ELA Reading & Writing With Funny Words: Part 1 All Middle School Genres
This class is designed for advanced writers who are ready to challenge themselves and elevate their writing craft. Vocabulary Expansion, Historical Integration, Genre Exploration, & Idea Selection are key components of this joyful class.
Amy Westrick, Certified English Teacher (She/Her)
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(57)
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1 hour per week. 15 minute weekly challenges will be provided to students at the end of the class meeting.Class Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
Intermediate - Advanced Level
***I'm taking a sabbatical from teaching until the Fall 2024 to recharge and pursue some personal projects. I'm looking forward to returning refreshed and energized.***
Mastering the Art of Fun & Engaging Writing
Dive into the delightful world of English Language Arts with my "Funny Words 1" class, designed for advanced writers who are ready to challenge themselves and elevate their writing craft. Each lesson revolves around discovering 34 hilariously quirky vocabulary words like "Bumfuzzle," alongside their historical contexts and intriguing facts. But it's not just about expanding your lexicon; it's about weaving these words into your writing seamlessly, with flair and creativity.
What You Will Learn:
Vocabulary Expansion: Engage with funny-sounding words, learning their meanings, origins, and how to use them effectively in various contexts.
Historical Integration: Apply the historical background of each word to enrich your writing, giving depth and color to your narratives.
Genre Exploration: Write across a spectrum of genres including fables, folktales, short stories, and narratives, and dive into subgenres such as suspense, humor, and persuasion, to craft compelling pieces.
Idea Selection: Improve your writing by meticulously choosing ideas that resonate with your voice and the message you wish to convey.
Teaching Strategies:
Interactive Learning: A fun and engaging teacher will guide you through laughter-filled lessons, promoting an atmosphere of joy and creativity.
Quick Writes: Jumpstart your creativity with short, three-minute writing exercises designed to enhance tone and point of view, encouraging spontaneity and a flow of ideas.
Modeling Excellence: Every task assigned to students is first modeled by the instructor, providing a clear example of what success looks like.
Incremental Editing: Learn a unique editing technique focused on enhancing one aspect of your writing at a time, such as the "beefy words" strategy for word choice improvement.
Course Features:
Ongoing Enrollment: Join us at any time and progress at your own pace. This class offers the flexibility to accommodate your schedule and writing journey.
Personalized Feedback: Engage in one-on-one sessions whenever you need extra help. Our goal is to highlight your strengths and guide you in areas of improvement.
Peer Review: Share your work with classmates in a supportive environment, receiving thoughtful and compassionate feedback that fosters growth.
Dynamic Learning Environment: With a focus on laughter and quick thinking, our classroom is a place where writing becomes not just a task but a favorite hobby, or at the very least, a pain-free experience.
Who Should Enroll:
This class is tailored for advanced writers seeking a challenging yet rewarding experience. If you're eager to push the boundaries of your writing, explore diverse genres, and inject your work with both humor and depth, "Funny Words 1" is your gateway to mastering the art of engaging writing.
Join us on this ongoing adventure where words come to play, ideas flourish, and writers grow. Transform your writing into an art form that captivates, entertains, and informs with every word you pen. The first word is Bumfuzzle.
In this ongoing class, students will learn 34 new funny-sounding vocabulary words, historical context, and other fun tidbits about the word. Then students integrate these new words seamlessly into their writing. Students will improve their writing by careful selection of ideas. Students will apply historical content to their writing. Students will write in a variety of genres (fable, folktale, short story, narrative). Students will write in a variety of subgenres (suspense, humor, persuasion). This class is for advanced writers. This class is challenging and has a high level of rigor.
Students may join or leave at any time.
Week of March 24
The mystery word starts with G
1st Person Point of View
Fable & Suspense
Week of Mar 31
The mystery word starts with T
1st Person Point of View
Fable & Suspense
Week of Apr 7
The mystery word begins with S
1st Person Point of View
Folktale & Cheesy Romance (Ex. Snail falls in love with his reflection)
Week of Apr 14
The mystery word begins with W
1st Person Point of View
Folktale & Cheesy Romance (Ex. Snail falls in love with his reflection)
Week of Apr 21
The mystery word begins with C
1st Person Point of View
Folktale & Persuasion (Persuading self to do something)
Week of Apr 28
The mystery word begins with G
1st Person Point of View
Folktale & Persuasion (Persuading self to do something)
Week of May 5
The mystery word begins with A
2nd Person Point of View
Narrative & Western
Week of May 12
The mystery word begins with B
2nd Person Point of View
Narrative & Western
Week of May 19
The mystery word begins with L
2nd Person Point of View
Narrative & Fantasy
Week of May 26
The mystery word begins with F
2nd Person Point of View
Narrative & Fantasy
Week of Jun 2
The mystery word begins with M
2nd Person Point of View
Monologue & Extreme Denial (Ex. Convincing self the cookie is salad.)
