Montessori Online Language Course: English Writing Skills (Grade 8)
Join a Certified Montessori online class! Master essential English writing skills to organize writing, refine writing mechanics, and support strong arguments. Our Middle School English class is a comprehensive English course.
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
includedAssessment
includedClass Experience
US Grade 8
We are proud to be the first and only accredited Montessori school on the Outschool. Grade 8 Middle School English Writing Strategies class, we learn essential English writing skills for effective communication across genres. Students organize their writing, craft strong arguments, use creative language, edit and revise, conduct ethical research, and integrate sources responsibly, and prepare for academic success. Topics covered include: Organizing Writing and Developing and Supporting Arguments: Students will learn techniques for organizing their writing, including creating outlines, structuring paragraphs logically, and using transitional devices to ensure coherence. They will also develop skills in constructing and supporting arguments with evidence, learning to formulate clear thesis statements and provide relevant examples and reasoning to strengthen their positions. Use of Personification and Active and Passive Voice: This topic focuses on enhancing writing style and technique. Students will explore personification, a literary device where non-human objects or ideas are given human characteristics, to add depth and imagery to their writing. They will also study the active and passive voice, understanding how each impacts sentence structure and clarity. Practice will involve using active voice for directness and emphasis and passive voice for objectivity or to shift focus onto the receiver of an action. Editing and Revising: Students will learn strategies for editing and revising their writing to improve clarity, coherence, and effectiveness. They will focus on refining grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and vocabulary choice. Techniques for self-editing will be emphasized, along with incorporating feedback to strengthen their drafts. Research Skills and Identifying Plagiarism: Students will develop research skills necessary for gathering and evaluating information from credible sources. They will learn how to navigate digital and print resources effectively, cite sources using standard formats (e.g., MLA, APA), and integrate research seamlessly into their writing. Ethical considerations related to plagiarism will also be addressed, teaching students to attribute sources properly and avoid academic dishonesty. Class Structure: The class is structured to provide a balanced mix of instruction, practice, and application. Each topic is introduced with clear objectives and examples to illustrate key concepts, students will engage in structured activities and exercises to apply new skills and techniques, opportunities for students to draft essays, narratives, and arguments, receiving feedback from me will be provided, and a dedicated time for editing and revising drafts will be provided. My teaching method emphasizes active learning and differentiated instruction. I aim to provide clear examples and demonstrations of effective writing strategies, facilitate group discussions and collaborative projects to foster teamwork, offer constructive feedback on assignments to guide improvement and reinforce learning objectives, offer constructive feedback on assignments to guide improvement and reinforce learning objectives, and break down complex skills into manageable steps, allowing students to build proficiency gradually. I adopt a student-centered approach that promotes critical thinking, creativity, and active participation. I aim to encourage students to take ownership of their learning by setting goals and reflecting on their progress, provide a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable expressing ideas and taking academic risks, encourage curiosity and inquiry through guided exploration of texts and topics, and incorporate multimedia, real-world examples, and relevant literature to make learning meaningful and engaging. Students will have many opportunities to interact with me through various activities, classroom discussions, small group activities, feedback sessions, and anytime they need to interact with me.
Learning Goals
Students will learn to organize their writing cohesively by structuring their compositions with clear introductions, logical transitions, and conclusions. They will develop and support arguments with well-chosen evidence, reasoning, and counterarguments.
Students will explore and apply literary devices such as personification to add depth and creativity to their writing. They will learn to distinguish between active and passive voice and use each correctly to enhance clarity and emphasis in their work.
Syllabus
4 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
Organizing writing and Developing and supporting arguments
Students will learn strategies for organizing their writing effectively, including outlining, structuring paragraphs, and sequencing ideas logically. They will also develop skills in constructing and supporting arguments with evidence, learning to articulate their viewpoints clearly and persuasively through coherent reasoning and relevant examples.
