Creative Writing Course Outline 2013-2014

Mrs. Sarah Norman

skranz7@gmail.com (618) 845-3518 ext. 217 Classroom: H108 Planning Period: 6th Hour

Creative writing is designed to aid students in their creative expression, as well as delivery of ones expression. The course focuses on imaginative writing style including short stories, poetry, self-reflection, song lyrics and drama. Throughout the course, students cultivate their interest in each of these forms of writing while sharpening their writing skills through observation, imitation, and expression. Creative Writing provides students with opportunities to develop their literary talents, while learning to work with others, and presenting their own work to an audience.
RULES FOR LATE DAILY WORK: 50% deducted first late day, assigned to catch-up caf, then a zero in the grade book **If you do not have an assignment to turn in, you are to complete an Assignment Accountability form, giving your reason for not having your work. LATE ESSAYS: One letter grade deducted each late day. After 5 days its a zero in the grade book. FINAL EXAM POLICY: See student handbook. CLASSROOM RULES: 1. Show respect to everyone! 2. Always come to class prepared with class binder, pen/pencil, book, and planner. IF YOU DO NOT BRING ONE OF THESE ITEMS, YOU MAY RENT/BUY ONE FOR A QUARTER. HOWEVER, YOU WILL STILL RECEIVE A STRIKE. (See Student Handbook). 3. Be in your seat when the bell rings. Stay in your seat until the end of the class period. 4. No food, drink, or candy. ONLY water in a water bottle is acceptable. 5. The first tardy is a free pass. Any more after the first tardy, become strikes. 6. Each student will receive 3 locker/bathroom/drink passes per Quarter, only when utilizing his/her own planner. No exceptions. ESSAY/HOMEWORK RULES: All work is due at the beginning of the hour. If you need to print work, do so before the class period (work will be counted late, otherwise). All essays must be typed, double-spaced, and include a title unless otherwise noted. In the top, left-hand corner of any assignment you must include the following: NAME CLASS HOUR DATE *Five points will be deducted for not following directions.

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C HEATING POLICY: Cheating is not acceptable! Any form of plagiarism is also cheating (copying or paraphrasing from the internet is included). *plagiarize: To take (ideas, writings, etc.) from another and pass them off as ones own. GRADES: Grades are not weighted. Test grades can range from 50-200 points. Essays/Stories range from 25-100 points. Daily work and quizzes can range from 10-100 points. Projects can range from 50-100 points. Journal grades will be taken every quarter (100 points). Typically, a student can accumulate close to 2000 points in a semester. EXPECTATIONS: Complete Bell Work daily. Take notes during all class discussions (must use date and heading). Have book open and engage in all discussions. Utilize time given in class for homework assignments. Attend class consistently. Ask me questions during class, after class, or during my prep period. Use planners to keep track of all class work.
***Please note that any procedure not mentioned above, but outlined in the 2013-2014 CHS Handbook, applies in my classroom.

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Note to guardian / parent: If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me: skranz7@gmail.com or (618) 845-3518 ext. 217. I look forward to working with you and your teenager! *A curriculum plan is attached. Subject to change due to school activities, snow days, re-teach, etc.

