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IEW Adventures in Writing (Part 2/2) Summer 2025

Starting at week 15, this course helps learners complete the Adventures in Writing book, ensuring students develop a strong foundation in writing through structured lessons and interactive practice.
Mrs. Lanza
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:
(5)
Class

What's included

8 live meetings
6 in-class hours
Homework
1-2 hours per week. 1-2 per week
Certificate of Completion
included

Class Experience

US Grade 4 - 7
Course Focus
In this course, students will work through the Adventures in Writing book starting with Week 15, engaging with a variety of writing exercises designed to build and strengthen their skills.

Summarizing Complex Ideas: Learning to distill key information from multiple sources and summarize it concisely.
Crafting Reports and Stories: Writing clear, engaging reports and stories that communicate ideas effectively.
Stylistic Techniques: Learning tools such as the "because" clause, www.asia clause, and quality adjectives to enhance writing.
Expanding Vocabulary: Building a strong vocabulary and applying it in context to create more precise and expressive writing.
Structuring and Organizing Ideas: Developing skills for outlining and organizing thoughts logically before writing.
Writing from Pictures and Narratives: Practicing storytelling through images, enhancing retelling skills.
Fusing Information: Combining ideas from multiple references into coherent paragraphs and reports.


Welcome to my class! I’m a third-generation educator with a strong foundation in homeschooling, having been taught from kindergarten through 12th grade using the IEW method. Surrounded by educators growing up, I was inspired to follow in their footsteps. After earning my BA from NCSU in 2023, I became a registered instructor with the Institute for Excellence in Writing in 2024. Since then, I’ve been teaching both English Language Arts and Spanish. I’m excited to help your children experience the power of the IEW method and the joy of learning Spanish!

Teaching Style
I believe in a student-centered approach, where active participation, collaboration, and engagement are central to the learning process. My goal is to create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable exploring and developing their skills.


Key Topics Covered
Summarizing Skills: Distilling key information from texts and references into clear, concise summaries.
Writing Stylistic Techniques: Applying various techniques to improve sentence variety and depth (e.g., "because" clause, www.asia clause, vocabulary enrichment).
Writing from Pictures: Creating compelling narratives based on a sequence of images, developing storytelling techniques.
Advanced Vocabulary and Verbs: Identifying weak verbs, incorporating descriptive adjectives, and refining language precision.
Outlining and Organizing Ideas: Structuring information with key word outlines to organize thoughts before writing.
Combining Sources: Fusing multiple references and ideas into one coherent summary or report.
Introduction of New Content: A new writing technique or topic introduced in each lesson.
Interactive Writing Exercises: Guided exercises that allow students to practice applying what they've learned, with feedback provided during class or through homework assignments.
Review and Reinforcement: Regular vocabulary and technique reviews, with quizzes and discussions to solidify knowledge.
Teaching Methods
My teaching approach is designed to be clear, structured, and interactive:

Lecture: Each lesson begins with a brief lecture to explain the day's topic and skill.
Demonstration: I will demonstrate how to apply the writing techniques through examples, showing students how to transform basic sentences or paragraphs into more complex, refined writing.
Interactive Activities: After the lecture, students engage in hands-on writing exercises (e.g., writing, brainstorming, or outlining) to apply their new skills.
Discussion: Students will have opportunities to share their work, receive constructive feedback, and engage in discussions with both me and their peers.
Quizzes and Games: Periodic quizzes and fun interactive activities to reinforce vocabulary and writing techniques.
My Teaching Style Includes:
Direct Instruction: Providing clear explanations and examples to ensure students understand the material.
Supportive and Encouraging: Offering plenty of feedback and fostering a low-pressure, welcoming environment where students feel comfortable exploring their writing.
Collaborative Learning: Encouraging students to share ideas, work together on brainstorming, and participate in peer reviews to build a strong sense of community.
Interactive: Using writing exercises, discussions, and real-time challenges to engage students and encourage them to apply new skills immediately.
I’m looking forward to guiding your child through this exciting learning journey!

Learning Goals

Summarizing Skills: Distilling key information from texts and references into clear, concise summaries.
Writing Stylistic Techniques: Applying various techniques to improve sentence variety and depth (e.g., "because" clause, www.asia clause, vocabulary
learning goal

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) Curriculum
Standards
Aligned with Advanced Placement (AP) Standards
8 Lessons
over 8 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Magnets
 This lesson introduces the "because" clause as a new stylistic technique. 
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Rooster, Part 1
 In this lesson, students will practice narrative development by writing a story inspired by a series of images of a rooster. While no formal composition will be required this week, the emphasis will be on honing the ability to retell a sequence of events coherently. 
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Rooster, Part 2
 Building on the previous lesson, learners will compose a two-paragraph story, with a specific focus on utilizing advanced stylistic techniques to embellish their narrative and improve its clarity and impact. 
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Roanoke, Part 1
 Students will develop their ability to synthesize multiple references by combining two different source texts into a unified key word outline. The lesson will emphasize the importance of retelling the content accurately and integrating vocabulary effectively. 
45 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Pre-Requisites
Adventures in Writing Weeks 1-15 or Level 1A
Supply List
Adventures in Writing Student Book
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Adventures in Writing Student Book
Joined February, 2024
4.8
5reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from North Carolina State University
I am a registered instructor with the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW), having completed their certification process in 2024. This certification has equipped me with a deep understanding of the IEW method, which I have been passionate about using in my own education since childhood.

I have been teaching writing for several years, including both English Language Arts and Spanish, in various settings such as private homeschooling environments and online classrooms. I work with students across a broad age range, including elementary, middle, and high school levels, helping them develop their writing, reading, and language skills.

Additionally, I have extensive experience working with children, having been involved in education from a young age. I was homeschooled from kindergarten through 12th grade, which allowed me to experience a variety of teaching methods and understand the importance of personalized, student-centered instruction. Since becoming a teacher myself, I have worked with students in both group and one-on-one settings, fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment that encourages student growth.

Through my experience as a homeschool teacher and IEW-certified instructor, I have honed my ability to adapt my teaching style to meet the individual needs of each student, ensuring they are both challenged and supported in their learning journey.

Reviews

Live Group Course
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$139

for 8 classes

1x per week, 8 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
3-5 learners per class

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