What's included
15 live meetings
18 hrs 45 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. The student should be prepared to spend 2-3 hours per week on homework outside of class. This will include reading chapters from the novels, studying vocabulary, and writing compositions. The parent should be prepared to help when needed. Google Docs is mandatory for grading purposes. We will use Outschool's assignment feature to turn in homework. Vocabulary quizzes will also be assigned, but are optional for participation.Assessment
***Parents should be ready to assist their learner with every assignment. Because content builds, it's important your learner receive support at home. The student will be be provided detailed feedback based on finished assignments and according to the rubrics in the Student Book. I will use a completed Google Form which will be sent to you in PDF form for your records. Google Docs is mandatory for feedback. It is the responsibility of the adult at home to collect grades and samples of learners' compositions for their own records. ***If you do not want a number grade, please message me privately so we can make arrangements for your learner. Vocabulary quizzes will also be assigned, but are optional for participation and will not be graded by me. Google Forms will be used to reinforce stylistic techniques being used in class.Class Experience
US Grade 7 - 9
Intermediate Level
In this class, your child will be working through Following Narnia® Volume 2: Aslan's Country from the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). This course will take the students through units six to nine of the program. Learners will use what they learned in Part 1 and build on it to include more practice in summarizing multiple references, inventive writing, formal essays, and formal critiques. In the midst of all that writing, learners will learn how to spice up their pieces with sentence dress-ups and decorations, as well as vary their sentence structure with different openers. There are checklists that go along with each assignment. Only select assignments will be officially graded, and you will know ahead of time which assignments those are. In between them, learners will have the opportunity to practice the structure and style and receive detailed and thorough feedback from me. It is recommended that learners have at least one year of IEW experience before taking this class, AND should have completed Part 1. They should be able to identify most parts of speech as well as construct a paragraph using the topic/clincher rule. Because learners will be using novels as source texts, they should be able to comprehend grade-level material. When learners attend the live meeting each week, we will review the new unit and/or stylistic technique. This time will also be used to focus on grammar and vocabulary through planned activities that foster brainstorming and collaboration. There are times we may use Google tools to collaborate in real time together as a class. Vocabulary will be reviewed as well using Quizlet and will be incorporated into the activities. Learners will also be able to ask questions about the assignment during this time. *** If you have siblings, I will give you a $10 discount in the form of a refund for the additional learners.
Learning Goals
Learners will be taught to organize thoughts and ideas by creating key word outlines from fiction and non-fiction texts, and writing paragraphs from them. They will dress up their writing by systematically adding parts of speech.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) Curriculum5 Units
15 Lessons
over 15 WeeksUnit 1: Unit 6: Summarizing Multiple References
Lesson 1:
Dwarf in a Donkey Carriage
Learners will practice their note-taking skills on two source texts about dwarves and create a one-paragraph summary.
***Save this paragraph to use in an essay later in this course.
75 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
A Parliament of Owls
In addition to practicing those note-taking skills, learners will add a new literary device to their checklist, onomatopoeia.
75 mins online live lesson
Unit 2: Unit 7: Inventive Writing
Lesson 3:
Wild Wastelands, Part 1
We will review stylistic techniques this week and work on a personal essay about the outdoors. Learners will write the three body paragraphs of that essay this week.
75 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Wild Wastelands, Part 2
Learners will complete the essay they began last week by planning and composing conclusion and introduction paragraphs. All five paragraphs will be put together and turned in.
75 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
Please contact me if your learner has unique learning needs. I am able to differentiate activities and assignments to accommodate as much as possible and help your learner be successful on their own level.
Parental Guidance
Google Docs will be used for compositions. Learners can use parent accounts, or they can have one of their own.
It is important to note that your learner will most likely need your help with each assignment. You should edit rough drafts and final copies before turning in to me. Checklists for each assignment can be found at the end of each lesson in the required Student Book for this class.
Quizlet will be used for vocabulary practice. This is completely optional and will not affect feedback in a negative way. It's good to be familiar with the vocabulary words because we will sometimes play games using Quizlet during live instruction.
All activities are only available to the learners in this class. In compliance with IEW's copyright policy, sharing of these materials with anyone outside of class is forbidden.
Pre-Requisites
Learners should have taken Part 1 of this course.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Maryland Teaching Certificate
Master's Degree from Walden University
I earned a Master's degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University in 2007 and currently hold a certificate in Maryland. I taught in the public school setting for five years as a special educator with a focus in autism. After having two children of my own, I became a stay-at-home mom.
Four children later, I became a homeschooling mom, and still hold that title today. I felt equipped to handle the task, but writing stumped me when it all seemed too bland. I stumbled upon the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) and instantly fell in love with their method, bought the training, and began implementing the program at home. Consistency was lacking, so I began teaching at a local co-op.
That grew into a desire to become a Registered Instructor and eventually a Certified Instructor (a title I hold today). I launched my own online writing business, Equipped for Writing, where I've tailored my online courses around the IEW model.
Each year brings new experiences and insights into effectively communicating with my students about writing. Seeing children grow and learn while enhancing their writing for their audience keeps me going. It is IEW’s systematic approach to writing that enables me to adapt lessons to different learning styles.
My commitment to differentiation (creating an environment that is conducive for each learner) is at the forefront of my mind. When you decide to enroll in one of my classes, I guarantee an open line of communication, ensuring your learner can navigate the learning journey at their own pace.
While I firmly believe and support parents’ pivotal role in their children's education, there are times when we all need a helping hand. That's where I, and others like me, come in. I have a passion for teaching, particularly when it comes to the written word. I enjoy sharing that passion to support homeschooling families. Learning should be interactive, and children should feel encouraged to ask questions out of curiosity and for understanding. Instruction should challenge without overwhelming.
Outside of teaching, I enjoy reading, going on walks with our dog, family movie nights, and indulging in crocheting. One of my favorite things to do is to watch my kids play sports.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$19
weekly or $280 for 15 classes1x per week, 15 weeks
75 min
Completed by 18 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-15
5-12 learners per class
Financial Assistance
Tutoring
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