Syllabus
Junior High Writing Workshop Syllabus
Teacher: Mary M.
Richardson
Focus Skills: Communicate
effectively
Persist
in achieving quality
Description
Welcome to writing workshop.
Our goal is to become better writers of a variety of forms, genres, and
styles—and to have fun while doing it!
Writing workshop class
includes:
·
Mini-lessons
·
Independent writing on
topics of your choice
·
Mini writing conferences
with your teacher
·
Sharing in-progress or
finished work with the group
An important part of the course
is to build a writing portfolio—a thick folder holding all of your drafts and
finished writing pieces. Each quarter, you will choose two pieces from your
portfolio that you think represent your best work. You will complete a
self-evaluation form for each of these pieces, and taken together they will
count for 60% of your portfolio grade. Toward the end of the quarter, you will
have a special conference to discuss your portfolio and overall performance in
the course. At that time, you will talk about your accomplishments and set
goals for the future.
Materials
·
Writing tools (paper,
pens, pencils, and erasers)
·
A small writer’s
notebook
·
A writing folder
(provided)
·
Two books by Ralph
Fletcher
·
Laptop computer
(recommended)
Grading System
Assignment | Percentage |
Weekly grade for effort
and following directions First piece of writing Second piece of writing Third piece of writing Workshop participation (following rules and procedures; completing forms;
taking part in discussions, writing conferences, and in-class exercises;
organizing the writing portfolio) | 15 25 25 25 10 |
Total: | 100 |
* Portfolio item
Continued on back…
Homework
Unless otherwise specified,
the regular homework is as follows:
- Completing independent studies (usually due on
Friday)
- Preparing for independent quizzes (given on
Monday)
Less-frequent homework
assignments include:
- Writing in your notebook
- Working on your current writing piece (any phase)
Lateness
Please arrive to class on
time. If you are late, you will lose participation points for the day.
Spirit of the Classroom
Many principles protect the
“sacred space” of the New School classroom. Below are ten principles that form
its foundation, and which we should promote every chance we have. We should:
1.
Guarantee the physical
and psychological safety of each person.
2.
Focus each person’s
attention on the subject at hand.
3.
Create a sense of
fairness and fair play within the classroom.
4.
Invite everyone’s
participation.
5.
Challenge ourselves and
each other to think in new and different ways.
6.
Recognize that the
foundation of knowledge begins with what each person already knows and
believes.
7.
Relate clearly and
meaningfully to the objectives, goals, and standards of the class.
8.
Encourage the best in
each person.
9.
Respect the class’s sense
of organization and coherence.
10. Speak up when we perceive behaviors that undermine a
positive, active educational space.
Students and faculty will
collaborate in the construction and nurturance of the sacred space of the
classroom.
