Level 4 Writing – Fall 2019

Teacher/Course Information

Teacher Name: Miss Lynne (or Mrs. McPhie)

Contact Method: Canvas email or lynnec@selnate.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
Class Time: 10:40 to 11:35 am

Materials

Classroom Materials:
• Pen/Pencil
• Notebook Paper
• Binder
To purchase at Selnate:
• Great Writing – Great Essays: by Keith Folse

Course Goal
Selnate students at the Advanced Low sublevel will be able to meet basic work and/or
academic writing needs. They will demonstrate the ability to narrate and describe in major
time frames with some control of aspect. They will be able to compose simple summaries on
familiar topics. Advanced Low writers will be able to combine and link sentences into texts of
paragraph length and structure.
[According to ACTFL Guidelines]

Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of the semester, students should be able to achieve the following objectives:

1. Identify vocabulary and their associations, collocations and parts of speech.

2. Write sentences using new vocabulary words correctly.
3. Use a variety of forms of brainstorming.
4. Evaluate the content, style and meaning in their own work and the work of others based
on the requirements of the assignment, and using a peer-editing guide provided by the
teacher or the text.
5. Revise and improve essays based on peer and teacher feedback.
6. Identify and avoid plagiarism by correctly quoting, paraphrasing and citing sources.
7. Outline a paragraph and essay, given a topic.
 8. Write effective topic sentences with controlling ideas that clearly indicate the course of
the paragraph.
9. Write supporting sentences of different types (examples, explanations, definitions,
descriptions, reasons, facts, etc.) that are clearly related to the topic sentence.
10. Use appropriate transitions for concluding sentences and paragraphs (because of this,
as a result, certainly, in conclusion, clearly, indeed, in sum, etc.).
11. Use transitions effectively within and between paragraphs [transitions that add
information (in addition, similarly, etc.), show contrast (however, on the other hand,
etc.), and show order of argument (first, next, finally, etc.)].
12. Write an introductory paragraph that includes a hook, background information and a
thesis statement that expresses an opinion and indicates the course of the essay.
13. Write at least three essays of five or more paragraphs whose body paragraphs clearly
support the thesis statement.
14. Write effective conclusions that restate the thesis statement, and express an opinion,
suggestion or prediction.
15. Write three essays, each using a rhetorical style from narrative, cause and effect, and
comparison.
16. Write a timed in-class final draft of 175-225 word essay in 30 minutes (midterm and
final)
17. Produce a final draft free of spelling, capitalization, grammar, and punctuation errors
that would interfere with meaning or comprehension.

Attendance and Grades

Attendance
• Please come to class and come on time. When you come late and/or miss class,
you will do poorly on your assignments because you will miss necessary
instructions and learning opportunities.

• Selnate’s attendance policy: Attendance is included in your Citizenship grade.

Students must attend at least 85% of their classes. Students who fail to attend
85% or more may jeopardize their visa status and vacation. Students must
maintain an average proficiency grade of C (74%) or above in classes. If students
fail to do this, they will be put on probation. Three tardies will count as one
absence. You are counted tardy if you are 1 minute late after the bell rings.

Grades
• Passing the course depends on your ability to master the objectives and achieve
the course goal. As stated in your orientation last week, you must maintain a “C”
average or risk being placed on probation or possibly lose student status.
Remember, YOU earn your grade!
 Grading Scale

4.0 A 94+ 2.7 B- 80-82 1.3 D+ 67-69

3.7 A- 90-93 2.3 C+ 77-79 1.0 D 63-67

3.3 B+ 87-89 2.0 C 73-76 0.7 D- 60-62

3.0 B 83-86 1.7 C- 70-72 0 F 0-59

• Students will be issued two separate grades, a proficiency grade and a citizenship
grade. Selnate uses a grade point (GPA) system based on letter grades. For
Example 4.0 is an A (high grade), 3.0 is a B (good grade), 2.0 is a C (average grade)
and so on.
o Proficiency Grades: The proficiency grade is based on test scores, quiz
scores, presentations and essays. Proficiency grades along with the
placement test will be used to determine if a student is ready to move to
the next level. A proficiency grade of C (74%) or higher is required to
advance to the next level.
▪ Essays (50%)
▪ Midterm and Final Exam (30%)
▪ Vocabulary quizzes (10%)
▪ Chapter quizzes (10%)

o Citizenship Grades: The citizenship grade is based on homework

completion, attendance, and overall attitude. Students who do not maintain
a 2.0 (C) or better may be put on probation. Students must maintain a
citizenship grade of 2.0 (C) or better to be eligible for vacation.
▪ Homework (50%)
▪ Attendance / Participation (50%)

Advancement
• Advancement from one level to another in the Selnate program is based on a
student’s proficiency of C (74%) or above, the placement test, and teacher
evaluations. You are being evaluated every day of the term. Work that students do
during the semester helps prepare them for the final exam and should be taken
seriously.

