$12

weekly

or $48 for all content

Sleuth Like Sherlock, Write Like Watson | ELA Argumentative Essay Writing

Completed by 29 learners

Ages 13-18

Self-Paced Course

In this self-paced English Language Arts course, students will sleuth their way through riddles, short-story mysteries, and argumentative writing exercises, practicing CLAIM, EVIDENCE, WARRANT paragraph structure to solve each case!

Alex McGreavey (she/her)

Average rating:

5.0

Number of reviews:

(151 reviews)

4 pre-recorded lessons

4 weeks of teacher support

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1 year of access to the content

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Go at your own pace

Your learner can start learning when they want and progress at the speed that works best for them.

Enroll Now, Start Anytime

Start when you want.

Learn at your own pace

Access course material for a full year.

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About Learning Overview Schedule Teacher Reviews

What's included

4 pre-recorded lessons

4 weeks

of teacher support

1 year access

to the content

Homework

1-2 hours per week. Students will be provided written feedback on any writing submitted.

Class Experience

US Grade 8 - 11

Beginner - Intermediate Level

The game is afoot! The famed detective Sherlock Holmes has a series of mysteries to solve, but the lousy Inspector Lestrade has vowed not to jail anyone until Dr. John Watson writes up the case! Can your writing convince Scotland Yard to make an arrest?!

In this writing-intensive self-paced course, students will riddle their way through mini mysteries and utilize logical reasoning to defend their solutions. Students will be guided through the process of argumentative writing using the Claim, Evidence, Warrant (CEW) structure of paragraph formation. For each mystery, students will assess the textual evidence and craft their own argumentative paragraphs to sleuth their way to the solution!

Lesson 1: "The Case of the Brothers"
Lesson 2: "The Case of the Missing Pie"
Lesson 3: "The Case of Mr. Brixton's Murder"
Lesson 4: "The Case of the Cabin Blackout"

Once students have submitted their work, each will receive personalized feedback and a chance to redraft if they'd like. When ready, the true solution to the mystery is revealed, and everyone finds out whether or not they've correctly solved the case!

*Please note: there are NO live meetings for this class. Content will be delivered through video and Classroom posts, and feedback on student writing will be delivered via video or written response. Students can complete the reading and assignments on their own schedule.*

Learning Goals

The aim of this course is to strengthen argumentative writing skills. Students will learn to develop strong claims, analyze textual evidence, and craft well-supported arguments.

Syllabus

4 Lessons

over 4 Weeks

Lesson 1:

"The Case of the Brothers"

 To kick things off, we'll review how to form a killer written argument through the CLAIM, EVIDENCE, WARRANT method. We'll then use this method to solve our first mini-mystery!

7 mins of video lessons

Lesson 2:

"The Case of the Missing Pie"

 The goal of this week is to take our CLAIM, EVIDENCE, WARRANT method a step further - paragraph form! Next, use this method to sleuth your way to the solution of our first short story mystery!

7 mins of video lessons

Lesson 3:

"The Case of Mr. Brixton's Murder"

 Dun, dun, dunnn! It's a murder mystery! We'll utilize textual evidence for this one! Can you write a compelling police report and put the right suspect behind bars?

8 mins of video lessons

Lesson 4:

"The Case of the Cabin Blackout"

 It's time to put our detective caps on for one final mystery! The objective this week is to solve all pieces of a particularly tricky murder mystery!

15 mins of video lessons

Other Details

Parental Guidance

All short stories and scenarios used in class are inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and have been created by me for classroom use. A couple of stories touch on the more macabre subjects - murder, poison, criminal intent - and may be unsettling for more sensitive students. We stay clear of the more nefarious topics of drug use and romance.

Supply List

All readings and worksheets will be provided in both digital and print-friendly formats.

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Alex McGreavey (she/her)

Joined December, 2018

5.0

151reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

THIS TEACHER BELIEVES IN INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOR ALL LEARNERS!

Hello! I'm Alex, and I have spent the last decade serving a variety of roles within the world of education. Outside of teaching on Outschool, I am also a curriculum creator and education consultant. I am committed to personalized, dedicated, engaging education. I've had the honor of working with hundreds of students, and my original curriculum has reached thousands more. I have worked with a diverse range of students from 4-18 years and hope your student is next!


CLASSES IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS:
I love all things language & literature! I geek out over things like Shakespeare, essay outlining, and the Oxford comma.


CLASSES IN SFX MAKEUP:
With a background in performing arts education, I am thrilled to now offer virtual SFX courses through Outschool. From facepaint to gore to prosthetics, I love guiding students in their MUA journey!


MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:
I'm all about putting the FUN in fundamental skills! I believe student engagement is key to a successful education and am dedicated to promoting humor in every lesson. I aim to be the most supportive, engaging teacher possible, working to meet my students where they are.


EXPERIENCE:
- Google Certified Educator
- Curriculum development in literacy, theatre, Humanities, & English Language Arts
- 3 years teaching in a B&M classroom (middle and high school ELA)
- 6 years running literacy workshops and theatre outreach programs
- Experience working with neurodivergent learners 
- Experience working with gifted and 2e students


EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts in English
Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts Education
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts
University of Minnesota, Morris
Major GPA: 3.91
-Awarded the Alice Mills McCree Scholarship, Humanities Division
-Awarded the Raymond J. Lammers Scholarship, Theatre Department
-Presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, 2010: "Integrating ESL Students into Peer Group Writing Sessions"