RDG 322, Development of Written Communication
This is a Web-based course taught by Lysa Mize Hagan.
Instructor Contact Information:
Lysa Mize Hagan, M.Ed.
email: lhagan@sfasu.edu
(936) 468-5899Course Description:
This course is a study of the developmental process of written communication as it relates to reading.
Textbook Requirements:
- Wood Ray, K. (2001). The Writing workshop: Working through the hard parts (and they're all hard parts). IL:National Council of Teachers of English. (ISBN : 0-8141-1317-6) Fletcher, R., and Portalupi, J. (1998). Craft lessons: Teaching writing K-8. York, ME: Stenhouse. (ISBN : 1-57110-073-3) Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, Texas Education Agency. Available online at http://webct.sfasu.edu/1604620051/syllabus/text_materials.html#.
- Webct Course Notes--please study these course notes and readings located on our webct page.
Course Prerequisite and Requirements:
RDG 318 and 320 are course prerequisites. Admission to Teacher Education requires a 2.5 GPA. Students must maintain the 2.5 GPA during the remainder of the course work. If the GPA falls below 2.5 during the intern courses or student teaching, students will be dropped from professional education courses.
Course Format and Participation Requirements:
The format for this course includes scheduled assignments and deadlines, offline reading assignments and projects, online readings and participation using web pages, email (attachments), discussion boards, and chat. You must be proficient in the use of Netscape Composer or another web page creator, as well as loading web pages into the presentation/assignment areas. All documents submitted for this course must be in html format. The course includes scheduled online quizzes and exams. All exams are online. To be successful in this course, the typical student should plan to spend at least 12-15 hours per week working on this course.Course Requirements:
Writer's Notebook--40
Poetry Writing--10
TAKS Writing--10
Conferring--20
Writing Process(Memoir)--130
Mini Lesson(Craft Lesson)--30
Professionalism/Participation--10
Quizzes--80
Exams--170
TOTAL=500 Grading Scale
450--500 (90-100%)=A
400--449 (80-89%)=B
350--399 (70-79%)=C
300--349 (60-69%)=D
299 and below=FWriter's Notebook (40 points)
Starting the first week of class you will be expected to keep a Writer's Notebook. The format type is your decision. Please keep all of your entries in chronological order. Date and number each entry. Entries should be made weekly. Please do not write about romantic relationships, sororities/fraternities, stress of college classes, or other topics not suitable for children. These notebooks should be appropriate to share with your future students as models for their writing.
Writers notebook requirements:
- Write at least 2 to 3 times a week (total of 25 entries). Make one weekly entry trying out a crafting technique from Ralph Fletcher's, Craft Lessons (designate 10 of your 25 entries). Date everything--and number each entry. Your notebooks will be viewed during the semester, and a grading rubric is posted in WebCT.
- Notebook entries will be posted in the assignment area. (See due dates.)
Poetry Writing (10 points)
You will be expected to follow the steps provided to create a poem to be attractively shared with our community of writers.
TAKS Writing (10 points)
You will have the opportunity to take the 7th grade Writing portion of the TAKS test and respond to its effect on classroom writing instruction.
Conferring (20 points) During your experience with the writing process, you will participate in a writing content conference. The comments and suggestions you make to your conference peer group will be evaluated according to the rubric posted.
Writing Process -Memoir (130 points)
During the semester, you will be expected to take a piece of work completely through the writing process. This piece will be a personal memoir narrative piece, appropriate for sharing with students. For this writing, you should keep every piece of evidence of the process you go through to write the piece, from brainstorming and topic generation notes to the final work. This project should be organized attractively in a web page and should separate each section. A detailed description will be posted on webct, and a detailed grading rubric is also posted. This assignment will be evaluated according to the rubric posted. Mini lesson-Craft Lesson (30 points)
During the semester you will plan one mini lesson from Ralph Fletcher's book, Craft Lessons. And, you will try out 10 of the crafting techniques from Craft lessons in your writer's notebook. (See requirements for Writer's Notebook) A rubric for grading the mini-lesson will be posted on WebCT. Professionalism--(10 points)
During the semester you will have numerous opportunities to demonstrate knowledge of reading assignments, demonstrate responsibility, engage in reflections, collaborate with peers, and participate in chats and discussions. Making the most of these opportunities, will earn points. You will be expected to participate actively and professionally with our community of writers. These points are subjectively assigned. Quizzes/Exams (250 points)
During the semester you will have 8 opportunities to demonstrate your understanding of your readings through quizzes and exams. All tests must be taken as scheduled on the tentative course schedule, or a 0 will be given on the exam.Total: 500 points
University and Departmental Policies: Departmental Web Course Policies:
- The Candidate must complete all assignments to receive a grade for this course.
- All assignments are due by midnight of the date posted on the calendar.
- Late work will be penalized accordingly : 5 days late 20% penalty, 8 days late 50% penalty, 14 days late - credit for completing the assignment only.
Admission to Teacher Education requires 2.5 GPA. Students must maintain the 2.5 GPA during the remainder of the course work. If the GPA falls below 2.5 during the intern courses or student teaching, students will be dropped from professional education courses.
Students with Disabilities--To obtain disability related accomodations and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), Human Services Building, Room 325, (936) 468-3004/1004 (TDD) as early as possible in the semester. Once verified, ODS will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/or auxiliary aids to be provided.
Academic Honesty--It is the policy of Stephen F. Austin State University that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University. (see Academic Integrity A-9.1 http://www.sfasu.edu/upp/pap/academic_affairs/academic_integrity.html)
AARC--If you are experiencing difficulty with Standard English and/or conventions of writing, you may seek assistance at the campus Academic Assistance and Resource Center at 936-468-4108.
Effort Expected:
This is a 3 credit-hour course. To be successful in this course, the typical student should plan to spend at least 12-15 hours per week working on this course. To be successful in this course you should expect to spend time each week on readings, assignments, discussions, chats, presentations, and other activities. This estimate is for the fall and spring semesters; if the course is offered during the summer course, more time per week may be necessary.
Technical Requirements for the Course:
Other than the minimum technical requirements for any course, students will need to be proficient in the use of Netscape Composer or another web page creator, as well as loading web pages into the presentation/assignment areas. All documents submitted for this course must be in html format.Before the Course Begins
Complete the Getting Started area of sfaonline. Register and pay for the course just as you would any other SFA course. As soon as you are registered, please send an email message to the instructor. Carefully read and complete all steps of Getting a myCourses Username and PIN. F-1 Visa Holders
RESOURCE LINKS:
There are important federal regulations pertaining to distance education activity for F-1 Visa holders. All students with an F-1 Visa should follow the instructions at the following link to make sure they are in compliance.
http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/disted/facsup/f1visa.html
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