Middle School: English Language Arts: Grammar, Writing, Spelling, Poetry
What's included
1 live meeting
30 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1-2 hours per week. Learners should be reviewing the videos and practicing the lessons learned that week to increase retention. Project assignments and any required homework will be given during class and are required to be completed by the deadline.Progress Report
PERSONALIZED 1:1 VIRTUAL PROGRESS REPORT What is it? We offer private learner meetings for all learners enrolled in our clubs/enrichment for at least 12 consecutive weeks. This is a one time brief 20-minute session, included in the tuition fee. Learners are encouraged to submit any questions ahead of time to ensure they can be addressed during the meeting. How do I sign up? You will receive a coupon code before enrolling in your first evaluation. Is it a parent/teacher conference? No. Parents are welcome to sit off screen and listen to the assessment or watch the recording after. What if I want more? Additional assessments beyond the included session can be scheduled at regular rate and can be requested at any point. In addition, you will also receive: Written progress reports around every 3 months of consistent enrollment.Certificate of Completion
If you would like a certificate of completion, please message us after your subscription has ended with a screen shot of your transcript that shows how many weeks your learner completed.Class 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 _______ PERSONALIZED 1:1 VIRTUAL PROGRESS REPORT What is it? We offer private learner meetings for all learners enrolled in our clubs/enrichment for at least 12 consecutive weeks. This is a one time brief 20-minute session, included in the tuition fee. Learners are encouraged to submit any questions ahead of time to ensure they can be addressed during the meeting. How do I sign up? You will receive a coupon code before enrolling in your first evaluation. Is it a parent/teacher conference? No. Parents are welcome to sit off screen and listen to the assessment or watch the recording after. What if I want more? Additional assessments beyond the included session can be scheduled at regular rate and can be requested at any point. In addition, you will also receive: Written progress reports around every 3 months of consistent enrollment. _______ 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 4 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:
Teacher expertise and credentials
4 teachers have teaching certificates
Texas Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
Georgia Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Maryland Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Oregon 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 Central Michigan University
Master's Degree from National University
8 teachers have a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry from Texas State University
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 Foreign Language from Universidade de Brasília
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Centro Universitário UniCEUB
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.
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.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$17
weekly1x per week
30 min
Completed by 17 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
1-4 learners per class