Writing with Skill 3 (2023-24)
Class
Candace Rydell
Writing with Skill 3 is the continuation of the Writing with Skill series, assuming students have completed levels 1 & 2. Foundational skills will be strengthened in the following areas: outlining, rewriting, research, and documentation. Sentence skills will be developed further. Four new forms will be introduced: narrative by significance, explanation by case and effect, instructional sequences and experimental sequence. The goal for this year is to grow your student into a confident and independent writer
Writing with Skill 3
Syllabus 23-24
Welcome to Writing with Skill Level 3! Mastery of the first two levels of Writing with Skill have trained the student how to write about history, literature, and science as well as choose, research, take notes and summarize a topic. This year we will build on those skills and learn four more forms: narrative by significance, explanation by cause and effect, instructional sequence, and experimental sequence. Independent composition skills are the primary focus of this course. We will also explore elements of creative writing along this journey.
For class each week, please bring a folder or binder, including the Topoi, Literary, and Sentence Variety Charts in addition to the Vocabulary Charts created in previous courses. You will also need notebook paper, pens or pencils, and the student text: WRITING WITH SKILL, LEVEL 3, by Susan Wise Bauer. Teacher’s Manual is optional for home use.
August
7. Week 1: Review Narrative Summaries & 3-Level Outlines
14. Week 2: Topic Sentences
21. Week 3: Review Documentation, Plagiarism, Introductions & Conclusions
28. Week 4 & 5: Independent Composition
September
4. Labor Day-No School
11. Week 6: Narration by Significance
18. Week 7: Independent Composition: Narrative by Significance in History
25. Week 8: Writing About Fiction, Part 1
October
2. Week 9: Writing About Fiction, Part 2
9. Week 10: Instructional Sequence
16. Week 11: Experimental Sequence
23.Week 12: Introduction to Explanation by Cause & Effect in History
30. Week 13: Introduction to Explanation by Cause & Effect in History, Part 2
November
6. Week 14: Independent Project: Explanation by Cause & Effect in History
13. Week 15: Writing about Poetry, Part 1
January
8. Week 16: Writing About Poetry, Part 2
15. Week 17: Explanation by Cause and Effect in Science, Part 1
22. Week 17: Explanation by Cause and Effect in Science, Part 2
29. Week 18: Writing an Explanation by Cause and Effect in Science
February
5. Week 19: Independent Project: Explanation by Cause and Effect in Science
12. Week 20: Prepare to Write a Movie Review
19. Week 21: Write a Movie Review
26. Week 22. Review : Place Description and Chronological Narrative
March
4. Week 23: Place Description and Chronological Narrative: Ascent of Everest
11. Week24: Analysis and Review
18. Week 25-27: Independent Short Projects
25. Week 25-27: Independent Short Projects
April
1. Week 25-27: Independent Short Projects
8. Week 28: Compare Fiction & Poetry, Part 1: Preparing to Write
15. Week 29: Compare Fiction & Poetry, Part 2: Research & Writing
22. Week 30: Independent Project in Literary Criticism
29. Week 31: Independent Project in Literary Criticism
29.
