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.