What's included
2 live meetings
1 hrs 40 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Students will write in a variety of fiction subgenres: adventure, historical, paranormal, contemporary, category, fantasy, gothic, science fiction, myth, steampunk, sword and sandal, speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy fiction, horror fiction, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history), suspense, techno-thriller, mystery, crime, fake relationship, family saga, western, magic realism, and literary fiction. This class is for advanced writers. This class is very challenging and has a high level of rigor. Students will improve their writing by careful selection of ideas. Students will increase use of multi-syllable and content specific words in their writing. Students will write pieces of fiction. In this on-going class, students will learn 60 funny sounding vocabulary words, historical context, and other fun tid bits 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 Students will apply historical content to their writing. A third challenge will be present to include a new texture word during each class. This class is for advanced writers. This class is fun, very challenging, and has a high level of rigor. Part I should be taken before Part II as content and skill increases with each week. Fun and bubbly teacher promotes laughter and encourages quick thinking. I want to make writing your favorite hobby, or at least make it as pain free as possible. I use short three minute writings to drive instruction in improving tone and point of view within writing. This is an on-going class. I model model model how to do everything I am asking students to do. I used these same techniques in my classroom teaching adapting to the interests of my students. First, I introduce what quick writes mean to me. They are fast, unstructured, not perfect, wonderful jumbles of ideas that are waiting to grow. Second. I put the goal on the board. I model writing to this quick write topic in real time right before students' eyes. It is then the students' turn to write for only three minutes. I review how I want to edit my writing for just one little area each day. For example: If I want to edit my work for word choice, I am going to underline three words that could be improved using my "beefy words" technique. Students are given three minutes to edit their work following my model. I model revising my own work by writing a final draft of three sentences. Students follow this model and have three minutes to revise their own writing and create a draft. Finally, I model sharing with a partner and how the partner should respond to the author thoughtfully and compassionately. Students share in this manner. I give praise for the conversations I am hearing that are positive and guide those conversations that need assistance. Students can ask for one on one help at any time! I am always excited to show students the areas where they are already excelling! I am here to boost your student's self confidence. This class is challenging and has a high level of rigor. This is an on-going class. Students may join or leave at any time. Week of Nov 2 The mystery word starts with A The mystery word starts with B Fiction Focus: Adventure Texture Word #1 Abrasive Texture Word #2 Acute Week of Nov 9 The mystery word starts with I The mystery word starts with P Fiction Focus: Historical Texture Word #1 Angular Texture Word #2 Arid Week of Nov 16 The mystery word starts with S The mystery word starts with A Fiction Focus: Paranormal Texture Word #1 Attractive Texture Word #2 Awkward Week of Nov 23 The mystery word starts with B The mystery word starts with R Fiction Focus: Contemporary Texture Word #1 Bald Texture Word #2 Ballooned Week of Nov 30 The mystery word starts with J The mystery word starts with T Fiction Focus: Category Texture Word #1 Barbed Texture Word #2 Bendable Week of Dec 7 The mystery word starts with A The mystery word starts with C Fiction Focus: Fantasy Texture Word #1 Blemished Texture Word #2 Blistered Week of Dec 14 The mystery word starts with R The mystery word starts with U Fiction Focus: Gothic Texture Word #1 Blunt Texture Word #2 Boiling Week of Dec 21 The mystery word starts with B The mystery word starts with C Fiction Focus: Science Fiction Texture Word #1 Bristly Texture Word #2 Burnished Week of Dec 28 No Class Week of Jan 4 The mystery word starts with M The mystery word starts with S Fiction Focus: Myth Texture Word #1 Clammy Texture Word #2 Coagulated Week of