Introduction to Essay Writing: Middle School Basics (FLEX)

Are you ready to explore multiple types of essay writing...but you’re struggling to find a time that works best for you?

Have no fear. I have just the solution you've been looking for because this course does NOT offer live meetings! That means that you can ignore the green button at the top of your screen in class and watch the videos, play the games, and take the quizzes at a time that is most convenient for you and your family!

However, this does not mean that this is a self-paced course. This is still an interactive class where we will be connecting together as a group and between teacher and student. Why? Because learning is so much more enjoyable when we make friends and support one another during the process!

Just like in the live course, Introduction to Essay Writing: Middle School Basics will cover essay writing basics using the BOW system, developing student's abilities to create four types of essays (Narrative, Persuasive, Descriptive, Expository) while promoting confidence through sharing and peer-reviewing/discussion. 

How does it work?
Each Monday, a series of videos (roughly 10 minutes long each) will be posted to the classroom page. These include:
* One video explaining the essay type we will be working on that week.
* One video walking through the brainstorming process using an example that works well with the essay type.
* One video walking through the outlining process using the topics creating during the brainstorming video.
* One video showing how to transfer ideas from the outline and turning it into a first draft essay.
* One video explaining how to check the essay for all necessary components, grammar, and spelling.

This is also not a lecture-based course! While the use of slides and lecture is included in the weekly videos, the success of this course depends on class participation. 

How do we participate?/How can we interact?
Outside of messaging and class discussions students will interact with me and with one another using the following tools:
* After watching the first video each week (the essay type video), students will participate in a Quizzizz activity.
* Students will complete the corresponding brainstorming and outlining worksheets due each week. 
* There will also be questions and activities posted to FlipGrid and/or Kahoot to answer the day’s questions and be able to “talk” as a group. (Because brainstorming really is much more fun if others join in on the conversation!)
*It is also suggested that students comment on each other's work using the CCC (compliment, correction, compliment) method in a positive and helpful manner.

Sounds great! But what will we be covering each week?

Lesson 1: Introduction to Persuasive Essay Writing
This week will set the stage for the rest of the semester. During this lesson, you will learn about the BOW system (brainstorm, outline, write) as we go through the steps to create a great essay before even putting pencil to paper. During the second half of the lesson, you will be given prompts for your first Persuasive Essay. From there, the videos will walk through the brainstorming process and explain how to be effective when persuading others. Next, we will begin your outlines paying special attention to the beginning, middle, end, and main ideas of your essay. 

Lesson 2: Introduction to Narrative Essay Writing
This week we will take a close look at the steps needed to create a Narrative Essay. To begin, we will walk through the brainstorming process creating lists and mind maps to help create a narrative scene where the writer (that's you) narrates an event or idea from your own point of view. You will think about your favorite book or movie, a memory, or event and write a creative-style essay. In this week's video, I will discuss examples and ideas to ignite your imagination. We will create new outlines paying special attention to developing more a thorough beginning, middle, end, and main ideas of your essay using the criticism from the previous class. 

Lesson 3: Introduction to Descriptive Essay Writing
Our third essay will be a Descriptive Essay. Now that you know how to persuade and tell a good story, it's time that you really allow your creative thoughts to take flight. This week we will walk through the brainstorming process using pictures of friends, family, and your favorite hobbies to learn about how to describe and explain clearly ideas that you can "paint" with words that will allow your reader to feel like they're seeing it with their own eyes. You will continue developing your outlines breaking down your ideas into detailed descriptions to make creating this essay easier.   

Lesson 4: Introduction to Expository Essay Writing
This week we will take a close look at the steps needed to create an Expository Essay. We will walk through the brainstorming process discussing recipes, building ideas, sports, and other cause and effect or how-to prompts. Students will begin their outlines using number/bullet sequences and/or charting. We will also spend this week wrapping up what the students have learned and how to use the tools they've been given to write essays throughout the rest of their middle school years and beyond.

Additional notes:
*Completed, typed essays can be submitted using Microsoft Word or Google Docs to the Outschool classroom. If you are unable to submit using one of these programs, please use the chat function to submit. Sharing to the classroom allows all students to view your essay. 

*Grades are not issued for this class. This means that there are not any percentage or letter grades given to students.