Curriculum
Curriculum for each class was developed using the Iowa Core Writing Standards as guidance. There are no grades for classes nor will there be any formal assessments conducted. Classes are extra-curricular in nature and evidence of learning should not be used to argue the validity of any assessments conducted or grades assigned by their formal school teacher although it is encouraged that students use their writing projects and drafts for their formal writing courses at school.
Course Standards: Level 1, ages 11-13
Curriculum for the middle grades courses are aligned to the 8th Grade Iowa Core Narrative Writing Standards. Below is a chart comparing grade level learning objectives differences. The highlighted parts under the 8th grade standards are the nuanced descriptors that separate 8th from 6th/7th grade writing standards.
Writing Anchor Standard:
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
6th Grade
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
a. Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
c. Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.
d. Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.
e. Provide a conclusion that follows the narrated experiences or events. (W.6.3) (DOK 3,4)
7th Grade
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
a. Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
c.Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.
d. Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
e. Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events. (W.7.3) (DOK 3,4)
8th Grade
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
a. Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
c. Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another, and show the relationships among experiences and events.
d. Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
e. Provide a conclusion that follows and reflects on the narrated experiences or events. (W.8.3) (DOK 3,4)
Production and Distribution of Writing Anchor Standard
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Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
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Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
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Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
6th Grade
Production and Distribution of Writing
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above) (W.6.4) (DOK 3,4)
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1– 3 up to and including grade 6.) (W.6.5) (DOK 2,3,4)
Use technology to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills. (W.6.6) (DOK 1,2,3)
7th Grade
Production and Distribution of Writing
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.) (W.7.4) (DOK 3,4)
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Languagestandards 1–3 up to and including grade 7.) (W.7.5) (DOK 2,3,4)
Use technology to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others,including linking to and citing sources. (W.7.6) (DOK 1,2,3)
Production and Distribution of Writing
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.) (W.8.4) (DOK 3,4)
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Languagestandards 1–3 up to and including grade 8.) (W.8.5) (DOK 2,3,4)
Use technology to produce and publish writing to interact and collaborate with others through a variety of media to present the relationships between information and ideas efficiently, including linking to and citing sources. (W.8.6) (DOK 1,2,3)
8th Grade