Creative Writing 7 th and 8 th

Transcription

1 American Academy of Innovation Creative 7 th and 8 th Ashley Price ashley.price@aaiutah.org (801) I can be reached through at any time and at the school for phone calls 8am-4pm Monday through Friday Course Description In Creative, we will be exploring and practicing many different kinds of writing. We will learn how to write several styles of poetry and learn how vast the world of writing is. We will also research and create a final project in a genre of our choosing. This class is intended to be fun and further increase a love of writing and using our creative skills. Course Objectives Our objectives follow directly with the USOE Core standards for writing in the Language Arts classes for Junior High which can be found on their website. Course Outcomes As a class we will create a portfolio of work completed in class which can be used in publishing and applying to future classes and writing programs. While working on our writing we will also discuss how we can publish our work and present it to the people in our community. Required Texts and Materials Notebook or paper and a writing utensil. All texts and books will be provided to the students. Grading Scale A A B B B C C C D D D- 60> F Grading Policy Final grades for the class are based on 3 categories. Practice (worth 20% of overall grade), Skills Performance (Worth 35% of overall grade) and Projects (Worth 45% of overall grade). Practice happens every day and is based on participation. Skills are small assignments that are used to prepare the students for their final project in a unit. It is important to do all the work in order to be ready for a project. Students will be given a rubric for each project and some skills assignments to make sure expectations are clear and the students have the best chance to perform well and succeed. Unit 1 Poetry Daily journal writing and discussion. Daily reading and discussion of poetry. Skills assignments will be written poems in the style we are practicing for the day. Skills assignments will also include rehearsing poetry performance. Final Project: Putting together the poetry section of their portfolio. They will also perform a selected piece of poetry as a project. Extra Notes: While poetry is used in Language Arts courses, we are focusing on types of poetry that are not typically seen in a language arts class and even how to perform these pieces. Unit 2 Multiple Genre Study Unit 3 Final Project Daily journal writing and discussion practice writing in the genre we are studying for the day Skills will also include peer editing, review and reading to our peers for feedback. Final Project will be a short research based presentation on a genre of their choosing. Daily journal and discussion, checking in on project progress. discussion on projects and drafts turned in for editing and feedback. This unit is entirely focused on the student s writing a larger piece in the genre, style and form of their choosing. A formal rubric will be provided before they begin collecting their ideas and writing their final project. Each student will present their final project to the class. Additional information and rubric will be given.

2 Late Work Policy I will set a clear date due for every skill assignment and final project. I understand that life happens and sometimes we need extra time and help and I will work with each student in those situations case by case. Other than the exceptional cases final scores for projects and skills will be docked an automatic 5% for each additional class period that passes before the late assignment is turned in. We are now in high school and getting prepared for college so please, get your assignments in on time. I know you are well experienced with school by now and know how this works.

3 American Academy of Innovation 7th Grade Language Arts Course Description In 7th grade language arts we focus on developing the skills necessary for success in high school and beyond. These skills include effective and appropriate writing, editing and analysis of several types of texts. Course Objectives Our objectives follow directly with the USOE Core standards which can be found on their website. Course Outcomes As a class our goals are to be able to formally discuss our insights and opinions professionally and respectfully with our peers, read several types of text meaningfully and be able to write effectively. We will be able to write an argumentative essay, research, narrative, and several other frequently used forms of writing. Required Texts and Materials Notebook or paper and a writing utensil. All texts and books will be provided to the students. Grading Scale A A B B B C C C D D D- 60> F Grading Policy Final grades for the class are based on 3 categories. Practice (worth 20% of overall grade), Skills Performance (Worth 35% of overall grade) and Projects (Worth 45% of overall grade). Practice happens every day and is based on participation. Skills are small assignments that are used to prepare the students for their final project in a unit. It is important to do all the work in order to be ready for a project. Students will be given a rubric for each project and some skills assignments to make sure expectations are clear and the students have the best chance to perform well and succeed. Ashley Price ashley.price@aaiutah.org (801) I can be reached through at any time and at the school for phone calls 8am-4pm Monday through Friday. Unit 1 Narrative StarGirl by Jerry Spinelli Daily writing and discussion activities Skills assignments of interviews and collecting others narratives Final Project: their own personal narrative Extra Notes: The dates for this unit and all others are very flexible. The focus is the students. Grammar and writing techniques will be discussed and practiced as we write more formally. Unit 2 Argumentative/ Persuasive Unit 3 Myth, Legend and Fairy Tale We will focus on several issues in current events, read articles on both sides of the issue, write and formally discuss these issues. practice essays and in class practice debate. Final projects will be a formal essay and formal in class debate. Note: If there are any concerns about the topics chosen for discussion, please let me know whether by , phone call or personal meeting. Daily readings of myths, legends or fairy tales from around the world with discussion and analysis. formal analysis of readings and research of myths, legends and fairy tales of student s choice. Final project will be writing a myth, legend or fairy tale of their own. Extra Notes: We will try and cover as many parts of the globe as possible. If your child has a special cultural background they would like the class to explore, please have them come visit with me.

