ArgueSmart: Mastering Essay Writing & Persuasive Arguments
In "ArgueSmart: Mastering Essay Writing & Persuasive Arguments," students learn to craft compelling essays and persuasive arguments. The course offers lessons, interactive activities, and practical writing exercises!
New on Outschool
What's included
8 live meetings
7 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Homework for this course will consist of progressive assignments leading to a completed argumentative essay. Students will work on different components of their essay each week, including drafting a hook, constructing a thesis statement, developing body paragraphs with supporting evidence, and writing a strong conclusion. They will also revise their drafts based on peer and instructor feedback. By the end of the course, each student will have a polished, complete essay showcasing their understanding of argumentative writing.Progress Report
If requested, a progress report will include a detailed assessment of the student's performance throughout the course. It will cover their participation and engagement in live classes, the quality and completion of homework assignments, and their understanding of key concepts. The report will highlight strengths, areas for improvement, and specific feedback on their writing, such as clarity of argument, use of evidence, and overall essay structure. Additionally, it will include any observations on their growth in critical thinking and communication skills, as well as recommendations for further development.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 6
Beginner Level
What will be taught? In this 8-week course, students will learn the fundamentals of argumentative writing. They will develop skills in crafting strong claims, supporting arguments with evidence, refuting counterarguments, and creating cohesive essays. The course will also emphasize the importance of structure, clarity, and engaging writing techniques. How is your class structured? The class meets live online once a week for 55 minutes over eight weeks. Each week includes a combination of direct instruction, interactive activities, and guided practice. Lessons are designed to build on each other, gradually increasing in complexity. Additional resources, such as handouts and editable documents, will be provided for practice outside of class. How will you teach? The course will use a blend of teaching methods, including: Lectures and Mini-Lessons: Clear and concise explanations of concepts, often supported by visual aids like slides and posters. Interactive Activities: Engaging exercises, such as case studies and storytelling activities, to apply the concepts learned. Discussion and Q&A: Open discussions and opportunities for students to ask questions, ensuring a deeper understanding of the material. Peer Review Sessions: Students will give and receive feedback on their work, fostering a collaborative learning environment. What's your teaching style? My teaching style is student-centered and interactive. I aim to create a supportive and engaging classroom environment where students feel comfortable expressing their ideas and asking questions. I use a variety of teaching tools, including games, video clips, and interactive slides, to cater to different learning styles and keep lessons dynamic and interesting. How much will learners get to interact with you? Students will have ample opportunities to interact with me and their peers. Each class includes: Live lectures with time for questions and discussion Interactive activities where students can participate and share their ideas Peer review sessions on platforms like Padlet for collaborative learning Office hours or optional one-on-one sessions for additional support and feedback Throughout the course, I encourage open communication and am available to assist students with their writing and any questions they may have. The class environment is designed to be inclusive and supportive, allowing students to develop their argumentative writing skills confidently.
Learning Goals
Students will develop the ability to write clear and coherent argumentative essays that include a well-defined claim, relevant evidence, and logical reasoning.Students will critically evaluate and analyze multiple sources of evidence to support their arguments and refute counterclaims.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Starting Strong
Lesson 1: "Posters That Persuade: Argumentative Writing Visuals"
Explore the posters to understand key argumentative writing concepts.
Lesson 2: "The Organizer: Mapping Out Your Argument"
Introduction to the Argumentative Writing Graphic Organizer to plan your essay. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Building a Strong Foundation
Lesson 3: "The Cat Conundrum: Solving the Mystery"
Use a mystery story to explore argumentation and narrative skills.
Lesson 4: "Case Files: Writing a Case Report"
Practice presenting arguments and evidence through a structured case report. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Crafting the Introduction
Lesson 5: "Hook, Line, and Sinker: The Hook Activity"
Learn to create compelling hooks to grab the reader's attention.
Lesson 6: "Summing It Up: Summary Activities"
Develop skills in summarizing key points and setting up arguments.
Lesson 7: "Claim It! Teaching Claims"
Understand the importance of strong claims and practice crafting them.
Homework:
Practice writing effective introductory paragraphs for learners' choice topics. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Building the Body
Lesson 9: "Body Building: The Art of Premises"
Learn to support claims with strong premises in your essay.
Lesson 10: "Evidence Matters: Introduction to Evidence"
Discover the types of evidence and how to introduce them in your writing.
Homework:
Practice writing effective body paragraphs for learners' choice topics. 55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
The live online class supports diverse learners with interactive sessions, small group breakouts, and flexible participation. It offers choice in topics, real-time feedback, and visual aids. Accommodations are available.
Parental Guidance
We will be using Padlet as an integral part of our argumentative writing course. Padlet will facilitate student engagement, collaboration, and feedback, enhancing the learning experience in a dynamic and organized way. Students are not required to create their own Padlet accounts. I will provide secure links to the Padlet boards for each live session. Access will be restricted to course participants and the instructor to ensure privacy and security.
Pre-Requisites
Learners should be comfortable writing simple sentences and paragraphs, reading at a 4th grade level, and eager to share ideas and engage in discussion.
Joined July, 2024
New on Outschool
Teacher expertise and credentials
Alabama Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Auburn University
Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Auburn University at Montgomery
As the instructor for "ArgueSmart: Mastering Essay Writing & Persuasive Arguments," I bring a wealth of experience in preparing students for various state writing assessments. Over the years, I have consistently guided my students to achieve the highest scores in our school, demonstrating a strong track record of success. My expertise includes developing targeted writing strategies that align with state standards and assessment criteria, ensuring students are well-prepared to excel.
I focus on building foundational skills in argumentative writing, from crafting compelling claims to using evidence effectively. My approach emphasizes clarity, structure, and critical analysis, which are essential components of state writing assessments. I am dedicated to helping students reach their full potential, providing them with the tools and confidence needed to succeed in high-stakes testing environments.Reviews
Live Group Course
$20
weekly or $160 for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-13
9-12 learners per class
