Grammar for Academic & Creative Writing | Grammar Skills & Writing Practice TEEN
In this ongoing course, students learn, practice, and apply grammar skills that will help improve their creative and academic writing
Meg Connolly, Certified ELA Teacher
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(37)
What's included
1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
I provide extension activities via the Outschool classroom for students who with to practice that week's skills.Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
🌟 General 🌟 In this grammar class, students will practice grammar points in the context of great writing. Grammar often seems boring or useless because we don’t learn it within the context of applying it to our writing. When we understand how grammar knowledge can help us become stronger writers, it suddenly makes sense! In this class, I aim to teach grammar that is essential for strong writing. I give direct instruction with grade-level appropriate examples that help students see how they can apply grammar to their own writing. Together, we practice the skills within the context of real writing. 🌟 Weekly Breakdown 🌟 🍁 Fall Semester 1. September 5 - September 11: Punctuation & punctuating sentences 2. September 12 - September 18: Sentence parts, parts of speech, basics of diagramming sentences 3. September 19 - September 25: Clauses & types of clauses in a sentence 4. September 26 - October 2: Using clauses to package information and show relationships between ideas 5. October 3 - October 9: Sentence Openers 6. October 10 - October 16: Conjunctions 7. October 17 - October 23: Relative clauses & connectors 8. October 24 - October 30: Relative clauses & connectors part II 9. October 31 - November 6: Paragraphing 10. November 7 - November 13: Passive voice [🦃November 14 - November 20 Thanksgiving Break **NO CLASSES] [🦃 November 21 - November 27 Thanksgiving Break **NO CLASSES] 11. November 28 - December 4: Ordering information 12. December 5 - December 11: Connection old & new ideas 13. December 12 - December 18: TBD/REVIEW 14. December 19 - December 25: TBD/REVIEW [☃️ December 25 - January 1: Winter Break **NO CLASSES] 🌸 Spring Semester 2023 1. January 2 - January 8: Describing a system 2. January 9 - January 15: Describing a procedure 3. January 16 - January 22: Describing causal relationships 4. January 23 - January 29: Indirect language: making requests 5. January 30 - February 5: Written requests: letters and emails 6. February 6 - February 12: Using modal verbs (would, could, might) in requests 7. February 13 - February 19: The future tenses 8. February 20 - February 26: Will & going to 9. February 27 - March 5: Future Perfect 10. March 6 - March 12: Verbs of intention to express the future 11. March 13 - March 19: The past tenses 12. March 20 - March 26: Using past v. present 13. March 27 - April 2: Using past v. present perfect 14. April 3 - April 9: Using past v. past perfect 15. April 10 - April 16: Reported speech 16. April 17 - April 23: Using nouns & adjective to improve writing 17. April 24 - April 30: Packaging ideas: noun phrases with premodifiers 18. May 1 - May 7: Packaging ideas: noun phrases with postmodifiers 19. May 8 - May 14: Summary nouns 20. May 15 - May 21: Drawing conclusions 21. May 22 - May 28: Modal verbs in speculation 22. May 29 - June 4: Speculating with noun phrases 23. June 5 - June 11: Speculating about the past 24. June 12 - June 18: Third conditional: Would have 25. June 19 - June 25: Making recommendations Schedule subject to change based on student interest/need 🌟 Class Structure 🌟 - After introductions, we start with a mini-lesson on the day’s grammar topic - Then, together, we complete a few exercises where we apply skills from the mini-lesson - Lastly, students complete an application exercise independently and we share out one or two answers before signing off 🌟 Teaching Methods 🌟 This grammar class is centered around direct instruction and skills practice. I strive to incorporate lots of encouragement and support while still maintaining high expectations and rigor. 🌟 Interaction 🌟 Students will collaborate to build understanding of the grammar through questions and collaborative skills practice. 🌟 Prior Knowledge 🌟 Students don’t need any specific prior knowledge. However, they should be at the appropriate grade level where they are ready to study the grammar topics. 🌟 About the Teacher 🌟 Meg Connolly is a certified teacher with bachelors degrees in literature and philosophy. She has masters degrees in teaching ELA, grades 7-12, and in teaching students with disabilities. In addition to her masters, she is TESOL certified and experienced in working with ESL students. She has nine years of teaching experience both in the US public school system and online. She also writes her own fictional short stories for podcasts. Check out her teacher profile for more info. 🌟 Meet and Greet 🌟 If you or your learner are hesitant to sign up before meeting me (understandably!), feel free to book a meet and greet here: https://outschool.com/classes/meet-greet-15-minute-session-MGpwi3mP#usXSuDFS3Z
Learning Goals
Students will learn and practice grammar skills that will help them become better writers.
Other Details
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined September, 2021
5.0
37reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Teaching Certificates
Massachusetts Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Non-US Teaching Certificate in English to Speakers of Other Languages
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from Fordham University
Bachelor's Degree in English from Fordham University
Hi, welcome to my online community and classroom for teens and pre-teens!
My name is Meg and I teach literature, writing, and philosophy here on Outschool.
My credentials:
✅ State certified and tenured English Language Arts and special ed teacher
✅ Masters in teaching English in grades 7-12 from Fordham University
✅ Masters in teaching Students with Disabilities in grades 7-12, also from Fordham University
✅ 120-hour TESOL certified
My teaching experience:
✅ 12 years of teaching experience, both online and in schools
✅ 6 years in New York City public schools
✅ Courses taught:
↳ ELA, grades 7-12
↳ AP Literature and AP Language & Composition
↳ Inclusive classrooms
↳ Self-contained classrooms
↳ ESL classrooms
My related experience:
✅ Published content writer for podcasts; fiction and nonfiction writer
✅ Instructional Design Coach for university professors (helping them to design effective online courses)
My classes are:
✅ Engaging
✅ Inclusive
✅ Relaxed but rigorous
✅ Discussion-based
✅ Driven by student interest
✅ Tailored to students' needs
My teaching "manifesto":
Teaching humanities is my greatest passion! I work to instill in my students a love of reading, writing, and deep thinking that goes beyond the classroom. I believe that all students can achieve academic success and become life-long learners, regardless of their backgrounds or their learning needs. I am passionate about inclusive classrooms that bring a wide range of students together, where we can all learn from each other and enrich each other's lives.
As a teacher, I focus on core reading, writing, and critical thinking skills that prepare students for college-level studies. However, I also believe that we all learn best when learning is social and enjoyable. To that end, I take creative and discussion-based approaches to teaching and I infuse classes with students' interests wherever possible.
Lastly, some other tidbits about me:
💫I'm fluent in Spanish and I'm now working on my Portuguese.
💫I play violin, piano, and guitar, and I love to sing and song-write for fun.
💫I have a curious cat named Madame George (Georgie for short) who often comes to class!
If you or your learner are hesitant to sign up before meeting me (understandably!), feel free to book a meet and greet here: https://outschool.com/classes/meet-greet-15-minute-session-MGpwi3mP#usXSuDFS3Z
📣 Get $20 your first class (any class - not just mine!) on Outschool with this link: https://outschool.com/parents/6e5e503e-684a-4fe7-a5b1-388c096122a7/61722946-c1ac-41dd-9aa7-32206f563bde?signup=false&usid=XSuDFS3Z&utm_campaign=share_invite_link
I hope to see you soon!Reviews
Live Group Class
$20
weekly1x per week
50 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
2-10 learners per class
