This writing course is designed for students who enjoy formal and creative writing to express their voices better. Students will explore the elements of numerous forms of writing: personal narratives, expository essays, persuasive essays, poetry, creative non-fiction, and children’s literature, among others. Students will engage in developmental lessons, writing studies, and peer review/conferences to develop original writing pieces. While writing is the essential component of the class, games and projects are also included to enhance the student’s knowledge of literary elements, format, and structure. The final work must be typed and printed for most essays and projects. MLA format will be taught and is required for some essays, as instructed. Writing skills will be emphasized in this course. Students will practice writing journals, essays, reports, poetry, creative pieces, and multi-paragraph analysis papers. The course will include exams/quizzes focusing on literary elements and grammar. MS Writing is the foundational English class for MS students and is a prerequisite for MS Literature and Composition.
Textbooks:
"Fix It! Grammar: Mowgli and Shere Khan, Student Book Level 4 (2022)
ISBN-10 : 162341363X
ISBN-13 : 978-1623413637
Gifted Hands, Revised Kids Edition: The Ben Carson Story
(ZonderKidz Biography) – Illustrated, August 26, 2014
by Gregg Lewis (Author), Deborah Shaw Lewis (Author)
ISBN-10 : 031073830X
ISBN-13 : 978-0310738305
Bruchko: The Astonishing True Story of a 19-Year-Old American,
His Capture by the Motilone Indians and His Adventures in Christianizing the Stone Age Tribe (Paperback)
Publisher : Charisma House; 9.6.2006 edition (July 18, 2006)
by Bruce Olson (Author)
ISBN-10 : 159185993X
ISBN-13 : 978-1591859932
Heidi: Original and Unabridged Paperback – December 25, 2017
Johanna Spyri (Author), Maria Kirk (Illustrator), Elisabeth Stork (Translator), Charles Wharton Stork (Introduction)
ISBN-10 : 1982028734
ISBN-13 : 978-1982028732
Under Class Details, see the Class Attachment for textbook pictures.
Supplies:
Binder
Loose-leaf paper
White 8 ½ x 11 notebook paper (for writing and note-taking in class)
Pencil/Pens
Successful completion of KEYS Elementary Language Arts or permission of the instructor. If students are NOT CURRENTLY ENROLLED in a KEYS Math or English class, we require Placement Evaluations to be sure they are placed at the best level to help them be successful in the coming year. Please contact the office to schedule an evaluation prior to class selection.
Parents are responsible for purchasing all textbooks and supplies before the first day of class.
Supply fees are due to each teacher on the first day of class. This fee covers materials, lab supplies, and other expenses incurred by the teacher. They are a one-time fee.
Please note the grade level for this class. Students younger than the recommended grade levels need special permission before signing up for the class. Please contact the office for more information.
What happens if a class is full? You may email administration@keysofva.org to be waitlisted.
