Writing over Christmas (IMPORTANT-Please Read!!)

[PhyllisG]

Good morning all!!

I've a few notes to share about the writing contest the dialectic students will be participating in this year. I'm very excited to see how all of this works out since it is the first time our level has been invited to do something like this. Yesterday, our class time was spent discussing the details of the contest as well as the things they would need to do over the Christmas break to ensure that their work is quality and not last minute. There are essentially four weeks until our next TOG co-op, so this will give them quite a bit of time to do the research, organize their facts and write their report. We also went over strategies for organizing the information they will be compiling as they do their research...colored or white notecards, stickies organized on a file folder, mind map/cluster diagrams, and an extended outline with pages for their notes. We will be spending 1-2 co-ops revising and editing their reports before they are turned in on February 15. The general guidelines are as follows:

• Subject must be a woman from the 20th century who made a significant impact during her life
• 500-700 words
• Keep track of resources (do not use search engines as a source) including specific sites you visit
• Use a graphic organizer or write an outline to give your report structure and flow
• Use the following guidelines to write your report:
i. Introduction
ii. Early Life and Family - might include significant events that led to achievements
iii. Important character traits (include evidence of traits)
iv. Major contributions/accomplishments - might include how did she make a difference in the world?/how would our lives be different if she did not achieve her goals?
v. Conclusion
1. Is he/she still living? If not, might include date of death and cause of death.
2. Why should he/she be remembered?
3. Would you like to be like her? Why or why not?
4. How has she influenced your life?


NOTE: All the students have been asked to be very diligent to keep track of their sources (in-text citations only for this report). They must have a minimum of 3 credible sources.

Because of this opportunity to participate in the writing contest, the homework for co-op 9 has changed and the following will be due:
1. Vocabulary words
2. Grammar summaries (a number of students have not been completing this part of the homework and I spoke with them yesterday to make sure they knew these summaries were still a part of what they need to turn in)
3. Biography reports (double-spaced)
4. Research notes/notecards and list of sources
5. Completed test

One student asked if she could send me her report on google docs early. That was a FANTASTIC idea and I would like to encourage all parents/students to consider this option as I will not be able to effectively grade 11 reports during co-op time and it is very difficult to get the work back to the students in a timely way when I have to take assignments home to look at. If submitting the report early is not possible but using google docs is, please let me know to look for their assignment that way.

Finally, I promised a test covering the first half of the year to the students, which I'm hoping to send this week. My desire is for them to complete the test on their own without the help of notes, but of course, that will be up to each homeschool family. It will give you a good idea of what information they've retained from the first half of the year in writing class.

Please don't hesitate to use the forum for any questions you may have!

Blessings and Merry Christmas to you and your families!!
Phyllis