1. Theme Thematic focus = Friendship, Neighborhood, Home Thematic focus = Friendship, Neighborhood, Home Vignette = “Our Good Day” Vignette = “Our Good Day” The story is ABOUT three girls riding a bicycle The story is ABOUT three girls riding a bicycle The MESSAGE/THEME: The MESSAGE/THEME: Friendship makes even the most simple experiences more fun.

2. What are they doing? Using your binoculars to zoom in on gestures and motions of your characters.

3. It’s difficult to describe faces in writing but easier to describe what people are doing with their hands, how they walk, etc. Mannerisms give readers a chance to see your characters and tell how they are feeling without you having to overtly state it—this is SHOWING — not telling! One way to practice is to go to a public place and record the gestures of strangers; another is to think of an emotion or feeling and come up with a gesture for your character that shows this emotion.

4. For example, instead of saying (telling) that he was really, really nervous, you could show it by writing, “He tried to talk but the words strangled in his throat and only a squeaky ‘hello’ came out and when she looked at him, he could feel his knees give out under him.” For example, instead of saying (telling) that he was really, really nervous, you could show it by writing, “He tried to talk but the words strangled in his throat and only a squeaky ‘hello’ came out and when she looked at him, he could feel his knees give out under him.” Learning to see characters in action takes practice. We need some volunteers to get a slip of paper with an emotion written on it from Mrs. Scow, and then act out that emotion. See if the class can guess the emotion by using words to describe what was acted out. Learning to see characters in action takes practice. We need some volunteers to get a slip of paper with an emotion written on it from Mrs. Scow, and then act out that emotion. See if the class can guess the emotion by using words to describe what was acted out. When you are writing, look for places where you can do this same thing with one of your characters. When you are writing, look for places where you can do this same thing with one of your characters.

5. Section Three: Freedom and Entrapment Pre-reading question: In what areas of your life are you most free to do what you like? In what areas of your life do you have the least freedom? Consider the roles gender, race, religion, education, class, age, and upbringing play in limiting an individual’s personal freedom. Work on showing a character (YOU!) in action. Read pp. 26-38 “Marin”; “Those Who Don’t”; “There Was an Old Woman…”; “Alicia Who Sees Mice”; “Darius and the Clouds”; “And Some More” Read pp. 26-38 “Marin”; “Those Who Don’t”; “There Was an Old Woman…”; “Alicia Who Sees Mice”; “Darius and the Clouds”; “And Some More”