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or $180 for 13 classes
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Essentials for Reluctant Writers, Semester I

Completed by 111 learners
Ages 13-18
Live Group Course
If you have trouble getting your thoughts from idea to paper, this is the semester that will prepare you to write for high school, college, and university. #academic
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(540 reviews)
Star Educator

Live video meetings
1x per week, 13 weeks
2-6 learners per class
30 min

What's included

13 live meetings
6 hrs 30 mins in-class hours
Homework
1-2 hours per week. Weekly homework typically includes a worksheet to practice what we've learned as well as a writing assignment, which will vary in length from week to week. Full essays will be developed from inception to completion.
Assessment
Weekly worksheets will be reviewed in class. Essays and other assigned writing will be read, returned to the learner, and include my suggested edits and notes. My goal in assessment is growth, not criticism.

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
This course has been designed for students who feel they need a solid foundation in grammar, syntax, and the basics of writing for a lifetime of writing with confidence and possible university work ahead. It is a great addition to the Where Women Write series of literature courses that I offer, but it is not required.

In this semester-long course, we will be covering:

Week 1: Nouns, Verbs, and How to Write a Paragraph
Week 2: Common Nouns, Proper Nouns, Plural Nouns, Possessive Nouns, Combining Sentences
Week 3: Adjectives, Verbs, and How to Write Uncomplicated Sentences 
Week 4: Adverbs, Choosing an Essay Topic, How to Write a Paragraph Review
Week 5: The 5-Paragraph Essay
Week 6: Writing the Essay That Goes Above and Beyond
Week 7: Nailing the Introductory Paragraph
Week 8: Nailing the Middle Paragraphs, How to Cite Your Resources
Week 9: Nailing the Conclusion
Week 10: Putting the Whole Essay Together, Writing Titles, How to Edit Your Own Work
Week 11: Improving Your Work, Writing Like a Pro
Week 12: The Personal Narrative
Week 13: Excellent Examples From Great Literature, Semester Wrap-Up 

We'll be reviewing the above basics so that we have a place from which to start and grow! We'll also write samples each week so that this first semester doesn't feel bogged down in the mechanics. What fun is just learning about the "ingredients" if we never get to make something?

Socratic discussion is an important component of the classroom courses I offer. We'll talk about what it means to write well, how to communicate through the written word and how that differs from the way we speak to each other, and methods by which we can strengthen and clarify our language. 

When the semester ends, students can opt in to Essentials for Reluctant Writers, Semester II. In the second semester of the course, we will be writing all sorts of narratives, as well as looking at important pieces of literature and excellent writing from well-known authors. Students do NOT have to complete Essentials for Reluctant Writers, Semester I before they can take Essentials for Reluctant Writers, Semester II—the semesters stand alone. 

If your learner would feel more comfortable in a one-on-one tutoring setup for this class, I'm more than happy to accommodate! You can check out my listing for Middle & High School English Language Arts Tutoring 1:1, and if you're interested, we can work together to find a day and time that suits your schedule. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Learning Goals

My goal for students who aren't confident about their writing skills is that they will finish this course with the necessary tools to boldly tackle writing assignments that will inevitably come their way throughout high school and college. 


CCSS
W.8.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS
W.8.5
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
CCSS
W.8.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
CCSS
W.8.10
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
CCSS
W.9-10.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS
W.9-10.5
Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
W.9-10.10
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
CCSS
W.11-12.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS
W.11-12.5
Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
CCSS
W.11-12.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
CCSS
W.11-12.10
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.

Syllabus

13 Lessons
over 13 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Beginning with the Basics
 Nouns, Verbs, and How to Write a Paragraph 
30 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 2:
Week 2
 Common Nouns, Proper Nouns, Plural Nouns, Possessive Nouns, Combining Sentences 
30 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 3:
Week 3
 Adjectives, Verbs, and How to Write Uncomplicated Sentences 
30 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 4:
Week 4
 Adverbs, Choosing an Essay Topic, How to Write a Paragraph Review 
30 mins online live lesson
1 assignment

Other Details

Supply List
Worksheets are uploaded and provided. You will just need a way to print them when they are attached to the classroom. We will discuss the students' work during several of our sessions.  Students can use a desktop, laptop, tablet, or good old fashioned pencil/pen and paper.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Joined April, 2019
5.0
540reviews
Star Educator
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from University of the Pacific
I have been teaching English Language Arts for over 20 years. Some of my students have been natural writers who innately understand the process and the "sound" of good writing, while others have struggled to get their great ideas out of their heads and onto paper. I enjoy the process with both and encourage strengths as well as support weaknesses. 

As someone who loves to write, I've also had the privilege of writing and publishing four books (both self-published and traditionally published). I am a professional copyeditor, working on everything from full-length novels to non-fiction to website copy to dissertations. 

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