for each paragraph. Ex: “I hadn’t even been up an hour and I already knew it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.” – Allie, Aimee, and Mikayla (A3) ** Showing the grouping of the first set of details: Morning How many do you have? Share!

4. Sang too loud Forgot 16 Lost best friend No dessert in lunch Cavity at the dentist Elevator closed on foot Fell in mud Caught punching brother Sneakers without stripes Messed up Dad’s office Wakes up with gum in hair Tripped on a skateboard Dropped sweater in sink No toy in cereal box Squished in the car Teacher didn’t like picture Lima beans for dinner Kissing on TV Bath too hot Soap in eyes Marble down the drain Railway PJs Nick took back pillow Night light burned out Bit my tongue

5. Sang too loud Forgot 16 Lost best friend No dessert in lunch Cavity at the dentist Elevator closed on foot Fell in mud Caught punching brother Sneakers without stripes Messed up Dad’s office Wakes up with gum in hair Tripped on a skateboard Dropped sweater in sink No toy in cereal box Squished in the car Teacher didn’t like picture Lima beans for dinner Kissing on TV Bath too hot Soap in eyes Marble down the drain Railway PJs Nick took back pillow Night light burned out Bit my tongue