Essentials for Reluctant Writers, Semester II
Learn to write with confidence (part two!) Yes, you can learn to write stories that will influence your readers, enrich your life, and prepare you for college and university-level assignments. #academic
Kendra Fletcher
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5.0
Number of reviews:(521)
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What's included
13 live meetings
6 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. There will be weekly assignments, from writing full pieces and stories to using an editing checklist to prepare for the next week's class.Assessment
We will self-check and review each week.Class Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
This course has been designed for students who feel they need a solid foundation in reading as a writer, syntax, and the basics of writing for a lifetime of writing with confidence. 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: -narrative writing from a variety of literary genres: narrative essays, novels, short stories, comics, plays and musicals, narrative poetry, love stories, fairy tales, reflective essays/memoirs, and mysteries or crime stories -motifs, descriptive writing, developing characters, indirect versus direct characterization -writing a summary -how to edit your own work: strategies, formatting, and feedback -impromptu prompts -moving forward after our class ends: journaling and successful authors' favorite writing tips, writing to strengthen college and university-level assignments We'll be quickly reviewing the basics covered in the first semester of this course, but we won't spend too much time there (don't worry!) We'll be organizing our thoughts, creating rough, working, and final drafts, and learning to review and edit our own work. Socratic discussion is a main 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. Students do not have to have completed Essentials for Reluctant Writers, Semester I before they can take Essentials for Reluctant Writers, Semester II. This semester is designed to stand on its own. By the end of the semester, my hope is that you will have the tools to write with confidence, even if writing is not your first love. 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. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Learning Goals
My goal is to train students to take a close look at their writing so that they are prepared to write well in the future. We will spend time with self-editing checklists and peer review. Reading our writing aloud helps us to learn how to support each other and be cheerleaders of the learning process.
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.
CCSS
W.9-10.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
CCSS
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 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to Narrative Writing
In this course intro, we'll consider narrative writing from a variety of literary genres: narrative essays, novels, short stories, comics, plays and musicals, narrative poetry, love stories, fairy tales, reflective essays/memoirs, and mysteries or crime stories. We will be writing in class from the very beginning! 30 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Week 2
This week, we'll cover seven questions to ask yourself as you begin any narrative 30 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Week 3
Continuing your narrative and more in-class writing and examples 30 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Week 4
More great writers and considering themes and motifs 30 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Supply List
Weekly worksheets, assignments, or writing tools are uploaded and provided, and we will discuss the students' work during each session. 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.
Joined April, 2019
5.0
521reviews
Star Educator
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. Reviews
Live Group Course
$180
for 13 classes1x per week, 13 weeks
30 min
Completed by 44 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
2-8 learners per class