Homework and Late Work Policy

Homework
• Homework for this class will be broken down into the following categories:
o Essay drafts
 o Journal assignments
o Textbook assignments
o Vocabulary assignments
Late Policy
• Students are responsible for contacting their teachers or classmates about homework
assignments they miss when they are absent. They should turn in the missed homework
as soon as they return.
• After one week, they will only receive half the points. Students without an excused
absence must turn in the missed homework assignment as soon as they return
• After one day they will NOT receive full points. The teacher will deduct points each
day the missed homework is late.
• If students have an excused absence (with a doctor’s note), they will be given one week
to turn in the missed homework and still receive full points.
• Homework before the midterms must be turned in before Week 8 in order to receive
any points.

Daily Participation Grades

• Students will also receive a daily participation grade of 3 points. Points may be
deducted for any of the following:
o Tardiness
o Absence
o Cell phone use
o Not paying attention
o Rudeness to classmates or the teacher
o Not having class materials

Selnate Policies

These rules are an overview of what is expected of you in our class. See the Student
Handbook for a complete list of rules and policies.

Cell Phones
• Students are not allowed to use cell phones in this class, unless directed by the
teacher. Phones should be turned off completely at the beginning of class and
placed out of sight for the duration of the class. Phones seen in use during class
time will be confiscated and returned at the end of the hour.

Laptops
 • Laptops are not to be brought to class unless indicated by the teacher for the
purpose of a lesson.

English Speaking
• Please speak only English while in the classroom – before, during and after the
lesson begins. This policy is for two reasons. (1) Everyone needs more practice
speaking English, and (2) It is impolite to speak a language that some in the class
do not understand.

Student Conduct Agreement

English Speaking
• Students are required to have their OWN textbook or purchase the textbook
packet fee for each class. No exceptions.
• Students will not cheat (including looking at or copying other people’s homework
and/or tests and any other form of cheating).
• Students will not interfere with other students’ right to undisturbed enjoyment of
Selnate facilities and education.
• Students will not willfully waste or damage Selnate materials or steal or otherwise
remove Selnate property from school premises.
• Students will always be in compliance with the Selnate Drug and Alcohol policy.
• Students will not participate in activities which bring the name or reputation of
Selnate into disrepute.
• Students will not use cell phones or other devices (such as handheld games or
headsets) during class time that may interrupt classes.
• Students will speak only in English in class.
• Student may receive an absence if the student leaves the room for an extended
period of time.
• Students are responsible for missed assignments and tests.
• Students will maintain current rules and regulations.

Student BYU Housing

• Students who are living in BYU housing must remember to keep the BYU honor
code. http://registrar.byu.edu/catalog/2014-
2015ucat/GeneralInfo/HonorCode.php
 Level 4 Writing Calendar
*This calendar is subject to change
Weekly Essay
Class Topics
Assignments

Week 1 Sept. 9-12 Diagnostic Tests, Paragraph Review, Unit 1

Week 2 Sept. 16-19 Unit 1 (Exploring the Essay)

Week 3 Sept. 23-26 Unit 2 (Narrative Essays)

Sept 30- Oct Narrative Essay first
Week 4 Unit 2
3 draft due
Unit 3 (Comparison Essays) Narrative Essay final
Week 5 Oct. 7-10
draft due
Comparison Essay
first draft due
Week 6 Oct. 14-17 Unit 3
Fall break Oct 17th No
Classes
Week 7 Oct. 21-24 Midterms
Unit 4 (Cause-Effect Essays) Comparison Essay
Week 8 Oct. 28-31
final draft due
Cause-Effect Essay
Week 9 Nov. 4-7 Unit 4 first draft due

Week 10 Nov. 11-14 Unit 4

Cause-Effect Essay
Week 11 Nov. 18-21 Unit 5 (Argument Essays)
final draft due
Argument Essay first
draft due
Week 12 Nov. 25-28 Unit 5
Thanksgiving break Nov.
27-28. No Classes

Week 13 Dec. 2-5 Unit 5

Argument Essay final
Week 14 Dec. 9-12 Final Exams + Exit Exams draft due

Due Dates for Regular Weekly Assignments:

Mon Tues Wed Thurs

First and Final drafts of Journal (on Canvas) Fluency Activity (in Journal (on Canvas)
essays due before class. class)
Vocabulary
Homework due