A quick note from Mrs. Wiarda...
Hello, and welcome to my webpage! I am beginning my 30th year of teaching, and I am just as excited (and nervous) this school year as I was 30 years ago in my first classroom! I am looking forward to an exciting and productive year!
On this page, scroll down to read course descriptions and daily writing quotes from the in-class writing board. You can navigate through this site to find your class by using the bar at the top of the home page, or you can click on the course title below. The following is my contact information should you need to get a hold of me or need to set up an appointment to discuss assignments, your writing, or your research. Mrs. Karrie Wiarda AHS, Room 102 Prep Term 1 - Block 3 Contact time: 12:30-1:30 (Wed. 11:00-11:45) You can also find me in my room before school from 7:50-8:15 or after school (most days) from 3:30-5:00. For longer discussions, it is best to make an appointment. School phone - 402.694.226 Home phone - 402.854.2017 email address: [email protected] |
Writer's Board OpportunitiesUse the writer's board in room 102 to share quotes you find on writing, literature, and communication, or use it to share your own work (best writing from assignments, poetry, etc.). All submissions must be approved by the teacher before being posted in class. Thank you! Class Site for BlogsThe following is the link for my class site for blogs. This currently pertains only to Terms 1 and 2, but may include more classes in the future.http://wiarda3.edublogs.org
To view blogs, you will need a password. Parents may contact me for that password. |
Click on the link below to review the rules and procedures for my classroom. As always, if you have questions, please talk to me, call me, or email me and I will respond as quickly as possible. Thank you!
procedures_and_rules.pptx | |
File Size: | 12754 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
This Week's Quotes from the Writer's Board
"Description begins in the writer's imagination.
But it should finish in the reader's."
-Stephen King
"Writing is not like painting where you add...Writing is more like a sculpture where you remove, you eliminate in order to make the work visible."
- Eli Weisel
Course Descriptions
English IV
English IV is a course designed to offer students lessons in becoming effective communicators whether they are going straight into the work force, joining the military, or heading to a two- or four-year college. This class exposes students to three themes throughout terms one and two based on three critical questions: Who am I? Where am I? What is my purpose? We also discuss the question: What will be my legacy? Students will further develop their writing, reading, and speaking skills throughout a variety of activities. My hope is to build the confidence of students so that they are prepared for whatever opportunities lie in their future. Students will be writing everything from short responses to research papers. They may also create projects using technology including blogs, movies, and other publishing formats.
Honors Composition II/
Wesleyan Honors Academy-English 1010
This course is offered during term one or term two of the fall semester. This course focuses on the themes of sense of identity, sense of place, and sense of purpose. The inquiry for this course is based upon three questions for the student to consider during the term: Who am I? Where am I? What is my purpose?
Within this inquiry will be skills development in composition, (expository, analytical, and argumentative pieces). There will be analysis and discussion of different genres of text both fiction and nonfiction. There will also be a research component that leads to a formal presentation of findings and ideas.
Students can expect to write several essays, read mentor texts, analyze and replicate different forms of writing, read and write responses to articles, respond to others' work, create and write several pieces for a blog, and research and write on a topic that will be presented in a symposium. The symposium paper, presentation, and participation will make up the final exam. A more complete explanation and syllabus is provided on the page for this class.
Within this inquiry will be skills development in composition, (expository, analytical, and argumentative pieces). There will be analysis and discussion of different genres of text both fiction and nonfiction. There will also be a research component that leads to a formal presentation of findings and ideas.
Students can expect to write several essays, read mentor texts, analyze and replicate different forms of writing, read and write responses to articles, respond to others' work, create and write several pieces for a blog, and research and write on a topic that will be presented in a symposium. The symposium paper, presentation, and participation will make up the final exam. A more complete explanation and syllabus is provided on the page for this class.
Creative Writing
Exploring writing through poetry and prose.
This course is created for writers who desire to explore the creative process and explore different writing modes and genres. Since this is a writing course, that is exactly what we will do. A lot. Every day. We will write poetry, short fiction, creative non-fiction, and personal responses to our own and others' writing.
Students will have a daily journal as well as mini-lesson assignments. Students will also work on revising and editing work to prepare it for various forms of publication. Two major projects that students create are an electronic publication of poetry and a public reading of a short story (or excerpts from the short story.) At least twice during the term students will participate in an "Author's Chair" reading of self-chosen writing. This class explores many different types of writing and publishing in the nine weeks we get to be together. A more complete explanation and syllabus is provided on the page for this class.
Students will have a daily journal as well as mini-lesson assignments. Students will also work on revising and editing work to prepare it for various forms of publication. Two major projects that students create are an electronic publication of poetry and a public reading of a short story (or excerpts from the short story.) At least twice during the term students will participate in an "Author's Chair" reading of self-chosen writing. This class explores many different types of writing and publishing in the nine weeks we get to be together. A more complete explanation and syllabus is provided on the page for this class.
Honors College World Literature
Wesleyan Honors Academy 1020
College World Literature is a course for students wanting to further their experience with world literature. Students will be given the opportunity to read authors and poets from Ancient Greece, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Students will be expected to keep an electronic learning journal that tracks their thinking as they read and as they experience different forms of difficult literature. Students will also be involved in a research project in which they read and research an author of their choice to create an annotated multigenre paper. There will also be a group literature project as we finish up the course. Weekly pieces of writing in response to other pieces of literature and writing as well as other exercises can be expected to be encountered during the duration of this course.
Students will be expected to keep an electronic learning journal that tracks their thinking as they read and as they experience different forms of difficult literature. Students will also be involved in a research project in which they read and research an author of their choice to create an annotated multigenre paper. There will also be a group literature project as we finish up the course. Weekly pieces of writing in response to other pieces of literature and writing as well as other exercises can be expected to be encountered during the duration of this course.
Honors College Writing and Research
Central Community College at Grand Island, English 102
College Honors Writing and Research is a course designed to further deepen the writing and research experience for the honors dual credit student. This course is a college freshman level course which meets the General Education requirements in the Communications area. Course Competencies are as follows:
Students in this course will be graded on: a final, full-length research paper and presentation, short-term research elements, writing exercises, reading responses and analysis, synthesis writing, and assignments that are given by the instructor. Students may also be given the opportunity to produce a research-based presentation focused on a local issue or idea.
- Demonstrate a variety of research techniques utilizing college-level information resources
- Analyze the information and/or methods of persuasion used in a source
- Document sources of information using an academic citation style (i.e., MLA, APA, CMS, CSE)
- Compose a position/issue paper utilizing the writing process
- Synthesize multiple sources to argue a position
- Follow the steps of the research process
- Compose a research paper draft utilizing the writing process
- Revise research paper draft in response to audience feedback
- Use research to present ideas to peers
Students in this course will be graded on: a final, full-length research paper and presentation, short-term research elements, writing exercises, reading responses and analysis, synthesis writing, and assignments that are given by the instructor. Students may also be given the opportunity to produce a research-based presentation focused on a local issue or idea.