College Writing
I WILL NOT BE TEACHING COLLEGE WRITING THIS ACADEMIC YEAR.
616-698-6700 Ext. 42626
[email protected]
Room 26, EKHS
Course Description
College Writing’s goal is to dive deeper into the conventions of academic and real-world writing while thinking like a college freshman. You, should you choose to remain in this course for the duration of the semester, will better your writing skills in order to communicate with others, convince others that your position has validity, and discover new things about the world and yourself.
The biggest goal for this class is that you receive enough practice, guidance, and feedback that you feel more prepared to write at the collegiate level before arriving on campus, because college professors will assume you know the basics. They do not teach writing, they teach their content and you prove your knowledge on the content through writing. Consider this course “conditioning” for college; just as workouts in the off-season or voice lessons in addition to choir prepare you for activities you love and help you grow, so too, then, will this course if you take it seriously.
Equally as important as becoming better writers is becoming better students. Developing time management, accepting and giving constructive criticism, monitoring self-motivation, and accepting personal responsibility are major elements of this course, and (in many ways) are skills that will benefit you much more profoundly in life beyond the classroom. This course will be difficult at times, and it is going to be a profound amount of work, but if you are willing to use this class as an opportunity to grow as a writer, student, and human being, you will have me supporting you not only this semester, but for life.
Types of Writing
REAL WORLD WRITING
ACADEMIC WRITING
College Application Essay (1st Semester Only)
Professional Correspondences
Resume
Cover Letter
Critical Analysis of Sources
Informative Essay
Argumentative / Persuasive Essay
Comparative Essay
10 Page Research Paper
Presentation on Semester Topic
Final Writing Portfolio
To do these papers correctly and effectively, you will also learn how to research, how to question the validity of sources, how to incorporate research into your writing, how to think critically, and how to assess the value of your writing and the writing of your peers. We will accomplish this by using the writing process (brainstorming, pre-writing, drafting, editing, revising, and publishing) and diving into mini-lessons on grammar and writing techniques to develop our writing styles.
Required Materials
Google Classroom Subscription
Remind101 Subscription
Attendance Policy
DUE TO THE UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS PANDEMIC, THE ATTENDANCE POLICY MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT WILL AND WILL BE COMMUNICATED TO STUDENTS IF AND AS CHANGES OCCUR.
1 - 9 Absences (Excused / Unexcused)
10 or More Absences (Excused / Unexcused)
60% Final Grade or Higher
Grade Earned
59% Final Grade or lower, but 77% or higher on Exam
EA
59% Final Grade or lower, but 77% or higher on Exam
EA
Passing Final Grade and Exam of 77% or higher
Grade Earned
Tardy Policy
Passing Final Grade and Exam of less than 77%
EA
Teacher contacts parents on tardies 1 - 7
Student receives Saturday School for tardies 8 & 9
Failing Final Grade and Exam less than 77%
E
It is not my responsibility to catch you up to the rest of your peers if you choose to join Zoom calls late. Please join as quickly and quietly as possible and find an appropriate time to discuss with me what you missed before logging on..
If you are absent, check either on Google Classroom, with a peer, or with the monthly calendar/schedule provided to you.If mini-lessons occurred, they were most likely recorded and can be made available for your viewing at your request. You should either communicate with me prior to an absence to get necessary information ahead of time, or check with your classmates for necessary information after the fact, but we have a rigorous schedule to maintain and do not have time to slow down.
Cell Phones & Technology
YES
You are seniors in high school and should know by now the proper, respectful etiquette for cell phone usage in a classroom, even if that classroom is now online.
NO
Emergencies
Music
Educational Purposes
Social Media
Pictures or Videos
While I’m Talking
While Your Peers are Talking
Loud Music
Google Classroom and Remind Codes
The entire College Writing course will be made available via Google Classroom. All work, quizzes, and resources are posted to the Classroom, so it is important you are accessing it regularly.
Class Code 4imxzox (all lowercase letters)
Remind Code @collkooy to 81010 (all lowercase letters)
Homework & Missed Classes
HOMEWORK
QUIZZES
The only reason we would have homework in College Writing is if you choose not to use your class time wisely or fail to complete your expected assignment during class time. If you have deadlines or due dates scheduled, meet them. NO LATE WORK IS ACCEPTED. I will not chase you down, hound you, or remind you daily to get your work done. You know what you have due, and when, and it is your responsibility, YOURS ONLY, to get it done.
