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