Middle School English Language Arts ELA Writing With Minecraft
Join us as in this ongoing 6th, 7th, and 8th grade ELA class as we learn about a different writing topic each week, then apply this knowledge by writing about Minecraft!
Ms. Chelsea M. Ed. | ELA, Paranormal, & True Crime
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What's included
20 live meetings
15 in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. If learners do not finish their paragraph during class, they will need to finish it on their own. Though they will be given twenty to thirty minutes to write it in class, they may need a few more minutes.Letter Grade
includedClass Experience
US Grade 6 - 8
Beginner - Intermediate Level
This is a course, and is academic in nature, but weeks do not build upon each other. New learners can join at any time, with no worry of needing information from previous weeks. In this English Language Arts (ELA) Minecraft class, students will learn about an ELA writing topic in the form of an approximately 15 minute mini-lesson. They will then produce a paragraph or story focusing on the daily topic. We will practice expository, creative, and narrative writing in addition to focusing on smaller writing aspects, as described in the schedule below. We are able to do this in a semester because the material only covers writing. Reading skills will be practiced, but are not the focus and will not be taught explicitly. Throughout each meeting, I will model how to complete the task and provide examples. We will discuss prompt responses together, then begin writing. We will follow the "I do, we do, you do" method where I demonstrate, then we work through an example together, then learners create their own. I will check in with each student multiple times and provide feedback. Writing time will be done independently, though learners are more than welcome to discuss their paragraphs with each other. There will also be an opportunity to share at the end of class. If learners do not finish their paragraph in class, it is expected they will finish it prior to the next meeting so I can review it and provide feedback. Learners can submit their writings in a private message to me, or as a comment in the classroom. It can be typed or a photo attachment of what was written on paper. Whatever works for you, works for me :). Learners will not be required to produce full stories, but do have that option. Some of my learners have even used class time, focus, and feedback to write chapters of their own novels. Daily skills practiced: grammar, cohesiveness, spelling, punctuation, clarity of expression, sentence fluency, constructions of sentences, paragraphs, and essays, and critical thinking. Fall Schedule Week of August 11: Clauses, Sentence Types, & Conjunctions Week of August 18: Writing Concisely Week of August 25: Quoting and Paraphrasing Week of September 1: Transitions and Prepositions Week of September 8: Revising and Editing Week of September 15: Opinion Writing Week of September 22: Persuasive Writing (bring paper and markers/crayons/drawing software for this one :) ) Week of September 29: Argumentative Week of October 6: Informational Writing Week of October 13: Review Writing Week of October 20: Prewriting/planning with an outline Week of October 27: Introduction and Thesis Week of November 3: Body Paragraphs- topic and concluding sentences Week of November 10: Supporting Details Week of November 17: Conclusions Week of November 24: Plot devices with Story Mountain Week of December 1: Descriptions and Imagery, Tone & Mood Week of December 8: Word Choice Week of December 15: Voice Week of December 22: Plot Twist!
Learning Goals
Specific learning goals encompass the topics on the schedule outlined above.
Students will learn about a different ELA topic each week and be able to apply their knowledge in their writing sample.
Daily English Language Arts Skills Practiced in this class include but are not limited to:
Learners will learn about writing elements and work on public speaking skills with learners who share the same interests.
-Oral expression and comprehension
- The interconnected nature of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking
- Developing and sustaining foundational language skills
-Inquiry
-Critical thinking and analysis
-Literacy
-Building connections to themselves and their prior knowledge
-Creating relationships among ideas
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parental guidance is always suggested. Learners are not required to, but may wish to use a word processor such as Google Docs to type their work. This decision is up to learners and their parents, but something to write with and something to write on will be just as good.
Supply List
-Pen/pencil and paper -Learners are not required to, but may wish to use a word processor such as Google Docs to type their work. This decision is up to learners and their parents, but something to write with and something to write on will be just as good.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Not an official Minecraft product. Not approved or associated with Mojang.
Joined November, 2021
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Texas Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Master's Degree in Education from University of Texas of the Permian Basin
I received a bachelor's degree in maritime studies from Texas A&M with minors in anthropology and English. I also have a master's degree in professional education from the University of Texas. I am certified to teach grades 7-12 (middle and high school level) English/Language Arts in the state of Texas. Reviews
Live Group Course
$17
weekly1x per week, 20 weeks
45 min
Completed by 13 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
3-8 learners per class
