Writing About Animals
Students will practice expository writing by writing about animals. This covers IEW methods of note-taking and writing, Units 1 and 2. No prior is experience needed, so this is an excellent intro to IEW for elementary students.
Jennifer Crowe
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(352)
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will likely spend 20 minutes editing and writing their paragraph, which will be started in class, but they may need to finish after class. Ideally, they will read their paragraph aloud to their classmates the next day.Class Experience
US Grade 3 - 5
Beginner Level
Students will write non-fiction about animals for four days in a row, using the IEW method. We begin by taking notes, then students rewrite and create a paragraph. This is a great help to struggling writers because it gives them structure. Repeating the process five days in a row gives them proficiency and confidence. Each day we will add a new grammar concept to improve writing style. The progressive nature of this process makes four consecutive days more valuable than one isolated day at a time. Once they gain these skills, they can apply them to other academic endeavors. To be successful in this class, students should be able to read, listen to, and comprehend a short paragraph. Students should be able to take notes by copying my notes from my screen, and they should be able to copy specific words and phrases from the stories, from the board, and by listening to others. Students should be capable of completing one paragraph of approximately six sentences in their own writing. We will begin the paragraph during class, but they will likely finish it after class. Note this class is 55 minutes long so students should have the capacity to attend to a multi-part task during this time. I teach a fairly structured class, but I do ask for interaction and ideas. Students should share their ideas, words, and stories as they feel comfortable. This class meets and exceeds Common Core standards, and is not "fluff." We do real work in this class. Even students who normally hate to write learn to enjoy writing this way because they gain success and specific skills. Often, students are inspired to continue writing long after class, partly due to my constant encouragement, and partly because this process works! Students will write about four different animals throughout the week.
Learning Goals
Students will learn to take accurate notes, and then to rewrite the information in their own way. Students will edit and write over an extended time period. Students will gain confidence in presenting their work aloud.
Other Details
Learning Needs
The IEW method is wonderful for struggling learners.
Supply List
Several pages will need to printed over the week. Students should keep all the papers in a folder for the week and for future use.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined May, 2020
4.9
352reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
UPDATE FOR SUMMER and FALL 2024: My video refers to the 2022-23 school year, but I'm still here! I am super happy to be starting my last year of law school. I will take the bar exam in July 2025.
FIX IT Grammar: In Fall 2024, I will teach all of Book 2 and 3, and the first half of 4 and 5. In spring 2025, I will teach the second half of 4 and 5.
WRITING: For fall 2024, my semester-long classes will use the Modern World History-Based Writing Lessons book from IEW. https://iew.com/modern-world-history-based-writing-lessons-student-book-only
If you want to see if we are a good fit before committing to a long class, drop in on one of my ongoing Friday classes!
I help children overcome their fear of failure, and I coach strong writers to continued excellence. Once children grasp specific writing concepts, they can apply their skills to all content areas. Mostly, I use the writing methods taught by the Institute for Excellence in Writing.
My youngest daughter is dyslexic and in my search to help her organize and communicate her thoughts, I discovered the writing methods of IEW. Over the last 17 years, I have studied and taught these writing methods at my kitchen table, in homeschool co-ops, and in private tutoring. Most recently, I taught IEW for seven years to middle schoolers at a public charter school in Southern California. I am currently a Registered Instructor with IEW.
I graduated from the University of Maryland with an Elementary Education degree, but I've learned way more from my own kids and hundreds of others than I ever learned in a college classroom.
Having taught on two coasts, in public, private, charter, and homeschool co-ops, I have a breadth of experience.
My classes are "pretty fun for a writing class," my students report, but they don't feel like recess. Students will practice significant writing, grammar, organizing, outlining, and speaking skills in my classes. If your child needs support, recovery, or challenge, check out my classes.Reviews
Live Group Class
$80
for 4 classes4x per week, 1 week
55 min
Completed by 64 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-10
5-10 learners per class
