Passionate about writing? Or are you looking to cultivate a passion for writing in your young learner? Learners here can collaborate, build upon their pre-existing skills, and develop a love for the art of writing. Authors at work will do best if they can already form several sentences to compose a piece of at least one or more paragraphs. If you like the looks of this class, please also check out my ongoing Author's at Work: Narrative Writing class.

We will begin by introducing ourselves and writing our name at the top of our paper. Each week we will preview a new book/idea to help students hone in on their writing skills specifically for opinion writing.  After the subject has been presented, students will discuss whether they agree or disagree with the case presented. If needed, learners can use a graphic organizer I provide to help them organize their thoughts. Another available resource are sentence frames should writers need them in order to organize their sentences. Each author will begin by stating their opinion as a topic sentence. Next, we will support it with several reasons and use linking words such: because, therefore, since, for example to further add supportive details to help us connect our opinion and reasons. Finally they will reaffirm their reader by stating our opinion again at the end. We will conclude our lesson by sharing our work! I so look forward to meeting your young author soon and hearing the pieces of work they share aloud!

Schedule:

-Prompt: At what age should children be allowed to have smartphones? Should children be allowed to have smartphones at all?

 -Sharks
      Prompt: Gentle giants? Or fearsome creatures of the oceans!


 -Prompt: How many days a week should we have school? When should school start? How should be we be attending school?

 -Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
      Prompt: In your opinion, what could you imagine being your worst day ever?

  -Prompt: Should kids get paid for good grades?

- Bats by, Gail Gibbons
     Prompt: This is an informative book about bats. Be sure to try to include facts from the story to support your opinion. 

- Prompt: Are zoos a thing of the past? Are they harmful or helpful for animals?





Previous classes:
-The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill
    Prompt: Why should we be kind to others even when they are mean to us? Should we? 
-Dragons Love Tacos by, Adam Rubin
     Prompt: How do you feel about tacos? Give at least three reasons justifying your statement.
  - Prompt: In your opinion, what makes math important?
  - Prompt: Write about your favorite place to go to. Give reasons and evidence!
  -Shark Lady by, Jess Keating
       Prompt: Should we admire sharks or be fearful of them?
- Prompt: Should violent video games be banned?
-Prompt: Write your opinion on anything! We want to hear what you think :)
 -The Good Egg by, Jory John
     Prompt: Does perfectionism exist? Is it your job to control others and their actions?    
- Spiders by, Gail Gibbons
     Prompt: How do you feel about spiders? 
-I'm Trying to Love Spiders by, Bethany Barton
   Prompt: Another story about spiders? You bet! Let's see what else we can learn. What's your favorite type? Least favorite?
  - Prompt: Do ghosts exist?
 -  Prompt: Should kids have chores?

Materials needed: 
-paper (preferably lined) 
-a writing utensil (pencils preferred)

Disclaimer:
If there are zero learners enrolled in a class 24 hours before the start time the class is then presumed canceled.

Cancellation policy: As an ongoing class, learner subscriptions are charged on a weekly basis. If a learner is going to miss class please stop the subscription by the Saturday before to ensure you aren't charged. A refund will not be issued otherwise.