Classroom Policies for Writing 3

Classroom Policies

Communication

·        Weekly updates that include the material covered and upcoming assignments will be sent to the e-mail addresses that parents submitted when registering for the class.  I will also collect e-mail addresses from students.  I prefer to communicate via e-mail, but can be reached on my cell phone if the concern is urgent.  (507/581-0270)

·        I’m experimenting this year with two on-line resources: a blog and a document storage site, Dropbox.  Here’s how they will work:

–       Writing 3 – www.chatwriting3.blogspot.com.  The blog entries will contain the same information from the e-mail updates.  I’m hoping these entries will serve as a consolidation and reference for our weekly lessons for the semester.  Hopefully we can avoid forgotten assignments or missing e-mails.

–       Dropbox – www.dropbox.com.  Most of the handouts will be available on the Dropbox website.  Parents and students will receive an e-mail and be invited to view the “Writing 3” folder.  These documents can be downloaded and printed from home computers.

Grading

·        This class is concerned with both the process of writing a research paper and the resulting final product.  The assignments are incremental steps of the process and should be handed in on-time.  These assignments can be handed in at class time (Tuesday afternoon) or by midnight on Friday and not be considered late.  Late assignments will not only receive a reduced score, but could hinder the student’s progress.

·        Though we may do some in-class grammar and vocabulary work, no extra, outside assignments will be given.

·        Accumulating points is the NOT an important aspect of this class.  My goal is that students grow as learners and writers; this is not always reflected in classroom points.  However, points are a helpful indicator of diligence, improvement, and, to some extent, quality.

·        Points will be given for the following activities:

–  Attendance – 1 pt. /day (However, if a student is sick or excused, adjustments will be made.)

–  Participation – 5 pt. /day.  This includes good attitudes, helpful comments in the discussions, respect of others.

–  Quick Writes (2 pt.) & College Essays (10 pt.)  These exercises at the beginning of each class will not be graded for content, but will receive points for participation.

–  Assigned steps of the process – 5 to 10 pt., depending on the assignment with a reduction in points for late work.

–  Final paper – 150 points divided into 3 categories:  Content, Organization, and Mechanics/Grammar.

–  Final Presentation – 50 points divided into 2 categories:  Verbal and Visual.

·        Writing a research paper is an involved process to which each student will respond according to his/her personality and learning style.  I’m aware that analytical thinkers will love the step by step process and global thinkers will find it more challenging.  An important goal of this class is that students would become more aware of themselves as learners, researchers and writers.  This self-awareness will help them immensely in further areas of study.