Schedule
Schedule
Week 1:
Objective: I can understand classroom expectations and course guidelines in order to be successful and comfortable in this class.
Essential Question: What risks will you need to take in order to be successful in this class?
Week 2:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Objective: I can identify possible topics for my passion project by completing an interest inventory.
Essential Question: What is one message you might be uniquely able to communicate?
Purposeful Positivity Essay (Essay 1, due 1/18).
Wednesday:
Objective: I can understand the expectations for writing a topic proposal for my passion project.
Essential Question: How certain are you of your project topic?
Overview of the day: Today, we received the passion project proposal assignment, which is due on Friday. We worked together to write a practice proposal and then had time to conference with me and work on our own proposals.
Thursday
Objective: I can think about how I relate to the world around me by making progress on my Productive Positivity Essay.
Essential Question: What bad writing habits do you want to break this semester?
Overview of the day: Students had the class to work on their essays, which are due next Friday, 1/18.
Friday:
Objective: I can envision my passion project by coming up with a semester-long plan.
Essential question: What will be your biggest obstacle in completing your passion project?
Passion Project Schedule template
Week 3:
Week 4:
Monday:
No School- MLK
Tuesday:
Objective: I can identify some key aspects of good storytelling by watching and discussing a TED Talk.
EQ: Why are stories so influential for humans?
Due Today: Audience/Purpose packet (extreme sports articles)
Today, we started a new unit. We began to think about the relavance of the idea of "stories" and discussed what it means to tell a good story. To make up work today, look over the slides and watch the TED Talk. Also, be sure to hand in your purpose/audience packet and your essay from last Friday if you haven't already.
Wednesday:
Objective: I can identify non-linear plot techniques and practice using them by writing a quick story with classmates.
EQ: What is an example of a non-linear plot structure in a book/movie you love?
Today, we revisited basic plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution) and learned about 3 nonlinear techniques: flashbacks, flash forwards, and in media res. We wrote short stories to practice these techniques. To make up, look over the slides and write a quick story that uses one of the techniques.
Thursday:
Objective: I can gain narrative writing skills by listening to/reading a model text.
EQ: How confident do you feel in your ability to write a solid narrative that captures the importance of your passion project?
Today, we listened to a podcast version of a narrative and discussed what an "expert" model would look like. To make up work, you should read the narrative. The narrative structure map (plot diagram) is due tomorrow.
Friday:
Week 5:
Monday:
OBJ: I can practice writing a meaningful personal narrative by looking at examples and working with a small group to craft an effective personal narrative.
EQ: How "on track" are you with your personal narrative?
Today, we reviewed expectations of the Passion Narrative writing assignment. If you were absent today, you should review the expectations and look at this example: Good vs. Not So Good examples.
Quick Draft is due tomorrow!!!
Tuesday:
OBJ: I can understand how writers use pacing to intentionally structure their stories.
EQ: What moment will you focus on in order to effectively communicate with your audience?
We looked at examples of pacing in a short film and in the "Learning Humanity from Dogs" model text. To make up the day, please look over narrative writing slides and ask any questions you might have. Pacing plan is due Thursday.
Wednesday:
OBJ: I can write my passion narrative by using my work day efficiently.
EQ: Does your draft meet all requirements? PRO TIP: Look at your prompt!
Students had the hour to work on a draft of their passion narrative. A full, completed draft is due on Monday.
Thursday:
OBJ: I can demonstrate my understanding of Purpose and Audience by completing a Mastery Challenge.
Today was an in-class assessment day. If student was absent, it is essential that they set up a time to make up the assessment.
Friday:
OBJ: 20% Time/Mastery Challenge Completion
EQ: How would you assess your Mastery Challenge, based on the rubric?
Absent students must set up a time to complete Mastery Challenge.
Week 6:
Slides: Continuation from last week.
Monday:
OBJ: I can create conflict and characterization in my passion narrative.
EQ: What is the primary mode of indirect characterization you're using?
To make up work today, look over the slides, and develop your characterization and conflict. You must leave six comments in your document to show me that you've looked at these elements in your narrative.
Tuesday:
OBJ: I can revise my personal narrative to include a meaningful tone and theme.
EQ: How are you developing a meaningful theme in your narrative?
Wednesday:
OBJ: I can work with my peers to revise my personal narrative in a meaningful way.
EQ: What's something you need to revise in your essay?
Today, we workshopped our personal narratives with small groups. Final draft due as a hard copy on Friday!
Thursday:
OBJ: I can make final, meaningul revisions to my passion nattative.
EQ: Is your narrative within the word limit? Does it meet the requirements of the prompt?
Today, students had a final work day on their passion narrative. A hard copy is due by the end of the day tomorrow.
Friday:
Due: Hard copy of Passion Narrative
OBJ: I can finalize the details of my passion project by prepping for my project pitch.
EQ: How effectively can you explain and pitch your project?
Next week Friday, you will pitch your Passion Project to class. It will be a 90-120 second pitch about the value of your project, addressing all of the things on this prompt.
Week 7:
Monday:
OBJ: I can develop the basic website for my passion project.
EQ: How confident are you in your web abilities.
Today we started designing a website (fun!!). This website is where you'll share all of your work this semester regarding your project. If you were absent today, you need to look at the slides and begin to make your website! I can support you more in class tomorrow.
Tuesday:
Blog Prompts: please notice the due dates.
OBJ: I can understand the role of blogs and implement one on my website.
EQ: How is "academic" behavior different from social media content?
Today we looked at examples of blogs and set one up on our website. Remember: goals of blog writing is to be personal (let your personality come through!) but still be polished. Students who missed class today need to independently input a blog on their website and get a copy of the blog prompts.
Wednesday:
OBJ: I can understand the components of a project pitch by practicing with my classmates.
EQ: What is the "problem" you are hoping to solve with your passion project?
Today we discussed the key components to a good project pitch and then practiced giving silly, informal project pitches to the class. If you were absent today, you should look over the slides and watch the videos. Remember: project pitch is on Friday.
Thursday:
OBJ: I can use my independent work time wisely by finalizing and getting support on elements of my passion project.
Today we worked on a lot of things. Website, blogs, passion project pitches... you name it. If you were absent tomorrow, make sure your website is finished. The first blog is due tomorrow night. Also, tomorrow all students will present a project pitch. You need to be ready to go, whether or not you were in class today!
Friday:
OBJ:
EQ:
Week 8:
Tuesday:
OBJ: I can understand the structure of good informational texts by reading model texts.
EQ: What do you need your audience to understand from reading your text?
Today we looked at example informational texts and discussed what makes a good one. If you missed today, you need to look over the slides and let me know if you have any questions.
Wednesday:
OBJ: I can write a good opener for my informational text.
EQ: What do you need your audience to understand from reading your text?
Today we looked at examples of good informational text openers. If you missed class today, you need to look at the slides and come up with a good opener as well as three sites you could use for your text.
Week 9:
Monday:
OBJ: I can decide which type of structure will best work for my informational text.
EQ: What type of structure will you use in your text?
Today we got this handout and discussed the best way to structure our writing. Students who missed should look over the handout and reach out if they need support. Also, show me a graphic organizer that demonstrates how you'll structure your text!
Tuesday:
OBJ: I can make progress on my informational text.
EQ: How did you use your time wisely today?
Work day for informational text! Due Wednesday at midnight on teams.
Wednesday:
Work Day
Thursday:
Work Day
Friday:
20% Time!
Week 10:
Week 12:
SLIDES TO STUDY FOR MASTERY CHALLENGE