Easy as P.I.E.: Introductory Essay Writing
(P)ersuasive, (I)nformational and (E)xplanatory essays will be covered in this 8-week course.
Emily L., MST, MFA (Certified Teacher)
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(6)
What's included
24 live meetings
20 in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Students will write two to three essays outside our live sessions.Assessment
Students will receive peer and teacher feedback on their essays.Class Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
Beginner - Intermediate Level
Writing essays for most kids is a daunting task. Where do I start?, what else should I write? Or what the heck is a thesis? Are common questions that come up when I begin teaching. So my goal is to break it down into comprehensive chunks that will allow my students to understand and apply it in to writing a full-length essay. We will start with formulating thesis statements--the most important part of an essay--followed by learning how to infer and analyze a text, formatting cohesive paragraphs, outlining an essay; and finally, writing, revising and editing essays. Week 1: Inferring and Analyzing Text Students will infer and analyze text through close reading and word comprehension. Worksheet: Observe-Infer-Explain Week 2: Students will continue inferring and analyzing text. Worksheet: Observe-Infer-Explain Week 3 and 4: Formulate Thesis Statement Students will learn how to formulate a thesis statement through teacher modeling, class practice and independent practice. Worksheet: Thesis Statement for Persuasive Essay Week 5 and 6: Formulating Topic Sentences Students will learn and construct topic sentences for their essays. Worksheet: T-Chart Week 7: T.T.E.E.: [T]ransition, [T]opic Sentence, [E]vidence/Citation, [E]xplanation/Analysis Students will learn and write comprehensive and cohesive paragraphs. Worksheet: Essay Builder Week 8: Students will continue writing, editing and revising paragraphs, as well as writing counter-arguments and rebuttal elements. Worksheet: T-Chart and Essay Builder Week 9 and 10: Students will continue writing, editing and revising paragraphs. Worksheet: T-Chart and Essay Builder Week 11 and 12: Final Essay Students will finish editing and revising their essays along with feedback from essays done outside the classroom. Worksheet: Peer/Self-Editing Checklist
Learning Goals
Based on the Language Arts Florida Standards, students will:
-Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
a. Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and
organize the reasons and evidence logically.
b. Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using
accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the
topic or text.
c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the
relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence.
d. Establish and maintain a formal style.
e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports
the argument presented.
-Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas,
concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of
relevant content.
a. Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas,
concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition,
classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting
(e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when
useful to aiding comprehension.
b. Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details,
quotations, or other information and examples.
c. Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the
relationships among ideas and concepts.
d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or
explain the topic.
e. Establish and maintain a formal style.
f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports
the information or explanation presented.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Students will use Google Classroom to access slides, videos and worksheets relevant to the course. All materials are age-appropriate for this course.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined September, 2020
5.0
6reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
New York Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from National University
Master's Degree in Education from College at Potsdam, State University of New York
In addition to a having two teaching certificates (New York: Permanent, 7-12, and Florida: Professional, 6-12), I have a B.A. in Literature (Purchase College, SUNY), and two Masters: Master of Science in Teaching (Secondary English) from Potsdam College, SUNY; and Master of Fine Arts (Creative Fiction Writing) from National University. I have been teaching middle school and high school for 7 years, and taught College Composition and Literature as an Adjunct English Professor for four years at Miami Dade College and Broward College. Reviews
Live Group Class
$350
for 24 classes2x per week, 12 weeks
50 min
Completed by 11 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-17
1-6 learners per class
