Outschool
Open currency, time zone, and language settings
Log In

Authors at Work: Informative Writing

In this ongoing class learners who are building upon pre-existing writing skills will focus on clear statements, organization and supportive details to provide information to a reader.
Ms. Taylor B.S. Ed
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(104)
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
30 mins in-class hours per week

Class Experience

US Grade 2 - 4
Whether your learner is already passionate about writing or you are looking to cultivate a passion for writing join our class! Students will have the opportunity to collaborate, build upon their pre-existing skills, and develop a deeper love for the art of writing. Authors at work will do best if they can already form several sentences to compose a piece of at least one or more paragraphs. If you like the looks of this class, please also check out my ongoing Author's at Work: Narrative Writing class.

We will begin class by introducing ourselves and previewing the text/topic for which our writing will be based on for that day. We may discuss information we already know about the subject and compose a list of any information we wish to know. As we create pieces we will provide a special focus on supporting details and organization. Each author will clearly state a topic sentence to inform the reader what they will be reading about. Authors will use linking words like: also, another, and, more, but. This will help convey information in a meaningful and efficient manner, keep us organized and connect bits of information together. 
Authors are welcome to use sentence frames provided and I am happy to help structure graphic organizers to keep our thoughts properly assembled as we build informational pieces. I so look forward to meeting your young author soon and hearing the pieces of art they share aloud!

Schedule:

Week of March 31st - April 6th:
      Sharks by, Tedd Arnold
Prompt: Who doesn't love Buzz and Fly Guy? This book is packed with information about sharks. Using the story and what you know what can you tell someone about them?

Week of April 7th - April 13th:
How to make a _____ (a sandwich? taco?) Teach us HOW to do something!

Week of April 14th - April 20th:
         A Frog’s Life by Irene Kelly
Prompt: Use what you know and what you learn to write about frogs!

Week of April 21st - April 27th:
Letter writing: Learn the correct format and write a letter to someone. You can tell them about yourself, where you've been etc (imaginary or not!) 

Week of April 28th- May 4th:
            Shark Lady by, Jess Keating
 Prompt: We'll read a story about an amazing woman scientist named Eugenie Clark and practice writing a biography about her.



Previously prompts:
-Autobiographies
-How to - what's your talent? What's your hobby? What can you teach us?
- Give Bees a Chance by, Bethany Barton
Prompt: Bees are an important creature in our planet. Give us information about them to help people understand. Or choose another insect that's equally important and explain.
-        Bats by, Gail Gibbons
  Prompt: Let's learn about bats and add in some information you might already know
 - I’m Trying to Love Spiders by, Bethany Barton 
Prompt: Can you tell us all the great or all the icky things someone might need to know about spiders?
-Write about each other! Or someone else you know - Mini biography 

Materials needed: 
-paper (lined really is preferred) 
-a writing utensil (pencils preferred)

Disclaimer: If there are zero learners enrolled 24 hours before a meeting time the meeting is presumed to be canceled.

Cancellation policy: As an ongoing class, learner subscriptions are charged on a weekly basis. If a learner is going to miss class please stop the subscription by the Saturday before to ensure you aren't charged. A refund will not be issued otherwise.
Learning Goals
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
  CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2.C
  Use linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and, more, but) to connect ideas within categories of information.
  CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2.D
  Provide a concluding statement or section.
learning goal

Other Details

External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Gold by Mark Simons Out in Space by Robin Edward Animals of the Forest by Emma Rattenbury In the Tropics by Penny Lee Forest From Chick to Hen by Emmett King A Frog's Life by Emmett King How Animals Survive by Emma Rattenbury At the Car Factory by Linda Wills Congo the Painter by Josephine Parks Joseph Bruchac by Margaret Morgan
Joined January, 2021
4.9
104reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Oregon Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Hello! 

My name is Ms. Taylor and I am so excited to meet you! I hope that you decide to take one of my classes. Before you do, here is a bit about me...

Educational Background--
I graduated college with a BS in Elementary Education and ESOL endorsement. This endorsement helps me to teach English Speakers of Other Languages but also provides me with more enhanced skills I can use to adapt my teaching for any learner struggling with English, reading and comprehension. Since then I have also received a TESOL certificate. I have been a brick and mortar teacher for six years now as my full time job. When I have time I love to teach online too! Between Outschool and an additional online tutoring company I have been teaching online for about four years now. I have taught students aged 4-12 both online and in school physically. For the current academic school year I am teaching 4th grade for the fourth year in person. I have also taught kindergarten, 1st and 5th grade in person as well.  

Classes--
I am very passionate about teaching and move to make learning in our classroom enjoyable. I absolutely love to read and instill that same passion in my students. I am particularly interested in helping students identify letter names and sounds, practice phonemic awareness and gain better reading comprehension strategies. I strongly believe reading and writing go hand in hand. I'd relish the chance to enhance your student's reading and writing skill. 

Fun Facts--
Besides teaching I love to travel, hike and spend time with my animals. I've traveled quite a bit in Europe and enjoy visiting my family and friends scattered across the United States. My German Shepherd also shares a love for hiking and travel. He often goes with me wherever I go. I have owned and trained horses most of my life. I began riding donkeys when I was 2 years but my passion for horses grew as I aged. I worked hard to buy my first horse when I was 13 and have held that love for horses ever since. I still have the two horses I bought when I was young. I enjoy snuggling up with my cats, a cup of hot tea and reading a good book. I am so excited to trade knowledge with your child about their animal experiences, love for travel or other outside activities!  

I look forward to meeting your learner in the classroom! See you soon!

Reviews

Live Group Class
Share

$10

weekly
1x per week
30 min

Completed by 11 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-9
1-4 learners per class

About
Support
SafetyPrivacyCA PrivacyLearner PrivacyManage Data PreferencesTerms
Financial Assistance
Get The App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
© 2024 Outschool