There's nothing mystical
about either the philosophy or the focus of this course. Simply put, you are
here to write and write a lot! We'll write in a wide variety of genres, tones,
and voices. You'll work with essays and critical writing, poetry and short
story, personal writing and writing for a public audience. You'll also have the
opportunity to work in cooperative writing environments and with technology for
both writing production and publishing. Further, as you have probably already
gathered from the text book you picked up, you will read extensively for the
purposes of analyzing technique and using that technique as part of your own
developing writing voice. In sum, come prepared to write every day.
Probably the most
important aspect of the way this course is taught and learned is the relative
lack of direct teacher instruction in the traditional sense. At most, I will
teach the entire class a lesson once a week; after all, writing is something
you do, not something you have someone tell you how to do. (I'd argue pretty
much everything is that way!) The activities you will engage in are both
individualized and cooperative. Often, you will be left to yourself to write,
revise, reflect, journal. Just as often you will be engaged with others,
whether it is the entire class, a small group, or just a peer reader. Finally,
do not be surprised if you are asked to read quite a bit. It would make no
sense to write without looking at examples of good writing. Overall, as you can
easily see, you will be given a great amount of freedom and time to explore
your creativity and hone your writing skills. Just make sure you use that time
well.
The required materials for this course are:
your textbook
a one inch, three ring binder (skip this if your portfolio
is web-based)
five section dividers
white, smooth-edged paper
pencils and blue/black pens
if a separate journal is desired, a spiral notebook
Most of your work will be
graded according to scoring guides that describe what is expected of your
performance. (Those assignments without scoring guides are simply matters of
accuracy, effort, and professional presentation.) All scoring guides are available at any
time on this site and on paper in our classroom. Please refer to them often
during the writing process because meeting the criteria therein is essential to
receiving a desired grade!
It has always seemed
strange to me that we teachers make comments all over your final copies, after
you have a chance to do something about it. Therefore, I will make every
attempt to make comments on your drafts instead, so that you can make your
writing better before you turn it in. This means you absolutely must get your
drafts done on time -- this is even more important than getting the final copy
done on time. Further, feedback from peer readers and even The Write Place may
be required for grades.
Nine Weeks' Grades (subject to
revision as needs dictate)
Your nine weeks' grade is determined by a combination of the
following areas:
40% Major Work:
papers, projects, tests
35% Developmental
Work: drafts, peer reading, exercises, quizzes, etc.
15% Portfolio
& Enrichment
10% Class
Participation
1. Grade definitions are quite literal; know the definitions
of excellent (A), good (B), average (C), and poor (D). To further clarify this,
consider that meeting the basic criteria for a rubric is technically a C.
2. All grades are rounded up at .5, both in each category
and overall.
3. You may not take a zero on any major work. These must be completed
or an Incomplete will be assigned for the course.
4. SUSPENDED due
to unusually large class sizes: If for some reason you score lower
than 88% on a piece, you may revise it for a higher grade if all drafts were
done on time and I observe that you have used your time effectively. I reserve the
right to require a revision if a piece does not meet minimum standards. If this
is the case, a zero will be assigned until the piece is completed
satisfactorily.
5. Keep track of your own grades. I will not provide
information on your grade for any reason unless you bring me complete
information yourself. You are expected to keep track of that through the use of
your portfolio and this web site. My job is to help you be a better writer, not
do your math for you. Besides, it makes me sad to see another human being give
control of his/her destiny to another!
1. Due dates for drafts, exercises, and other work are
specific and binding.
2. Major work may be
due in "windows," meaning you will be given a period of time in
which to turn them in rather than a singular due date. For example, a piece may
be due the week of October 6, rather than just on October 6. This gives you a
great amount of flexibility with your time and creative processes. It also
allows for individual differences in writing speed, extra curricular
activities, and inspiration. Remember, though, that drafts must be done on time
so that I have an chance to help you! (Remember, too,
that drafts are simply given credit for completion -- no one cares if they are
good or bad!)
3. Late Major Work graded at a penalty of 20% reduction per
day late with a lowest score of 50% after two days. If the teacher finishes grading a Major Work
before you submit yours, you cannot receive any credit for it. Other work is graded
at 50% off for one day late, no credit after that. Enrichment and Portfolios
must be in on time or no credit will be given.
4. Late or make up work due to any type of excused absence
has no late penalty if you turn it in within the same number of days as your
excused absence.
5. Late work due to unexcused absence is graded as regular
late work.
6. If you miss work due to cutting class, I will not accept
it -- if it's due when you cut, you get a zero; if it's assigned when you cut,
you can't make it up.
7. If you are absent, there is a procedure for getting
assignments and notes. First, with this website, you should probably already
know what we did. Second, ask a classmate. Then, if all this still leaves you
with questions, see me before school. Do not take up class time with such
requests.
8. One extension per nine
weeks is allowed with prior consent. Do not ask me the day something is due for
an extension.
