04 Labeling Paragraphs and Chart-Making // Due the week of Sept. 22, 2016

Hi everyone!

This week, we learned about paragraphs and how the topic (first) sentence introduces the topic of the paragraphs, and then the concluding (last sentence) reflects the topic sentence!

Take the five mini-books you received in class that can also be found here:

http://iew.com/sites/default/files/page/fileattachment/SW_Elephants_Mini_Book.pdf

and read the first and last sentence of each paragraph within the mini-books. Highlight/underline words from each of those two sentences that either repeat or reflect each other. Using those words as a reference, try to decipher what the topic of that paragraph is. Then label the paragraph with its given topic (i.e.: "species;" "behavior;" etc).

*Occasionally, you may have to look at the second sentence or the second-to-last sentence to help you figure out the topic.

Once you have deciphered all of the topics, then make a chart in which you list all of the paragraphs' topics for each article, in columns going down the page. You can do this handwritten or typed, but be sure to bring a copy to class that you can work with next week.


**I know this is not much homework (depending on how far you got in class). I like to give more, but the next thing we do with your lists is very complex and I want you to do it under my supervision. If you'd like more homework, I encourage you to spend time journaling or creative writing every day!

Email me if you have questions!

03 Brainstorming // Due the week of Sept. 18, 2016

Hi Everyone!

As we discussed this week, a big part of writing your ideas and opinions is coming up with your ideas in the first place! Therefore, writers have several techniques for "brainstorming" ideas. We went over 3 of those ideas in class:

• Clustering/Brain-Webbing/Mind-Mapping:


• Using bubbles on paper to brainstorm. First write the main topic/question/opinion on the paper and put it in a bubble. Then connect bubbles with sub points to the main bubble. Then break those sub points into more sub points. Look at the examples below to get the idea:

• Be sure to have at least 12 bubbles written on your cluster for homework!

• Listing
• Put the main point on a line at the top of your page. Then, put sub points as bullet-points below that main point. Then break the sub points into connected sub points below each sub point. It's like clustering, but more organized. Look at the example below:
• Cats are the best animal because
• Cats are clean
• They use a litter box
• They clean themselves
• Cats are sweet
• They nuzzle you
• They sleep with you
• Cats are useful
• They catch and kill pests 
• Mice, rats, etc
• They provide companionship
• Be sure to have at least 12 sub points in your list for your homework!

• Free-writing
• Sit down and spend 6-9 minutes writing about your topic. Don't worry about grammar, organization, or spelling yet—just put pencil to paper and go for it. 
• Once the time is up, underline main points you think are good and cross out main points that may not be that strong or relevant.
• Be sure to write at least 1/2 of a page for your homework!

Homework:

• On Google Drive, in your Handouts folder, there is a document titled "Persuasive Writing Prompts." This handout has dozens of different topics from which to choose! Choose 6 of the topics and brainstorm about each, making sure to use each of the three methods at least twice! 
• Each topic should take about 6-9 minutes of brainstorming. If you want more practice, feel free to complete more brainstorms for more topics!
• For this homework, you may turn it in via paper next week, since these methods are difficult to complete via computer.
• You do not need to actually write an essay for each prompt—just do the brainstorming method.

02 Writing Pre-Test Persuasive Essay // Due the week of Sept. 8, 2016

Hi Everyone!

This week, you will be writing an essay based on the following prompt:

Timed Writing Prompt

Many parents give children a weekly or monthly allowance regardless of their behavior because they believe an allowance teaches children to be financially responsible. Other parents only give children an allowance as a reward for completing chores or when they have behaved properly. Explain what you think parents should do and why in a multi-paragraph persuasive essay.

Use only 30 minutes to write your essay. If you feel like your essay is finished before 30 minutes is up, keep writing to add as much as possible! If your essay is not finished after 30 minutes, stop anyways, even if it's mid-essay, mid-sentence.

For speed purposes, you can write this essay on paper or on Google Drive. However, if you write on paper, be sure to type it up when you're done and post to our class Google Drive folder. 

Don't stress too much about this assignment—it will be graded on completion. The purpose of this assignment is that I want to see what your writing level is currently at, and I want to see how you improve over the course of the year. At the end of the year, we will complete this again, and hopefully you will have improved! 

01 Syllabus 2016/2017

Class: Middle School Writing 1
Subject: Language Arts
	Per6

Welcome!

Composition will focus on developing the basics of writing with organization, voice, style, and audience awareness. Students will have a chance to share their work and get a feel for peer review and critiquing. Writing projects will range from persuasive essays to research papers to short stories. Student motivation will be propelled by pushing students to choose topics that interest them, to develop and defend their opinions and ideas, to discover and research new passions, and to see themselves as real-world authors. They will also eventually be posting their writing (under aliases or anonymously, unless otherwise allowed by their parents) to a class writing blog)!

