FLEX-- Ocean Life + Writer's Workshop: Live Ocean Animals, Science, Writing, and Art

COURSE OVERVIEW: 
In this FLEX course, writers will practice their powers of observation by looking at sea life and writing about their observations thus combining inquiry based learning with a traditional Writer's Workshop format. The FLEX format supports learners with busy schedules or in different time zones by allowing them to complete Monday through Friday assignments at their own pace. It is intended to develop essential writing skills while cultivating a love of writing AND marine science. FLEX Marine Science + Writing is best suited for writers who are capable of working semi-independently or with a supervising parent.

COURSE STRUCTURE:
Monday through Friday of each week, students will receive a brief, 5-10 minute, mini-lesson in video format. Writers are asked to watch and engage with the lesson as detailed in the lesson. Following the lesson, writers are expected to work for between 15-30 minutes on their assignment each day. I would encourage you to set an end time and stick to it like glue. 

•	On Mondays, students create their first draft.
•	On Tuesdays, students revise their drafts.
•	On Wednesdays, students will write a final, fancy copy.
•	On Thursdays, students illustrate their work, take a photo of their illustration, and send it to Miss Marler.
•	On Fridays, students will record video of themselves reading and presenting their completed work to the class for questions   and compliments!!

COURSE CONTENT:
Writers will use their powers of observation to write a descriptive paragraph about what they see. Each week, writers will view and make written observations on a different species of LIVE marine life. Writers will be challenged to stretch their sentences and add lots of details of their observations. Advanced writers will be challenged to write a hypothesis and conclusions about their critter.

Week 1: Shrimp
Week 2: Blue Crabs
Week 3: Croaker Fish
Week 4: Hermit Crab

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT & EXPECTATIONS: 
Due to the nature of the FLEX class, parents are asked to take on more of an active role in their writer's learning and actively monitor their child's completion and submission of assignments. Writers are expected to watch, kindly comment, and ask thoughtful questions of Friday presentation videos. There is so much they can learn from each other and how to cordially participate with each other online through this forum.

SUBMITTING WORK: Instructions for uploading will be included in class. Please submit assignments according to the following schedule:

Tuesdays--Revised Sloppy Copy (Revised 1st Draft) (Please submit a picture of writer's writing thus far this week to Miss Marler.

Thursdays--Pictures (Illustration for Final Copy; Limit 2 please) (Please submit your writer's illustration to Miss Marler.)

Fridays--Video Recording of Writer Reading Their Final Copy

Monday through Thursday, submissions may be made through the student conversations page. Please attach and submit Friday videos to the class page.

FLEX CLASSES:
This class is a flex-class so writers are encouraged to commit for the entire 4 week process.

COURSE PAYMENT & OUTSCHOOL REFUND POLICY
From Outschool: All Flexible Schedule classes have a standard refund policy: "Full refund until the class begins, or within 24 hours of purchase (until class starts), then a pro-rated refund based on the number of meetings."

COURSE FEEDBACK: Teacher will provide student feedback on Tuesdays and Fridays following class. If you would prefer more frequent feedback, please let me know. I am happy to provide it.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
This class is suitable for beginning, intermediate, and advanced 2nd grade writers. Writers should be understand that a sentence expresses a complete thought, begins with capitalization, and ends with punctuation and be working towards consistently applying these ideas. More advanced students, up to the age of 9, are also welcome to polish their skills. Students should be willing to follow basic, classroom instructions and complete work either independently or with active parental monitoring.   

SPECIAL NEEDS:
If your writer has a diagnosed or suspected learning disability, IEP, or 504 in place, please share any pertinent information with me BEFORE class  begins. This will help me to prepare and anticipate potential situations beforehand. Thank you.