Through the exploration of high-interest texts, students will learn new vocabulary, analysis skills, annotation skills, comprehension, fluency, paragraph writing, and more!

CLOSE READING 
Close Reading is a skill that is required in order to discover more than an author’s message and what was said. In this course, we begin to concentrate on how an author conveys, persuades, evokes, and so on. In understanding a writer’s talent and craft, we improve our own ability to convey, persuade, and evoke.

The following is a list of some of the devices and concepts that we will be focusing on:
∞ Finding patterns in a text through annotation
∞Analysis, including, for example, the author’s development of theme or tone through imagery, diction, syntax, choice of details, point of view, author’s use of figures of speech and sound devices
∞Noticing language choices: Students understand how writers and speakers use specific words and sentences to move the thoughts, emotions, and actions of readers and listeners.

WRITING
Writing is a process. Learning to write is a process. The only way to learn how to write well is through writing and writing and writing some more. Part of the process is revision. These two activities are imperative to a good writer. Students will be able to:
∞ Write well-developed and solid paragraphs
∞ Use facts, quotations, and paraphrases as support for a stated position
∞ Write thesis statements powerful enough to dictate the direction of the paper
∞ Analyze, not simply summarize
∞ Develop a voice

In my classes (brick and mortar and Outschool), I work with all levels of students (IEP students, general education, and high-ability students). My goal as a teacher is to foster critical thinking and communication skills in order to help your child achieve their goals and become more proficient readers, writers, and critical thinkers. More than that, I encourage students to fall in love with learning. 

Experience/Education:
-Brick and Mortar Teacher for 7 years (current)
-Outschool Teacher for 3 years (current)
-BS in Education (Reading/English 3-12, Gifted Education 3-12, Special Education 5-12)
-Masters of Arts In English Teaching
-Certification in High Ability/Gifted Learning Strategies
-Certification in Teaching Students with Learning Exceptionalities
-SAT/PSAT Testing Administrator (5 years)
-Harkness Socratic Seminar Trained (Summer of 2023)
-National Writing Project Trained (Summer of 2023)

I am a secondary English teacher with certifications in gifted education and special education. I have been professionally teaching for 7 years and have a masters of arts in English education. I enjoy using socratic and discussion-based learning to help students think deeply about the texts that they read.

Homework Offered
Students must read each article before attending class.
0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Post-class quiz
Grades Offered
Grades by request

Students should be reading at least at a beginning 5th grade reading level

All materials will be provided