Critical Reading and Writing: Joy in Thought and Expression
In this twelve-week critical reading/writing course students will increase their ability to find joyful meaning in reading and satisfying self-expression through writing.
Tory Anderson
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(450)
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What's included
12 live meetings
11 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will complete reading and writing assignments outside of class in preparation for class discussions. The time these assignments take will vary by student, but on the average the student may expect to spend about 1.5 hours a week.Assessment
Students will receive encouragement and feedback during class.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
Students will increase their confidence in finding meaning in what they read. The class focuses on becoming more observant readers. Through discussion, reading exercises, and comprehension games students will better see how what appears to be a simple story actually mimics the colorful complexity of life. Through the guided writing assignments students will strengthen their expressive writing muscles and become more confident communicators. In the first six weeks of the class students will read and analyze the novel Okay For Now, by Gary Schmidt. Students will complete the reading assignments between classes. Classes will focus on theme, symbols, metaphor, and character development--the tools writers use to infuse the complexity of real life into what at first seems to be only an entertaining story. In the second six weeks of class students will dive into the mechanics of the critical essay to thoroughly familiarize themselves with its parts. This will be followed up with writing an essay on Okay For Now. Students will have the opportunity to share their ongoing writing experience with classmates during each class. The class will culminate with students sharing their essay on the final day of class. Unit Schedule: Critical Reading Unit 1: Introduction to critical reading and writing Unit 2: Literary setting and its use in Okay for Now Unit 3: Character development—its application in Okay for Now Unit 4: Narrative voice—why first-person narration is effective in Okay for Now Unit 5: Metaphor in Okay for Now—life meaning in drawing birds Critical Writing in Theory Unit 6: Thesis and Opening Paragraphs Unit 7: Body Paragraphs—what makes them strong Unit 8: Conclusions—beautiful wrapping Critical Writing in Practice Unit 9: Presenting Your Introductory Paragraph Unit 10: Presenting You Body Paragraphs Unit 11: Conclusions and Writing Second Drafts Unit 12: Presenting Your Finished Essay
Learning Goals
Students will increase the reading skills by learning how to find the meaning below the storyline.
Students will increase their verbal confidence by sharing their ideas and observations each class
Students will gain confidence in their ability to express themselves clearly through the written word.
Other Details
Supply List
A copy of Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Each student will need a copy of the book Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt. This book can usually be found in a library, or you can purchase a copy on Amazon.com for about $7.00 (paperback or e-book).
Joined June, 2020
4.9
450reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Receiving a master’s degree in English from BYU with an emphasis in creative writing was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with all things creative: novels, plays, movies, painting, music, dance, origami, cosplay, juggling, computer games, DnD . . . the list goes on.
On the STEM side of life I spent eight years in the United States Air Force as a radar technician. Working with the highly mobile radar of a forward air control post I traveled the world in C-130s, was buzzed by A-10s, and became proficient with various weaponry. Since the third grade I have been a student of the history of military aircraft, especially World War II.
As a published author of many short stories and four young adult novels I’m ready to help students create with the written word. In creative writing I teach the power of the word, the beauty of the sentence, the joy of the completed story. As a university instructor in critical reading/writing, I learned that a good author won’t tell you anything. A good author wants to see what you see after you read his/her book. We will learn how to know what we see and how to talk and write about it.
As a dad I homeschooled all eight of my children to support positive, independent thinking. I kept reading with my children long after they could read for themselves—until they left for college. I advocate reading and writing with classroom presentations and programs. I’ve been mentoring youth writers in the Juab Jotters writing group for several years.
When I’m not teaching you will find me pursuing my own never ending education, playing computer games with my children (great family time), cosplaying (last year it was Mystery Men), and spending time with my children and grandchildren (soon to be six).
Reviews
Live Group Class
$144
for 12 classes1x per week, 12 weeks
55 min
Completed by 72 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
3-9 learners per class
