Course Overview
This course is designed for 8th grade students to explore, learn and write within the Science Fiction genre. This course is a hybrid design that will allow a teacher to use a flipped-model classroom where, when students are in class, they will be engaging in more meaningful conversation about the previous night’s lesson.
This course is designed for 8th grade students to explore, learn and write within the Science Fiction genre. This course is a hybrid design that will allow a teacher to use a flipped-model classroom where, when students are in class, they will be engaging in more meaningful conversation about the previous night’s lesson.
Learning Goals for the Unit
I can...
Learning Outcomes for the Unit
I can...
I can...
- understand what science-fiction writing is
- identify elements of science-fiction in both literature and video
- identify themes of science-fiction in both literature and video
- understand the effects literature can have on people/society
- pre-write for science-fiction writing
- draft a science-fiction piece employing exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution
- revise and edit both individually and in small groups
- complete a final draft of a science-fiction piece
Learning Outcomes for the Unit
I can...
- demonstrate self-decided definition of science-fiction through blogging
- demonstrate understanding of science-fiction elements through video and reading response
- hypothesize how people reacted to a science-fiction radio broadcast
- demonstrate understanding of how literature can affect people through blogging and engaging in discourse with my peers
- demonstrate understanding of science-fiction themes through Glogster creation
- demonstrate knowledge of story elements through use of a plot chart graphic organizer
- demonstrate drafting abilities through story creation on G-Docs
- demonstrate understanding of science-fiction elements within another person’s writing by offering positive criticism through the comment area of G-Docs
- demonstrate ability to use feedback by making revisions to my story through G-Docs
- create a final draft of my science-fiction story through G-Docs
- create a final presentation using Microsoft Movie Maker and posting to the class blog
- Curriculum Standards/Expectations:
- W.GN.08.01 write a cohesive narrative piece such as poetry, historical fiction, science fiction, or realistic fiction that includes appropriate convention to genre employing literary and plot devices (i.e. narrator credibility, rising and falling actions and/or conflict, imagery and transitional language).
- W.PR.08.01 set a purpose, consider audience, and replicate authors’ style and patterns when writing a narrative or informational piece.
- W.PR.08.02 apply a variety of pre-writing strategies for...narrative writing (e.g. graphic organizers designed to depict rising and falling actions, roles of minor characters, credibility of narrator)...
- W.PR.08.04 revise drafts for coherence and consistency in word choice, structure and style; read their own work from another reader’s perspective.
- W.PR.08.05 proofread and edit writing using grade level checklists and other appropriate resources both individually and in in groups.
- W.PS.08.01 exhibit personal style and voice to enhance the written message in...narrative (e.g. personification, humor, element of surprise)...writing
- W.GR.08.01 in the context of writing, correctly use style conventions and grammatical structures in compositions including infinitives, gerunds, participle phrases, and ellipses or dashes.
- W.SP.08.01 in the context of writing use correct spelling conventions.
Course Communication Policy
I am very open when communicating with my students. I am available daily through email or phone contact. I receive all emails through my phone and usually get back with parents and students right away. However, at the very latest, I will return all emails within 24 hours. Emails can be sent directly from the site to my email. This course will also have open chat sessions two days a week and once on the weekend. Student input will decided the days for open chat sessions. All assignments will be graded within one week of the due date. Students will receive weekly progress reports each Monday during the unit.
All students are expected to follow proper Netiquette guideline set forth as follows:
“Netiquette” or “network etiquette” defines appropriate communication in the online environment. The online environment includes any communication that occurs via technology such as email, discussion boards, chat rooms, web sites, blogs, wikis text messages and instant messaging. This course encourages students, faculty and staff to use common courtesy and respect in all forms of communication to promote effective and positive interactions.
Netiquette Policies:
“Netiquette” or “network etiquette” defines appropriate communication in the online environment. The online environment includes any communication that occurs via technology such as email, discussion boards, chat rooms, web sites, blogs, wikis text messages and instant messaging. The Community Colleges encourage students, faculty and staff to use common courtesy and respect in all forms of communication to promote effective and positive interactions.
