In my experience, our most meaningful learning comes from connection. As such, our main goal in this writing course is to write from what we know -- ourselves -- while strengthening, stretching and exercising our writing skills. As we dive deep and work on different writing forms each week, each finished composition has the option to come together at the end of the course in a learner-specific 'newspaper' (i.e. if it was my newspaper filled with the course's completed works, I might name it 'The Hannon Herald'). These works will shine a light not only on one's growth in the writing process, but on the beautiful, opinionated individuals we are as well.

Let's peek at the course breakdown and expectations:

* * *WEEK 1: Writing Warm Up* * *
The first class will be spent compiling our writing 'armor': 

-- What is a topic sentence (purpose/ examples)? 
-- What is a closing statement (purpose/ example)? 
-- Discussing the importance and job of details in ANY writing form/ using the five senses to add muscle to the parts of our writing that require detail to be meaningful. I will also read two self-written excerpts (same topic, one lacking and one full of details) for the class to identify where they hear the details I have added, while also brainstorming ways to enhance my lackluster excerpt.
-- Introducing/ going over the five styles of writing in our course: Narrative, Non-fiction, Compare and Contrast, Interview and Persuasive. Learners will get a brief overview of the meaning of each style, and an introduction to the purpose of our various weekly Graphic Organizers (each are to come to each class with their topic previously chosen and noted inside each week's given organizer).
-- Describing and modeling the accumulation of written pieces becoming our own, personal newspapers!

* * *WEEK 2: Narrative* * *
(Graphic Organizer provided)
A personal experience, memory, scene from a fantastic (or melancholy) day. Incorporation of descriptive writing and dialogue. The narrative's purpose here should make the reader feel that they a part of the personal experience themselves.

* * *WEEK 3: Non-fiction* * *
(Graphic Organizer provided)
While this is not research-based, it is factual from the writer's experience/ use/ familiarity. The understanding of non-fiction is that it is a true statement; as such, learners are encouraged to write about what they are 'experts' in (i.e. bread baking, baseball, nurturing an herb garden, dogs, etc.)

* * *WEEK 4: Compare and Contrast* * *
(Graphic Organizer provided)
Two objects or/ two people or/ two places and identifying similarities and differences. While the chosen content is personal/ important, this type of writing is direct, fact based (from background knowledge) and can include one's experience with the content as well.

* * *WEEK 5: Interview* * *
(Graphic Organizer provided)
Interviewing a meaningful person with MEANINGFUL questions. This style of writing will not only focus on the interviewee's answers and how to transition them into a sequenced written piece, but also how to compile important questions that go beyond 'What is your favorite food?'

As this writing style has more steps to it, it will be addressed a bit differently! Learners will receive their Interview Graphic Organizer after WEEK 4 culminates. I will simultaneously post a video discussing/ modeling how to form 3 - 4 meaningful questions to 'take along' with them for their interview, as well as how to take notes on their Graphic Organizer during the interview (to then bring to class).

* * *WEEK 6: Persuasive* * *
(Graphic Organizer provided)
A solid persuasive writing piece has a firm reason behind its subject, and many supporting details to back it up! Persuasive vocabulary will also be shared and brainstormed as this week's process evolves.

SPECIAL SCHEDULE NOTES:

1) The section running September 7 - October 19 has no scheduled class on October 5.

2) The section running October 18 - December 13 has no scheduled classes on November 1, 8 and 22.