Class Syllabus

Creative Writing

Mrs. Rachael Jones

Diamond High School

2009-2010

E-mail:  rejones@diamondwildcats.org

The class website can be found at http://rachaeljones.edublogs.org

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

• Creative mind
• Paper and Pencil
• Art supplies (I will provide some of this)
• Student Handbook
• Suggested:  Flash Drive

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS:

•   Journals:  Each day will begin with a10 minute journal writing.  You will need a spiral notebook for your journal and that notebook needs to stay in the classroom.  I will give you a list of prompts that you can choose from.  You will also find that list online at the class website.  All journal entries need to include date, entire prompt, and a well-developed response.  I will check these at various points throughout each quarter.  It is your responsibility to complete one of these each day.  If you are absent, you must complete a journal for that day when you return. 
•   Weekly Short Writing:  You will be expected to complete two short writing assignments each week.  I will give you a list of writing prompts and instructions. These assignments are worth 20 points each (40 points a week).  You will turn in both writing assignments every Friday.  If you don’t have both assignments ready on Friday, it is considered late and you will receive a zero.  You will also find prompts online in case you need to work on this at home.
•  Projects:  You will have various projects throughout each quarter.  I will give you specific instructions and due dates for each project as we progress.  Projects vary in point values.  It is always important that you follow the directions given to you and ask questions if you don’t understand.  These projects are creative, so points are usually only lost when not all parts are completed.

POLICIES:

• Late Work:  I don’t take late work.  Your journals should be completed every day and you must have two short writing assignments every Friday (or the last day of the week).  You will be given due dates for each of the projects.  You can turn the project in early but you can’t turn it in late.  You will receive a zero for any late assignments. 
•  Tardies:  The school tardy policy will apply.  You are tardy if you are not in your seat when the bell rings. 
• Handbook:  You must have YOUR handbook every day.  There will be times when you need to go to the library to print, use a computer, or find information.  Have it every day or you won’t be able to leave the room.

RULES:

• Be prepared for class.
• Work hard every day.
• Be respectful.
•  Follow all rules displayed on the rule poster and in the student handbook.

 Dear students,

 This class requires students that are responsible and self-motivated.  I will be there to give you guidance and to answer your questions, but I won’t be standing over you forcing you to work.  It is your job to make sure that you are completing all assignments in a timely manner, staying on task, and working all hour.  If you are finished with all the work that you can do for the day and there’s still time left in the class period, I expect you to find something else to work on.  There is a folder with alternative assignments and you are always welcome to do one of those.  They are not required, but are worth points if you complete them. There will be times when you need to go to the library to find information or print assignments.  I expect you to have your handbook with you every day so that you can go if you need to.  Without the book, I will NOT let you leave.  I also need to know that I can trust you to do what you say you are going to do.  If you ask to go to the library, I expect you to go straight to the library and nowhere else.  That also means that you stay in the library and return to class as soon as you are finished.  If I can’t trust you to leave the classroom, it will make it harder for you to complete assignments.  I also need to trust you to use the computer.  You will often use the computer to complete assignments.  You are always able to use the internet if the assignment requires it.  You need to make sure that you are only using the internet when you need it and that you are staying on sites that apply to your assignment.  You should NEVER play games for any reason.  If I catch you using the computer in a way that is not helping you to do your work for this class, you won’t be able to use the computer anymore.  While this class is independent and perhaps a little more lax than others, it is still a class worth a grade.  I expect you to work as hard in this class as you would in any other.  I also expect you to work on this class and only this class while you are in here.  Do not assume that you can do these assignments at home and use this class time as a study hall. 

Now that all the tough stuff is out of the way, let me say that I am looking forward to this year.  I know that all of you will work hard and I am excited to see the work you will turn in.  While I have assigned these assignments several times before, I never get the same outcome twice.  While I do expect you to take the class serious, I also expect you to have fun and really enjoy the assignments. 

                                                                                                 Have fun and be creative!