Mrs.

Tweedy

Writing

8th

Zillah Middle School Grade Writing Course Syllabus Mrs. Tweedy, Room #111
2012-2013

____________________________________________________________ Contact Information: School Phone: School Email: Personal Email: Website: Facebook: 509.829.5511 tweedy_s@zsd.wednet.edu stweedy0055@gmail.com www.zmstweedy.blogspot.com Search Mrs. Tweedys Classroom

Please feel free to contact me at any point during the year if you have any questions or concerns. I make it a point to respond to all emails or phone messages before leaving work (usually by 4pm). I use the class website and Facebook pages as a place to post weekly assignments, test dates, updates, pictures, and other information pertaining to my classes. Please check it frequently as it is updated several times a week. If you provide me with a current email address, I will email you weekly updates about homework and assignments. This year I am piloting a new program, Remind101. This is a way for me to send short, quick updates to your cell phone (via text message) or to your email about assignments changes or due dates. It is completely confidential my phone number will not be shared with you and I will only see your name, not your phone number. Standard text messaging rates do apply, but there is no other fee to sign up. I have attached a handout explaining how to sign up on the last page of this document. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity as last minute assignment changes often happen and I would like to keep you as up to date as possible. For more information, visit remind101.com _____________________________________________________________ Overview of the Course: This course is designed to help students become proficient in key areas of writing, speaking, listening, and vocabulary as determined by the Common Core State Standards (see below). Students will write for a variety of purposes and in a variety of formats including expository, narrative, argumentative, and research. This class will focus on the 6+1 Traits of writing which include ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions and presentation. Students will be assessed in a variety of ways including short essays, extended writing projects, research papers, grammar and spelling, and writing response journals. The standards on the following page define what students should understand and be able to do by the end of 8th grade.

Mrs. Tweedy

Writing

Text Types and Purposes 1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. 2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content. 3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences. Production and Distribution of Writing 4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. 5. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. 6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others. Research to Build and Present Knowledge 7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. 8. Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism. 9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. Range of Writing 10. Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences. _____________________________________________________________ Grading and Assessment: Students will be evaluated in many ways during this course. A large majority of their graded work will be written but I may also ask students to present their work in skits, PowerPoint presentations, brief speeches, and poster presentations. If a student misses an assignment, quiz, or project due to an excused illness they will be able to make up the work upon their return for full credit. Late work will only be accepted per the handbook policy. Assignment Category Assessments Daily Work Participation 90-100 80-89 70-79 65-69 Below 65 A B C D F % of Final Grade 50% 40% 10%

Mrs. Tweedy

Writing

Participation: Students will start each week with 7 (a C) participation points. Students can earn an additional 3 points (for an A) for participation - being prepared for class, regular attendance, and being on task. Points may be lost during the week for unexcused absences or tardies, not having needed materials, not following class rules, or other disciplinary issues. Extra Credit: There will be limited extra credit opportunities during the school year. These assignments are intended to be in addition to the students normal work load; therefore, only students who have turned in all required work will be eligible for extra credit projects. _____________________________________________________________ Mrs. Tweedys Class Expectations: 1. Have all materials and be in your seat before the bell rings. 2. Use respectful verbal language and body language. 3. Keep your hands to yourself dont touch other people or their materials. 4. Mrs. Tweedys desk and all items on and behind it are off limits. 5. NO hats, electronics, food, or drinks allowed in classroom. _____________________________________________________________ Plagiarism and Cheating: Plagiarism is the unauthorized use of or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as ones own original work. Plagiarism is unacceptable and will be treated no differently than cheating. Proven cases of plagiarism and/or cheating will result in a 0 grade for the project and student will not be able to make up the missed points. This class will cover the appropriate way to use another authors work without plagiarizing and all students will be responsible for citing their sources in each written work. _____________________________________________________________ Classroom Library Policy: Books are available for checkout in Mrs. Tweedys room as a convenience to students. These may be used for book reports, assignments, or pleasure. Most books, but not all, have been read or skimmed for content. This form is to inform the parent/guardian that not every book has been personally reviewed by the teacher. Parents/guardians are the final monitor of their son or daughters book choice. Books for assignments may always be brought from home or borrowed from a library as long as they meet the requirements of the task assigned. Students are expected to return the books within 6 weeks and in good condition. Lost or damaged books will be added to the students fine list at the end of the year. The cost of a replacement book will determine the fine.

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Writing

Parents and Student: Please sign below that you have read this information. Please return only this page. Keep the rest for your reference. - Mrs. Tweedy, Language Arts Teacher _______ _______ Please feel free to use my students photo in school related blogs. I would prefer my students photo not be used.

By signing this syllabus, I acknowledge that I understand the course expectations, discipline procedures, grading, and library policy of this class. Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________________________ Student Signature: _______________________________________________________ Grade and Class Period: _______________________________________________________ Parent Email Address: _______________________________________________________ Parent Home Phone: _______________________________________________________ Date: __________________ Please return by Friday, August 24, 2012.