8th Grade Writing Class
Students will have a 1" binder to keep work in. Binders will be used daily and will be left in class. Individual assignments may be sent home and will be kept in a "Writing Folder."
Folders should be a manila folder. These folders will be used to take home and return individual work as well as house the students' writing portfolio at the end of the semester. This portfolio will be a collection of all writings and scores from their semester of growth as a writer.
Binders will be kept in class. Students will use their binders daily. Their binders will be divided in to three sections.
1. The first section will be our bell work section. This daily bell work will focus on grammar. Students will receive a whole punched grammar assignment upon entering class each day. This work will be kept in the first section of their binders. Bell work will be assessed on effort and correctness of work every two weeks.
2. The second section will be a journal section. Each day at the end of class, students will be asked to reflect on a given topic. These journal assignments will vary in length, topic, and form. Each journal will have a focus and will only be assessed on that specific focus every week. Students have more freedom and flexibility with their journals but will have to work within the parameters set by the topic, focus, length and form.
3. The final section will be the larger portfolio assignments. Students will have 3 - 5 of these major assignments to complete for the semester. They will complete these assignments in sections based on the writing process. We will work on these in class and at times students will have to complete some writing outside of class. All aspects of the process will be kept in their binders including peer reviews and self reflections. Portfolios will be assessed on various aspects depending on the focus of the assignments.
Grading will reflect two different philosophies. First, all assignments will be scored on a 4 point scale. These 4 points represent how students are scored on the MAP test and the requirements I use will be set by the state standards. 1 is like receiving a below basic on the MAP test, 2 would represent a basic score, 3 is proficient, with 4 being advanced. If a student receives a 1 or 2 score, some action will be taken to intervene with the student to ensure the students comprehension of a skill/concept. The second score students will receive on a given assignment will be based on a traditional philosophy of assigning points to weight larger assignments to represent more of the students' grade. I believe in writing, the traditional format is still important due to the amount of work and effort a student will put in to specific assignments. Anticipated grades are as follows, however, keep in mind that based on class and individual needs, other assignments may be given through out the semester.
Bell work - Standard Score Total 3*, Traditional Score 20 points (every two weeks)
Journal - Standard Score Total 3*, Traditional Score 10 points (every week)
Portfolio - Standard Score Total 3*, Traditional Score 100 points (3-5 times a semester)
*Though each total indicates 3 as a maximum score, scoring advanced in always possible so some students may receive a 4.
Folders should be a manila folder. These folders will be used to take home and return individual work as well as house the students' writing portfolio at the end of the semester. This portfolio will be a collection of all writings and scores from their semester of growth as a writer.
Binders will be kept in class. Students will use their binders daily. Their binders will be divided in to three sections.
1. The first section will be our bell work section. This daily bell work will focus on grammar. Students will receive a whole punched grammar assignment upon entering class each day. This work will be kept in the first section of their binders. Bell work will be assessed on effort and correctness of work every two weeks.
2. The second section will be a journal section. Each day at the end of class, students will be asked to reflect on a given topic. These journal assignments will vary in length, topic, and form. Each journal will have a focus and will only be assessed on that specific focus every week. Students have more freedom and flexibility with their journals but will have to work within the parameters set by the topic, focus, length and form.
3. The final section will be the larger portfolio assignments. Students will have 3 - 5 of these major assignments to complete for the semester. They will complete these assignments in sections based on the writing process. We will work on these in class and at times students will have to complete some writing outside of class. All aspects of the process will be kept in their binders including peer reviews and self reflections. Portfolios will be assessed on various aspects depending on the focus of the assignments.
Grading will reflect two different philosophies. First, all assignments will be scored on a 4 point scale. These 4 points represent how students are scored on the MAP test and the requirements I use will be set by the state standards. 1 is like receiving a below basic on the MAP test, 2 would represent a basic score, 3 is proficient, with 4 being advanced. If a student receives a 1 or 2 score, some action will be taken to intervene with the student to ensure the students comprehension of a skill/concept. The second score students will receive on a given assignment will be based on a traditional philosophy of assigning points to weight larger assignments to represent more of the students' grade. I believe in writing, the traditional format is still important due to the amount of work and effort a student will put in to specific assignments. Anticipated grades are as follows, however, keep in mind that based on class and individual needs, other assignments may be given through out the semester.
Bell work - Standard Score Total 3*, Traditional Score 20 points (every two weeks)
Journal - Standard Score Total 3*, Traditional Score 10 points (every week)
Portfolio - Standard Score Total 3*, Traditional Score 100 points (3-5 times a semester)
*Though each total indicates 3 as a maximum score, scoring advanced in always possible so some students may receive a 4.