The Elements of Language Arts
April 1st – May 22nd,
2013
MW 1:00 - 2:30, Room 1
Shane Abrams
Course Texts
The Bedford Guide for College Writers, 8th ed. Ed. X.J.
Kennedy, Dorothy M. Kennedy, and Marcia F. Muth. Boston: Bedford, 2008. Print.
Note: the vast majority of course
texts will be provided in handouts; a folder, binder, or other organizational
system will be necessary.
The
following blog will also serve as a resource for disseminating materials and
texts:
Course Description
The aim
of this course is to help students transition from rudimentary language skills
to proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The curriculum is
designed to prepare students for high school and college level writing
experiences through frequent practice of reader-response, individual analysis,
and class discussion.
Learning Outcomes and
Essential Questions
During
this course, students will develop the ability to…
· write both brief and extended
responses to a variety of texts and media.
· demonstrate growth in expressive
and receptive capabilities through reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
· explain the characteristics of a
variety of writing and speaking styles.
· demonstrate the ability to utilize
different styles for different purposes and audiences.
We will
aim to explore—perhaps even answer—some of the following questions:
· How are reading, writing, speech,
and listening related and independent?
· What importance do reading and
writing hold in society?
· Why are reading, writing,
speaking, and listening essential to all lifestyles, careers, and experiences?
Outcomes Assessment
The
following assignments will be used to assess students’ progress toward learning
outcomes: participation & attendance (graded daily); daily in-class journals
(graded twice per block); in-class and out-of-class assignments; a mid-term
writing assignment; and a final portfolio. Additionally, other artistic or academic
assignments will be collected and assessed when the instructor sees
appropriate.
Classroom Policy –
Grading, Attendance, and Comportment
Grades
for The Elements of Language Arts will be calculated on a points-based scale;
i.e., each assignment, including long-term projects and daily participation
grades, will be valued at a certain number of points possible. Over the 8-week
course, points possible will amount to roughly 1200-1400 points. At any time, a
student may request his or her grade, and I will do my best to provide a
response in a timely fashion.
Extra
credit will not be provided, barring
unforeseen, extenuating circumstances; therefore, students are expected to
complete each and every assignment to the best of their respective abilities.
Opportunity for success will not be withheld: each student will have the chance
to excel, in terms of grades and
personal growth. However, the burden lies upon the student to optimize these
opportunities.
Students
should attend all classes as possible. There will be only 16 sessions of The
Elements of Language Arts; each absence is detrimental to learning potential. I
will not deduct points for absences, whether they are excused or unexcused.
However, students are always responsible for information, work, and cumulative
assignments which they miss when absent: missing multiple classes will
unforgivingly hinder a student’s academic success. If a student misses class, I
advise visiting the course blog – http://boulderprepreadwrite.blogspot.com/— to
see what she or he missed and what she or he needs in order to catch up. If you
know in advance that you will miss a class, please consult with me beforehand.
Students are expected to arrive to
class on time.
This means that each student should be sitting at a desk with all necessary
materials, including any assigned reading for the class, ready to begin working
at 1:00. This does not mean walking from the Commons to the classroom at 1:00; this
does not mean arriving at 12:59 and leaving to use the bathroom until 1:05. In regards to breaks: there will be no
out-of-class breaks. You should think of yourselves as adults during this
class: leave the classroom only when you must and only when it is appropriate. At the maximum, only one student should be
out of the classroom at any given time.
My
classroom is a place for personal growth, be it intellectual, emotional, or
otherwise. I expect all students to help me maintain an environment conducive
to such growth. All students are entitled to the right to improve and evolve,
and no person should infringe upon this right in any manner. My classroom will
be a safe and respectful environment for my students to exercise their right to
learn.
Course
Specific Grades:
Daily
participation – 10 pts. / day
Daily
journals – 160 pts.
General
assignments – approx. 300 pts.
Weekly
time writing assignments – 240 pts.
Mid-term
writing project – 200 pts.
Final
portfolio – 300 pts.
* see particular assignment sheets for specific breakdown and
expectations
Academic
Honesty
Plagiarism
and cheating, whether intentional or unintentional, shall not be tolerated.
Every student is expected to follow any and all codes of academic honesty
endorsed by Boulder Preparatory High School.
Electronic
Devices
In order
to facilitate the development of a respectful and focused classroom
environment, students are asked to refrain from the use of cell phones and
other unnecessary and/or distracting devices during class time. When you are in
class, regardless of the nature of the activity, your cell phone should be put
away, your music device shut off, and any other devices out of sight. Devices
that seem to be distracting any student will be impounded for the remainder of
the period.
Materials Needed
Please
bring these things to class every day:
Writing
materials (pen/pencil, paper)
Course
texts (handouts, assignments, etc.)
Writing
notebook
Binder,
folder, or other organizational system for hand-out readings
Approximate Schedule of
Study and Curriculum
This
schedule is a rough estimate and is subject to change.
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Week one (4/1 - 4/3) –
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Reading
and Reading Critically
Annotation,
analysis, and reflection
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Week two (4/8 - 4/10) –
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Constructing
Meaningful Writing
Thesis, paragraph,
and essay construction and organization
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Week three (4/15 - 4/17) –
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Integrating
Reading and Writing
Reading and
writing as dialogue
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Week four (4/22 - 4/24) –
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Developing
the Writer’s Process
Inspiration, response,
and drafting
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Week five (4/29 - 5/1) –
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Developing
the Writer’s Process
Revision, editing,
and proofreading
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Week six (5/6 - 5/8) –
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Writing
for Particular Situations
Styles and
audiences
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Week seven (5/13 - 5/15) –
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Using
Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking
Literary and
social analysis
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Week eight (5/20 - 5/22) –
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Portfolio
Preparation
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Miscellaneous
I reserve
the right to amend or alter this syllabus; please note that any changes are
made in an effort to create the best possible academic environment. I will
notify students of any such changes as promptly as possible.
I
wholeheartedly welcome feedback. Please do not hesitate to provide response to
my teaching practices, assignments, etc.—but please provide this feedback while
class is not in session.
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[Please detach and return this section.]
I,
_______________________________, hereby acknowledge that I have received and
reviewed this
(print
name)
syllabus.
Any questions or concerns that have arisen have been addressed adequately.
I
recognize that I am a student: I am capable of anything I encounter in this
course, though it may be challenging—and it should be challenging. I will not
state that I “can’t” do something, but that I “can’t yet.” I will ask for help
when I need it, whether assistance is from Shane, from my peers, or from
another responsible individual.
I will
contribute to a classroom environment which is healthy, fun, welcoming,
intellectual, emotional, and safe, among other things.
I will
respect everyone’s educational opportunities; I will respect our building; I
will respect my peers’ and instructors’ belongings; I will respect everyone’s
right to make amends.
I will be
the best person—intellectually, socially, and otherwise—that I can be.
_____________________________________ __________________
(signature) (date)
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