Contact:

Monika Lambert

MrsLambert413@gmail.com

Course Time:
This course is offered on Thursdays.


Course Pre-Requisites:

• All students must submit a one paragraph (4-5 sentences) writing sample
  creatively describing what their favorite color “tastes” like.
  
  Submission will be submitted online through Schoology during the summer. 
  Submissions will be accepted from the end of May until the week before classes begin.      
  (Entrance into this class is not dependent on the writing sample, it is just to assess the
  class makeup.)

Course Texts (3):

• Spilling Ink: A Young Writer’s Handbook  -by Ellen Potter
  ISBN-  159643628X      

• Leap Write In!: Adventures in Creative Writing  -by Karen Benke

       ISBN-  1611800153     

• Unjournaling: Daily Writing Exercises  -by Cheryl Miller Thurston
  ISBN-  1877673706        

Course Description:
This course is the passport to gain entry into the wild and wonderful world of your imagination!

Throughout your travels, you will learn how to develop memorable characters, invent nail-biting  plots, write sparkling dialogue, and stir up poetic emotions without having to be held back by  grammar limitations.

Writing prompts, surveys, wordplay, and open-ended journal writing will also be incorporated
into class.

In the third quarter students will be writing their very own novella which will be published in a  class anthology and made available in paperback!

The fourth quarter will be a poetry unit.

Get ready to let your creative juices flow and words soar! 

 
 
Course Class Time:

• Each class will begin with either a prompt, word puzzle,

      or stream-of-consciousness journal entry (3-5 minutes).

• We will follow this with optional class shares (3-5 minutes).

• Next will be the introduction of the focus topic, new vocabulary,

      and teacher examples and expectations (10 minutes).

• The majority of the class time will be either independent writing
  or small group collaboration (20-30 minutes).

• Class will sometimes close with an “I Dare You” word play game.

• Lastly will be the announcement of homework (5-10 minutes). 

Course Homework Requirements:

• Check Schoology weekly!

• Writing prompts will be from the Unjournaling book.  These prompts are usually only 4-5 sentences and should take about 10 minutes or less to complete.  Answers will be hand-written in the student's journal to be submitted in class the following week.

• Daily journal entries should only take 2 minutes and be written in a journal.
  These entries will remain private, but checked for completeness. 
  Journal entries can be stream of consciousness writings or just daily thoughts

      and reflections.

• Textbook assignments will be given to complete throughout the week as well.
  Students can complete the assignments directly in the Leap Write In textbook
  or submitted online through Schoology.  This should take 10-20 minutes.

• Students will have projects throughout the semesters that will need to be completed
  at home if not completed in class.  Projects will be given ample time in class for questions and revisions, but will most likely take up the most time at home compared to the other assignments.  Projects include: character development profiles, short story plots, newspaper articles, poetry journals, and draft revisions.

• During the short story unit students will develop the basic story elements outline in class,      but will be writing the story outside of the classroom.

• During the poetry unit students are required to maintain their poetry packets and bring them to class each week.

• Throughout the week, students will be submitting their writing drafts/progress to Mrs. Lambert for checkpoints.

• It is crucial to check the website weekly for updates, due dates, and occasional online conference dates.
   

Late Policy:

Homework is due at the beginning of each class unless otherwise posted on the assignment page on Schoology. (Sometimes homework must be submitted online by Monday at 8pm or Wednesday at 8pm.)

Homework that is turned in after class by that evening (same day) receives a 5% deduction for  lateness. This is to ensure the importance of bringing your work to class because we frequently
use your homework as the review warm-up.

Homework submitted online the next day (one day late) receives a 15% deduction.
Two days overdue receives a 30% deduction.
Homework turned in later than three days after class can only receive 50% of the total points.

It is very important to check Schoology for homework deadlines.
This is the student’s responsibility, not the parent's.

 

Grading:

• 30%  journal and homework

• 15%  quiz

• 15%  projects

• 40%  in-class participation

Parents are not required to grade any assignments; however, please make sure to stay updated
on Schoology and remind students to be responsible for their work.

Parents are also encouraged to proofread students’ work for spelling/grammar errors, but to
focus mainly on content and context.



Specific Requirements:

• Internet access is required for this course.

• Check Schoology weekly for homework and to contribute to the discussion blog.

• In the third quarter all students must use Google Docs to type their stories and use an  active Gmail account. (More information will be provided at time of project.)
   

Course Supplies:

• textbooks listed above (3)

• spiral bound notebook (1 subject)

• journal  -any blank, lined writing journal is acceptable, 5x7" or larger

• pencils and pens  -any color ink except neons and yellow

• colored pencils