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Use personification and Active and passive voice
Students will explore creative techniques such as personification, where inanimate objects or abstract concepts are described as having human qualities. They will also study the active and passive voice in writing, understanding how each affects sentence structure and clarity. They will practice using active voice to emphasize actions and passive voice to shift focus onto receivers of actions.
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Editing and revising
This topic focuses on refining written work through editing and revising processes. Students will learn to review their writing for clarity, coherence, grammar, punctuation, and style. They will also practice incorporating feedback to improve their drafts, enhancing their ability to produce polished and effective compositions.
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Research skills and Identify plagiarism
Students will develop research skills, including how to locate credible sources, gather relevant information, and cite sources properly using citation formats like MLA or APA. They will also learn ethical principles of academic integrity, including how to avoid plagiarism by properly attributing ideas and information borrowed from others.
50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Supply List
A weekly material list will be provided to you prior to class, in preparation for the following week of classes. Learners are responsible for having the listed materials on hand and printed worksheets ready. If learners are missing a material, alternative suggestions can be provided. Classes will typically require commonly found household items or stationary such as: pencil, eraser, highlighter, scissors, stapler, glue etc.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
1 teacher has a teaching certificate
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
2 teachers have a Graduate degree
Master's Degree in Accounting from University of Waterloo
Master's Degree in Biology/Biological Sciences from Bangalore University
7 teachers have a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in Art and Design from Ocad university
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from University of Waterloo
Bachelor's Degree in Education from University of Ottawa
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Carleton University
Bachelor's Degree in Business/Commerce from University of Guelph
Bachelor's Degree in Education from York University
Bachelor's Degree from McMaster University
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Brock University
Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from York University
1 teacher has an Associate's degree
Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Centennial College
Welcome to My First Montessori School Online ("MFMS Online"), our Virtual Montessori School and pioneering educational institution that is reshaping the landscape of learning for children across the globe. Rooted in the principles of Montessori education and backed by our brick and mortar Montessori school located in Toronto, Canada, we have harnessed the power of innovative and modern teaching methods to ignite a passion for learning within young minds.
We are on a mission to solve the global education crisis through our handcrafted virtual Montessori methodology. Our faculty is comprised of certified Montessori teachers, Registered Early Childhood Educators ("RECE's") and Ontario Certified Teachers ("OCT") who simultaneously work in our brick and mortar school. With decades of experience working with children from Toddler through Grade 12, we have educated thousands of students worldwide through our live virtual school, brick and mortar school, 1:1 live virtual tutoring, live group extracurricular classes and our on-demand self paced Montessori program. We work with homeschoolers, travelling families, ex-pats working in foreign jurisdictions and families living in remote areas just to name a few. Our goal is to provide a dynamic and enriching virtual environment where students can explore, discover, and flourish at their own pace through self directed, mastery based learning, essentially replicating the in-school Montessori experience from anywhere in the world!
Through a meticulously designed curriculum and state-of-the-art virtual platforms, we seamlessly blend traditional Montessori values with cutting-edge technology, allowing our students to embark on a journey of intellectual and personal growth like never before. Our dedicated team of experienced Montessori educators and tech-savvy mentors work tirelessly to create a harmonious balance between tangible hands-on experiences and interactive virtual lessons, ensuring that every child receives a personalized and holistic education.
The results speak for themselves – our students consistently achieve outstanding outcomes that stand head and shoulders above their peers. By fostering independence, critical thinking, and a love for learning, we empower our young learners to excel not only academically but also emotionally and socially. Our Virtual Montessori School is not just a place of education; it is a vibrant global community where children from diverse backgrounds come together to share ideas, collaborate, and celebrate their achievements.
Join us in shaping the future of education as we continue to break down geographical boundaries and provide children with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world. At our Virtual Montessori School, excellence knows no bounds, and the journey to a brighter tomorrow begins today.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$18
weekly or $72 for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
50 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-14
2-6 learners per class