Week 5: Language and Writing Beyond the Essay: Other forms of writing Now on February 3

Today’s topics and goals To examine the value of teaching forms of writing other than “the essay” To consider activities and ideas in teaching creative or other forms To further study of grammar and examine strategies for teaching grammar

Discussion: Grammar Amanda, Brennan, Renee, Richard

Topics ( 3-4 per group) Pronouns Luke, Marie eve, Naomi,Erin (Feb 3) Misplaced Modifiers: Katrina, Matthew, Nicki Transitive and Intransitive Verbs: Alessa, Ashley ( Feb10) Punctuation ( commas and semi-colons): Greg W, Sarina,Renee, Neil Run-on sentences- Chris C, Megan (Feb 3) Possessives/ Contractions ( use of apostrophe): anna, Greg R, JD Parallel structure: Shaun, Mauricio, Justin, Sarah: Active/ Passive voice: Emma, Avery, Eden ( Feb 3) Subject/ verb agreement: Ranjita, Courtney, Jess D Verb tense: Brennan, Gloria, Amanda Misused words: Costa, Chris L, Leah, Shelby Jargon vs slang :Nina, Richard, Jess C. (Feb 3) also use time to conference re-professional reading assignment due on Feb 10

Teaching Grammar Debate over teaching grammar- how? When? Knowledge and application debate- once they “know it”, can they “apply it”? Strategies: Beyond the worksheet “Fun” lessons Student –taught lessons Assignment “Bloopers” Using literature Individual needs: self- awareness, metacognition School wide literacy focus

The Role of “Creative Writing”? Small Group discussion based on readings and own experiences Maintaining a balance between creativity and analytic skill development

Goals of other forms of writing “Creative outlet”- “expressive writing” Differentiated instruction- choice Application of skills to more “challenging” forms- a step in the process

Types of Writing Personal/ reflective Structured “non- essay” pieces- debate Creative forms- stories, poems, scripts Samples Exam Question?

Writing at the College Level Practical Applications Opinion pieces “creative pieces”, personal connections Less literary analysis, more focus on making connections to works, developing ideas, developing clarity of writing skills

Curriculum Course Descriptions English 4C: This course emphasizes the consolidation of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse a variety of informational and graphic texts, as well as literary texts from various countries and cultures, and create oral, written and media texts…An important focus will be on using language for precision and clarity and developing greater control in writing.

Curriculum Course Description: Workplace ENG4E: as with 4C, but also: “An important focus will be on using language accurately and organizing ideas and information coherently. This course is intended to prepare students for the workplace and active citizenship.

The Writer’s Craft 4U Course outline and curriculum guidelines My structure Sample tasks

Assessing Creative Writing Challenges Rubrics

Small Group Activity: Planning a Creative Writing Task Choose a unit of study by topic or literary work Determine your learning goal for this task Develop and briefly explain a creative/ expressive/ reflective writing task that would help achieve this goal. This can be a formative task during the unit or a summative end of unit assignment