Netiquette Policies:
I am very open when communicating with my students. I am available daily through email or phone contact. I receive all emails through my phone and usually get back with parents and students right away. However, at the very latest, I will return all emails within 24 hours. Emails can be sent directly from the site to my email. This course will also have open chat sessions two days a week and once on the weekend. Student input will decided the days for open chat sessions. All assignments will be graded within one week of the due date. Students will receive weekly progress reports each Monday during the unit.
All students are expected to follow proper Netiquette guideline set forth as follows:
“Netiquette” or “network etiquette” defines appropriate communication in the online environment. The online environment includes any communication that occurs via technology such as email, discussion boards, chat rooms, web sites, blogs, wikis text messages and instant messaging. This course encourages students, faculty and staff to use common courtesy and respect in all forms of communication to promote effective and positive interactions.
Netiquette Policies:
“Netiquette” or “network etiquette” defines appropriate communication in the online environment. The online environment includes any communication that occurs via technology such as email, discussion boards, chat rooms, web sites, blogs, wikis text messages and instant messaging. The Community Colleges encourage students, faculty and staff to use common courtesy and respect in all forms of communication to promote effective and positive interactions.
Netiquette Policies:
- Avoid offensive language of any kind. Offensive or derogatory language in an email, discussion board or other form of communication technology intended to harass others in a sexual, racial or other prejudicial manner violates civil rights laws.
- Avoid threatening language or repeated harmful attacks on other students or faculty. It is against the law.
- Avoid “outing” which is where someone posts personal information about another student or faculty in an online environment, without their permission.
- Avoid “flaming” which is the expression of extreme emotion or opinion in an email or online discussion board communication.
- Misinterpretation of an email followed by an impulsive email response increases the probability your recipient will also respond emotionally making the situation worse. "Act in haste, repent at your leisure."
- Emotionally charged email can be printed out, forwarded to many people instantly and may acquire a level of importance that was never intended.
- Do not forward an email message, file attachment or photo without the author's permission. Asking for permission demonstrates your integrity in personal and business communications.
- If you are concerned that someone is harassing, demeaning, or abusive, please follow the policy procedures outlined in the course syllabus.
- The use of bold fonts and the color red often convey a tone of anger to your reader.
- Try to use dark colors in communications, lighter colors do not photocopy well and may not appear on printed documents if the color ink cartridge is old.
- The colors red or light green often cannot be seen by people with color blindness.
- Use a clear email or discussion board posting subject line that relates directly to your message. Consider it to be the headline of a news article.
- Use an inverted pyramid form of writing with the most important statements in the first paragraph. Follow up with supporting details.
- Keep paragraphs short for easy reading. Use blank lines between paragraphs. State your recommendations for resolving a problem.
- Be clear, concise and considerate.
- Avoid acronyms or abbreviations unless the entire class is familiar with them.
- When communicating online or in an email, avoid instant messaging shorthand such as “u” for you. Communicate intelligently.
- Use spell check and take time to proof read your communication. Electronic communication may be the only impression someone has of you.
- Be cautious - email and online course postings stand on their own merit, often without context, and may be instantly forwarded to many people. It is impossible to rescind a written communication when it becomes available for all to see.
- Be considerate of mistakes. If you decide to inform someone of a mistake or correct factual information, be polite and inform them by private email rather than group email of discussion board posting.
Grading Policy
All work will be graded according to rubrics which have been posted for all students to see. The grading scale is as follows:
100% A+
94% - 99% A
90% - 93% A-
87% - 89% B+
84% - 86% B
80% - 83% B-
77% - 79% C+
74% - 76% C
70% - 73% C-
67% - 69% D+
64% - 66% D
60% - 63% D-
59% and below F
All work will be graded according to rubrics which have been posted for all students to see. The grading scale is as follows:
100% A+
94% - 99% A
90% - 93% A-
87% - 89% B+
84% - 86% B
80% - 83% B-
77% - 79% C+
74% - 76% C
70% - 73% C-
67% - 69% D+
64% - 66% D
60% - 63% D-
59% and below F
Prerequisites of Knowledge
All students must have a basic understanding of:
1. sending and receiving email
2. creating a document in Google Docs
3. Google Search Engine for information and images
4. Web-site navigation
All students must have a basic understanding of:
1. sending and receiving email
2. creating a document in Google Docs
3. Google Search Engine for information and images
4. Web-site navigation