$18
weeklyMiddle School English Language Arts (ELA): Ongoing Vistas (Advanced Writing)
Completed by 67 learners
Ages 11-14
Live Group Class
Live video meetings
1x per week
1-12 learners per class
50 min
What's included
1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
All exercises and activities are given and completed in class. Learners are encouraged to complete and submit their writing assignments before leaving class. Please let me know if your learner would be better served by completing this assignment independently outside of class.Assessment
Learners are continually assessed on an informal basis by their participation in class exercises, either through verbal explanations, chatbox submissions of answers, or on-screen annotation work. Also, the weekly writing assignments are good demonstrations of learner skills and progress. Please let me know if you have expectations regarding assessment and feedback.Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 8
Intermediate - Advanced Level
This 34-week course is a space to demonstrate and practice ELA (English Language Arts) thinking skills that include: reading higher-level fiction, literature excerpts, and nonfiction, analyzing texts with ELA terminology for greater comprehension and standardized test practice, PSAT-SAT vocabulary expansion, and grammar rules with application. We will also practice verbal and written expression through class discussion and weekly writing prompts with individualized coaching. This course is designed with a flexible, less-is-more format for learners on the move; you are welcome to join and leave the class as needed. Additionally, learners can use this weekly class as the basis of a full curriculum (please ask me for workbook recommendations to use as extension exercises for non-class school days; all workbook pages that are turned in through the classroom will receive teacher feedback). Knowing that each student has a different schedule and comes from a unique background -- that includes schooling history, regional standards, personality, online engagement, individual talents, (among other things) -- this class integrates a variety of language arts skills and exercises to provide a comprehensive, well-rounded exercise of reading, writing and language usage. Since each learner connects differently with the various exercises and weekly topics, the class is designed to help each person enhance language strengths while filling in ELA gaps. Thus, learners who participate in multiple meetings will find some things easy and other things challenging, but will ultimately be able to gain confidence and competence in English as a whole subject while practicing thinking skills needed for standardized tests. This class is an advanced version of my "English Language Arts (ELA): Ongoing Style" course for those learners who are ready for a faster pace, including less lecture, more practice, and a greater focus on writing skills. The two courses can be taken in tandem for those looking for more class meetings or guided practice. Each class will cover the following: -- Vocabulary (10 min.): We will practice six vocabulary words according to standardized test lists to broaden the word toolkit. -- Reading (15 min.): Each week will feature a short fiction or nonfiction passage to read in class. Learners will answer questions to practice reading comprehension skills. Learners will have the opportunity to practice focused group discussion and verbal reasoning as we talk about the answers. -- Grammar, Punctuation, Word Usage (10 min.): Each week will have a standardized test style editorial exercise in which learners will work together to find and correct English rules errors. We will discuss the answers and relevant rules. -- Writing (15 min.): Learners will write a paragraph in every class to answer a literary analysis question about the reading passage or to practice similar creative writing techniques. Learners will receive individualized coaching upon request, and will be encouraged to submit the writing assignment before leaving class. Please note that this writing portion can vary greatly depending on the individual capabilities (or just the mood of that day!) of your learner; some will finish quickly and will be allowed to leave early, while others will need more time, and may stay in the classroom longer than the scheduled period to complete their assignment. I will accompany learners as needed and stay after class if necessary to help coach them through this assignment and meet them where there are at to grow their individual writing skills. Please let me know if your family has scheduling or writing expectations or needs that you want me to keep in mind. Class topics by week: ~~ WINTER/SPRING TERM ~~ Week of Jan. 5-11: Vocabulary list 9.1; Reading Passage: "The Prime Suspect" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph. Week of Jan. 12-18: Vocabulary list 10.1; Reading Passage: "Goalsetting" Genre: nonfiction article; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: short personal narrative. Week of Jan. 19-25: Vocabulary list 10.11; Reading Passage: "The Trolley to Yesterday (Excerpt)" Genre: literature excerpt; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph. Week of Jan. 26-Feb. 1: Vocabulary list 11.1; Reading Passage: "Old Woman of the Oak" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: creative writing: setting. Week of Feb. 2-8: Vocabulary list 12; Reading Passage: "Gimme Some Latitude! (and a little longitude wouldn’t hurt)" Genre: nonfiction article; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph. Week