To: Parents of 7th Graders (Rising 8th Graders)

Re: Writing Workshop Topic Electives Innovation for 2011-12

May 17, 2011

Dear Parents,

Westminster’s Vision Statement: Learning for Life encourages students to become lifelong learners
through communicating and collaborating, problem finding and problem solving, creating and innovating,
reflecting and revising, and serving and leading. In order to meet these goals, the 8th grade Writing
Workshop course will undergo a shift in structure to involve a focus on publishing as well as
writing skills. As in prior years, students will continue to learn and practice the elements of writing based
on the 6 plus 1 Writing Traits (Ideas, Organization, Voice, Sentence Fluency, Word Choice, Conventions,
and Presentation). Now, however, in order to provide students an authentic audience for their work, the
new classes will also provide different publishing experiences for the students.

Writing Workshop will now be divided into six elective choices, each of which addresses a different
publishing opportunity. In a survey that will be sent to students on Wednesday, May 18, students will
rank their topic preferences for which Writing Workshop elective they desire to take based on their
strengths and interests. We will make every effort to fulfill preferences, but we cannot guarantee that all
students will be enrolled in their top choice. Students should complete the survey by Friday, May 20, in
order for their preferences to be taken into consideration in scheduling for next year.

The descriptions of the choices for the Writing Workshop electives follow:

Students in the Writing Workshop will develop as writers, editors, and publishers in one of
several electives (see descriptions below). In each elective, students will create and maintain print
and/or online publications. In the process, students will learn what makes for good writing,
including if, when, and in what form to publish their work. Students will use the 6+1 Trait Rubric
to review and improve their own writing and that of others. Listed below is a brief description of
each of the Writing Workshop elective choices:

1. Journalism/Track of the Cat:

In this course, students will write, edit, and design the Track of the Cat Junior High newspaper. In
addition to learning basic journalism skills such as gathering information, conducting interviews
and writing articles, headlines, and captions, students will also be in charge of all page layout and
design. In order to write for an even wider audience, students will be encouraged to submit
articles to local and national publications.

2. Cat-a-log:

Do you like to read and write creative poetry and stories? In this course, students will learn the
finer points of fiction writing through the production of the Cat-a-log. Students will solicit writers
both at Westminster and in the larger community to produce a literary magazine targeted at
middle school/junior high students. Class time will include corresponding with potential writers,
writing and editing submissions, selecting final copy, and designing the layout of the magazine.
 3. Broadcast Journalism:

In this course, students will learn the art of writing copy intended to be broadcast via radio,
podcast, or video. Students will learn both research skills and presentation skills from fact
checking to interviewing to writing the script to be read during broadcast. Students will create
podcasts and work with the WCAT members to create news stories relevant to our school and our
world.

4. Screenwriting:

All great movies and television shows begin with a good script. In this course, students will learn
to create fictional pieces intended for production in film. Students will work on plot development,
dialogue, and stage directions. At the end of the semester, student projects will be produced.

5. Environmental Writing:

Students will explore (through group and individual research) environmental topics of interest to
them. Such topics may include but are not limited to global climate change, antibiotics in food,
techno-trash disposal, toxins in clothing and other “stuff”, green energy options, and the
relationship between the economy and the environment. From this exploration, students will
generate writing that explains, persuades, or entertains an audience outside of the classroom.
Possible writing options may include letters to governing officials and developers, blog posts and
comments on blogs, and documentary/narrative films or songs published on YouTube.

6. Edu180Westminster Blog:

Students will create and maintain a daily blog site that includes reflections from elementary,
junior high, and high school students, faculty, and staff at Westminster. The blog will revolve
around the question: What was important to you today? Students will be in charge of soliciting
and scheduling writers, maintaining communication with writers about their upcoming posts,
editing posts and publishing them, and contributing their own posts and comments during the
semester.

We look forward to working with your children next year in Writing Workshop. Thank you for
continuing to encourage your children in writing with strong purpose and voice.

Please note that this development will not affect a small number of students who will be enrolled in the
combination of Synergy 8 and Economics 8.

Sincerely,

Lauren Davis, Peyten Dobbs, Colin Mackey, Clark Meyer, Valerie Stevens
The Writing Workshop Team

Bart Griffith
English Department Chair

Bo Adams
Principal, Junior High School