Week of Jun 9
The mystery word begins with P
2nd Person Point of View
Monologue & Extreme Denial (Ex. Convincing self the cookie is salad.)
Week of Jun 16
The mystery word begins with S
2nd Person Point of View
Monologue & Science Fiction
Week of Jun 23
The mystery word begins with W
2nd Person Point of View
Monologue & Science Fiction
Week of Jun 30 No Class
Week of Jul 7
The mystery word begins with E
3rd Person Point of View limited
Short Story & Science Fiction
Week of Jul 14
The mystery word begins with S
3rd Person Point of View limited
Short Story & Science Fiction
Week of Jul 16
The mystery word begins with B
3rd Person Point of View limited
Short Story & Celebrity
Week of Jul 23
The mystery word begins with I
3rd Person Point of View limited
Short Story & Celebrity
Week of Jul 30
The mystery word begins with N
3rd Person Point of View limited
Short Story & Alternate History
Week of Aug 4
The mystery word begins with Q
3rd Person Point of View limited
Short Story & Alternate History
Week of Aug 11
The mystery word begins with R
3rd Person Point of View limited
Short Story & Heroism
Week of Aug 18
The mystery word begins with Y
3rd Person Point of View limited
Short Story & Heroism
Week of Aug 25
The mystery word begins with X
3rd Person Point of View Omniscient
Newspaper Editorial & Urban Fantasy
Week of Aug 25
The mystery word begins with Z
3rd Person Point of View Omniscient
Newspaper Editorial & Urban Fantasy
Week of Sep 1 No Class
Week of Sep 8 No Class
Week of Sep 15
The mystery word begins with P
3rd Person Point of View Omniscient
Newspaper Editorial & Sword & Sorcery
Week of Sep 22
The mystery word begins with B
3rd Person Point of View Omniscient
Newspaper Editorial & Sword & Sorcery
Week of Sep 29
The mystery word begins with B
Lackadaisical Tone
Poetic Ode & Teenage Protagonist
Week of Oct 6
The mystery word begins with B
Lackadaisical Tone
Poetic Ode & Teenage Protagonist
Week of Oct 13
The mystery word begins with C
Choose your Point of View
Poetic Elegy & Creepy Kids
Week of Oct 20
The mystery word begins with A
Choose your Point of View
Poetic Elegy & Creepy Kids
Week of Oct 27
The mystery word begins with D
1st Person Point of View
Personal Essay & Amateur Sleuth
Week of Nov 3
The mystery word begins with N
1st Person Point of View
Personal Essay & Amateur Sleuth
****Topics Start Over****Learning Goals
Students will improve their writing by careful selection of ideas.
Students will apply historical content to their writing.
Students will write in a variety of genres (fable, folktale, short story, narrative).
Students will write in a variety of subgenres (suspense, humor, persuasion).
Other Details
Learning Needs
I teach classes for grades 2-12 for Neurodivergent and Traditional Students. I utilize numerous strategies to teach learners of all backgrounds and abilities. I teach a wide array of students with unique learning needs.
Parental Guidance
*Students will need to have their camera on and participate fully.
*I will keep note of which lesson your student has completed, in case a break is needed due to vacation or absence.
*This is not a lecture type of class. Students do need to participate fully.
Supply List
Students will need a composition notebook and erasers from the Dollar Store. The scented erasers at the Dollar Store are the best.
Joined October, 2020
4.9
57reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in English from Grand Valley State University
I have taught middle and high school English Language Arts for 18 years. I have taught English literature and composition for advanced students preparing for private high schools with even higher aspirations of attending ivy league schools. Previous experience:
*teaching all grade levels from grades 4 through 12
*tutoring adult college students in these areas as well
*teaching students with minimal English and have taught seventh grade students who read at first grade level.
I have achieved great success for myself while completing courses in my doctoral program.Reviews
Live Group Class
$15
weekly1x per week
55 min
Completed by 11 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
3-13 learners per class
Financial Assistance
Get The App
Tutoring
More to Explore
Montessori Grammar SymbolModern Hebrew Language 1bBad GuysThe Organized StudentDraw PandaGeneral ScienceWriting Sentence StructureHow To Draw Pusheen The CatBoys Need Self Care TooBreaking News What Is Happening In The World Around Us Current EventDog TrainHelping Find There VoicesAsianSocial AdhdAbout Python For Beginners 8 Flexible Schedule Course