Perth Amboy High School 

Creative Writing

Syllabus 

2025-2026

Ms. Sherman

carrsherman@paps.net

Course Description 

Creative Writing is a course designed to help students use their creative talents along with language skills to create original poetry and prose. Students will also study and analyze examples of poetry and prose to improve their understanding of creative writing techniques. The course emphasizes the highly subjective use of imagination combined with language skills. Students will gain a better understanding of the revision and writing process by mastering editing skills, including peer editing. The goal of this course is for students to discover their identity as writers through different forms of writing and to develop a personal voice and style. By the end of the course, students will feel more confident and empowered through writing.

Course Objectives 

Throughout this course, students will:

• Recognize their strengths and styles as writers.

• Broaden their understanding of writing purposes and explore the enjoyment and usefulness of creative writing.

• Learn the process of brainstorming, developing ideas, expressing those ideas on paper, and sharing their work with others.

• Enhance their writing through revision and peer feedback.

• Participate in reading, creative writing, speaking, and listening activities.

Grading Plan 

Grade Weights: 

Class work/Class Participation 35% 

Tests Projects/Products, Quizzes, Unit Tests, Essays 60% 

Homework 5% 

Plagiarism/Cheating 

A first infraction results in a “0” for the assignment without the chance for a make-up. 

A second infraction results in a “0” for the assignment, and a disciplinary referral will be issued. 

If you share your work inappropriately, you are also cheating and will be treated as such. 

Students must follow the PAHS Acceptable Use and AI policies.

Class Policies 

1. Absence: It is your responsibility to make up your work, take notes, etc., when absent. 

2. Tardy: You must be in your seat with your course materials before the bell rings to be considered on time. 

3. Classroom etiquette: We expect responsibility and respect toward us and your peers. In our classes, we need to exercise self-control to allow everyone some time to share. There is a time to work quietly and cooperatively. No “packing up” or “lining up” at the door, as this is disruptive to the educational process. 

4. Food and Drink: No food or drinks, except water, are allowed. 

5. Uniforms: This is an academy, and uniforms are a requirement. 

6. Phones: Phone use and AirPods/headphones use in class are prohibited, pursuant to school-wide class expectations.

Tips for students 

• Each homework assignment, quiz, test, writing assignment, and creative project will be awarded points based on the level of difficulty and amount of work required for successful completion. 

• Class participation is an integral part of this class. Students will be held responsible for discussion during all aspects of this course. 

• Participation in small-group and class discussion, written assignments, oral reports, and quizzes and tests will all contribute to evaluating student progress. Students will learn notebook management skills and will keep a well-organized binder and a portfolio of written work, which will be graded (as a test grade), each semester. 

Miscellaneous 

Make-up Policy: 

Students who are absent from class are responsible for asking what was covered during their absence. This should be discussed on the day the student returns to class. 

• One day is allotted to complete make-up work for each day absent.

Test and Quiz Policies: 

Quizzes may be given at any time and may or may not be announced. 

If absent on the day a test is given, the student should be prepared to make up the missed test upon return to school. 

Late Work/Missing Assignments: 

Acceptance of late/missing assignments is at the full discretion of the teacher. If you need to know which of your assignments are outstanding . . .

Please go to Infinite Campus, and look to see where there is an “M”, “0”, or a “50". 

If you see an “M”, “0”, or a “50", that is an assignment that was graded, but yours is missing; those are the assignments you need to complete. 

Once you complete and submit the missing assignments, you must see me after school so that I can look for them to grade; otherwise, I might not see that you completed them. 

In your email, be brief, professional, and specific. 

For instance, write, "I completed the Do Now for 10/9 and the Reflective Essay". Sign your name to the email AND indicate your class Period. 

My email is: 

Carrsherman@paps.net

Before you email me, please review "How to Email a Teacher", located under "Classwork/Resources" in Classroom. 

MLA: All work will be submitted using MLA format, Times New Roman font, font size 12, double-spaced, spell checked, and grammar checked. 

Communication with Teachers: All email communication with teachers must occur exclusively via your PAHS student email account.

By signing below, you agree that you’ve read and understood this syllabus and will abide by its conditions until the end of the year:

Your signature: ________________________________________________

Parent/Legal Guardian signature: ____________________________________