Students will establish a writing routine in this 8 week class that meets twice a week. Students will develop their writing skills by examining short writing examples, vocabulary word work and journaling from writing prompts. Work includes a brief, graded homework expectation for each class session. The purpose of the homework is to individualize feedback and differentiate writing goals among students of different learning levels.

In this English class we will focus on will developing students’ writing skills in a step by step process. This class will follow an academic routine where each class includes: shared reading; a teacher-led focused discussion of writing style and purpose; grammar and vocabulary analysis; and journaling from writing prompts. Students will participate in discussions as a group and share writing aloud to their own comfort level. Student work also includes a brief homework expectation for each class session.  

•	We will have daily vocabulary word study. Students will research usage and definitions of the target vocabulary. 
•	In each class session students will study an example reading passage. Reading selections will be excerpts from a variety of formats including fiction, non-fiction, reference materials, and instruction manuals. The class will practice both quiet individual reading, and student / teacher shared reading. Student read-aloud is not compulsory, but all students will be periodically called on for comprehension checks.  
•	Class discussion will analyze the passage’s grammar, vocabulary, style and intent. 
•	Students will establish a writing routine by journaling from a writing prompt. Students will spend a portion of each class session writing. All students will independently complete writing progress in each class and submit a writing sample during or after class.  This writing may be done by hand in a notebook or in a computer document format. Students are expected to submit writing by scanning, uploading and attaching. 
•	Writing skill development will focus on: brainstorming and organizing ideas, punctuation, grammar, various sentences structures, paragraph structure, main ideas and supporting details. Students will be expected to proofread their writing and submit writing samples as well as make revisions to their writing.