Jan 11 The mystery word starts with V The mystery word starts with B Fiction Focus: Steampunk Texture Word #1 Corduroy Texture Word #2 Corrugated Week of Jan 18 The mystery word starts with B The mystery word starts with C Fiction Focus: Sword and Sandal Texture Word #1 Cratered Texture Word #2 Crenelated Week of Jan 25 The mystery word starts with D The mystery word starts with N Fiction Focus: Speculative Fiction: Science Texture Word #1 Defective Texture Word #2 Dense Week of Feb 1 The mystery word starts with B The mystery word starts with C Fiction Focus: Speculative Fiction: Fantasy Texture Word #1 Diaphanous Texture Word #2 Downy Week of Feb 1 The mystery word starts with S The mystery word starts with W Fiction Focus: Speculative Fiction: Horror (not gross) Texture Word #1 Ductile Texture Word #2 Dented --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week of Feb 8 The mystery word starts with M The mystery texture word starts with S Fiction Focus: Speculative Fiction: Supernatural Texture Word #1 Emblazoned Texture Word #2 Embossed Week of Feb 15 The mystery word starts with C The mystery word starts with S Fiction Focus: Speculative Fiction: Superhero Texture Word #1 Encrusted Texture Word #2 Etched Week of Feb 22 The mystery word starts with T The mystery word starts with B Fiction Focus: Speculative Fiction: Utopia Texture Word #1 Fiery Texture Word #2 Filmy Week of Mar 1 The mystery word starts with P The mystery word starts with V Fiction Focus: Speculative Fiction: Dystopia Texture Word #1 Flawed Texture Word #2 Frigid Week of Mar 8 The mystery word starts with N The mystery word starts with R Fiction Focus: Apocalyptic Texture Word #1 Furred Texture Word #2 Fuzzy Week of Mar 15 The mystery word starts with A The mystery word starts with K Fiction Focus: Post-Apocalyptic Texture Word #1 Glazed Texture Word #2 Gossamer Week of Mar 22 The mystery word starts with H The mystery word starts with C Fiction Focus: Alternate History Texture Word #1 Granular Texture Word #2 Gravelly Week of Mar 29 The mystery word starts with K The mystery word starts with A Fiction Focus: Suspense Texture Word #1 Grinding Texture Word #2 Grooved Week of Apr 5 The mystery word starts with R The mystery word starts with K Fiction Focus: Techno-Thriller Texture Word #1 Hairy Texture Word #2 Hatched Week of Apr 12 The mystery word starts with K The mystery word starts with M Fiction Focus: Mystery Texture Word #1 Honeyed Texture Word #2 Hot-pressed Week of Apr 19 The mystery word starts with S The mystery word starts with K Fiction Focus: Crime Texture Word #1 Humid Texture Word #2 Hygienic Week of Apr 26 The mystery word starts with L The mystery word starts with W Fiction Focus: Fake Relationship Texture Word #1 Icy Texture Word #2 Ill-defined Week of May 3 The mystery word starts with O The mystery word starts with D Fiction Focus: Family Saga Texture Word #1 Immaculate Texture Word #2 Impenetrable Week of May 10 The mystery word starts with K The mystery word starts with C Fiction Focus: Western Alternative History Texture Word #1 Imprinted Texture Word #2 Ironed Week of May 17 The mystery word starts with M The mystery word starts with K Fiction Focus: Magic Realism Texture Word #1 Jagged Texture Word #2 Knitted Week of May 24 The mystery word starts with C The mystery word starts with Q Fiction Focus: Literary Fiction Texture Word #1 Layered Texture Word #2 Lustrous
Learning Goals
Students will improve their writing by careful selection of ideas.
Students will increase use of multi-syllable and content specific words in their writing.
Students will write pieces of fiction.
Students will write in a variety of subgenres (suspense, humor, persuasion).
Other Details
Supply List
Students will need a composition notebook and erasers from the Dollar Store. The scented erasers at the Dollar Store are the best.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in English from Grand Valley State University
I have been a middle and high school English Language Arts teacher for 15 years. I have also coached teams for Odyssey of the Mind and Lego First Robotics. I am very comfortable teaching students of varying backgrounds and abilities. I have two boys ages 9 and 11 who have severe ADHD.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$40
weekly ($20 per class)2x per week
50 min
Completed by 4 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
3-3 learners per class
This class is no longer offered
Financial Assistance
Tutoring
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