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 8th Grade-Team 8I Writing Workshop

3. 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
But most importantly…I believe in your student

4. How can you best help your student?
Praise hard work, not just “good grades”
Encourage independence
Cultivate an appreciation for reading and writing
Promote self-advocacy and a growth mindset
Know what is going on…
Sign up for Remind messages
Gain Access to Google Classroom
Visit and read comments on PowerSchool
Use PowerSchool “wisely”

5. Feedback Studies have shown that the best feedback is timely feedback.
Majority of teacher feedback comes during the writing process.
It will be verbal, written, a scale of check/check plus/check minus, comments on drafts, minute-meetings, small group lessons, before or after school, etc..
“Final” feedback comes in the form of the rubric and “Feedback Log”

6. Points Breakdown
Total Points- MWA typically comes near the end of each marking period and has a major impact on their grade. Grades WILL fluctuate.
Writing Assignments (minor and major) make up about 30% - 50% of each marking period.
The remaining points come from classroom, check points, brainstorming, pre-writing, revisions, peer conference, classwork, etc.
- Though this course is aimed at assessing student writing, there are other ways to earn points beyond just the writing assignments.

7. Revision Opportunity
Optional revision for all individual MAJOR WRITING assignments with less than a 75%
Specific requirements need to be met in order for the revision to be accepted
The two scores will be averaged up to a 75%

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. Passion Project Requirements: 20% time for a Passion Project
One day a week
Low Risk / High Reward
Requirements:
Chose something you want to do
Use time wisely; Be engaged
Include a writing/speaking component

10. Extra Help I am here to help your student succeed.
Students are encouraged to seek help if they are struggling or need extended time.
If students feel they need more reinforcement, all they need to do is ask – in advance and in person!

11. Parent/Teacher Relationship
Communication is the key to success!
Contact Info:
*Best way to contact*
Conference requests through counseling.

12. 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

13. THANK YOU for coming!!

14. 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
Time for learning how to use social media in a positive way and to leave a positive digital footprint

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

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

17. Writing Lab Grading Important Points: Take Two Re-Do Final Grade
-Total Points
- PowerSchool
- MWA typically come near the end of the marking period.
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.
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% deducted for each day any mini or major writing piece is turned in late.