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Our principal has given your teacher a half-sized class with the mission to coach seventh graders in all kinds of writing, related to what they learn in American History and Literature. What a rare opportunity!
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Writing Workshop for American Studies, 7th Grade
What will we be doing in the near future?
Read about previous weeks.
Weeks Five and Six: Writing to Explore
- First draft due by Thursday Feb. 16Students are expected to "explore" something of concern to the writer, something about which the writer is not already an expert. Students have already brainstormed questions and sought answers through research. Summaries of their research should be in by February 7. Students may explore the different options or perspectives through an essay or through fiction, or a combination. For example, speculation on "What would my future be if I tried to become a professional athlete?" might consider scenarios like an essay, but have the feel of a story. Exploration Writing Handout and Survey
We have covered the essentials of sentence construction and essay - writing, but we'll review those materials through corrections of writing. The rest of our book focuses on parts of speech. We'll use an independent study approach to covering those chapters, doing work independently on sample questions, and getting individual instruction where answers show the need.
Coming up: Chapter three of the continuing Family Epic, updating the story to America in the early 1800s, with overland travel being a key element in the plot. We will begin this on Thursday, with an exercise using information about transportation in the 1800s and a map. Friday, you'll do research in the Computer Lab.
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Writing your thoughts is like sculpting clay. First, you need clay.
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