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Building Writers Level 1

In this 14 week flexible learning class, students will better develop their writing skills. Focus is on writing excellent complex sentences using imagery, and beginning to write full paragraphs and stories.
Ms. Kristin Riffe
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(20)
Class

What's included

14 pre-recorded lessons
14 weeks
of teacher support
1 year access
to the content
Homework
Each week has a 25-45 minute video to watch, and then plan to spend around 45-60 minutes writing. You will also need to check the classroom and interact with peers once a week.
Assessment
Teacher will give personal feedback to students. Can provide letter grade and certificate of completion at parent request.
Grading
included

Class Experience

US Grade 3 - 6
Beginner - Intermediate Level
This is a 14 week flexible schedule course.  The learning format will be videos (recordings of me, the teacher, hosted on Youtube, but my own teaching.)

Some of the assignments will require you to interact with your classmates/teacher in order to fully complete the assignment.  Each student may work on their own level for this class.  A student struggling to write a full paragraph may find one very good sentence to be enough. This class begins with sentences only and slowly progresses to full paragraphs and stories. 

Students are encouraged to use Google docs to write and turn in their work. 

Each week will have a full lesson to watch that introduces each concept. After watching the lesson, you will have an assignment to complete.  The projects for each week are listed below. The dates for each would vary based on when the class begins, but you have one full week to complete the project before I expect to see your project posted in the classroom for grading and peer interaction. I expect you to comment on others' projects and give positive feedback to each other, as well as see any personal feedback I have left for you. For shy students who don't want to share with classmates, they may message me their assignments.

Week 1:  Writing Descriptive and Complex Sentences - a multi-step solution that will result in a great sentence every single time! Students will share their sentences in the classroom and give feedback on additional editing that may have created an even more vivid image. 
Week 2: Scribble Writes - includes some drawing alongside writing. Students will all actively engage in turning a scribble into a drawing. 
Week 3: Funny Picture Writes - a guessing game with your classmates/teacher will ensue after writing, so make sure it's very descriptive. 
Week 4:  Descriptive Rocks - another guessing game with your classmates/teacher after writing. 
Week 5:  Parts of Speech - this week has multiple assignments, a parts of speech sort and also Mad Libs. Be prepared to have fun with Mad Libs with your classmates. 
Week 6: Roll a Story - Learn about story elements and create your own fairytale by rolling dice to find your characters/setting/etc. 
Week 7: Taco About - Let's use tacos to tell all about the subject you know best - YOU! We will see what we all have in common. 
Week 8: Sequencing - Why is the sequence of a story important?  Find out this week and then write your own guide to finding hidden treasure or write real life instructions (this week has a choice of assignments) 
Week 9: Opinions - Choose a "would you rather" topic and write your opinion.  
Week 10: Persuasive Writing - Design and advertise a donut. Students will vote on which donut they would choose. 
Week 11: Friendly Letters - Write a friendly letter. 
Week 12: Comics - Create your own comic strip 
Week 13: Art - Writing about Art.  This week has an accompanying art project. Students will respond to each other's artwork. 
Week 14: Poetry - Step your toes into the pool of poetry and literary elements like similes, metaphors, alliteration, and more.
Learning Goals
Students will improve on their basic writing skills, including writing complex sentences and understanding of story structure. Students will also learn some grade level appropriate language arts skills.
learning goal

Syllabus

14 Lessons
over 14 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Writing Descriptive and Complex Sentences
 Writing Descriptive and Complex Sentences - a multi-step solution that will result in a great sentence every single time! Students will share their sentences in the classroom and give feedback on additional editing that may have created an even more vivid image. 
Lesson 2:
Scribble Writes
 Scribble Writes - includes some drawing alongside writing. Students will all actively engage in turning a scribble into a drawing. 
Lesson 3:
Funny Picture Writes
 Funny Picture Writes - a guessing game with your classmates/teacher will ensue after writing, so make sure it's very descriptive. 
Lesson 4:
Descriptive Rocks
 Descriptive Rocks - another guessing game with your classmates/teacher after writing. 

Other Details

Pre-Requisites
Ability to write using mostly conventional spelling for grade level vocabulary
Supply List
Handouts and work will need printed.  Students need some basic art supplies (paper, markers) and also some construction paper and scissors, glue stick.
Language of Instruction
English
Joined November, 2020
5.0
20reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Oklahoma Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
I am Ms. Kristin (she/her), and I am so excited to be a part of the Outschool community! I have a B.S. in Elementary Education from Oklahoma State University, and hold a current teaching certificate in Oklahoma. I have a total of 20 years of teaching experience in PreK-5th grades. I choose to homeschool my own kids (three boys - 2nd, 6th, and 9th graders.) I am currently both the coordinator and an elementary school teacher for the elementary program at our local secular homeschool academy. I love to sew and read when I have free time! My guilty pleasure is binge watching corny TV shows. 

I hope to offer a range of fun and exciting courses on Outschool geared toward the PreK-4th grade age range. My favorite subjects to teach are writing, reading, science, and crafts. I can't wait to meet your families and include you in my world of learning!

Reviews

Self-Paced Course
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$9

weekly or $120 for all content
14 pre-recorded lessons
14 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content

Completed by 21 learners
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Ages: 8-12

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