Middle School: English Language Arts: Grammar, Writing, Spelling, Poetry
In this ELA class, and all of our classes, our approach to teaching combines the Socratic method, traditional teaching methods, games, and hands-on projects, wherever possible, to create an engaging learning environment for our learners.
Christine Santos LLC
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(464)
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What's included
1 live meeting
30 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1-2 hours per week. Various writing projects, hands-on projects, etc. Only assignments that are handed in on time will receive feedback.Progress Report
includedCertificate of Completion
includedClass Experience
US Grade 6 - 9
This class focuses on the complexities of English language Arts, with a focused curriculum on grammar, writing (with feedback), and vocabulary enhancement. _______ **If the class times listed do not fit your schedule, please email me with 2-3 specific times in the Eastern time zone that you are available. We will do our best to accommodate your schedule and find a class time that works for you.** _______ Weekly Breakdown: Week of August 26 - Conjunctions and prepositions along with Jeopardy Week of September 2 - Review of foundational grammar concepts (nouns, verbs, adjectives) with short writing prompts and reflections Week of September 9 - Literary Terms Week of September 16 - Identifying themes in literature. Week of September 23 – Introduction to narrative essay and brainstorming topics Week of September 30 - Writing a hook and thesis for a narrative essay Week of October 7 – No class for Friday section/(Tuesday and Thursday classes will meet) Development of character and setting Week of October 14 – Plot structure, and sequence of events in a narrative essay Week of October 21 - Body paragraphs with sensory details in a narrative essay Week of October 28 – No class for Thursday section/(Tuesday and Friday classes will meet) Building climax, resolutions in a narrative essay Week of November 4 - Word Relationships and nuances – Advanced Vocabulary Week of November 11 - Punctuation within complex sentences Week of November 18 - Explore creative writing genres Week of November 25 (Mon/Tues classes will meet) Thursday/Friday classes will have off Write your own creative writing using advanced grammar/vocabulary Week of December 2 - What is a research paper? Choose your research topic Week of December 9 – Format research questions, credible sources, analyzing informational texts Week of December 16 – How to take notes (conduct your research over the break) Week of December 23 - OFF Week of December 30 - OFF Week of January 6 - Outline and organize research paper Week of January 13 - Plagiarism Week of January 20 – Thesis and introduction in a research paper Week of January 27 - Body paragraphs and transitions in a research paper Week of February 3 – Conclusion paragraph in a research Week of February 10 - Word Relationships and nuances – Advanced Vocabulary Week of February 17 - Vocabulary and spelling games Week of February 24 Explore different types of poetry Week of March 3 – Poetry Analysis Week of March 10 - Write and present poems Week of March 17 - OFF Week of March 24 – Advanced grammar Week of March 31 - Advanced Vocabulary Week of April 7 - Reading Comprehension Strategies Week of April 14 (weekday classes will meet, Sat/Sun classes off) – Exploration of persuasive essays Week of April 21 – Pick a persuasive essay topic and list arguments for topic Week of April 28 - Outline main points and supporting details in a persuasive essay – HW Collect evidence for persuasive essay Week of May 5 – Thesis and Introduction Paragraph in a persuasive essay Week of May 12 - Counterarguments and rebuttals in persuasive essay – Demonstrate this at home Week of May 19 – Body paragraphs Week of May 26 - Conclusion paragraph in a persuasive essay Week of June 2 - Vocabulary and spelling games Week of June 9 – Creative Writing Prompt Week of June 16 - Vocabulary and spelling games Week of June 23 -Creative Writing Prompt _______ Our classrooms are guided by a Socratic teaching approach, fostering critical thinking and encouraging open dialogue among learners. By facilitating engaging discussions and posing thought-provoking questions, students are able to explore topics more deeply and gain a comprehensive understanding of the material. Our class size does not exceed 5 learners. This allows for more personalized attention from the educator, ensuring that each learner's individual needs and learning styles are met. With a smaller group size, there is also more opportunity for discussion and collaboration among classmates, creating a supportive and engaging learning environment. Additionally, students may feel more comfortable and confident participating in discussions and activities in a smaller group setting. We incorporate a mix of traditional methods such as videos and limited PowerPoint presentations to accommodate various learning styles as well. In addition, we gamify our lessons, as much as possible, to make learning fun and interactive for students. By adding elements of games and competition, we are able to keep learners engaged and motivated to participate in their education. We also incorporate hands-on projects, wherever possible, to provide students with real-world application of their learning. Through these projects, students are able to apply their knowledge in practical ways and further enhance their understanding of the subject matter. By designing this type of diverse classroom environment, utilizing multiple teaching methods, we effectively address the diverse learning styles of our learners. _______ Please note we value mental health and want to prevent teacher burnout. With that said, we do take company wide breaks where there will not be any classes taught nor will we be answering emails. Please expect a delay in responses the following dates: 2024: August 19-August 25 (Summer Break) November 27-29 (Thanksgiving Break) December 23 - December 31 (Winter Break) 2025 January 1 - Jan 5 (Winter Break) March 17 - March 23 (Spring Break) April 19 - April 20 (Easter Break) August 25-31st (Summer Break) If you are enrolled, you will not be charged! We will be returning all emails the day or two after we return. In addition, teachers may need time off outside of these breaks as emergencies do happen. We always try our best to give ample notice when we can. You will never be charged for a day that we cancel classes. _______ Refund Policy: We strictly adhere to Outschool's refund/reschedule policy for all of our classes. This means that once a class has been paid for, there will be no deviation from Outschool's guidelines. We do not offer refunds or rescheduling outside of what Outschool allows. Camera Policy: All students are required to keep their camera turned on during the entire class. The only exception is those that have been verified by Outschool and have the verification badge. Contact info: In compliance with Outschool's policies, we do not accept friend or contact requests from current or former families on any social networking site (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.). We also do not provide or ask for any personal information such as email address or phone numbers. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with these policies.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