If you miss a quiz, you will be expected to take that quiz the day you return. You are given your deadlines and due dates far enough in advance that no quiz will ever surprise you. If you are keeping track of your life and your academic schedule, you should have no trouble completing a quiz on the day of your return. To assure me you have read this section, please circle the first word on your contract page (the last page of this syllabus that you fill out and return to me).
Academic Dishonesty
If any student is found to be academically dishonest according to the East Kentwood student handbook, they will receive a zero for the assignment, no opportunity to make up the lost points, and a behavioral referral. Academic dishonesty (plagiarism) is ANY USE of someone else’s words without appropriate accreditation and could get you kicked out of college in the future. It will not be tolerated here, and there is never any excuse for it. To ensure me you have read this section, please put a star in the bottom right corner of your contract page (the last page of this document that you sign and turn in to me).
Student Accommodations
If you are a student requiring special accommodations, please speak with me as soon as possible about what those accommodations are. I am more than happy to set up an individualized work plan with you to ensure success in my class, but I cannot help you succeed if I do not know what you need. Communication (in person, via email, etc.) is the biggest component of successful student responsibility, and it is an important skill to have as you continue your education or enter the adult workforce.
You must advocate for yourself; the world will not take care of you unless you first take care of yourself.
If you are not a student with special accommodations but experience extenuating circumstances (a death in the family, prolonged illness, familial turmoil or emotional trauma, etc.), please communicate those with me as soon as possible to whatever extent you feel most comfortable. It is easier for both of us to create a plan as we go than it is to try and catch up. Again, communication is key. I can’t help you succeed if I don’t know what you need.
Grading
Every assignment holds the same weight, meaning EVERY POINT COUNTS. The points for a rough draft of a paper are equally as important to acquire as points on a final draft of a paper.
Basic Housekeeping
If you’re going to spend every single day in my classroom, I ask only basic respect of the room, your fellow students, yourself, and me. Below are my basic expectations for how to ensure that respect is achieved.
CHROMEBOOKS & TEXTBOOKS
Whether you are in person or remote, you should have a chromebook provided by the school or your own for personal use. Teachers no longer have chromebook carts in their classroom, so it is mandatory that your chromebook comes with you to class every day. THERE ARE NO SPARES TO BORROW IF YOU FORGET YOURS.
ALTERNATIVE SEATING
Due to Social Distancing and sanitizing guidelines, no alternative seating is available at this time.
GRADE DEBATING
I completely welcome conversations about grades. I am always open to negotiations about grades awarded to you. These are the grades, typically, you earn based on the rubrics, typically, you help create, so that takes away a lot of the guesswork. It is uncommon for students not to clearly understand the expectations of an assignment. While I am very rarely one to grant extensions to papers, I am always willing to work with a student one-on-one to improve a formerly submitted assignment for a new grade.
To do this, it is your job as the student to communicate to me with appropriate skill, tone, formatting, and grammatical prowess what you feel to be a fair proposal for resubmitting a piece of work. This is to be done as a formal email. Any inquiries about anything in the course will be reviewed if and only if it is presented to me in the appropriate manner (meaning, a professional email with clear proposal and justification for proposal). This is how the real world works; if you can negotiate effectively in writing to me, that’s the truest sign that you’re learning valuable skills for life beyond my classroom.
NOTE: I will only allow resubmissions of papers originally turned in by the deadline. If the original score is a 0, I will not allow re-writes for points. Once work on the final portfolio begins, no late papers can be resubmitted for grading.
HALL PASSES
WHEN / IF WE RETURN TO SCHOOL: Hall passes are not necessarily how college works, but they are an expectation the administration has of me for accountability and safety. That being said, the only way to leave the room is to sign out and use a pass. By the door, there is a sign-out sheet and two rather ugly hall passes. To go, you must sign out on the sheet with where you are going and the time you leave, and you must take the appropriate pass (bathroom takes bathroom, office or LMC takes offices pass). These passes are not interchangeable (meaning bathroom trips cannot be taken with the offices pass). If your pass is not there, you must wait until the person with it returns.
BASIC RESPECT
This is a safe environment where ideas are discussed, not the people who share those ideas. If you cannot respect the people in this room, you will not remain in this room for long. Watch your language, do not use derogatory terms to explain anything, and consider that not everyone sees the world how you do. Anyone who treats anyone else in the room as less valuable than anyone else will be removed from the class and not allowed back without a written apology. Writing classes require open-mindedness, empathy, and compassion.
