COURSE INFORMATION

Creative writing is a form of writing that encompasses a number of different genres and styles outside the more formal scope of academic writing. Creative writing focuses on elements such as character development, narrative, and plot, infusing its structure with imagination and story. We will learn and practice these skills through a variety of daily reading and writing activities.

READING

Read complex texts independently to determine key ideas and details, analyze craft and structure, and integrate knowledge and ideas.

WRITING

Practice writing to convey information clearly through selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Write literary pieces to develop real or imagined experiences, events, or emotions using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured sequences.
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.

LANGUAGE

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar, usage, mechanics, and spelling.
Apply knowledge of language to understand how it functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.
Determine the meaning and acquire and use accurately a range of words and phrases.
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Mrs. Julie Boam
jboam@dsdmail.net
801-402-6400
Room 204
📲 Available by appointment in-person, via video conference, or phone call.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Loose leaf paper
Pencils and/or pens
Colored pencils
An independent reading book
Your computer, charged and ready for use

WE WILL BE READING

Texts from Newsela, CommonLit, and/or other reputable online sources*
*Links to resources have not been vetted beyond the original page cited.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

Listen and follow directions.
Raise your hand before speaking and leaving your seat.
Wear your mask.
Keep your hands, feet, and belongings to yourself. When possible, please social distance and limit contact.
Devices should be silenced and contained in your binder or pockets.
Respect yourself, your classmates, and your teacher.

LATE/MISSING WORK

This is a unique school year with unique challenges. It will be your responsibility to stay caught up on work, whether that be from school or home. Please communicate with me if you are sick or unable to come to school. All required work will be available on Canvas. Please note that daily assignments build on previous assignments, culminating in a project or assessment. It is important that you turn your assignments in on time so that you can stay caught up and receive valuable feedback.

ABSENCES AND ONLINE LEARNING

Students are responsible for class work they have missed and need to make up. Canvas will be a great tool to keep up or catch up on work missed during an absences. Students may come in before school, after school, or during Spartan Academy for help. In case of illness or school closure, we will continue with our education via Canvas. Students are expected to promptly email the teacher when absent or when they have questions or concerns.

PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING

Please uphold a high standard of academic integrity and do your own work. Cheating, copying, and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is using someone else's words or ideas and passing them off as your own. It can also be reusing your own work from a previous class and passing it off as new work. You will often be asked to work independently (especially in the case of remote learning), and while we encourage you to use the web for study and research, your writing should reflect your own unique thinking and analysis.

CITIZENSHIP

Cooperation, participation, being punctual, turning work in a timely manner, and following rules will determine your citizenship grade. Failure to follow classroom rules and do work on time will result in a lower citizenship grade. Parents will be notified if students have an N or a U. 

H = No tardies, helps others, no late or missing assignments
G = 1 tardy, <3 late or missing assignments
S = 2 tardies, minor class disruptions, >3 late or missing assignments
N = 3 tardies, disruptive, >5 late or missing assignments
U = 4 or more tardies, truancy, cheating, major disruption(s), >10 late or missing assignments

GRADING

Grades will be based on student mastery of the Davis Essential Skills & Knowledge standards for English 7.

Most scored assignments will be graded as follows:

LETTER GRADE	SBG RUBRIC SCORE	CANVAS POINTS EQUIVALENT
A	4	4
A-	3.7	3.68
B+	3.3	3.56
B	3.0	3.44
B-	2.7	3.28
C+	2.3	3.16
C	2.0	3.04
C-	1.7	2.88
D+	1.3	2.76
D	1.0	2.64
D-	0.7	2.48
F	0	0

Incomplete and missing work can impact both your academic grade and your citizenship grade until it is completed. Once it is turned in, the academic grade will no longer be affected by a late, missing, or incomplete mark–only the citizenship grade will be affected. Notice that it is possible to have a good academic grade and a poor citizenship grade or vice versa.

Overall message: Do your work when it is assigned and re-do anything that does not meet your personal standard of excellence.

ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT

All students are welcome. Every effort will be made to meet specifications of 504 and IEP plans. Students who anticipate needing accommodations or who feel their needs are not being met, please reach out via phone or email as soon as possible.

⭐ Information is subject to change. Please stay up to date with the current Canvas course you are enrolled in for the most recent and accurate information. Thank you.