The World Studies IDEA BOOK

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The Idea Book is an interdisciplinary assignment (connecting English, World History, and Chemistry) that requires students to delve deeper into ideas or global issues introduced in class. Each grading period, students will be working on a prompt from English, World History, and Chemistry, as well as a global choice prompt and a free-choice self-directed prompt.  See Mrs. Webster if you need help brainstorming ideas.  While students are tempted to lament the fact that they are assigned "five whole essays!!!," the truth is that a well-written Idea Book entry is 1 and a half to 2 pages long.  Really, students will be averaging 1-2 pages of writing per week. Totally doable!

Idea Book Pacing

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Years ago, Idea Books were due in 
the 5th week of each grading period.  We learned from experience that make up work, end-of-unit tests, final exams (and sometimes procrastination on the part of students...gasp!) led to a very stressful end of the grading period for some.  For that reason, IDEA BOOKS will always be due in the middle of the NEXT grading period.  That will allow students time for re-writes before the final grades are determined, and parents will have more of a heads-up if a student has not submitted the Idea Book.  For the final grading period, students will work primarily on end-of-year culminating activities (after they've submitted their 4th Idea Book Set) and they will write one culminating essay that reflects upon their growth during the school year.


Idea Book Draft Checks:  The Idea Book collection of writing is not so terrifying if you go home and brainstorm (maybe even draft a first response!) the first night you receive a prompt.  Then, revisit the Idea Book entry a couple of days later for some serious revision.  Cut out things that don't work, and expand on points that need elaboration.  Make sure you have an attention-grabbing introduction and a conclusion that drives home your point.  A few days later, dive back in for another revision -- sometimes, you may have even changed your mind or you might have thought of something new to add.  In the last week before Idea Books are due, proofread your work.  Ask someone else to proofread your work, too!  If this writing process does not happen, then you're likely to fall into the deep dark pit of procrastination.

We trust you to set up your own writing schedule, we really do.  But we want to PROTECT you from yourself, too.  So for this first semester (and maybe longer), we will be checking on your progress.  Look for IDEA BOOK DRAFT CHECKS in all classes.  When you are asked to bring a draft to class, that means that you have crafted a version that already meets the length requirements, but you may not be finished with revisions or proofing.  A paragraph or two does not equal a draft (that's just brainstorming).

Idea Book Prompts:
Link to all prompts: COMING SOON               

Idea Book Details

Idea Book Rubric

Idea Book Reminders:
  • The Idea Book is due in the NEXT grading period.  For example, Idea Book Set 1 is due in the second week of the second six weeks.  IB Set 2 is due in the third six weeks, and so on.  We skip a due date during the 4th six weeks due to our Costa Rica travel. Here are the tentative due dates for Idea Book Sets this year:
    • ​Set 1: Oct. 1
    • Set 2: Nov. 19
    • Set 3:  March 4
    • Set 4: mid-May (final portfolio due May 19)
  • Writing tutorials are held during any teacher's tutoring times and during specific additional time slots (writing conferences) booked during FIT time. Search for specific FIT sessions focused on crafing a thesis statement, MLA citation assistance, peer/teacher writing conference time, etc.
  • All entries should be typed, double-spaced, with 1 inch margins and MLA headings and page headers. Use a 10 or 12 point legible font.
  • All entries should be turned in to a 1 inch binder, and all entries from the year should be submitted each time the Idea Book is due.  Please put your newest collection of IB entries at the front of the binder.  
  • Right behind the final versions of each IB entry, include a section called "drafts."  Your instructors should be able to see steps you've taken to improve entries during the writing process.
  • Tabs or dividers should label each Set, as well as the rough draft section for each set.
  • Include a typed Table of Contents each grading period.  TOC's should include your title for the entry, the assigning class, and the page number in your Idea Book where the response can be found.
  • Each entry should include an abbreviated prompt, set apart from the response in a text box (centered on page at top of page).
  • Each entry should include an original and appropriate title.  Do not underline or italicize your own titles (until you get published!)
  • Strong Idea Book entries are typically 500-750 words.  All entries should be 500 words minimum.
  • Writers need proofreaders -- you should not submit final work to us until you have asked another reader to help you locate mechanical and grammatical errors.  Parents, peers, or tutors may also point out areas of your writing that need more clarity or support, but helpers should not offer too much assistance (like writing down possible introductions, etc.).
  • Visit this FORMATTING POWERPOINT for a list of formatting expectations.
  • Here's an Idea Book TEMPLATE that might help you out!