Students will improve literary analysis skills.
Students will improve critical and creative thinking.
Students will learn about The Hero's Journey and Character Archetypes.
Students will develop storytelling and creative writing skills.
Students will learn how to write script style for the stage and screen.
Students will learn to work together on collaborative writing projects.

I have been working in education for nearly 20 years, primarily as a high school English teacher and speech and debate coach. I am certified and experienced in both AP English Literature and Composition and AP Language and Composition. I have also taught at the middle school and primary school levels, and I have taught traditional ELA and ESL course in both the United States and China, as well as teaching online. I specialize in literary analysis and writing instruction, but I am also known for my fun and engaging projects and have an extensive background in Project Based Learning.  Additionally, as it pertains to this class, I have an extensive background in theater as an actor, director, teacher, and most importantly, in playwrighting.  This is not to say that I am a successful playwright, but I do understand how to write a script as opposed to just standard prose and poetry,

Homework Offered
Students will have a writing assignment due each week, typically 5-10 pages in length.  This could take form as a single moderate length piece (rough drafts), a combination of multiple smaller pieces, or edits and revisions of previously written pieces. Please note, not all students will have the exact same assignment each week. Some weeks, assignments will be given to the class as a whole for individual writing, other weeks, the class will be tasked with specific objectives for the script itself, divided and assigned as the group sees fit.  This is a group project.  Students will be asked to work as individuals and as a team. It is that "individual commitment to a group effort" that will lead to overall success. (V. Lombardi)
2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
This is a collaborative writing course.  As such, there will be critical and constructive feedback from the teacher; however, there is no formal assessment.  As a collaborative writing course, the majority of the feedback will be from students' peers. That being said, my standards are still very high.  In a class of this nature and design, while I will evaluate their writing and provide feedback, what I am looking at more is how they are able to work together as a team.  Furthermore, it is my hope to have two sections running at the same time, allowing them to compete against each other. Even if there is only one section, students may, at times, be divided into competitive groups.
Grades Offered

"The Princess Bride" (novel by William Goldman and the 1987 film)