What's included
1 live meeting
40 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
>>Please check out my NEW FLEX course for the summer! https://outschool.com/classes/middle-school-writing-exceptionally-excellent-essays-QaT9s5NZ?usid=usvfOz63&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link ***This class is designed to be a follow-up on the principles taught in "Perfectly Powerful Paragraphs," but can be taken by anyone who wants extra paragraph instruction, practice, and feedback. Each week will focus on a different type of paragraph as we practice writing organized, clear, and powerful paragraphs and essays.*** ***This class comes with one evaluation due several days after the class ends. This outside evaluation is included in the overall price of the class. Real learning happens when the student revises and improves his or her work after evaluation!*** If you've already powered up your paragraphs, it's time to write Exceptionally Excellent Essays. Class Experience Students should know the basics of good essay structure which include an introduction, body with supporting details, and a concluding paragraph. Please see my course Perfectly Powerful Paragraphs for a foundation in strong sentence structure and paragraph writing. Course Description: A foundational course on essay writing You've heard practice makes perfect, but that's now exactly true. If you keep practicing the wrong things, you will not improve in anything, especially your writing! In this ongoing class, we will practice writing exceptional essays first, through a short instruction time, and then through individual guided essay writing. In this weekly course that builds on the foundations in Perfectly Powerful Paragraphs, students will learn to write a different 5 paragraph essay each week. Each week will focus on a new type of paragraph. Class Details: • 15 minute Instruction Time & Discussion: Engaging, colorful images and videos will be used to introduce the specific paragraph we will be working on (opinion, personal narrative, how to, informative, or persuasive, etc.) and the elements of proper paragraph structure like hook, topic and concluding sentences, and supporting details. • We will review the writing process which includes prewriting, rough draft, revisions, editing, and publishing. • Using the strong sentence builder handouts, we will review writing strong sentences, using transitions, and subordinate conjunctions. • Through discussion and class participation, learners will build on their understanding of the five-paragraph essay. • In each class, emphasis will be placed on the hook, topic sentence, transitions, and concluding paragraphs. (For extra instruction and practice, I recommend a private session to fill in any of the missing pieces. https://outschool.com/classes/tutor-creative-writing-englishgrammar-elementary-middle-school-35WLhBCN?usid=usvfOz63&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link) Writing • The last portion of the class will be spent drafting their essay in break-out rooms where I will visit with each student. • Students can ask for specific help in revising topic sentences and any other area they may have trouble with. • Students are not expected to finish their final copy of their essay in class. • If learners turn in their essay for review two days before the next class, a personal evaluation will be given. These personal evaluations, completed by me outside of class, is where your student will learn to improve his or her individual writing. • If more personal instruction is needed, one-on-one help is available in my "Tutoring session." Rotating Schedule with different prompts. Order is subject to change, but the classroom page will be updated with the upcoming paragraph information. Week 1: Thursday, January 13 Opinion Essay (emphasis on hook, topic sentence, adding descriptive details with 5 senses, figurative language.) Week 2: Thursday, January 20 How To Essay: (emphasis on hook, structure, sequencing, transitions, subordinate conjunctions, and concluding sentence.) Week 3: Thursday, January 27 Descriptive Essay (emphasis on hook, topic sentence, adding descriptive details with 5 senses, figurative language.) Week 4: Thursday, February 3rd Personal Narrative Essay: (emphasis on hook, storytelling, descriptive details, and ending with a message, figurative language.) Week 5: Thursday, February 10th Expository/Informational: (emphasis on fact vs opinion, research, taking notes, summarizing information, hook, structure, transitions, subordinate conjunctions, and concluding sentence.) Paragraphs included in this series are compare and contrast and cause and effect. Week 1: Thursday, February 17th Compare and Contrast: Week 1: Thursday, February 24th Cause and Effect: Week 1: Thursday, Problem and Solution: Week 1: Thursday Persuasive: (emphasis on Introduction (hook, background information, thesis, research, fact vs opinion, persuasion, and concluding paragraph.) Course Requirements: • Learner may need homework assistance (typing and uploading to google docs) from parents. • All students are required to participate in class discussions. • This class comes with one evaluation due several days after the class ends. Parents are responsible to make sure homework is turned in for assessment or an evaluation cannot be guaranteed. **Message me for information on extra help and private tutoring.
Learning Goals
***This class comes with one evaluation due several days after the class ends. This outside evaluation is included in the overall price of the class. Real learning happens when the student revises ave improves his or her work after evaluation!***
Course Objectives:
• Learn to choose essay topics and focus their essay on the main idea.
• Learn to write clear, and focused, hooks, topic sentences, and concluding sentences.
• Learn to write clear, focused, and cohesive paragraphs.
• Learn different types of essays and write them effectively.
• Write exceptionally excellent essays with an introduction, body, and concluding paragraph.
Other Details
Supply List
Pencil, eraser, lined notebook paper, folder or binder Access to printer Worksheets will be handed out daily if used in class.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree from Oral Roberts University
My love of writing started when I was 8 years old and hasn't stopped.
I'm a published author (fiction and nonfiction,) writing teacher, and tutor who's worked with gifted and struggling kids for over 20 years. I saw a gap and a need when it came to writing because children didn't have a basic knowledge of sentence structure or paragraph writing. I developed a program with fun techniques to engage them to write powerful and sometimes silly sentences. The techniques seemed to work with kids who loved writing as well as those who didn't. I'm excited to bring my program online to an even bigger audience.
What parents are saying:
Gina is a phenomenal writing teacher! We have loved working with her. We have a range of ages and she is great at adapting to their ages and learning styles. She's very patient and good at helping them focus. My kids have learned so much and been stretched and challenged in the area of writing. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to advance in any area of writing! - Bethany
Reviews
Live Group Class
$17
weekly1x per week
40 min
Completed by 27 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-15
5-10 learners per class