FOOD
I allow food only as long as my space is respected. If you are leaving class and missing class time to purchase food, you will lose the privilege. If you are leaving wrappers and/or trash and crumbs, you will lose the privilege. I understand it’s hard sometimes to focus if you are hungry, so I do not mind allowing you to eat, but don’t make me regret giving you that privilege by making it a hassle or an inconvenience.
RECYCLING
Recycle paper. Throw away your trash. Any unused materials should be returned to where they were found, not left by your desk for me to pick up later. No one will leave the classroom each day until it is put back how it was at the beginning of the hour. I have three boxes up front (one for paper, one for plastic, and one for returnables).
Closing Statement
This semester might be different than what you’re used to when it comes to high school, because I’m going to walk the line between high school and college. I will treat you like an adult if you behave like one. I will give you 100% of my time and energy if you give the same back. I will give you options and choices, and you will have to decide which options and choices you can, in good conscience, live with. No one but you decides your fate in this classroom. No one but you has any influence over whether or not you succeed.
This course will demand you grow up. Advocate for yourself. Manage your time. Accept that you have things to learn still. Let others help you get better. Communicate. Be respectful. Consider the world from perspectives besides your own. Don’t pout. Lose the entitlement. The world doesn’t owe you anything until you prove you deserve to be respected, so push to be respected. Understand my deadlines and strictness are not because I have nothing better to do than ruin your life; instead, it’s to prepare you for adulthood and the expectations that will be had of you next year in college or the workforce.
I may come across as mean sometimes; know it is because I want you to be successful. I may come across as petty sometimes; know it is my attention to detail and deliberate yet sometimes irritating choices that are going to help you become who you are supposed to be. I may be hard on you, speak firmly with you, express disappointment in you; know that the people who never offer you constructive feedback don’t care enough about you to be worth a second thought.
I only have a few months with you as my student, but together we will get you through this course, we will prepare you for college, we will ease your concerns and frustrations about what comes next, and we will grow together. Have a good attitude, and this will be one of the most valuable classes you take in high school.
I WILL NOT BE TEACHING COLLEGE WRITING THIS ACADEMIC YEAR.
616-698-6700 Ext. 42626
[email protected]
Room 26, EKHS
Course Description
College Writing’s goal is to dive deeper into the conventions of academic and real-world writing while thinking like a college freshman. You, should you choose to remain in this course for the duration of the semester, will better your writing skills in order to communicate with others, convince others that your position has validity, and discover new things about the world and yourself.
The biggest goal for this class is that you receive enough practice, guidance, and feedback that you feel more prepared to write at the collegiate level before arriving on campus, because college professors will assume you know the basics. They do not teach writing, they teach their content and you prove your knowledge on the content through writing. Consider this course “conditioning” for college; just as workouts in the off-season or voice lessons in addition to choir prepare you for activities you love and help you grow, so too, then, will this course if you take it seriously.
Equally as important as becoming better writers is becoming better students. Developing time management, accepting and giving constructive criticism, monitoring self-motivation, and accepting personal responsibility are major elements of this course, and (in many ways) are skills that will benefit you much more profoundly in life beyond the classroom. This course will be difficult at times, and it is going to be a profound amount of work, but if you are willing to use this class as an opportunity to grow as a writer, student, and human being, you will have me supporting you not only this semester, but for life.
Types of Writing
REAL WORLD WRITING
ACADEMIC WRITING
College Application Essay (1st Semester Only)
Professional Correspondences
Resume
Cover Letter
Critical Analysis of Sources
Informative Essay
Argumentative / Persuasive Essay
Comparative Essay
10 Page Research Paper
Presentation on Semester Topic
Final Writing Portfolio
To do these papers correctly and effectively, you will also learn how to research, how to question the validity of sources, how to incorporate research into your writing, how to think critically, and how to assess the value of your writing and the writing of your peers. We will accomplish this by using the writing process (brainstorming, pre-writing, drafting, editing, revising, and publishing) and diving into mini-lessons on grammar and writing techniques to develop our writing styles.
Required Materials
Google Classroom Subscription
Remind101 Subscription
Attendance Policy
DUE TO THE UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS PANDEMIC, THE ATTENDANCE POLICY MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT WILL AND WILL BE COMMUNICATED TO STUDENTS IF AND AS CHANGES OCCUR.
