Course Syllabus

Syllabus / Pacing Guide 2021-22

My Access Writing Support

Grades 7 & 8

Section 1003 & 1003.2

Please review the CWCS Master Class Syllabus that will be used in the Parent/Student Orientation course.

Instructor Information

Name: Ms. Teresa Matranga

I have worked for Connecting Waters Charter School for 20 years. For most of those 20 years I have been the English Department Chair/English Specialist. I have taught online classes for more than 10 years, including English 7, 8, a-g English 9, Ap Literature & Composition and AP Language and Composition, My Access Writing, and Expository Reading & Writing. I am also a mentor for the schools Speech & Debate Club and the newly formed Creative Writing Club. I help coordinate the annual Spelling Bee.

Communication

Communication between students & instructor will be made using the Canvas email feature. Instructor will respond to student emails within 24 hours.

Parents and ESs email me at: tmatranga@cwcharter.org. I will respond within 24 hours.

Class Day/Time:

Tuesdays, 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Class Information

Semester 1 - First Class Meeting, August 17, 2021
Last Day to Add or Drop is 9/3/21 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

Semester 2 - First Class Meeting, January 4, 2022

Last Day to Add or Drop is 1/14/22 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

Course Overview

The MyAccess program, with guidance from a teacher, will help them plan, write, and use automatic instructional suggestions to revise their writing. The scoring is based on five essential writing traits: Focus & Meaning, Content & Development, Organization, Language Use, and Mechanics & Conventions.

Students learn to use important tools such as, pre-writing graphic organizers, writer’s models. The My Editor tutorials within the program support grammar, mechanics, style learning. The MyTutor suggestions within the program support student revisions in the essential areas of Focus & Meaning, Content & Development, and Organization. No text book is required for this class.

Students will also receive one-on-one feedback and suggestions about how to improve their writing from the course teacher. MLA format will be discussed in class.

Supporting your student’s learning at home by requiring that time be set aside each week to focus on writing in My Access is the best way to help your child improve his or her skills. Parents can see their student’s writing and scores by logging into MyAccess using your student’s username and password. It is easy!

CWCS is offering My Access parent training sessions. Dates and times will be sent via Parent Square. You may also ask your ES to provide you with those dates and times.

Or, email me, tmatranga@cwcharter.org

Prerequisites

A willingness to learn!

Curriculum

A MyAccess account. These accounts are activated automatically for all students.

Technology

Working external headset with mic or computer (some computer speakers do not work successfully with the Canvas setup).

Without a working mic or headset, students lose participation points for the class. Class is more engaging & beneficial for learning if all students participate using their mic. Suggested: Office Depot Logitech Clear-Chat
Reliable Internet access
Canvas Login link: https://cwcs.instructure.com/login/canvas

English Department Webpage: https://www.connectingwaters.org/engdepartmain

Grading

This is a supplemental class and students are not graded in the same way as their core classes. However, I will be emailing progress reports to parents & ESs from the My Access program showing students' strengths, areas needing improvement, and overall growth during the semester.

Attendance

Attendance is required. The Truancy Policy applies to Canvas courses. An unexcused absence may be counted as a truancy.

Excused Absence is defined as:
The parent shall notify the teacher by phone of the absence at least 24 hours* prior to the time the class meets.
Unexcused Absence is defined as:
An absence that does not accompany a parent phone call to the instructor at least 24 hours* prior to the time the class meets.

If there are extenuating circumstances that do not allow for at least 24 hours, then the teacher must still be notified prior to the start of class; allowances may be made depending on the circumstances. Examples of extenuating circumstances: car accident, sudden illness, etc. Students should arrange a "back up plan" in case of unexpected computer problems the day of the class (i.e. make pre-arrangements to go to a neighbor, friend, relative, library, etc.)

When students are absent, they must contact the instructor via email or contact another classmate to obtain the homework assignment.

Absent/Late Work

The student, ES, and parent will be emailed if the student does not complete weekly essay revisions.

Weekly Homework

Students are expected to revise their essays weekly. Revisions are an important part of learning to write.

Important Dates for parents & students 2021 - 2022

Semester1

Aug. 11: First day of school for fall semester (Wed.)

Sept. 6: NO CLASS: Labor Day (Mon.)

Nov. 11: NO CLASS: Veteran’s Day (Thurs.)

Nov. 19 - 26: NO CLASS: Thanksgiving Break

Nov 29 - Dec 3: Last Class session this week

Semester 2

Jan. 3: First day of school for spring semester (Mon.) - Classes start

Jan. 17: NO CLASS: MLK Holiday

Feb. 18 - 21: NO CLASS: President’s Day Observance

March 18-25: NO CLASSES THIS WEEK: SPRING BREAK

May 2 - 6: Last class session this week

May 10 Final Project

May 20: Last day of school

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PACING GUIDE 2021-22

This semester we will follow the schedule you see below this information. Students will focus on learning and improving the following important writing elements: Focus/Purpose, Content/Development, Organization, Language Use, and Grammar & Mechanics. Revision is an important part of writing.

Students are expected to revise their essays at least three times.

Of course, they can revise their essays more than three times!!

NEW this year: you can earn a bronze, silver, or gold Certificate of Achievement for your writing efforts!!! Ask Mrs. Matranga about this option!

SEMESTER 1 CLASS BEGINS 8/17/2021

September - October / Informative/Expository Essays

Practice Prompt #1: 8/30 - 9/17 Ellis Island

Practice Prompt #2: 9/20 - 10/8 Cassowary: Giant Bird of the Rainforest

Benchmark Assessment Prompt: 10/11 - 10/15 Sleeping and Naps

November - December / Narrative Essays

Practice Prompt #1: 11/1 - 11/18 Fairy Tales from a Different Perspective

Practice Prompt #2: 11/29 - 12/17 Duct Tape Saves the Day Assessment given by teacher

SEMESTER 2 CLASS BEGINS 1/4/2022

January - February / Persuasive/Argumentative Essays

Practice Prompt #1: 1/10 - 1/31 Is Napping Beneficial

Practice Prompt #2: 2/1 - 2/25 The Clean Machine

Benchmark Assessment Prompt: 3/7 - 3/11 The Effects of Social Media on Teens

March - April / Literary Essays

Practice Prompt #1: 3/28 - 4/14 "Abuelito Who" by Sandra Cisneros

Practice Prompt #2: 4/18 - 5/6 The Interpretation of Maya Angelou's Human Family