4 Late Work Policy I will set a clear date due for every skill assignment and final project. I understand that life happens and sometimes we need extra time and help and I will work with each student in those situations case by case. Other than the exceptional cases final scores for projects and skills will be docked an automatic 5% for each additional class period that passes before the late assignment is turned in. We are practicing for college and beyond so please, get your assignments and projects in on time! Unit 4 Informational Text and Non-Fiction Daily readings of articles, current events and other sources of information with discussion on sources, reliability and content. Skills assignments will be small research and writing assignments leading to final project. Final Project will be students writing their own research paper on a topic of their choice. Extra Notes: We will be using many types of nonfiction for this unit. Please bring ideas and let me know if there are specific interests. Unit 5 Poetry Daily poem and analysis in writing and discussion. practicing types of poetry talked about in class and those of personal interest. Final project will be a small portfolio of all written poetry. Unit 6 Student Choice Literature Daily reports of personal reading, discussion of texts and writing. Skills assignments will be book presentations, reports and projects. Final project will be a formal essay on the content of each student s chosen novel. Extra Notes: I have chosen this unit for last as an opportunity for students to read what they love and apply everything we have learned through the year to a familiar text so they can make the connection between personal reading and what we do at school. It is also the chance for students to show off the things they love to do outside of class.

5 American Academy of Innovation 8th Grade Language Arts Course Description In 8th grade language arts we focus on developing the skills necessary for success in high school and beyond. These skills include effective and appropriate writing, editing and analysis of several types of texts. Course Objectives Our objectives follow directly with the USOE Core standards which can be found on their website. Course Outcomes As a class our goals are to be able to formally discuss our insights and opinions professionally and respectfully with our peers, read several types of text meaningfully and be able to write effectively. We will be able to write an argumentative essay, research, narrative, and several other frequently used forms of writing. We will take a step further than we did in 7 th grade and dig deeper to further strengthen and enhance our skills. Required Texts and Materials Notebook or paper and a writing utensil. All texts and books will be provided to the students. Grading Scale A A B B B C C C D D D- 60> F Grading Policy Final grades for the class are based on 3 categories. Practice (worth 20% of overall grade), Skills Performance (Worth 35% of overall grade) and Projects (Worth 45% of overall grade). Practice happens every day and is based on participation. Skills are small assignments that are used to prepare the students for their final project in a unit. It is important to do all the work in order to be ready for a project. Students will be given a rubric for each project and some skills assignments to make sure expectations are clear and the students have the best chance to perform well and succeed. Ashley Price ashley.price@aaiutah.org (801) I can be reached through at any time and at the school for phone calls 8am-4pm Monday through Friday. Unit 1 Narrative Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine Daily writing and discussion activities Skills assignments of interviews and collecting others narratives Final Project: their own personal narrative Extra Notes: The dates for this unit and all others are very flexible. The focus is the students and their needs so I have not set specific dates for each unit. Grammar and writing techniques will be discussed and practiced as we write more formally. Unit 2 Argumentative/ Persuasive Unit 3 Drama and Shakespeare We will focus on several issues in current events, read articles on both sides of the issue, write and formally discuss these issues. practice essays and in class practice debate. Final projects will be a formal essay and formal in class debate. Note: If there are any concerns about the topics chosen for discussion, please let me know whether by , phone call or personal meeting. Daily readings of Romeo and Juliet and analysis with class discussion and occasional performance. character analysis writing and practice with Shakespearian language. Final project will be writing a formal essay on the play and a performance of part of the play. Extra Notes: I want to organize the students into a performance of the play where they do their own take on an act from the play. Details on how this will work, help needed and expectations are to come so stay tuned!