1 - 9 Absences (Excused / Unexcused)
10 or More Absences (Excused / Unexcused)
60% Final Grade or Higher
Grade Earned
59% Final Grade or lower, but 77% or higher on Exam
EA
59% Final Grade or lower, but 77% or higher on Exam
EA
Passing Final Grade and Exam of 77% or higher
Grade Earned
Tardy Policy
Passing Final Grade and Exam of less than 77%
EA
Teacher contacts parents on tardies 1 - 7
Student receives Saturday School for tardies 8 & 9
Failing Final Grade and Exam less than 77%
E
It is not my responsibility to catch you up to the rest of your peers if you choose to join Zoom calls late. Please join as quickly and quietly as possible and find an appropriate time to discuss with me what you missed before logging on..
If you are absent, check either on Google Classroom, with a peer, or with the monthly calendar/schedule provided to you.If mini-lessons occurred, they were most likely recorded and can be made available for your viewing at your request. You should either communicate with me prior to an absence to get necessary information ahead of time, or check with your classmates for necessary information after the fact, but we have a rigorous schedule to maintain and do not have time to slow down.
Cell Phones & Technology
YES
You are seniors in high school and should know by now the proper, respectful etiquette for cell phone usage in a classroom, even if that classroom is now online.
NO
Emergencies
Music
Educational Purposes
Social Media
Pictures or Videos
While I’m Talking
While Your Peers are Talking
Loud Music
Google Classroom and Remind Codes
The entire College Writing course will be made available via Google Classroom. All work, quizzes, and resources are posted to the Classroom, so it is important you are accessing it regularly.
Class Code 4imxzox (all lowercase letters)
Remind Code @collkooy to 81010 (all lowercase letters)
Homework & Missed Classes
HOMEWORK
QUIZZES
The only reason we would have homework in College Writing is if you choose not to use your class time wisely or fail to complete your expected assignment during class time. If you have deadlines or due dates scheduled, meet them. NO LATE WORK IS ACCEPTED. I will not chase you down, hound you, or remind you daily to get your work done. You know what you have due, and when, and it is your responsibility, YOURS ONLY, to get it done.
If you miss a quiz, you will be expected to take that quiz the day you return. You are given your deadlines and due dates far enough in advance that no quiz will ever surprise you. If you are keeping track of your life and your academic schedule, you should have no trouble completing a quiz on the day of your return. To assure me you have read this section, please circle the first word on your contract page (the last page of this syllabus that you fill out and return to me).
Academic Dishonesty
If any student is found to be academically dishonest according to the East Kentwood student handbook, they will receive a zero for the assignment, no opportunity to make up the lost points, and a behavioral referral. Academic dishonesty (plagiarism) is ANY USE of someone else’s words without appropriate accreditation and could get you kicked out of college in the future. It will not be tolerated here, and there is never any excuse for it. To ensure me you have read this section, please put a star in the bottom right corner of your contract page (the last page of this document that you sign and turn in to me).
Student Accommodations
If you are a student requiring special accommodations, please speak with me as soon as possible about what those accommodations are. I am more than happy to set up an individualized work plan with you to ensure success in my class, but I cannot help you succeed if I do not know what you need. Communication (in person, via email, etc.) is the biggest component of successful student responsibility, and it is an important skill to have as you continue your education or enter the adult workforce.
You must advocate for yourself; the world will not take care of you unless you first take care of yourself.
If you are not a student with special accommodations but experience extenuating circumstances (a death in the family, prolonged illness, familial turmoil or emotional trauma, etc.), please communicate those with me as soon as possible to whatever extent you feel most comfortable. It is easier for both of us to create a plan as we go than it is to try and catch up. Again, communication is key. I can’t help you succeed if I don’t know what you need.
Grading
Every assignment holds the same weight, meaning EVERY POINT COUNTS. The points for a rough draft of a paper are equally as important to acquire as points on a final draft of a paper.
Basic Housekeeping
If you’re going to spend every single day in my classroom, I ask only basic respect of the room, your fellow students, yourself, and me. Below are my basic expectations for how to ensure that respect is achieved.
CHROMEBOOKS & TEXTBOOKS
Whether you are in person or remote, you should have a chromebook provided by the school or your own for personal use. Teachers no longer have chromebook carts in their classroom, so it is mandatory that your chromebook comes with you to class every day. THERE ARE NO SPARES TO BORROW IF YOU FORGET YOURS.
