Convince Me! - Argumentative Writing for Middle Grades Learners
Learn to write a solid argument with a claim, clear reasons, and supporting evidence!
Tonya Harrington, M.Ed.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(495)
What's included
3 live meetings
2 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Learners will choose a topic and work to draft, revise, and finalize one argumentative essay. This will require some time outside of class writing.Assessment
The teacher will read essay drafts and give specific, individualized feedback to each learner.Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 8
Middle school students love to argue! This class will harness that desire to argue by giving learners the writing skills to develop a well-thought-out, argumentative essay. Learners will examine how to build an argument, while developing an understanding of how to write a claim, how to provide clear reasoning, and how to support the claim with solid evidence. We will progress from a freestyle debate of high-interest topics in the first class to participating in a writer’s workshop to craft a final argument essay in the last class. The class atmosphere will be fun and engaging for learners. Learners will collaborate to discuss topic ideas and workshop together to revise and edit writing. We will laugh together as we examine both great argumentative writing examples and not-so-great argumentative writing examples. Class topics will be relevant to learners, and class activities will be varied. This class does need to meet the minimum learner requirement (2) in order to proceed with an atmosphere that is both collaborative and engaging. This class is appropriate for middle grades learners who want to learn how to write a solid argumentative essay. Week one: informally debate high-interest topics, read and compare argumentative texts, brainstorm writing topic ideas Week two: understand the structure of an argumentative essay, distinguish fact from opinion, identify credible sources, begin argument essay draft Week three: engage in a writer’s workshop to revise and edit argument essay draft, share final, revised argument essays
Learning Goals
This class meets the common core English Language Arts standards for writing in grades 6-8: Students will write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. Specifically, students will be able to:
• Introduce claims and organize reasons and evidence clearly
• Support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources
• Establish and maintain a formal writing style
• Develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, and editing
Other Details
Supply List
Printable handouts available after each lesson.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2018
4.9
495reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I’m so excited to offer this class! I am a certified middle grades and secondary English Language Arts teacher. In addition to teaching for Outschool, I also teach for the College of Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. As a former 8th grade English Language Arts classroom teacher, I have a repertoire of teaching strategies for addressing content standards. I love to make classes fun and interactive while striving for mastery learning by differentiating instruction for learners as needed. I’m looking forward to sharing my enthusiasm and experience with you!Reviews
Live Group Class
$65
for 3 classes1x per week, 3 weeks
50 min
Completed by 129 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
2-9 learners per class
