Littlefield - 303210CW - 2(A) 6(B) - S2

Creative Writing SYLLABUS 2019-2020

Teacher: Darlene Littlefield

dlittlefield@g.oconee.k12.sc.us.

Contact Information:  Please contact me with any celebrations, questions, or concerns. I can be reached between the hours of 8:00 and 4:00 at Walhalla High School, 864-886-4490. If I am not available when you call, please leave your name, student’s name, return numbers, and a brief message. Email is the quickest way to reach me (address is above).

Course Description, Objectives, and Goals: Creative Writing will allow students the opportunity to explore various writing styles through reading and writing. Self-expressive, reflective, and imaginative writing will encourage students to explore their beliefs about writing, practice writing techniques, and improve their writing styles for variety in diction, sentence structure, and format. This is not a basic writing course and students are expected to give honest, constructive advice to peers. Students will write every day and are expected to read work aloud in large and small group workshops.

Student  work will be compiled into a portfolio of work from the course. 

Textbooks and Resources: 

We will use various sources, but there is no textbook for this class. 

Required Materials:

Pencils, pens, loose-leaf paper, notebook or binder to keep class notes and handouts.  Students should have a system by which to organize their materials that best fits their personal needs. I will provide students a spiral-bound notebook.

Grading Policy

I will follow all guidelines set forth in the SDOC Grading Policy. 

Major Grades = 60%

Minor Grades = 40%

 

Classroom Expectations

Students will be expected to follow ALL school and district rules listed in the student handbook in addition to school-wide classroom expectations.  Each student will be expected to adhere to the following procedure:

• Start work as soon as they enter class after reading the board
• All are expected to remain seated without book bags on their backs until they are dismissed by me, not by the bell.  
• Pencils are not provided by me but may be borrowed from a student in a neighboring desk.  
• My desks and chairs are off limits.  
• Work due is to be turned in the the class basket at the front of the room..
• Late work should be marked with absence date clearly marked, if applicable.
• Students will raise their hands for recognition in class.
• Students may ask to go to the restroom during times of transition in class unless there is an absolute emergency.  
• The nearest bathroom is always the one to be used.  This is a safety issue and is not to be violated.
• Cell phones are to be placed in each student’s assigned pocket on the wall as soon as they come into class.  Should any violation occur, school policy will be followed thereafter.

 

A Little about Cell Phones

I have a pocket organizer on the wall in my room for cell phones.  Students place their phones in these pockets without fuss and without exception.  If you need to reach your student during school, please call the front office. It is hard for students at first to be able to do this.  They are quite attached to their phones. ☺  However, I have found that this method provides greater focus and fewer distractions for them and for me.  I do not have to spend instructional time asking them to put their phones away. I appreciate your cooperation and support!

Extra-Help 

            I am available before school or after school for help upon request.  My after-school schedule varies.  Students should be sure to schedule a time with me when needed so that we can coordinate the student’s schedule and mine.  I’m happy to help and want every student to feel comfortable asking for help when needed.  In the mornings, I am available in my room or can be found at my morning duty.

Incomplete and Late Work Procedures 

If an assignment is not completed by the due date (and in the assigned class period), 10% of the grade will be deducted if the assignment is turned in the next school day.  Two days late will yield a 20% grade deduction. Students have five class periods in which to submit late work assignments.  If these assignments are drafts, late work will not be accepted as drafts need to be done on time to be able to continue the process of writing.

Make-up Work Procedures 

Students who miss school are expected to make up missed work. Students who are absent one day (lawful or unlawful) should be prepared to fulfill any previously assigned work on the day they return to class.  Upon their return to school, students should contact the teachers of the classes they missed to get missed assignments so they will be prepared for the next day's classes.  Students have five class periods in which to submit late work assignments.  With Canvas and PowerSchool, there is rarely a reason that students missing class cannot also do their work on time.

Re-do Work/Reassessment Guidelines 

            Students may be afforded opportunities for reassessment that promote learning and mastery. Students will be allowed to complete one reassessment per quarter on a major assignment, and the reassessment grade replaces the original grade.  Correction of errors on a test or an assignment does not represent a reassessment activity.

Standards (from district syllabus)

Standard 3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.

3.1 Gather ideas from texts, multimedia, and personal experience to write narratives that: a. develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences; b. engage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation and its significance, establishing one or multiple point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters; c. create a smooth progression of experiences or events; d. use the narrative techniques of dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters; e. use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole and build toward a particular tone and outcome; f. develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting; g. use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters; and h. provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative.

Language (L) Standard 4: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking