This class must have the minimum number of students to run. In this class, we will work in writing teams like real journalists to create a mini-biography, personal narrative, informational writing piece of the student's choice, a how-to, and a persuasive letter. Each week we will take time with our writing teams in breakout groups, sharing our writing, and getting feedback from our peers. Then, after two rounds of revisions in the group, we will present our writing to the class.

At each class meeting, we will:

1. Explore a discussion topic encouraging interaction and thought
2. Work with our writing team in breakout rooms, focusing on giving constructive feedback on writing topics and content
3. Cover important aspects of good writing practice
4. Present our final drafts of completed works by reading them aloud to the class
5. Answer questions and receive feedback from the teacher and peers on works presented

Non-Fiction Writing Team Workshop Schedule - Example							
Meeting Number 1							
Warm-up - Riddle Writing
Class Brainstorm on Assignment - Personal Narrative
Class Organizing the Assignment - Interview of writing teammates to write the "Getting to Know You" Paragraph
Assignment Due Next Class - Getting to Know You Paragraph
Class Reflection Topic - Did you have fun and learn something today?

Meeting Number 2
Warm-up - Writing in Teams
Class Presentation of Assignment - "Getting to Know You" Paragraph				
Team Feedback on Assignment - Personal Narrative - Organization
Class Organizing the Assignment - Personal Narrative
Assignment Due Next Class - Personal Narrative - Rough Draft	
Class Reflection Topic - How is writing in a team different than writing by yourself?

Meeting Number 3
Warm-up - Types of Informative Writing	
Class Presentation of Assignment - "Getting to Know You" Paragraph
Team Feedback on Assignment - Personal Narrative - Rough Draft
Class Brainstorm on Assignment - Informative Essay
Assignment Due Next Class - Personal Narrative - Rough Draft	
Class Reflection Topic - What is the best way to communicate information?

Meeting Number 4
Warm-up - Making an Outline	
Class Presentation of Assignment - "Getting to Know You" Paragraph	
Team Feedback on Assignment - Personal Narrative - Rough Draft
Class Organizing the Assignment - Informative Essay
Assignment Due Next Class - Informative Essay - Rough Draft
Class Reflection Topic - Why is it important to organize before writing?

Meeting Number 5
Warm-up - Great Starts
Class Presentation of Assignment - Personal Narrative	
Team Feedback on Assignment - Informative Essay - Rough Draft
Class Brainstorm on Assignment - How-To Essay
Assignment Due Next Class - Informative Essay - Refine Draft
Class Reflection Topic - When should you try to get the reader's attention? Why?

Meeting Number 6
Warm-up - Sequence Words
Class Presentation of Assignment - Personal Narrative	
Team Feedback on Assignment - Informative Essay - Rough Draft		
Class Organizing the Assignment - How-To Essay	
Assignment Due Next Class - How-To Essay Rough Draft
Class Reflection Topic - Why is it important to use sequence words in how-tos?

Meeting Number 7
Warm-up - Diagrams in Writing
Class Presentation of Assignment - Informative Essay
Team Feedback on Assignment - How-To Rough Draft
Class Brainstorm on Assignment - Persuasive Letter
Assignment Due Next Class - How-To Essay - Refine Draft
Class Reflection Topic - Why do writers use pictures and diagrams?

Meeting Number 8
Warm-up - Making a Solid Argument
Class Presentation of Assignment - Informative Essay	
Team Feedback on Assignment - How-To Rough Draft
Class Organizing the Assignment - Persuasive Letter
Assignment Due Next Class - Persuasive Letter - Rough Draft
Class Reflection Topic - Where is the best place to present an argument?

Meeting Number 9
Warm-up - Citing Sources
Class Presentation of Assignment - How-To	
Team Feedback on Assignment - Persuasive Letter - Rough Draft
Assignment Due Next Class - Persuasive Letter - Refine Draft
Class Reflection Topic - Why are expert sources necessary?

Meeting Number 10
Warm-up - Making a Bibliography
Class Presentation of Assignment - How-To	
Team Feedback on Assignment - Persuasive Letter - Rough Draft
Assignment Due Next Class - Refine other projects, Journal
Class Reflection Topic - Who should you focus on when writing?

Meeting Number 11	
Warm-up - Engaging the Audience
Class Presentation of Assignment - Persuasive Letter
Team Feedback on Assignment - Refine other projects with your team
Assignment Due Next Class - Journal, and edits recommended by your team
Class Reflection Topic - Why is it important to know who your audience is before writing?

Meeting Number 12	
Warm-up - Breakout room Telephone Game	
Class Presentation of Assignment - Persuasive Letter
Team Feedback on Assignment - Refine other projects with your team
Assignment Due Next Class - Journal, and edits recommended by your team
Class Reflection Topic - What is your favorite story?

My teaching style is interactive. I encourage group discussion and emphasize learning from one another. Because we come from all different backgrounds and we will write on topics based on our own experiences, I encourage respectful dialog, questioning, and feedback, and I also encourage keeping writing topics family-friendly.

The students are permitted to write on any topic they choose, but I will guide them away from sensitive topics when necessary. I will encourage those students wanting to explore more sensitive topics to do so on their own and not bring them to their team. Topics including violence, hate, or any illegal activity cannot and will not be covered in class.