NOVATO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT & MARIN SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

Course Syllabus
Creative Writing
Mrs. Wright, Instructor
ChristieWright@nusd.org
www.room2401.weebly.com
On a personal note
Hello! Welcome to Novato High School and Marin School of the Arts Creative Writing program.
My name is Mrs. Wright and I will be your teacher this year. Please refer to this extended
syllabus if you ever have questions about the course. Additionally, please know that I am more
than happy to talk with you personally, so use any of the listed contact information to be in touch
with me outside of the classroom. I will respond to you as promptly as I can!

Course Content
This course focuses on writing in all genres of Creative Writing. The purpose of this class is to
encourage students to cultivate the habits, attitudes and flexibility of a professional writer.
Aspects of the writing program include learning the basic forms of different genres of writing,
how to prepare manuscripts for publication and contests, how to participate in writer response
groups, how to keep and regular write in a writers notebook, and how to experiment and revise
writing on a regular basis.
Creative Writing is the art of crafting a piece for pleasure and for publication. Notebook
generating is just one of the steps in the creative writing process. Creative Writing involves more
than just creating a work; it involves reading published works, reading works of your peers,
experimenting and revising, and seeking publication. Our goal is to become a community of
writers who experiment, craft, revise and play with our writing.
Materials Needed
Each student is expected to show up to class and be ready to work. Coming to class with the
proper materials is the first step to being a better student. Please bring the following to class
each day:
- A writers journal: this may be any journal or notebook of your choosing
- Pencils and pens
- A binder to keep your collected works and handouts

Classroom Policies
Be on time, prepared and in your designated seat when the bell rings.
Raise your hand and wait to be called on before talking.
Listen attentively to both directions and others.
Respect the classroom, others and yourself.
You will wait for the teacher to dismiss you when the bell rings.
No Candy, Drinks (with the exception of water), Food or Gum is allowed.
Electronics are not allowed in class unless approved by the teacher for a special
assignment.

Absences:
It is the students responsibility to contact the teacher and retrieve any absent work
before or after school. All absent work, tests or quizzes must be submitted or taken
within three days, after which the grade becomes a zero. I will not accept late work for
unexcused absences.

Course Overview
Fall Semester
Units: Tool Box; Memoir and Personal Essay; First Person Narrative; Short Stories; Final Project
During this Semester we will also have weekly vocabulary and a extended focus on grammatical
skills. The students will be working together to come up with selected works for the MSA
Creative Writing and Visual Arts annual book, as well.
Spring Semester
Units: Dialogue and Plays; Poetry; Final Project

Weekly vocabulary tests will be given as well as a strong focus on literary terms and various
poetic forms. Students will also be focusing on their portfolios and final projects that will be due
in June.
Grading
Progress Reporting
Grades shall be reported at the end of each progress reporting period for all students. Progress
reports will be mailed home and/or accessible to parents online approximately every five/six
weeks. Whenever a student falls below a C- after the second Progress Report for either
semester, the teacher shall arrange a conference with the students parent/guardian and/or send
a written report. (Board Policy 5121)

Grade Breakdown:
Grading will be done on a point system similar to the following:

Reading
Writing
Collaboration/Listening
Speaking
Language
Final

30%
30%
10%
10%
20%

The Grading Scale is as follows:

95-100 A
94-90 A87-89 B+
84-86 B
80-83 B77-79 C+
74-76 C
70-73 C67-69 D+
64-66 D
60-63 D-

Homework
Students will have weekly writing pieces that they will work on both in the classroom and at
home. There will be weekly vocabulary tests, and in the beginning of the school year during the
Tool Box unit there will be weekly grammar and sentence structure tests as well.
Classroom Tardiness
Do not be late; to do so is irresponsible. When the bell rings, be in your seat, ready to write on
the journal topic or silently read. Dont be in the process of sharpening your pencil, borrowing
paper, or socializing. If you are not ready at the bell you will lose credit from your participation
grade. Novato High School policy will be followed in regard to consequences for tardiness.
Questions
I am here to help you! If you have any questions about assignments or would like help with
anything we are studying, come see me. I will be available at lunch and by appointment after
school. Dont wait until the last minute if you have a problem- I am confident that we can work
together. My email is christiewright@nusd.org.
Sincerely,

Mrs. Wright
In order for me to know that you have read this information and have shared it with those
responsible for you, please complete and return this page to me, and keep the others for your
reference.
THIS SHEET DUE - for points - by Friday, August 22, 2014
Information:
Your name: _________________________________________________ Period ___________

Parent or Guardians name: _____________________________________________________

At what phone number can s/he be reached? (_____) _________________________

What

time? __________________
Alternate number: (_____) ___________________________ What time? _________________
Students e-mail address:
__________________________________________________________
Parent/ Guardians e-mail address:
___________________________________________________________
Please sign the following:
I have read, and I understand the information contained in this entire packet:
Student: ________________________________________________________ Date: ________

Parent/Guardian: _________________________________________________ Date: ________