Jump Start Writing (7-10) « HERO Classroom Blog

Jump Start Writing (7-10)

Course Text: Jump In: A Workbook for Reluctant and Writers

Course Instructor: Beth Flatten

Teacher Blog Website: http://flattenheroclass.blogspot.com/

Course Description:

This class is designed to help students who either do not like to write, or are insecure in their writing abilities. The teacher will do short exercises in class as well as homework assignments that will encourage and build confidence in the students writing skills. Textbook: Jump In: A workbook for reluctant and Eager Writers - The text will be available for purchase at the HERO open house and contains short, workable exercises, incremental daily lessons, and non-threatening word counts that will help students to write opinions, persuasive papers, and many types of expository papers, descriptions, narration, and poetry. Jump Start Writing also includes a one-year writing program called “10-Minute Writing Plunges.” These are daily writing prompts designed for fun and interest.

Supplies needed for this course:

· Textbook Jump In: A workbook for Reluctant and Eager Writers by Sharon Watson

· Three ring binder with loose paper or a notebook with folder

· Pencils and erasers

· Composition notebook for your 10 Minute Plunge writing collection

Grading Information and Guidelines for Success:

You will receive a percentage for the class.

20% Class participation- Students will demonstrate participation by answering questions, being prepared for class with their materials ready, participating in classroom discussions, completing class work and having good attendance.

60% Homework Assignments- Students must complete assignments on-time – if absent, your homework assignment is due the following week or it’s considered late and may not receive full credit. Assignments are given out in small increments. So if you miss a few, you’ll get behind! Papers written will be graded for content, not just mechanics.

20% Ten Minute Plunge Journal Project- Students will complete two “10-minute” per week. The student will collect them throughout the year and present a collection of these writings in the spring. It will be fun to see the growth in their writing skills and it will be a big self esteem booster!

Class Assignment Schedule: (The 10 Minute Plunge Writing Assignments are two times a week throughout the school year. It’s up to the individual family to build these times into your school schedule.) The following is the assignments by week from the text. The entire 10 Minute Plunge and Textbook Program is enough curriculum for two years, so we will not complete the entire textbook this school year during this class.

Date Assignments

(Student must also write for 10 minutes, two times using the plunge list.)

We may complete some of the pages for the next week’s assignments during class time. Please make sure all the pages are complete for the assigned week, or you’ll get behind! We’ll make every effort to stay on this schedule. We make take time to rewrite and revise a paper at times, so don’t be surprised or discouraged! Real authors rewrite their stories many times.

September 8	Read pages 5 – 14 Complete all exercises
September 15	Read pages 15 – 22 Complete all exercises
September 22	Read pages 23 – 27 Complete all exercises (Remember to chose only 1 project from page 27. This opinion writing project is due next week. *Your paper must be typed (5 points), 200 words (5 points), double spaced (5 points), font size 12 (5 points), turn in on time (5 points)
September 29	Read pages 29 – 35 Remember to complete the end of page 35 comparing your lists
October 6	Read pages 36 – 43 Complete all exercises
October 13	Read pages 44 – 47 Complete all exercises. Chose only 1 project from page 47. This persuasive writing project is due next week. Your paper must be typed (5 points), 200 words (5 points), double spaced (5 points), font size 12 (5 points), turn in on time (5 points)
October 20	Read pages49 – 53 Complete all exercises
October 27	Read pages 54 – 57 Complete all exercises
November 3	Read pages 5 – 61 Complete all exercises.
November 10	Read pages 63 – 70 Complete all exercises. Choose only 1 project from page 61. *This Persuasion: Cause and Effect Paper is due next week. Your paper must be typed (5 points), 200 words (5 points), double spaced (5 points), font size 12 (5 points), turn in on time (5 points)**
November 17	Read pages 71 – 73 Complete all exercises
November 24	Read pages 74 – 80 Complete all exercises.
December 1	Read pages 81 – 84 Choose either the Now it’s your turn again section on page 82 or the Now it’s your turn section on page 84. Choose the style that you like the best!
December 8	Read pages 85 – 93 Complete all exercises (We’ll do some in class.)
December 15	Holiday writing project day! No homework!
December 22	NO HERO
December 29	NO HERO
January 5	Read pages 94 – 98 Complete all exercises. Chose only 1 project from page 98. You do not need to complete the 10 minute plunges this week. This Research paper is due next in two weeks, January 19th. *Your paper must be typed (10 points), 300 words (10 points), double spaced (10 points), font size 12 (10 points), turn in on time (10 points) Bring what you have worked on this upcoming week to class next week. You must show some progress on your projects like your topic chosen, a list of materials you’ve collected and some outline done. Late work will be deducted points.
January 12	Continue work on your research paper for next week. No new homework.
January 19	Research papers are due this week. You can share your findings with the class if you would like. No new homework this week! Enjoy a week off, you deserve it!
January 26	Review biography materials pages 99 – 108 Complete all exercises
February 2	Read pages 109 – 110 Complete all exercises. Chose only 1 project from page 110. You do not need to complete the 10 minute plunges this week. This Biography Project is due in two weeks, February 16th. *Your paper must be typed (10 points), 200 words (10 points), double spaced (10 points), font size 12 (10 points), turn in on time (10 points) Bring what you have worked on this upcoming week to class next week. You must show some progress on your projects like your topic chosen, a list of materials you’ve collected and some outline done. Late work will be deducted points.
February 9	Continue work on your biography paper for next week. No new homework.
February 16	Biography Project is due. You will have the opportunity to read your paper to the class or I will read it for you if you would like. No new homework this week.
February 23	Review book report pages 111-114 – read pages 115 – 119 Complete all exercises
March 2	Read pages 120 – 124. This homework project will not be due until March 23. Enjoy Spring Break!
March 9	NO HERO Spring Break
March 16	Read pages 125 – 127. Write an actual book report from the book report form you’re working on. Both the form and the book report are due next week. You do not need to complete the 10 minute plunges this week. *Your paper must be typed (5 points), 200 words (5 points), double spaced (5 points), font size 12 (5 points), turn in on time (5 points)
March 23	Share book reports during class. Read pages 149 – 153. Complete all exercises
April 6	Read pages 154 – 159 Complete all exercises. Choose 1 assignment on page 159 to complete. You will present your “How-to” Project Paper on April 20^th. You may bring in props to demonstrate your paper to the class. *Your paper must be typed (5 points), 200 words (5 points), double spaced (5 points), font size 12 (5 points), turn in on time (5 points)
April 13	Review pages 175 – 179 done in class today. Complete any blank exercises.
April 20	“How-to” Paper Project Demonstrations – no new homework
April 27	Read pages 180 – 183 Complete exercises
May 4	Read pages 184 – Complete all exercises
May 11	Read pages 187 – 189 Complete all exercises
May 18	We’ll practice writing alliterations for fun! Enjoy your summer!

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