**Parents, I'm here to work with you. Don't see any available sections or times that match your needs? Please send me a message if you are interested in this course!**

If you were to build a beautiful, breathtaking castle out of toy building blocks, would you use blocks that were all the same color, size, and shape? Probably not. You would creatively arrange an assortment of blocks to construct something unique and remarkable according to your personal style. It’s the same way with our writing. If we only use one type of sentence structure over and over again, our writing gets pretty boring. If, however, we know how to change up our sentences, our writing can easily become that beautiful, breathtaking castle.

This camp will teach students all about the four types of sentence structures: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. Understanding how to formulate these different sentences will empower students to bring maturity and variety to their writing. By the end of the course, students will write and revise several engaging paragraphs (such as sample essay excerpts) using the new writing strategies they’ve learned. Students who demonstrate mastery at a quicker pace will be provided extra extension and "challenge" opportunities during each class as well.

Day 1: 
First Draft of Paragraph #1
Simple Sentences
Phrases vs. Independent Clauses
Simple Doesn't Mean Boring! Optional Phrase "Extras"
Other Modifiers to Enhance and Bring Variety to Simple Sentences
Using Commas Correctly
Revise/Write Simple Sentences in Paragraph #1
*Extension/Extra Challenge: Write and edit simple sentences about a new topic.

Day 2: 
Compound Sentences
Coordinating Conjunctions
Using Semicolons and Commas Correctly 
Revise/Write a Compound Sentence in Paragraph #1
*Extension/Extra Challenge: Write and edit compound sentences about a new topic.

Day 3: 
Complex Sentences
Dependent vs. Independent Clauses
Using Commas Correctly
Revise/Write a Complex Sentence in Paragraph #1
*Extension/Extra Challenge: Write and edit complex sentences about a new topic. Sample essay excerpts will be used for practice (teacher-provided and/or student-created, as time permits).

Day 4: 
Compound-Complex Sentences
Review the Components & Rules of Compound and Complex Sentences
Revise/Write a Compound-Complex Sentence in Paragraph #1
Review all Four Types of Sentences
Test Your Knowledge
Putting It All Together: Write Paragraph #2 using the Four Sentence Structures
*Extension/Extra Challenge: Write and edit compound-complex sentences about a new topic. Sample essay excerpts will be used for practice (teacher-provided and/or student-created, as time permits).

Class Format:
The format of this class will include teacher lecture with Google slides (only as a screen-share), verbal or written question-and-answer between student and teacher, and verbal or written discussion between students. Teacher feedback will be provided throughout the lesson, and students will have the opportunity to share their writing.

Required Experience/Prior Knowledge: 
Students should have prior experience with recognizing and writing complete sentences (subject + predicate) and identifying basic parts of speech, such as nouns, adjectives, and verbs.  

My Teaching Style:
I use the instructional model of “I Do, We Do, You Do.” 
*I first teach terms, definitions, and grammar rules directly, all while showing exemplars and demonstrating how to apply the new knowledge (hence, “I Do” the teaching). 
*Next, in the “We Do” stage, I guide students in practicing the key skills by helping them edit practice sentences and then write their own with my guidance. I provide immediate, in-class feedback, such as clarifying errors and assisting with corrections. (In writing, no one is expected to be perfect, and in my class, we positively support each other while we learn!)
*Finally, it’s the “You Do” stage: Students show off what they’ve learned by trying out the writing techniques on their own. Of course, I’ll be there to help, but this part of the process is the key to retention and ownership of the learning. 

Mrs. Grysko’s Class Participation Expectations:
*During class, I'll ask learners to respond to various questions and quick check-ins. This helps me 1) assess each student’s progress and 2) offer immediate help if needed. Learners may choose to respond by speaking, typing in the chat, and/or using the “reactions” feature on Zoom. 
*Zoom's video feature is very helpful for me to monitor your child’s learning and understanding. I encourage all students to keep their Zoom video on during the duration of class. Learners may, however, choose to turn their video off after an initial video check-in if they prefer. Active participation verbally and/or in the chat is required so that I know the student is working and understanding the content.
*I have so much planned for your child’s learning! Any class activities we do not get to during the live class will be assigned for homework. In most circumstances, the homework is optional (but recommended), and, unless otherwise stated, the homework should take no more than 10-15 minutes. FOR ANY WRITING HOMEWORK: I will assign the homework via Outschool student message and/or parent message. Learners should reply to the message with their homework responses, and I will give feedback within 24 hours. I highly recommend that students complete any assigned homework to get the most out of the class!