9. I will not accept cyberscuses
for late work. A cyberscuse (thanks to Mr. Shepherd
for that word!) is the claim that something -- anything -- went wrong with your
computer so you can't turn in your work. If your printer breaks, bring your
work in on disk and print it here or write it out by hand. Save often and in at
least two places in case of a crash (I have 3 backups of everything I have on
computer!); better yet, print each page as you finish it in case everything
crashes. As you can see from this site, I am well versed in computers, so I
know there is absolutely no situation where computer malfunction will keep you
from doing your work.
STANDARDS FOR WRITTEN WORK: All final copies are to be in
MLA style.
1. Double space all drafts and final copies for easy
commentary and revision.
2. Paper lengths are
unimportant. The only requirement is that the writing meet
the standards set by the scoring guide for that type of writing. Think: Long
enough to be good; short enough not to bore.
3. Typed (font 12) is
preferred, but handwritten in blue or black ink is acceptable.
4. Write on one side of the paper only for final copies.
5. Submit only white, smooth-edged paper for final copies.
6. Have a good title.
7. Staple in the top, left corner only.
8. Use NO cover pages, title pages, or report covers.
(Special Projects excluded.)
9. Paper may have no more than 4 mechanical errors; when the
5th is reached, the paper receives a "U" (unacceptable) and will be
returned to you. You have TWO days to fix and return to avoid a late
score. You will only be held responsible
for those errors you should know. Failure to comply will result in resubmission
for a late score.
10. Any paper involving research must be properly
documented in MLA style.
I strictly adhere to the school's attendance policy. Do not
ask me to "fudge" your attendance if you are close to 7 absences.
Once 8 unofficial excused and/or unexcused absences are reached, the game is
over. Further, be in your seat with materials ready when the bell rings;
otherwise, you are tardy - no questions asked.
Four tardies = a referral.
There is no hidden curriculum in here! Behavior is indeed a
part of of your ability to function in the world and,
as such, it will be assessed as part of your class participation grade (See the
Class Participation Scoring Guide for
more details.). Please do not underestimate the impact of your behavior on
others, especially in a class with so much freedom. Beyond that, severe
behavior problems will be addressed on a case-by-case basis with parental and
administrative involvement as needed. In addition, privileges may be removed if
our policies are abused. Below is our very simple list of rules to follow.
1. Follow the rules of the school as described in your
student handbook to the letter.
2. Be in your seat at the bells and the beginning and ends
of the period.
3. Be respectful and courteous to
others. (CAUTION: This is my tightest rule.)
4. Use the pass once a week, if needed. Never ask to use the
phone.
The school's computer use policies are very well written,
and I intend to stick to them much more closely than ever before. In fact, in
light of all the abuse of technology I've witnessed in the past couple years
and our growing reliance on that technology, I've even added a few touches of
my own.
1. You may not use computers to access personal email
accounts unless such access is necessary for the work we are doing (For
instance, you may want to email yourself a web link.) If you do need to use
email for such a purpose, it must be under my direct supervision. Violation of
this policy results in immediate removal of all internet privileges
indefinitely.
2. You may not use the computer for any sort of chat or
non-educational game playing. Violation
of this rule results in immediate removal of all computer privileges
indefinitely.
3. All web usage must be limited to topics easily
justifiable in relation to class work. Further, all content viewed from our
computers must be reasonably acceptable by school standards. Sites that glorify
or normalize drug use, sexual promiscuity, and/or gratuitous violence are not
acceptable. Keep in mind that I am the judge of acceptability since I am held
responsible for that you do. Violation of this policy results in immediate
removal of all internet privileges indefinitely.
4. You may not change the settings, backgrounds, or any
other function or part of the computer without my direct supervision. Violation
of this rule results in immediate removal of all computer privileges
indefinitely.
In all cases of this behavior, you also risk negative impact
on your class participation grade as well as a possible zero on the work you
were supposed to be doing. Repeat offenses are an automatic referral.
I am more than happy to write a rec
for you provided you do the following:
1. Submit the request in a professionally written
letter.
2. Make your request at least 10 days in advance.
3. Provide all necessary information for me to write a
complete letter, including what the requesting organization wants to know, any
information about you I might need, complete addresses and addressees.
4. You follow up all your recommendations from any of your
teachers with a thank you note or card. (Yes, I know, I can't know this in
advance, but I will ask around. This is very important to me.)
Special notes: I will decline to write a
recommendation if I know I cannot write you a good one. Please do not take this
personally - I will be polite and simply say, "I prefer not to." Remember, I really do like you, but that
doesn't always mean I can write you a glowing rec. Indeed, I don't judge you
personally anyway, but a recommendation is exactly that: I am going to have to
judge you in writing to a respected group of people. Don't confuse my respect
for you with my judgment of you. Also, I am very hesitant to do recommendations
that are not sealed. If you require that you get to read your own rec, then I am probably not the person to ask for it.
There are several ways to meet with me or get other
individualized attention.
1. See me, preferably by appointment, before school; I am
usually in my room by
2. Meet with me in The Write Place, period 7/8.
3. Make an appointment to see me during periods 3 &/or 4.
4. Use the small HAL 9000 CONTACT
ICON function on this website to get help immediately online in the
evenings when I am at my computer or to email me.