May
6. Week 32: Outlining & Rewriting a Classic Essay
13. Week 33 (Make Up Day from Week 5) Independent Composition: Modeled on a Classic Essay
Here is the class outline:
1. Week 1
Aug 7
Lesson 1 Complete Lesson 1 in text No submission this week; file work in binder |
2. Week 2
Aug 14
Complete Lesson 2 Bring a copy of your chronological narrative to class to be graded |
3. Week 3
Aug 21
Complete Lesson 3 Nothing to submit. File work in binder and bring to class. Email (or submit through dropbox) article for Trinity Times if you have not already done so |
4. Week 4
Aug 28
Complete Week 4 Submit essay in MYE See rubric to help as you write No class next Monday, Labor Day |
5. Week 5No class Sept. 4 (Labor Day) Continue working on lesson 4-5 Submit in MYE when complete |
6. Week 6
Sep 11
Complete Week 6 in text. Include outline and submit as last page of essay (after Works Cited page). |
7. Week 7
Sep 17
Work through Week 7 in text. Write a narrative by significance in History. Do not submit in MYE. Bring to class to share. |
8. Week 8
Sep 25
Complete reading Benjamin Button essay. Work through Week 8 steps in text. Bring all work to class for week 8. Submit narrative by significance in history essay began in lesson 7 after proofreading and editing. Click here, open rubric, and submit. |
9. Week 9
Oct 2
Complete Week 9 lesson in text. Open rubric as you write. Proofread and edit. Submit. |
10. Week 10
Oct 9
Complete Week 10 in text. Write your essay explaining how to complete a task or process (make a food item, craft, or skill, etc.) Bring all materials so classmates can follow your directions next week. There are 6 students. Submit here or bring essay to class. |
11. Week 11
Oct 16
Great job on task essays! Bring next week if you did not present in class today. Complete Lesson 11 in text and experimental sequence essay. Submit in MYE. |
12. Week 12
Oct 23
Complete week 12 in text by reading passages carefully, taking notes, identifying fallacies, and writing outlines. No essay due this week. Follow directions carefully to practice reading and comprehending important information. |
13. Week 13
Oct 30
Complete Week 13 in text. Follow all directions carefully. Submit Explanation by Cause & Effect in History Essay (Battle of Hastings, began last week) in MYE. |
14. Week 14
Nov 6
Read carefully and compose an explanation by cause and effect in history from Week 14. Do not submit. Bring to class next week to share. Snacks and board games are welcome next week, our last week of the semester. |
15. Week 15
Nov 13
Bring snacks and your favorite board game to class. Read through Week 15 in text. Complete rhyme scheme in text. Bring to class in January. No submission this week. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! See you back in class January 8. |
16. Week 16
Jan 8
Complete Week 16. Write literary analysis of poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and submit in MYE |
17. Week 17
Jan 15
Work through Week 17, carefully reading each step. Nothing to submit this week. |
18. Week 18
Jan 22
Follow directions carefully to compose an explanation by cause & effect in science. Submit in MYE. |
19. Week 19
Jan 29
Follow directions and manage your time wisely to research, take notes, and compose an essay including two topos describing a natural phenomena or natural sequence. Submit in MYE. |
20. Week 20 & 21
Feb 5
Follow directions closely to compose a movie review. Check rubric to include all necessary elements. |
21. Week 22
Feb 21
Carefully complete steps in week 22 to compose a chronological narrative and place description with triple repetition |
22. Week 23
Feb 26
Carefully compose Everest essay following steps in week 23 in text. Open rubric and submit in MYE. |
23. Week 24
Mar 4
Carefully work through steps in Week 24 in text. No essay due this week. No class next week (Spring Break). See you in class March 18 |
24. Week 25
Mar 18
Compose short choice topic essay and work carefully, following rubric. Submit in MYE. |
25. Week 26
Mar 25
Compose short choice topic essay and work carefully, following rubric. Choose two different topoi than last week. Submit in MYE. |
26. Week 27
Apr 1
Compose final short topic of choice. Include two topoi, named under essay title. Proofread and edit. Submit in MYE |
27. Week 28
Apr 8
Complete lesson 28 in text. Read and follow directions carefully. Begin your analysis and take careful notes for use next week. No essay this week. |
28. Week 29
Apr 15
Complete lesson 29 in text. Complete research and follow directions carefully for writing for compare and contrast essay. Submit in MYE. |
29. Week 30
Apr 22
Complete Week 30: Independent project in literary criticism: read, summarize, and find critical analysis. You MUST use a classical source. Take notes. Begin rough draft and bring to class next week for editing and proofreading assistance from classmates. |
30. Week 31
Apr 29
Complete literary criticism essay on classical work of your choice, as referenced in class. Complete essay and submit in MYE. |