Focus on developing strong writing skills, mastering grammar and spelling, and building a rich vocabulary through the exploration of poetry and Shakespeare. Students will engage with various poetic forms and techniques, gaining insight into literary devices while analyzing Shakespeare's timeless works. Tailored for high school learners, this class fosters creativity and analytical thinking, encouraging students to express their ideas effectively. By honing these essential skills, they will be better equipped for academic success and confident in their ability to tackle future writing challenges.
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Weekly Breakdown:

Week of September 2: Introduction to Writing Fundamentals
Week of September 9: Understanding Sentence Structure
Week of September 16: Organizing a Paragraph
Week of September 23: SAT Vocabulary
Week of September 30: Common Spelling Patterns

Week of October 7: Analyzing Poetic Forms
Week of October 14: Writing Original Poems
Week of October 21: Identifying Common Grammar Pitfalls
Week of October 28: Crafting Compelling Characters

Week of November 4: Identifying Literary Devices
Week of November 11: Using Advanced Punctuation
Week of November 18: Finding Reliable Sources
Week of November 25: SAT Vocabulary

Week of December 2: Identifying Figurative Language
Week of December 9: Structure of Argumentative Essays
Week of December 16: Strategies for Self-Editing
Week of December 23: (OFF)
Week of December 30: (OFF)

Week of January 6: Understanding Shakespearean Language
Week of January 13: Themes in Shakespeare's Works
Week of January 20: Analyzing Character Motivations
Week of January 27: SAT Vocabulary

Week of February 3: Identifying Persuasive Elements
Week of February 10: Writing a News Article
Week of February 17: Understanding Nonfiction Text Features
Week of February 24: Writing Short Stories

Week of March 3: Techniques for Reflection
Week of March 10: Crafting a Strong Thesis Statement
Week of March 17: (OFF)
Week of March 24: Common Grammar Mistakes
Week of March 31: Writing with Imagery

Week of April 7: Advanced Spelling Strategies
Week of April 14: Incorporating New Words into Writing
Week of April 21: Discussing Theme and Motif
Week of April 28: Developing a Writing Style

Week of May 5: SAT Vocabulary
Week of May 12: Enhancing Descriptive Writing
Week of May 19: Characteristics of Different Genres
Week of May 26: Examining Different Writing Styles

Week of June 2: Writing Flash Fiction
Week of June 9: SAT Vocabulary
Week of June 16: Grammar Application in Writing

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CLASS ENVIRONMENT

Our classrooms are guided by a Socratic teaching approach, fostering critical thinking and encouraging open dialogue among learners. By facilitating engaging discussions and posing thought-provoking questions, students are able to explore topics more deeply and gain a comprehensive understanding of the material. 

Our class size does not exceed 5 learners. This allows for more personalized attention from the educator, ensuring that each learner's individual needs and learning styles are met. With a smaller group size, there is also more opportunity for discussion and collaboration among classmates, creating a supportive and engaging learning environment. Additionally, students may feel more comfortable and confident participating in discussions and activities in a smaller group setting.

We incorporate a mix of traditional methods such as videos and limited PowerPoint presentations to accommodate various learning styles as well. 

In addition, we gamify our lessons, as much as possible, to make learning fun and interactive for students. By adding elements of games and competition, we are able to keep learners engaged and motivated to participate in their education.

We also incorporate hands-on projects, wherever possible, to provide students with real-world application of their learning. Through these projects, students are able to apply their knowledge in practical ways and further enhance their understanding of the subject matter.

By designing this type of diverse classroom environment, utilizing multiple teaching methods, we effectively address the diverse learning styles of our learners.
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Please note we value mental health, family and want to prevent teacher burnout. With that said, we will take company wide breaks where there will not be any classes taught nor will we be answering emails. 

Please expect a delay in response the following dates, we will be returning all emails the day or two after we return: 

2024:

March 11-March 17 (Spring Break)
March 30-31 (Easter)
September 2 - September 8 (Summer Break)

November 27-29 (Thanksgiving Break)
December 23 - December 31  (Winter Break)

2025
January 1 - Jan 5 (Winter Break)
March 17 - March 23 (Spring Break)
April 19 - April 20 (Easter Break)
August 25-31st (Summer Break)

If you are enrolled, you will not be charged!

We will be returning all emails the day or two after we return. 

In addition, teachers may need time off outside of these breaks as emergencies do happen. We always try our best to give ample notice when we can. You will never be charged for a day that we cancel classes.

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Refund Policy:

We strictly adhere to Outschool's refund/reschedule policy for all of our classes. This means that once a class has been paid for, there will be no deviation from Outschool's guidelines. We do not offer refunds or rescheduling outside of what Outschool allows. 

Camera Policy:

All students are required to keep their camera turned on during the entire class. The only exception is those that have been verified by Outschool and have the verification badge.  

Contact info:

In compliance with Outschool's policies, we do not accept friend or contact requests from current or former families on any social networking site (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.). We also do not provide or ask for any personal information such as email address or phone numbers.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with these policies.