Unit 1 Writing Project Guidelines
Project Description:
Students will write a letter about language learning, applying the skills and knowledge
gained in Unit 1. The letter should include identification of main ideas, specific details, and
opinions. It should be well-organized, use appropriate style and register, and demonstrate
accurate language use.
Learning Objectives:
LO 1.8.a: Identify the main ideas in a letter about language learning.
LO 1.8.b: Identify specific details in a letter about language learning.
LO 1.8.c: Recognize the opinions of the writer in a letter about language learning.
LO 1.8.d: Write a letter about language learning, using appropriate connectives and
gerund forms.
Success Criteria:
Identify Main Ideas: Successfully extract and summarize the key points in a letter
about language learning.
Identify Specific Details: Accurately pick out and describe specific information within
the letter.
Recognize Opinions: Distinguish between factual statements and opinions expressed
by the writer.
Draft a Letter: Create a well-structured draft that incorporates the main ideas, specific
details, and opinions, using the appropriate language features.
Peer Check: Provide and receive constructive feedback through peer checking, leading
to improvements in content, organization, and language use.
Revise and Submit: Produce a polished final version of the letter that meets the criteria
for content, organization, communicative achievement, and language accuracy as
outlined in the rubric.
Writing Task:
Write a letter that discusses your experience or opinion on language learning. Your letter
should:
Clearly express your main ideas and opinions.
Include specific details and examples to support your points.
Use a variety of connectives and gerund forms.
Be well-organized and follow the appropriate letter format.
Be proofread and edited for spelling, grammar, and style.
Engage in peer checking, where you will exchange your draft with a classmate for
feedback before making final revisions.
Peer Checking:
Before submitting your final letter, you will exchange your draft with a classmate. Provide
constructive feedback on their content, organization, language use, and adherence to the
task. Use the rubric as a guide. After receiving feedback, revise your letter to improve
clarity, accuracy, and overall quality.
Rubric for Unit 1 Writing Project
Category 5 - Excellent 4 - Good (4 3- 2 - Needs 1 - Poor (1
(5 points) points) Satisfactory Improveme point)
(3 points) nt (2 points)
Communicati Fully Addresses Generally Attempts to Fails to
ve addresses the task well, addresses address the address the
Achievement the task, with with minor the task, but task, but task, with
(8Wca.01- clear and lapses in with some lacks clarity unclear or
04) effective clarity or unclear or or detail. missing
communicati detail. missing content.
on of ideas, information.
opinions, and
details.
Organisation Ideas are Ideas are Ideas are Ideas lack Disorganized
(8Wor.02- logically mostly somewhat organization ideas; little
03) organized, organized; organized; ; limited use to no use of
with good use of some use of of connectives;
effective use connectives connectives; connectives; inappropriat
of and layout layout may e layout.
connectives; appropriate mostly be
appropriate layout. appropriate. inappropria
layout for a te.
letter.
Content Opinions are Opinions are Opinions are Opinions Opinions are
(8Wc.02) clearly expressed somewhat are vague, unclear or
expressed and expressed, with limited unsupported
and well- generally with some support .
supported by supported support but from
reasons, by reasons, lacks depth. examples or
examples, examples, evidence.
and and
evidence. evidence.
Use of Language is Language is Language Language Language
English accurate and generally has has frequent errors
(8Us.02, appropriate accurate, noticeable errors that severely
8Us.04) for the task; with some errors, some make impede
minimal errors that of which understandi understandi
errors that do not may impede ng difficult. ng.
do not impede understandi
impede understandi ng.
understandin ng.
g.
Sentence Varied and Some variety Limited Simple Sentence
Structure complex in sentence variety in sentence structures
(8Us.02, sentence structures; sentence structures are basic and
8Us.04) structures connectives structures; dominate; repetitive;
are used and gerunds some errors frequent misuse of
effectively, mostly used in the use of errors in connectives
including correctly. connectives connectives and gerunds.
connectives and gerunds. and
and gerunds. gerunds.
Additional Notes:
Proofreading: Students should proofread their work carefully before submission,
focusing on spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Support: Although the project encourages independence, students may seek guidance
on planning, drafting, and editing their letters.
Submission: Letters should be submitted in a typed format, following the proper layout
for a formal letter.
Peer Feedback: Ensure you incorporate the feedback from your peer check into your
final submission.
Timeline:
August 26-27: Introduction
August 28: First draft
August 29: Peer-check
August 30 - September 3: Second draft (Final draft)
Warnings:
Late Submission:
o 1 day late: 10% deduction from the final score.
o 2 days late: Requires a confirmation letter from parents stating the reason.
Unit 1 Writing Project: Student Guide
Project Overview: In this project, you will write a letter about learning a language. Your
letter should include the main ideas, specific details, and your opinions. Make sure your
letter is well-organized, uses the right tone, and is written accurately.
What You Need to Do:
1. Main Ideas: Identify and write the main ideas in your letter.
2. Details: Add specific details to support your ideas.
3. Opinions: Clearly express your opinions and explain them.
4. Write Your Letter: Use connectives (like “and,” “but,” “because”) and gerunds (like
“learning,” “writing”) in your letter.
5. Peer Check: Exchange your draft with a classmate and give each other feedback.
6. Final Draft: Use the feedback to improve your letter and write the final version.
Timeline:
August 26-27: Introduction to the project.
August 28: Complete your first draft.
August 29: Peer-check – exchange your draft with a classmate for feedback.
August 30 - September 3: Complete your second draft and final version.
Important Notes:
Late Submission:
o 1 day late: 10% will be taken off your final score.
o 2 days late: You need to bring a letter from your parents explaining why it’s
late.
Checklist Before Submitting:
Did you clearly express your main ideas?
Did you include details and examples?
Did you use connectives and gerunds?
Did you get feedback from a classmate?
Did you proofread your letter for spelling and grammar?
