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24 Crayons: Boost Writing Confidence & Speed

In this multi-week course, train your brain to create ideas faster. Learn how to trust your brain and boost your self confidence!
Amy Westrick, Certified English Teacher (She/Her)
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(57)
Class

What's included

24 live meetings
16 in-class hours
Homework
1 hour per week. Short 10 minute challenge assignments are given at the end of each class meeting. Teacher opens up class by allowing students to share an excerpt of their writing and/or experience of completing that task.

Class Experience

US Grade 6 - 9
Beginner - Intermediate Level
Fun and bubbly teacher promotes laughter and encourages quick thinking. I want to make writing your favorite hobby, or at least make it as pain free as possible. I use short three minute writings to drive instruction in improving word choice, ideas, sensory images, sentence fluency, punctuation and capitalization, imagery, and organization. This is a multi-day course.

This course is meant to be taken as a set of 24 meetings. Teacher suggests meeting tor all 24 weeks to achieve optimum student performance.

I model how to do everything I am asking students to do.
 
I used these same techniques in my classroom teaching adapting to the interests of my students. First, I introduce what quick writes mean to me. They are fast, unstructured, not perfect, wonderful jumbles of ideas that are waiting to grow. Second. I put the goal on the board. I model writing to this quick write topic in real time right before students' eyes. It is then the students' turn to write for only three minutes. I review how I want to edit my writing for just one little area each day. For example: If I want to edit my work for word choice, I am going to underline three words that could be improved using my "beefy words" technique.  Students are given three minutes to edit their work following my model. 

I model revising my own work by writing a final draft of three sentences. Students follow this model and have three minutes to revise their own writing and create a draft. Finally, I model sharing with a partner and how the partner should respond to the author thoughtfully and compassionately. Students share in this manner. I give praise for the conversations I am hearing that are positive and guide those conversations that need assistance. Students can ask for one on one help at any time! I am always excited to show students the areas where they are already excelling! I am here to boost your student's self confidence. No experience is needed, none at all! 


(Writing Focus: Meetings 1-4 Boosting Quality of Ideas)        
Meeting 1  11/09    Ideas: Welcome/Expectations/First Practice
Meeting 2  11/16    Ideas: Second Practice & Revision      
Meeting 3   11/23   Ideas: Location 
Meeting 4  11/30    Ideas: Five Senses

(Writing Focus: Meetings 5-8 Boosting Quality of Word Choice)    
Meeting 5   12/7      Word Choice: Time
Meeting 6   12/14    Word Choice: Texture    
Meeting 7   12/21     Word Choice: Emotion
Meeting 8   12/28    Word Choice: Measurement
                  
(Writing Focus: Meetings 9-12 Boosting Proper Use of Capitalization)    
Meeting 9    1/4     Capitalization: Introduction
Meeting 10  1/11     Capitalization:  Proper Names
Meeting 11   1/18    Capitalization: Dialogue
Meeting 12   1/25    Scientific Terms & Trademarks
 
(Writing Focus: Meetings 13-17 Boosting Proper Use of Punctuation and Sentence Fluency)       
Meeting 13   2/1       Punctuation & Sentence Fluency:  Colon
Meeting 14   2/8      Punctuation & Sentence Fluency:  Semicolon    
Meeting 15   2/15     Punctuation & Sentence Fluency:  Exclamation Mark
Meeting 16   2/22     Punctuation & Sentence Fluency:  Apostrophe
Meeting 17   2/29     Punctuation & Sentence Fluency: Comma

(Writing Focus: Meetings 18-21 Boosting Quality of Organization)    
Meeting 18    3/1      Organization: Time Order & Sequence    
Meeting 19    3/8     Organization: Spatial Pattern
Meeting 20   3/15    Organization: Topical Organization
Meeting 21    3/22    Organization: Climactic Organization

(Writing Focus: Meetings 21-24 Boosting Quality of Voice)       
Meeting 22   3/29   Voice: Vocabulary, Tone, 1st person Point of View, Syntax  
Meeting 23   4/5     Voice: Vocabulary, Tone, 2nd person Point of View, Syntax
Meeting 24   4/12   Voice: Vocabulary, Tone, 3rd person Point of View, Syntax
Learning Goals
Students will improve their writing by careful selection word choice, ideas, sensory images, sentence fluency, punctuation, capitalization, imagery, voice, and organization.
learning goal

Other Details

Learning Needs
I teach classes for grades 2-12 for Neurodivergent and Traditional Students. I utilize numerous strategies to teach learners of all backgrounds and abilities. I teach a wide array of students with unique learning needs.
Supply List
You will need lined paper, a pencil, a good eraser, and some kind of coloring utensil such as a colored pencil. Dollar stores have great erasers! You may want to keep your writing in a notebook or portfolio. Do what works for you!
Language of Instruction
English
4.9
57reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in English from Grand Valley State University
I have been a middle and high school English Language Arts teacher for 15 years. I have also coached teams for Odyssey of the Mind and Lego First Robotics. I am very comfortable teaching students of varying backgrounds and abilities. I have two boys ages 8 and 10 who have severe ADHD. 

Reviews

Live Private Class
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$36

weekly or $864 for 24 classes
1x per week, 24 weeks
40 min

Completed by 6 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-16

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