ALTERNATIVE SEATING
Due to Social Distancing and sanitizing guidelines, no alternative seating is available at this time.
GRADE DEBATING
I completely welcome conversations about grades. I am always open to negotiations about grades awarded to you. These are the grades, typically, you earn based on the rubrics, typically, you help create, so that takes away a lot of the guesswork. It is uncommon for students not to clearly understand the expectations of an assignment. While I am very rarely one to grant extensions to papers, I am always willing to work with a student one-on-one to improve a formerly submitted assignment for a new grade.
To do this, it is your job as the student to communicate to me with appropriate skill, tone, formatting, and grammatical prowess what you feel to be a fair proposal for resubmitting a piece of work. This is to be done as a formal email. Any inquiries about anything in the course will be reviewed if and only if it is presented to me in the appropriate manner (meaning, a professional email with clear proposal and justification for proposal). This is how the real world works; if you can negotiate effectively in writing to me, that’s the truest sign that you’re learning valuable skills for life beyond my classroom.
NOTE: I will only allow resubmissions of papers originally turned in by the deadline. If the original score is a 0, I will not allow re-writes for points. Once work on the final portfolio begins, no late papers can be resubmitted for grading.
HALL PASSES
WHEN / IF WE RETURN TO SCHOOL: Hall passes are not necessarily how college works, but they are an expectation the administration has of me for accountability and safety. That being said, the only way to leave the room is to sign out and use a pass. By the door, there is a sign-out sheet and two rather ugly hall passes. To go, you must sign out on the sheet with where you are going and the time you leave, and you must take the appropriate pass (bathroom takes bathroom, office or LMC takes offices pass). These passes are not interchangeable (meaning bathroom trips cannot be taken with the offices pass). If your pass is not there, you must wait until the person with it returns.
BASIC RESPECT
This is a safe environment where ideas are discussed, not the people who share those ideas. If you cannot respect the people in this room, you will not remain in this room for long. Watch your language, do not use derogatory terms to explain anything, and consider that not everyone sees the world how you do. Anyone who treats anyone else in the room as less valuable than anyone else will be removed from the class and not allowed back without a written apology. Writing classes require open-mindedness, empathy, and compassion.
FOOD
I allow food only as long as my space is respected. If you are leaving class and missing class time to purchase food, you will lose the privilege. If you are leaving wrappers and/or trash and crumbs, you will lose the privilege. I understand it’s hard sometimes to focus if you are hungry, so I do not mind allowing you to eat, but don’t make me regret giving you that privilege by making it a hassle or an inconvenience.
RECYCLING
Recycle paper. Throw away your trash. Any unused materials should be returned to where they were found, not left by your desk for me to pick up later. No one will leave the classroom each day until it is put back how it was at the beginning of the hour. I have three boxes up front (one for paper, one for plastic, and one for returnables).
Closing Statement
This semester might be different than what you’re used to when it comes to high school, because I’m going to walk the line between high school and college. I will treat you like an adult if you behave like one. I will give you 100% of my time and energy if you give the same back. I will give you options and choices, and you will have to decide which options and choices you can, in good conscience, live with. No one but you decides your fate in this classroom. No one but you has any influence over whether or not you succeed.
This course will demand you grow up. Advocate for yourself. Manage your time. Accept that you have things to learn still. Let others help you get better. Communicate. Be respectful. Consider the world from perspectives besides your own. Don’t pout. Lose the entitlement. The world doesn’t owe you anything until you prove you deserve to be respected, so push to be respected. Understand my deadlines and strictness are not because I have nothing better to do than ruin your life; instead, it’s to prepare you for adulthood and the expectations that will be had of you next year in college or the workforce.
I may come across as mean sometimes; know it is because I want you to be successful. I may come across as petty sometimes; know it is my attention to detail and deliberate yet sometimes irritating choices that are going to help you become who you are supposed to be. I may be hard on you, speak firmly with you, express disappointment in you; know that the people who never offer you constructive feedback don’t care enough about you to be worth a second thought.
I only have a few months with you as my student, but together we will get you through this course, we will prepare you for college, we will ease your concerns and frustrations about what comes next, and we will grow together. Have a good attitude, and this will be one of the most valuable classes you take in high school.