THE NEWMAN SCHOOL
BOSTON, MA
ESL 2 Writing
Ms. Giarratani Fall 2011
sgiarratani@newmanboston.org
Course Description
In this course, students will focus on organizing their ideas in a logical manner into paragraphs containing a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. They will develop their writing skills by writing basic compositions focusing on various grammar topics and specific correction areas, while also developing a sense to their own style.
Course Requirements
Students are required to write, collaborate, and participate every day IN ENGLISH. They are required also to maintain organization and an open mind for optimum learning, and to maintain an encouraging, appropriate and respectful classroom.
Required Materials
Text: Writing Preparation and Practice 2. Pearson Longman. ISBN: 0-13-199556- 1
A binder/folder for organization and study purposes
A journal for daily writing assignments
Index cards
Dictionary (Electronic translators are not permitted always; ONLY at my discretion).
Journal Assignments
Journal assignments are designed for students to expand on their writing in a personal way. Each assignment will require the students’ own personal experiences and will be worth 5 points unless otherwise noted. Each journal entry will be dated and written double-spaced. I will look for errors in 4 grammatical areas:
1) verb usage = ORANGE
2) word usage = PINK
3) article usage = BLUE
4) punctuation usage = YELLOW
The students will be responsible for self-correcting the mistakes that I will have highlighted in the respective colors. If they do not correct their mistakes before their next journal is due, not only will they not learn, they will not get full credit for their next journal.
Goals and Objectives
• To learn how to organize information and ideas into a well-written paragraph
• Build confidence in an array of multilevel sentences: simple, complex, compound
• To learn how to use punctuation correctly
• To learn the fundamentals of a basic composition
• Develop, albeit an awareness of, their own unique styles of writing, with the help of journal writing assignments
Grading Policy
In-class work, participation, journal assignments, and homework, will make up the majority of your grade that you will be able to improve on a daily basis, but quizzes, projects, tests, and both the midterm and final exam will be worth a large percentage of your grade.
Homework and preparation 10%
Participation 10%
Journals 20%
Quizzes 20%
Tests and projects 20%
Midterm and final exam 20%
Course policies and expectations
1. ONLY ENGLISH is spoken and written in class. It is both rude and inappropriate to speak a language foreign to another in my classroom. If you are caught speaking another language to a classmate, you will be required to do 10 push-ups in the class. If you are told more than twice to speak English, you will be administered a detention. If you continually speak in another language despite receiving multiple detentions, it will affect your grade.
2. No food or drinks in class. Only exception is water.
3. Bring your materials with you to class every day. Failure to do so will result in a detention.
4. HOMEWORK MUST BE PASSED IN ON TIME TO RECEIVE CREDIT. ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED ON TIME TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT.
5. There are NO MAKEUPS for quizzes. If you are absent and miss a quiz, you will receive a 0. The lowest quiz grade is dropped.
6. ZERO TOLERANCE of PLAGIARISM. IT IS ILLEGAL TO CALL SOMEONE ELSE’S WORK YOUR OWN. No work will be accepted if the writer is not a student in my class. You will be caught if you plagiarize. The penalties are an F, and a visit with the Headmaster and Dean of Studies.
7. Writing, even in your mother tongue, is a journey. I don’t expect you to be professional writers in this foreign language, but I do expect your best effort and for you all to try your hardest. Remember what Confucius, the Chinese philosopher, said: A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step…
Academic Portal
Everyday I will put the homework online for you to check in case you forget. Also, if you are absent, this will help you always come to class prepared.
To check homework assignments online:
Go to newmanboston.org, click the students tab, click on Academic Portal, select ESL department, select Writing 2- Ms. Giarratani click on Daily Assignments