Day 1: Getting Started/The Positive Writing Experience

8/27/13
Goals: You will be able to...

• Identify and discuss common stumbling blocks and bad habits for academic writing (e.g. procrastination, daily distractions, perfectionism, fear of criticism, jumping too quickly to writing without planning)
• Discuss and recognize good writing habits and strategies to overcome difficulties in academic writing (e.g. writing regularly, making plans, outlining, pre-writing)
• Recognize an effective process of writing

[10 minutes] Roll Call and Teacher Intro 
Who's supposed to be here? Who's running this place?
Distribute first day handout
We will be doing student intros on Thursday when our class is more complete

[5 min] Student Survey
Please click on this SURVEY on Writing Process and discuss your responses with your classmates.

[5 minutes] Slides 1-3 / Positive Writing Practices Presentation  

Click to access Power Point In this part of class we will be discussing how to avoid procrastination and how to overcome writer’s block as ways to better achieve positive writing practices.

[10 minutes] Slides 4 / Positive Writing Practices / Handout 

Please open the Narratives on Procrastination handout.  Read the narratives individually and highlight phrases or words they identify with in any of the two narratives. After you have finished, form groups of 2-3 peers and compare/relate with in the narratives.

[10 minutes] Slides 5-14 / Positive Writing Practices  

In this part of the Power Point lecture, I would like to discuss Tips for Avoiding Procrastination & Overcoming Writer’s Block. The link to TIPS is here. 

[15 minutes] These people are technology crazy! 

• Blogger (here!)
• Writer's Workshop
• Dropbox

[10 minutes] Write in your Notebooks
Click on the link at the top of the page and find your NOTEBOOK. Also, please click on the assignment labeled Reflection #1 and follow along as I explain the directions. 

Homework: Review today's content on your own.  Please email me if you have any questions. Buy your Writer's Workshop Access. 

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Supplemental

Writing Process PPT
Writing Process Tips

Warm-Up Activity 2:  Perceptions on Writing

To begin our first class, we will first be taking a look at student perceptions with regard to writing. I will be distributing a number to each student. Once you have received your number, please click on the following LINK and fill in the space next to your number with the first answer that comes to your mind.

The Writing Process

One of the most important strategies you need for a successful and more "positive" writing experience is to approach your writing task as a process that involves steps. In this next activity, I would like you to open this CHART and fill it out with the steps that you think are the best way to achieve success for you as a writer. Share your responses with your partner.