Writing and Spelling Basics: Sentence Variety and Structure
What's included
8 live meetings
4 in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Homework will be assigned each week to reinforce skills learned in class, and learners will receive personalized teacher feedback.Assessment
includedProgress Report
1-2 throughout the classCertificate of Completion
includedClass Experience
This fun and interactive class helps learners enhance their writing skills by exploring sentence variety and structure. Students will discover different sentence types, practice punctuation, and learn to write for various audiences. Each session encourages creativity and personal expression, creating a friendly atmosphere that makes writing enjoyable. Personalized feedback will help students gain confidence in their abilities as they improve their writing together. ------------------ CLASS ENVIRONMENT Our classrooms are guided by a Socratic teaching approach, fostering critical thinking and encouraging open dialogue among learners. By facilitating engaging discussions and posing thought-provoking questions, students are able to explore topics more deeply and gain a comprehensive understanding of the material. Our class size does not exceed 5 learners. This allows for more personalized attention from the educator, ensuring that each learner's individual needs and learning styles are met. With a smaller group size, there is also more opportunity for discussion and collaboration among classmates, creating a supportive and engaging learning environment. Additionally, students may feel more comfortable and confident participating in discussions and activities in a smaller group setting. We incorporate a mix of traditional methods such as videos and limited PowerPoint presentations to accommodate various learning styles as well. In addition, we gamify our lessons, as much as possible, to make learning fun and interactive for students. By adding elements of games and competition, we are able to keep learners engaged and motivated to participate in their education. We also incorporate hands-on projects, wherever possible, to provide students with real-world application of their learning. Through these projects, students are able to apply their knowledge in practical ways and further enhance their understanding of the subject matter. By designing this type of diverse classroom environment, utilizing multiple teaching methods, we effectively address the diverse learning styles of our learners. _______ IMPORTANT DATES Please note we value mental health and want to prevent teacher burnout. With that said, we do take company wide breaks where there will not be any classes taught nor will we be answering emails. Please expect a delay in responses the following dates: 2024: August 19-August 25 (Summer Break) November 27-29 (Thanksgiving Break) December 23 - December 31 (Winter Break) 2025 January 1 - Jan 5 (Winter Break) March 17 - March 23 (Spring Break) April 19 - April 20 (Easter Break) August 25-31st (Summer Break) If you are enrolled, you will not be charged! We will be returning all emails the day or two after we return. In addition, teachers may need time off outside of these breaks as emergencies do happen. We always try our best to give ample notice when we can. You will never be charged for a day that we cancel classes. _______ CLASS POLICIES Refund Policy: We strictly adhere to Outschool's refund/reschedule policy for all of our classes. This means that once a class has been paid for, there will be no deviation from Outschool's guidelines. We do not offer refunds or rescheduling outside of what Outschool allows. Camera Policy: All students are required to keep their camera turned on during the entire class. The only exception is those that have been verified by Outschool and have the verification badge. Contact info: In compliance with Outschool's policies, we do not accept friend or contact requests from current or former families on any social networking site (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.). We also do not provide or ask for any personal information such as email address or phone numbers. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with these policies.
Learning Goals
Learners will develop their writing skills by mastering sentence variety, punctuation, and audience awareness to enhance their overall written communication.
Syllabus
4 Units
8 Lessons
over 4 WeeksUnit 1: Understanding Different Sentence Types
Lesson 1:
Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences
Learners will identify and write simple, compound, and complex sentences to enhance their writing variety.
30 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Using Sentence Starters
Learners will experiment with different sentence starters to make their writing more engaging.
30 mins online live lesson
Unit 2: Punctuation Matters
Lesson 3:
Mastering End Punctuation and Commas
Learners will practice using periods, question marks, exclamation points, and commas correctly in their writing.
30 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Quotation Marks and Apostrophes
Learners will learn how to use quotation marks for dialogue and apostrophes for contractions and possessives.
30 mins online live lesson
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
4 teachers have teaching certificates
Georgia Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Maryland Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Oregon Teaching Certificate in Special Education
California Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
California Teaching Certificate in Special Education
3 teachers have a Graduate degree
Juris Doctor from New York Law School
Doctoral Degree in Special Education from University of Alberta
Master's Degree in Animal Science from The Ohio State University
Master's Degree from Central Michigan University
Master's Degree from National University
9 teachers have a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science from The Ohio State University
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from Centro Universitário Anhanguera de São Paulo
Bachelor's Degree in American Studies from Smith College
Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Long Island University
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Centro Universitário UniCEUB
Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Language from Universidade de Brasília
Bachelor's Degree in Spanish Language and Literature from University of California, Berkeley
Bachelor's Degree in Education from North Carolina State University
Bachelor's Degree in Education from SUNY Cortland
KRISTINA VISNIESKY
I graduated from Cortland State University with a Bachelor's degree in Inclusive Childhood Education and a minor in English Language and Arts. Additionally, I hold a certification in Grades 7-12 English, and I am currently pursuing my Master’s degree in Literacy. Throughout my journey as an educator, I have had the opportunity to work with students across various age groups and learning environments, each experience deepening my passion for teaching and learning.
My teaching career began at a preschool that provided essential support to children with disabilities. Witnessing their growth each day was truly awe-inspiring, and it was here that I developed a profound love for working with these incredible kids. Their resilience and joy taught me valuable lessons about patience, empathy, and the power of education in transforming lives.
I also worked as a substitute teacher in high schools while simultaneously conducting observations at nearby elementary and middle schools. This experience allowed me to interact with students of varying ages and backgrounds, enriching my understanding of the diverse needs and perspectives within the classroom. The opportunity to guide and support students through different stages of their educational journey has been both enjoyable and fulfilling.
My initial interest in teaching was sparked by my involvement with the First Tee Program of Western New York, a remarkable initiative focused on teaching young golf athletes valuable life skills. Beyond the correct golfing techniques, I instilled important values such as perseverance, respect, honesty, and confidence. Witnessing their enthusiasm for these life skills, alongside their intellectual growth, was immensely rewarding and solidified my commitment to becoming an educator.
With a wealth of experience working with students and a deep belief in the transformative power of education, I am confident that I am destined to be an educator. I am passionate about fostering a love of learning in my students, helping them to grow both academically and personally, and making a positive impact on their lives.
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Mr. Nick
Hi families!
My name is Nick but as my students like to say, "Mr. Nick / Nicky." I have been a teacher for almost seven years teaching English / Language Arts / Math / Social Studies and Science at an Elementary school.
I am a passionate and dedicated learner and teacher that strives to provide endless opportunities for my students to be successful. I always say, "that as humans we all love to learn new things but we just don't know HOW we like to learn those things." My goal is to guide and support my students in finding the most effective avenue for them to learn and grow.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$34
weekly or $135 for 8 classes2x per week, 4 weeks
30 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
1-5 learners per class