of Feb. 9-15: Vocabulary list 12.13; Reading Passage: "Finding the Career for You" Genre: nonfiction article; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: short narrative. Week of Feb. 16-22: Vocabulary list 13; Reading Passage: "A Dramatic Plea" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph. Week of Feb. 23-Mar. 1: Vocabulary list 14; Reading Passage: "ElectroMagic" Genre: nonfiction article; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: short narrative. Week of Mar. 2-8: Vocabulary list 14.15; Reading Passage: “How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin” From Just So Stories (Excerpt); Genre: literature excerpt; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph. Week of Mar. 9-15: Vocabulary list 15; Reading Passage: "The Game Winner" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: short narrative. Week of Mar. 16-22: Vocabulary list 16; Reading Passage: "From Superman to X-Men" Genre: nonfiction article; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: opinion paragraph. Week of Mar. 23-29: Vocabulary list 16.17; Reading Passage: "Face to Face (Excerpt)" Genre: literature excerpt; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: short narrative. Week of Mar. 30-Apr. 5: Vocabulary list 17; Reading Passage: "The Way of the Wild" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph. Week of Apr. 6-12: Vocabulary list 18; Reading Passage: "Under the Blood-Red Sun (Excerpt)" Genre: literature excerpt; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: short narrative. Week of Apr. 13-19: Vocabulary list 18.19; Reading Passage: "Amazon Adventure" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph or creative writing. Week of Apr. 20-26: Vocabulary list 19; Reading Passage: "Diving In" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph. Week of Apr. 27-May 3: Vocabulary list 20.1; Reading Passage: "Secret Codes" Genre: nonfiction article; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: explanatory paragraph. Week of May 4-10: Vocabulary list 20.2; Reading Passage: "A Week in Ancient Greece" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: informative summary. Week of May 11-17: Vocabulary Review; Reading Posttest Passage: "How Money Has Changed" Genre: nonfiction article; Writing With Grammar Review: opinion paragraph. Week of May 18-24: Vocabulary Review; Reading Posttest Passage: "Treasure Island (Excerpt)" Genre: literature excerpt; Writing With Grammar Review: short narrative. **END OF WINTER/SPRING TERM**
Learning Goals
Students will learn and practice PSAT-SAT vocabulary.
Students will practice reading comprehension skills.
Students will analyze texts for conclusions and inferences, predictions, cause and effect, theme, main ideas, and other literary techniques or story elements.
Students will practice focused class discussion and task-oriented collaboration skills.
Students will review and learn grammar, spelling, capitalization and punctuation skills.
Students will learn to incorporate their skills in real-world applications such as editing texts and writing short pieces.
Students will practice standardized test style exercises in reading and English skills.
Students will answer reading comprehension questions with analytical writing.
Students will broaden their writing styles with a variety of nonfiction and creative writing prompts.
Other Details
Learning Needs
Neurodiverse learners with ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, ASD, and more have successfully taken this course. Please reach out to discuss your learner's unique learning qualities and needs, as well as possible class customizations.
Parental Guidance
In my experience, each family uses this class in different ways to support their learning journey; please let me know if you have family expectations or needs that I should know about or if there is a way that I can help your individual learner better connect with the class content.
Supply List
Please keep a pen and paper available for in-class writing exercises. Learners can purchase workbooks with additional extension activities if needed.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
All reading passages are used with permission from The Critical Thinking Company workbooks.
All classwork is contained within the zoom classroom.
Meet the teacher
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Psychology from Institute for the Psychological Sciences at Divine Mercy University
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from University of Notre Dame
As the author of the "Emotebook" and a freelance writer for over 20 years, I have relied on language arts skills as the building blocks of a happy career. As a masters level psychology graduate, I incorporate expertise in developing whole-brain connections including metacognition, and IQ-EQ skills that not only support English language arts, but also our broader daily lives. I also worked full-time as an associate editor for three years, which helped me gain real-world expertise in the nuances of English language arts and experience guiding authors of all levels. I am walking the language arts journey with my three children while homeschooling them, as well as with hundreds (600 and counting!) of other students in various grades. I also earned my TESOL certification to bridge the gap between cultures by teaching English as a second language to hundreds of international students. I look forward to helping you strengthen your language arts skills!
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