Semester 1
8/15-9/6 Journals/Daily Bell Work/Bonus Points/Remind101/Class Website Class Rules Post It Note Activity My First Creative Essay Imagery Exercise 7 Denotation/Connotation - Exercise 5 and 6 Figurative Language: - Posters on Wall - Group Research o Examples of FL o FL Presentation 9/6 - Exercises 10-13 and 15 - Tic-Tac-Toe (Team Game) - Showing Emotion with FL Exercise 3 - Song Activity - TEST #1 9/9-9/16 Writing Style: - Voice o Pages 4-8 o A Loss Essay o Peer Revision (p.10-11) 9/17-9/23 Writing Style: - Ideas o Mix Me a Story p.17 o Presentation 9/23 o Picture Interpreted p.18 9/24-9/27 Writing Style: - Word Choice o p.51-52 o p.58 o Good Worksheet o Thesaurus Activity 9/30-10/4 Character: p. 3-7 p. 5 Description Paragraphs 10/7-10/11 Setting: p. 9-11 Description of 3 Settings - Favorite/Worst/Weird Setting Collage 10/15-10/18 Conflict/Plot: Types of Conflict p. 13-14 TEST #2 Character/Setting/Conflict 10/21-10/25 Movie MONSTERS, INC. Movie Quiz Monster Madness Activity Monster Creation Story 10/28-11/1 Movie BEETLEJUICE Scary Story Presentation 10/31 Halloween Activities 11/4-11/8 Dialogue: p. 19-22 Family/Friend Conversation 11/11-11/15 Sensory Detail: p.29-35 11/18-11/22 Genre: p. 47-61 11/25-11/26 Turkey Writing - Self Evaluation 12/2-12/13 Biographies: p.63-65 In Class Interviews - Friendly Biography - Presentations 12/12 -12/13 12/16-12/20 Winter Challenges - No Repeat Paragraph (Final) - Winter Description Paragraph - Winter Crossword/Word Search

Semester 2
1/6-1/10 Resolutions: - Individual Resolutions - Guess The Resolution - Celebrity Resolutions - Making a Change Essay Best of 2013 Presentation 1/10 1/13-1/17 Dreams: Dream Facts Types of Dreams Dream Summaries Dreams Analyze Poem Dream Quiz 1/20-1/27 Movie The Wizard of Oz - Pink Floyd Collaboration Movie Quiz Most Important Short Essay Imaginative Story 1/28-1/31 Fairy Tales: Fairy Tale Notes Read Fairy Tales - Note Taking Worksheet Fairy Tale Quiz 2/3-2/7 Point of View: p. 15-17 The Three Lil Pigs - Wolfs side of the story 2/10-2/14 Fairy Tale/Re-Tell - Present 2/12 I Love Collage 2/17-2/21 Aesops Fables - Partner Fable Presentation 2/21 2/24-2/28 Advertising: - Advertising Notes - Appealing Ads - Create Your Own Ad TEST #3 Advertisement 3/3-3/7 Birthdays: - Birthday Narratives o Best/Worst - Birthday Card for Mrs. Norman & Baby - Birthday Song Remix - How Have You Changed Since Your 1st Birthday? Essay 3/10-3/14 Movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Movie Quiz Name That Candy Bar Game - Teams guess the candy by its description A Time You Had Good Luck Narrative 3/17-3/21 Warnings: Discuss Purpose of Warnings Group Activity: - Look at Warning Labels - Re-Write Warning Labels Warning Label Poster Warning Narrative 3/24-3/28 Current Events: - Collect Interesting News - Re-write Articles - Create Newsletter w/made up news 3/31-4/4 Letter Writing: Friendly v. Formal
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/let ter_generator/

- Use website to practice writing letters Letter Activity - Have students write a short letter asking for advice. o Then students all trade and become the columnist o Read aloud! - Teacher Appreciation Letter o All students write a letter to a teacher or faculty member Letter Writing Quiz

Semester 2 continued
4/7-4/11 Movie: The NeverEnding Story - Follow along and Make a character list including name and description - Create a story with a hero, goal, and odd creature - Create a book cover for your story o Must include title, pictures of hero and creature(s) 4/14-4/18 RAFT Writing: Game Guess Who? Activity Change Your Voice RAFT #1 RAFT #2 4/22-5/9 Poetry: Elements of Poetry - Form (Stanzas) - Sound (Rhyme/Rhythm) - Speaker - Figurative Language - ImageryTypes of Poetry Read Poetry All About Me Poems: - Biographical - I Am - Look in the Mirror - Opposite - Acrostic Poster Format Poems: - Cinquain - Diamante - Pyramid - Tanka - Sensory - Couplet - Haiku - Limerick - Two Sides Class Poetry Book - Perfect/Decorate 3 Poems 5/12-5/16 Poetry TEST Outdoor Descriptive Writing