Most classes will also include a short exercise in grammar, but grammar is primarily done at home.

I am very excited to meet you all, and if you have any questions throughout the year, feel free to come talk to or email me any time!

Writing Goals:

• By the end of the year, you will better be able to…
• Critically think about and discuss your own and others' writing.
• Write clearly, concisely, and with adequate detail.
• Consider your audience and purpose when writing.

Key motivations of this class:

• Audience: Having the exciting opportunity to share your writing not just with classmates but also the world!
• Authenticity: Completing writing projects about topics you care about and choose!

Course Rating: 4

Grading Policy:

• Grades will be based on weekly participation as well as completing writing projects.
• Participation grades will be based on listening, positive attitude, willing participation, and kindness.
• Grades will be calculated on a ten point scale:
• 90 - 100 = A
• 80 - 89 = B
• 70 -79 = C
• 60 - 69 = D
• 00 - 59 = F

• If you are struggling with the homework or not understanding anything in class, come talk to me or email me—I'm always happy to help and we can certainly figure something out!
• Be sure to check Engrade on a regular basis to make sure grades are correct and that you are not falling behind.

Classroom Policies:

• Absences:
• We complete a lot of work in-class, and as I see you only 1 day per week, this time is invaluable. Most days, class will include graded participation activities (in addition to homework). Two excused absences will be provided, and then further absences will show up as a zero. However, these grades can be made up within 2 weeks of class by completing a writing assignment of my choice that relates to the in-class work. Email me within one week of the missed class to ask what make-up assignment can be completed.
• Late Work:
• Late work will receive a lowered grade:
• You may turn in work one week late online for full credit.
• After one week, late homework will be graded at 50% credit.
• **Late homework should be posted on Google Drive and an email alerting me about its presence should be sent to my email. Without an email, I may not see the late-posted work.**
• Parent responsibilities:
• Please check your email weekly for emails as well as updates on your child’s grades. Catching issues or struggles early is huge for success in this class, and working as a teacher-parent team is key!

Homework:

• Posting:
• Detailed homework assignment directions will be posted each week at writing1-options.blogspot.com.
• If it is not posted, I may have had technical difficulties without realizing it (sometimes I will post but the internet will not actually send it through. It happens occasionally). Feel free to email me and I will repost as soon as possible.
• Formatting:
• Every assignment should be typed and posted to Google Drive in the following format:
• Times New Roman; 12 pt. Font; double spaced; 1/2-1” margins
• Including a header at the top left that reads:
• Student name
• Teacher name
• Class name
• Date
• Title in the top center
• See the separate handout for Google Drive instructions.

• Saving:
• Every assignment should be saved on the computer in a folder specifically for this class (separately from Google Drive, in case of a Google Drive loss). Typing and saving assignments will make revising papers much easier and will help clear up any situations of lost papers.

Materials Needed:

• Notebook and pencil
• Computer and internet at home or via places like the library
• A Google email address. We will be setting those up either in class or through the school.

WRITING 1: Scope and Sequence

Part 1: Introduction to Writing 1
1	Introduction to Class and Syllabus
2	Introduction to Google Drive
3	Pre-Test

Part 2: Basic Composition and Language Arts
1	Who/Which Clause
2	Because Clause
3	Brainstorming Ideas
4	Organizing a paragraph

Part 3: Persuasive Essay
1	Pre-Test
2	What is a Persuasive Essay?
3	Claims v. Evidence  (Just using paragraphs at first)
4	Evidence Types (Just using paragraphs at first)
5	Thesis Statements
6	Attention-Grabbing Intros
7	Persuasive Outline
8	Call-to-Action Conclusion
9	Peer Review
10	Book/Movie Review

Part 4: Research Paper
1	What is the Research Paper?
2	Scanning Articles for Key Info
3	Finding Legitimate Sources
4	Works Cited Page
5	Thesis Organized Notecards
6	Outlining
7	Peer Review

Part 5: Creative Writing -- Short Story
1	Peer Reviewing Stories
2	Ending with a bang or a twist
3	Dialogue
4	Imagery
5	Strong nouns, verbs, adverbs, and adjectives
6	POV*: First, Second, Third
7	POV*: Omniscient, Limited, Objective

Part 6: (Depends on available time) The Novel
1	Plot Diagram
2	Outlining Scenes
3	Exciting First Chapter
4	Characterization
5	Building Suspense
6	Finishing Strong