6 Late Work Policy I will set a clear date due for every skill assignment and final project. I understand that life happens and sometimes we need extra time and help and I will work with each student in those situations case by case. Other than the exceptional cases final scores for projects and skills will be docked an automatic 5% for each additional class period that passes before the late assignment is turned in. We are practicing for high school, college and beyond so please, get your assignments and projects in on time! Unit 4 Informational Text and Non-Fiction Daily readings of articles, current events and other sources of information with discussion on sources, reliability and content. Skills assignments will be small research and writing assignments leading to final project. Final Project will be students writing their own research paper on a topic of their choice. Extra Notes: We will be using many types of nonfiction for this unit. Please bring ideas and let me know if there are specific interests. Unit 5 Poetry Daily poem and analysis in writing and discussion. practicing types of poetry talked about in class and those of personal interest. Final project will be a small portfolio of all written poetry. Unit 6 Student Choice Literature Daily reports of personal reading, discussion of texts and writing. Skills assignments will be book presentations, reports and projects. Final project will be a formal essay on the content of each student s chosen novel. Extra Notes: I have chosen this unit for last as an opportunity for students to read what they love and apply everything we have learned through the year to a familiar text so they can make the connection between personal reading and what we do at school. It is also the chance for students to show off the things they love to do outside of class.

7 American Academy of Innovation 9th Grade Language Arts Course Description In 9th grade Language Arts we focus on developing the skills necessary for success during high school, college and beyond. These skills include effective and appropriate writing, editing and analysis of several types of texts. Course Objectives Our objectives follow directly with the USOE Core standards which can be found on their website. Course Outcomes As a class our goals are to be able to formally discuss our insights and opinions professionally and respectfully with our peers, read several types of text meaningfully and be able to write effectively. We will be able to write an argumentative essay, research, narrative, and several other frequently used forms of writing. We will take a step further than we did in Junior High, digging deeper to further strengthen and enhance our skills so we are ready for the rest of high school and future college experiences. Required Texts and Materials Notebook or paper and a writing utensil. All texts and books will be provided to the students. Grading Scale A A B B B C C C D D D- 60> F Grading Policy Final grades for the class are based on 3 categories. Practice (worth 20% of overall grade), Skills Performance (Worth 35% of overall grade) and Projects (Worth 45% of overall grade). Practice happens every day and is based on participation. Skills are small assignments that are used to prepare the students for their final project in a unit. It is important to do all the work in order to be ready for a project. Students will be given a rubric for each project and some skills assignments to make sure expectations are clear and the students have the best chance to perform well and succeed. Ashley Price ashley.price@aaiutah.org (801) I can be reached through at any time and at the school for phone calls 8am-4pm Monday through Friday. Unit 1 Narrative Wonder by R.J. Palacio Daily writing and discussion activities Skills assignments of interviews and collecting others narratives Final Project: their own personal narrative Extra Notes: The dates for this unit and all others are very flexible. The focus is the students and their needs so I have not set specific dates for each unit. Grammar and writing techniques will be discussed and practiced as we write more formally. Unit 2 Argumentative/ Persuasive Unit 3 Drama and Shakespeare We will focus on several issues in current events, read articles on both sides of the issue, write and formally discuss these issues. practice essays and in class practice debate. Final projects will be a formal essay and formal in class debate. Note: If there are any concerns about the topics chosen for discussion, please let me know whether by , phone call or personal meeting. Daily readings of Much Ado About Nothing and analysis with class discussion and occasional in class performance. character analysis writing and practice with Shakespearian language. Final project will be writing a formal essay on the play and a performance of part of the play. Extra Notes: I want to organize the students into a performance of the play where they do their own take on an act from the play. Details on how this will work, help needed and expectations are to come so stay tuned!

8 Late Work Policy I will set a clear date due for every skill assignment and final project. I understand that life happens and sometimes we need extra time and help and I will work with each student in those situations case by case. Other than the exceptional cases final scores for projects and skills will be docked an automatic 5% for each additional class period that passes before the late assignment is turned in. We are now in high school and getting prepared for college so please, get your assignments in on time. I know you are well experienced with school by now and know how this works. Unit 4 Informational Text and Non-Fiction Daily readings of articles, current events and other sources of information with discussion on sources, reliability and content. Skills assignments will be small research and writing assignments leading to final project. Final Project will be students writing their own research paper on a topic of their choice. Extra Notes: We will be using many types of nonfiction for this unit. Please bring ideas and let me know if there are specific interests. Unit 5 Poetry Daily poem and analysis in writing and discussion. practicing types of poetry talked about in class and those of personal interest. Final project will be a small portfolio of all written poetry. Unit 6 Student Choice Literature Daily reports of personal reading, discussion of texts and writing. Skills assignments will be book presentations, reports and projects. Final project will be a formal essay on the content of each student s chosen novel. Extra Notes: I have chosen this unit for last as an opportunity for students to read what they love and apply everything we have learned through the year to a familiar text so they can make the connection between personal reading and what we do at school. It is also the chance for students to show off the things they love to do outside of class.