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English 830: Teaching Writing — Week 1/Day 2 Principles for Teaching Composition

Day 2: Principles for Teaching Composition

Lesson Plan

Part 1. Centering (5 minutes)

  • Dr. Pagnucci will lead you through a breathing exercise.

Part 2. Some Music for Writing

  • TBD

Part 3. Journal Writing (15 minutes)

  • We have lots of time, so I want you to take your time. Write everything you can about the following questions:
  • Who are you as a student taking this summer course in the CAL  Program? (5 minutes)
  • Who are you as a teacher? What teaching have you done? What do you know about good teaching? (5 minutes)
  • Who are you as a writer? What do you know about good writing? (5 minutes)
  • Other important thoughts as you start your journey (5 minutes)

Part 4. Journal Reading (10 minutes)

  • Now go back and read what you wrote.
  • Mark anything interesting.
  • Add any side comments or thoughts.
  • Take time to reflect on what you were writing.

Part 5. Discussion Groups (15 minutes)

  • Talk about SOME of the things you wrote
  • You don’t have to read everything aloud, but share highlights
  • Pick someone to be the Speaker who can share some of these ideas with the whole class later

Part 6. Full Class Discussion (15 minutes)

  • A Speaker from each group will share some thoughts from the group

Part 7. Break (10 minutes)

  • Stretch and re-energize

Part 8. Freewriting Task: On Writers (15 minutes)

  • Think of a great writer who’s work you love to read.
  • What does the person write about?
  • How would you describe their writing style?
  • What do you love about this writer?
  • Is there anything about this writer that you might be able to emulate in your own writing?
  • Is there anything about this writer you could share with your students?

Part 9. Discussion Groups (15 minutes)

  • Talk about writers in your group
  • What makes a person a great writer?
  • Pick someone to be the Speaker who can share some of these ideas with the whole class later

Part 10. Full Class Discussion (15 minutes)

  • A Speaker from each group will share some thoughts from the group

Part 11. Re-centering (5 minutes)

  • Dr. Pagnucci will lead you through a breathing exercise.

Part 12. Some Joyful Music for Writing

Part 13. Journal Writing (10 minutes)

  • Bring your thoughts for the day to a close
  • What brings you joy?
  • Capture that joy in your journal

Part 14. Class Wrap-up (5 minutes)

  • Dr. Pagnucci will close the class session

Assignments

Due June 6: Required Readings–The College Composition Course

Due June 12: First Draft of Course Syllabus

  • Create or Revise a Syllabus for a College Composition Course Syllabus
    • If you have taught college composition before, go over your syllabus and decide how you might improve it
    • If you have never taught college composition, create a new basic syllabus for the course
    • If you wish to work on a syllabus for a different course, you may do so, but the course must require students to do substantial writing
    • You may plan your syllabus for a specific semester or just organize it by weeks (Week 1, Week 2, etc.)
    • You don’t need to include every last detail for your syllabus, but create enough of the course syllabus so we can understand your general plan for the course
    • We will discuss the first draft of your Course Syllabus in class

Week 1 Optional Materials

These materials are recommended but not required.

Writing Process Pedagogy

Composition Studies