Writing Course 3

Writing 3
Cardigan Mountain School Summer Session
Instructor Information:
Professor: Tai Haluszka
Email:Taisa.Haluszka@gmail.com

Course Information:
Monday to Friday: 9:00-9:50 am
Class Location: Kennerson-103

Phone: (215)498-3729
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 12:00-2:00pm
Course Description: This course is designed for students to develop knowledge of the

writing process as well as knowledge of grammatical structures to compose clear and complete
sentences, paragraphs and short essays. Students will examine a variety of writing essays
including expository, persuasion, research, narrative, response, and descriptive. Prewriting and
revision strategies will be practiced. In addition, students will read text to develop critical
thinking skills necessary for success in more advanced English courses.
Required Materials:

A planner or weekly organizer

Pencils and Pens
A folder
1 college-ruled spiral notebook

What is the overall goal of this course?

By the end of the summer, students who pass the course will demonstrate the following Student
Learning Outcome:
The student can demonstrate comprehension of sentence structures and the writing
process.
How will I reach this goal?
1. Use writing strategies, including pre-writing, questions, summarizing, note-taking to
prepare for writing assignments.
2. Write consciously and accurately using appropriate mechanical and grammatical
structures to clearly express your meaning.
3. Apply critical thinking skills to individual assignments and readings and in group
discussion
What do I need to do to achieve these goals?

Complete all homework assignments on time

Be engaged and participate in class discussion and group work

Writing Course 3

Display classroom maturity, including respect for peers, instructor, readings and
ideas
Try your best on every assignment
Ask questions for clarification

*Helpful Homework Tips:

Ask for HELP! Big or small, all questions should be asked!
Dont wait to start your homework until the last minutePlan Ahead.
Start assignments early. You will be less stressed and do much better if
you begin your work early!

What are we going to do class every day?

We will be doing a variety of activities that enable you to meet the goals of this course, including
discussions, group and pair work, prewriting and revision strategies, writing, and reading.
Is there Homework?
Throughout the summer, I will assign small homework assignments. These assignments are
designed to help you improve your writing skills, develop understanding of the readings, and
polish the work going into your portfolio. You will not earn points or a grade for your homework,
but I will keep track of whether or not you are completing the assignments. Failing to complete
these assignments will affect your ability to participate in class, and it will prevent your growth
towards the course goals.
So where do my grades come from?
Participation: 50%
Portfolio: 50%
What is a Portfolio?
You will complete four essays throughout the summer. Rather than receive points for each essay,
you will receive detailed feedback about how the assignment is showing progress toward
meeting the course goals. At the end of the summer, you will construct a portfolio in which you
will add your 2 best written or favorite works. These will be two essays that show your growth as
a writer over the course of the summer. You will include all drafts of the essay and all feedback
you have received from the instructor and your peers.

Writing Course 3

Week 1
DAY

DAY
6
7

9
10

In Class

Introduction to course and syllabus

Stop, Drop, and Write,
Intro to Sentence Variety
Free write,
Sentence/Word Variety
Pre-writing strategies
Free Write
Topic Sentence: Using Mentor Texts
They Say, Class Says, I say
Free Write
Sentence Variety
Topic Sentence/Introductions
Free Write
Topic Sentence Review/Introductions: Writing an
introduction as a class

In Class
Free Write
Sentence Structure: Identifying the different Types
Free Write
Sentence Structure Review
Introduction to Descriptive Writing, in-class reading
with pre writing strategy
Free write
Descriptive Writing prompt with Text X
Reading and class discussion
Writing Topic Sentence
Free Write
Revision/Editing Strategies, Writers Group
Share essays with Writers Group
Teacher feedback,
Fun activity

Homework

Choose one paragraph from S,

T&W and create a Word T-Chart
Worksheet Sentence Variety

Complete I say of worksheet

Write 2 different topic sentences

for prompt

Homework
Sentence Structure Worksheet
Using a different pre-writing
strategy begin to brainstorm
ideas for first Descriptive
Writing Assignment
1st draft of Descriptive
Assignment

Edit paper for 2nd draft

No Homework!

Writing Course 3

Week 3
Day
11
12
13

14
15

In Class

Homework

Free Write
Sentence Structure: Fragments
Free Write
Introduction and In-class Reading: Persuasive Text
Free Write
Fragments Review
2 Persuasive Articles: Think, Pair, Share
Prompt for Persuasive Assignment
In-class Essay: Persuasive writing

Fixing Fragments Worksheet

Writers Group
Teacher Feedback
Activity

Enjoy your Weekend!

Discussion Question handout

based on reading
Writing Topic Sentence

Revise Persuasive Essay

Week 4
Day
16

In Class

Homework

Free Write
Review: Sentence Structure and Fragment
Introduction to Run-on Sentences
Free write
Introduction and In-class reading: Narrative and
Prompt

Run-on Sentence Worksheet

Finish Writing Narrative

Assignment

19

Review: Run on Sentences, Peer-Edit looking for

Sentence Structure, Complete writing assignment,
Student/teacher meetings
Peer Review and Writers Group

20

Grammar Olympics!

17

18

Write introduction paragraph

to assignment

Revise 2nd draft

Writing Course 3

Week 5
Day
21

22

23

24
25

In Class
Free Write
Grammar Free Monday!
Gallery Walk with different Response Papers
Free Write
What is a Response Paper?
Conclusions
Mentor Text with Conclusions
They say, Class says, I say
Response Article
In-Class Response Paper

Homework
Discussion Question
Worksheet
Read Text
Be prepared with questions for
class discussion
Outline Response Paper
Write Topic Sentence
Relax!

Teacher Feedback and Revisions

Fun Activity

Week 6
Day
26

In Class

28

Free Write
Introduction to Portfolios!
Free Write
Revision Strategies
Writers Group
Portfolios Due! Gallery Walk

29

Student/Teacher Conferences

30

Party!

27

Homework
Choose 2 Essays to go in your
portfolio
Edit 2 assignments for
Portfolio
No Homework!!!