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Welcome to Writing!
Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year at Deer Creek! Whether you are new to our school or are a seasoned veteran, I encourage you to embrace the many unique (and FUN!!!) learning opportunities I have in store. Always remember, effort in class activities, as well as a positive attitude, will greatly contribute to your success in my room.
Expectations
First thing’s first—the rules. It is expected that you treat each person in this class with the utmost respect. I will not, under any circumstance, tolerate negativity toward anyone in my room, myself included. Second, my classroom is a learning environment. “Learning” is key. If you choose to disrupt anyone from learning, there will be consequences.
Classroom Rules
· Follow directions the first time I give them.
· Complete all assignments on time and to your best ability.
· Bring all materials to class.
· Raise your hand and wait to be called on when you have something to say.
· Be on time, in your seat, and prepared for the warm up.
· Keep your hands, feet, and other objects to yourself.
Grading
Your grade will consist of the following components:
Quizzes 15% (grammar, vocabulary and spelling, writing)
Language Arts 35% (grammar, word study, weekly warm ups and skills practice, etc.)
Major Writing/Projects 50% (writer's notebook entries, prewriting, drafts, final copies, etc.)
Materials
You are required to have a pen/pencil, your Writer’s Notebook, and your expandable language arts file with you at ALL times. Your expandable file is expected to be organized daily and should include ALL of your assignments and notes for the quarter. A file check may happen at ANY time, so always be prepared! We will clear out our files together and start fresh each quarter.
**Your file should be organized by labeling your tab dividers as follows:
Warm Ups
Writing (Include your Writer’s Notebook in this section!)
Grammar
(other) Lang. Arts
Assignments
I prefer PENCIL to be used on all assignments handed in to me. If you MUST use pen, be neat about it. I do not accept scribbled out, sloppy work. Find a way to erase (White Out correction TAPE works well) or simply USE PENCIL.
Class Schedule and Components
Warm Ups
As listed above, each day will begin with an activity. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays will be reserved for M.U.G.S. (correct the sentence) and Use It! Don’t Lose It! (language arts skills practice). On Tuesdays, we will be working in our Writer’s Notebook, and on Thursdays, we will also pull out our notebooks for the Poem of the Week. It is important to note that warm ups MUST BE COMPLETED WHETHER YOU ARE HERE OR NOT. Please see the black WRITING binder for notebook activities and the Poem of the Week.
Writing
The majority of our time together will be spent exploring the writing process. In order to best prepare you for your upcoming high school English classes, we will spend a great deal of this year learning how to organize and write well-crafted essays, as well as creative pieces. These include (but are not limited to): a memoir, a persuasive essay, a research paper, an original story, a character analysis, a literary analysis, and a compare/contrast essay. We will also be writing and presenting several speeches, both formal and informal, throughout the year.
Language Arts
Grammar mini-lessons will occur on Tuesday and Thursday of each week. We will be focusing on the sentence and its parts, the eight parts of speech, phrases, sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, capitalization, and punctuation. In addition, hands-on individual and partner practice with words, including phonics, vocabulary and spelling, will occurr throughout each quarter.
Writer’s Notebook
You are required to have a notebook for this class. Your notebook is a place to gather ideas, experiment with text, and practice writing. We will be working in our notebooks each Tuesday and Thursday. You will often be required to cut out and glue/tape items into your notebook, so be prepared with what you need each day.
Late/Incomplete Work
It is your responsibility to turn in your work and turn it in on time. In the case of your absence, all handouts, worksheets, etc. can be found in the black WRITING binder located on the counter under the green 8th Grade Biz board. Here, you can locate the date/dates you missed class and pick up any handouts, as well as see what was handed in, what in-class work you missed, and what homework/activities you have yet to complete. All late work should be handed in the late bins on my desk. If your work should be excused, make sure to let me know why I should excuse it (absent, sick, etc.) on the top of your paper, and hand it in the appropriate bin on my desk.
Bean Bags, Couches, and Chairs! Oh My!
The use of these items is a PRIVILEDGE and will reserved for THOSE WHO ASK POLITELY during silent reading, group work time, or individual work time ONLY. If you are caught abusing this privilege for any reason, these items will be off limits to you until I have decided otherwise.
I hope this handout sheds some light on the various expectations I have for you this year. If you have any further concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to see me. Please keep this information in your binder for future reference.
I look forward to seeing each of you reach and exceed your potential!
Sincerely,
Michelle De Wane
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