There will never be any personal information shared. All resources used will be relevant and age appropriate. By enrolling in this class, you are granting us permission to utilize any and all external resources listed.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined September, 2019
5.0
464reviews
Star Educator
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
5 teachers have teaching certificates
Georgia Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Massachusetts Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Maryland Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Oregon Teaching Certificate in Special Education
California Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
California Teaching Certificate in Special Education
3 teachers have a Graduate degree
Juris Doctor from New York Law School
Doctoral Degree in Special Education from University of Alberta
Master's Degree in Animal Science from The Ohio State University
Master's Degree from National University
Master's Degree from Central Michigan University
9 teachers have a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science from The Ohio State University
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from Centro Universitário Anhanguera de São Paulo
Bachelor's Degree in American Studies from Smith College
Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Long Island University
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Centro Universitário UniCEUB
Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Language from Universidade de Brasília
Bachelor's Degree in Spanish Language and Literature from University of California, Berkeley
Bachelor's Degree in Education from North Carolina State University
Bachelor's Degree in Education from SUNY Cortland
KRISTINA VISNIESKY
I graduated from Cortland State University with a Bachelor's degree in Inclusive Childhood Education and a minor in English Language and Arts. Additionally, I hold a certification in Grades 7-12 English, and I am currently pursuing my Master’s degree in Literacy. Throughout my journey as an educator, I have had the opportunity to work with students across various age groups and learning environments, each experience deepening my passion for teaching and learning.
My teaching career began at a preschool that provided essential support to children with disabilities. Witnessing their growth each day was truly awe-inspiring, and it was here that I developed a profound love for working with these incredible kids. Their resilience and joy taught me valuable lessons about patience, empathy, and the power of education in transforming lives.
I also worked as a substitute teacher in high schools while simultaneously conducting observations at nearby elementary and middle schools. This experience allowed me to interact with students of varying ages and backgrounds, enriching my understanding of the diverse needs and perspectives within the classroom. The opportunity to guide and support students through different stages of their educational journey has been both enjoyable and fulfilling.
My initial interest in teaching was sparked by my involvement with the First Tee Program of Western New York, a remarkable initiative focused on teaching young golf athletes valuable life skills. Beyond the correct golfing techniques, I instilled important values such as perseverance, respect, honesty, and confidence. Witnessing their enthusiasm for these life skills, alongside their intellectual growth, was immensely rewarding and solidified my commitment to becoming an educator.
With a wealth of experience working with students and a deep belief in the transformative power of education, I am confident that I am destined to be an educator. I am passionate about fostering a love of learning in my students, helping them to grow both academically and personally, and making a positive impact on their lives.
REBEKAH POWELL
Welcome students to Rebekah Powell's classroom. I would like to introduce myself and how I love growing students and professionals. I have been teaching for over 9 years and I am a certified High School Science Teacher, Certified Professional Health Coach.
I am a published author of the book Becoming A Healthier U and enjoy writing and working with students and professionals to grow themselves in education and their careers. I am also in School getting an MBA from A&M University. I have solid success records in improving students’ abilities in academics. Some of my students have skipped grade levels because we work so efficiently and closely together. I am a very fun and effective and cool teacher and would love to have the opportunity to teach you and your students.
NICK HOLTZER
Hi families! My name is Nick but as my students like to say, "Mr. Nick / Nicky." I have been a teacher for almost seven years teaching English / Language Arts / Math / Social Studies and Science at an Elementary school just outside of Washington DC. I am a passionate and dedicated learner and teacher that strives to provide endless opportunities for my students to be successful. I always say, "that as humans we all love to learn new things but we just don't know HOW we like to learn those things." My goal is to guide and support my students in finding the most effective avenue for them to learn and grow.
GLORIANA RAMOS-JIMINEZ
With over six years of experience, Miss Gloria is a dedicated tutor known for helping students excel across a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, grammar, literature, reading comprehension, and communication. As a bilingual educator fluent in both English and Spanish, Miss Gloria has a passion for supporting language learners of all ages. She is highly skilled in creating dynamic educational resources that enhance vocabulary and communication skills. Goal-oriented and responsible, Miss Gloria excels in problem-solving, critical thinking, and time management, consistently delivering engaging and effective instruction.
DAVID TOLBERT
Hello, my name is David Tolbert, and I am an English Teacher specializing in Writing and Literature. I have been teaching in the High School levels since 2007, and have experience that ranges from working with beginning readers and English Language Learners to Advanced Placement students wanting to push their understanding of Literary Criticism to the next level.
I have earned a Master’s Degree in Education and Leadership from Portland State University. I have also been trained in many different curriculums and strategies, including Positive Behavior Intervention and Support, AVID, Trauma Informed Instruction, and many more.
I believe that every student has the ability to grow as a learner and I always try to provide a safe and supportive learning environment. My mission as a teacher has always been to take big, intimidating tasks and break them down into simple concepts that make them more accessible to all kinds of learners. I also provide a non-judgemental space to ask questions and receive thoughtful and constructive feedback in order to improve students' performance on academic tasks and build confidence.
When not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. The main goals in my life now are to be a supportive husband, father, and teacher. I love listening to and playing music, traveling, camping, and creative writing in my spare time.
I look forward to working with you and your students!Reviews
Live Group Class
$17
weekly1x per week
30 min
Completed by 25 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
1-5 learners per class
