1. Welcome to Writing Workshop! An Integrated Approach to Writing 1. Please sign in on the “Sign in Sheet” next to your student’s name. 2. Fill in seats closest to the front screen 3. Take a look around the room

2. Mrs. Melita & Mrs. Flecca 8th Grade-Team 8I Writing Workshop

3. Writing Workshop Curriculum An ambitious program that creates a student-centered approach to writing with a focus on a variety of genres Designed to meet the needs of each individual writer through brief mini-lessons that address strategies, grammar, and style Individualized attention to writing skills through conferencing (both peer and teacher) Students will also be utilizing an online portfolio system as part of a district wide initiative that will compile their writing, allow for peer feedback, and focus on goal setting and reflection.

4. This I Believe … I believe in hard work I believe that writing is a process I believe in varying levels of success I believe that students hold the key to their own success – Self advocacy I believe in taking risks I believe in your student

5. Types of assignments Within each unit there are: – One or two smaller “projects/writing pieces” (15-50 points) that act as “warm ups” – One Major Writing Assignment (MWA) (100 points). There are other ways to earn points – Do Now’s/Class Activities (3-20 points) – Pre-writing (15-25 points) – Draft Checkpoints (5 points) – Turning in necessary docs with MWA (points vary) – Drafting Logs for MWAs (10-15 points) – Getting MWA rubrics signed (5 points)

6. Writing Workshop Grading Final Grade – We will be working with a “Total Points” system. – PowerSchool – MWA typically comes near the end of each marking period and has a major impact on their grade. Grades WILL fluctuate. Take-2-Re-do (Revision opportunity) – Optional revision for all individual MAJOR WRITING assignments with less than a 75% – Must be signed by a parent/guardian – Revised piece will be due a week from the return date – The two scores will be averaged UP to a 75%

7. Grading Class Work Any class work (worksheets, drafting, editing, etc.) that is not finished in class becomes “homework” if the student used his/her time wisely in class. *It is the student’s responsibility to complete the unfinished work outside of class AND turn it in the next day at the beginning of class to be considered “on time”. Late work - Time sensitive late-work will not be accepted for points (i.e. check points, work needed for class that day). -Non time-sensitive late-work can earn up to half-credit based on quality of work and timeliness of turning it in. ***There will be 10% deduction from each day writing piece is late.

8. My two cents on extra credit – First cent: I do not believe in the end of the marking period is-there-anything-I-can-do-to-raise-my-grade- before-report-cards grovel. If I did, what message would this send to your student? – Second cent: I do, however, believe in recognizing work that goes above and beyond assignment requirements OR when a student shows vast improvement in a past area of weakness. Now, what message does this send to your student?

9. How can you best help your student?  Praise hard work  Encourage independence  Cultivate an appreciation for reading and writing  Promote self-advocacy  Know what is going on…  Sign up for Remind 101  Check out The WeeblyThe Weebly  Utilize my Teacher Page  Visit and read comments on Powerschool

10. Teacher Page

12. Remind101 Safe, easy way to receive due date reminders for drafts and final writing pieces. – Receive by text or email There is a copy of this document on the back of your Park Proclaimer

13. Extra Help I am here to help your student succeed. Students are encouraged to seek help if they are struggling or need extended time. OFFICE HOURS: Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:45-3:30 PM Wednesdays and Fridays 7:30-8:00 AM and 2:45-3:00 PM If students feel they need more reinforcement, all they need to do is ask!

14. Parent/Teacher Relationship Communication is the key to success! Contact Info: – mmelita@spfk12.org *Best way to contact* – Main Office: (908) 322-4445 x 2221 Conference requests through counseling.

15. Once sentence letter … Dear Parents and Guardians, Though I am not an “easy teacher” and I have high expectations for each of my students, there is nothing I want more than for each of them to succeed; they need only want it for themselves half as badly as I want it for them. Sincerely, Mrs. Melita

16. THANK YOU for coming!!

17. STAR Students Taking Academic Responsibility  Time for students to get extra help from available teachers (as well as peers)  Time to make up missed work  Time for independent study  Character Education through films

18. Lots of “Logs” and “Lists”  Daily Progress Logs  Students keep track of mini lessons, their progress, concerns, successes, and meetings

19. Integrated Writing Tasks  Identity  Informative  Creative  Narrative  Perspectives  Explanatory  Power  Persuasive/Speech Ethics –Editorial –Research Change - Narrative (time period research) Global Awareness – Magazines Writer’s Notebook Inspiration Word and Pages PowerPoint and Keynote iMovie Garage Band

20. Individual Proofreading List A collection of all of my “major” comments on Major Writing Assignments (MWAs)

21. Goal Setting -Students use teacher feedback from their Proofreading List to focus on strengthening areas of weakness

22. Student Choice Encourages taking risks in writing without fear of being penalized.

23. The Writing Process  Brainstorm and thought growth  Drafting  Revising  Editing  Polishing  Publishing

24. Writing Lab Grading Important Points: Final Grade -Total Points - PowerSchool - MWA typically come near the end of the marking period. Class Work/ “Late Work” - Any class work (worksheets, drafting, editing, etc.) that is not finished in class becomes “homework”. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the unfinished work outside of class AND turn it in the next day at the beginning of the period to be considered “on time”. *** Time sensitive late-work will not be accepted for points (i.e.check points, work needed for class that day, peer conferences). Non time- sensitive late-work can earn up to half-credit based on quality of work and timeliness of turning it in. There will be 10 points deducted for each day a major writing piece is turned in late. Take Two Re-Do - Optional “Re-do” for any MAJOR writing assignment (100pt assignments), for any student who scores less than a 75%. -Due a week after the original is returned -Scores averaged together UP to a 75% -Student must: meet with me to discuss plans for revision, highlight ALL revisions and write a blurb that explains their revisions and reasoning or else it will not be accepted.