Writing for Middle Schoolers- (IEW Units 1-5 Level B)
In this 10 week class, students will learn note-taking skills, informative writing from notes, creating a narrative in several ways, and the beginning of report writing.
Jennifer Crowe
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(351)
What's included
20 live meetings
16 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Student should plan on 1-2 hours of work outside of class each week. Student should plan on keeping a binder to hold their notes and drafts.Assessment
Since there is a clear checklist, students will not necessarily need it to be "graded". As a parent, you should be able to look over their work and see if they have followed the checklist. You may wish to edit it, or you may wish to have another person edit for your child. As part of this class, you may schedule a 20 minute session with me at a discounted price (($20 for 20 mins). You may not need this at all, but you may use it whenever you'd like.Grading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 6 - 9
Intermediate Level
**** If you have already taken this class with me, you can absolutely take it again. During the 2023-24 school year, I used an animal theme. For 2024-25, we will go through the same units, Units 1-5, and practice the same skills, but with different source materials. For the 2024-25 school year, I will be teaching Modern World History with this IEW book: https://iew.com/modern-world-history-based-writing-lessons-student-book-only In the fall I will teach Units 1-5, and I will offer the second half of this class (Units 6-9) in spring 2025. I am super excited about this book! Until now, I have generally used my own materials since I have been teaching IEW for so long. This student book will cost you $35. It includes vocabulary cards and tests, preprinted outline models, suggested schedules. You won’t need to print out anything, and all of the checklists are in the book. Buying the book from IEW also gives you a code for the IEW website so you can download all of the lists and extra materials. I hope this makes it convenient for you to follow along and plan ahead. With this book, you have everything you need for the whole school year! It is 335 pages! Of course I hope that you will stay with me for Part 2 of this class and cover Units 6-9 with the class. But if you choose another path, you will still have the book so that you can finish the year on your own or somewhere else. You WILL need to keep up with your child's work! In this book there are 15 weeks planned out for Units 1-5. We will do those 15 weeks in 20 sessions, or 10 weeks. There will be a lot of writing and editing during this time so you may want to plan accordingly. Students should expect to write outside of class a few hours a week. We share our work during class as much as possible. Generally, we work on outlines and brainstorming and then students write and edit on their own. The IEW writing method transforms struggling writers by teaching specific skills and challenges strong writers with specific tasks. I suggest students have some IEW experience before starting this class. The IEW method allows for a wide variety of learners, but I am structuring this class for writers with some experience. Before starting this class, students should be able to read at a 5th grade level and write a paragraph without help (not necessarily a good paragraph, but they should be able to manually write or type several sentences). They should be able to copy from the screen and be willing to volunteer answers occasionally. Generally, the schedule - Weeks 1- 2 note-taking and writing from notes Weeks 4-6 How to write narratives Weeks 7-8 Combining sources Weeks 9-10 Writing from a picture prompt *This class exceeds Common Core standards. IEW is an award-winning writing program. You can find the program (and me) at www.iew.com. I do not grade papers in this class. Students share and learn how to edit their own work using a checklist. I don't see too much value in giving a "grade" because writing is all about editing, and they need to learn how to edit themselves. However, if you want me to grade their papers and give specific feedback, I can do that with them in an individual tutoring session, which is 50% off if you are enrolled in this class. https://outschool.com/classes/writing-tutoring-and-grading-personal-instruction-qI6yBJjc#usxPqAuK2O This class works well with an IEW grammar class. Some middle schoolers are these levels: https://outschool.com/classes/excel-at-grammar-with-fix-it-mowgli-and-shere-khan-pQEmNhMI#usxPqAuK2O https://outschool.com/classes/target-your-grammar-with-fix-it-robin-hood-iew-book-3-weeks-1-16-FIUWyyu9?refuid=xPqAuK2O
Learning Goals
Students will implement 5 different grammar constructs (called "dress-ups") in their writing and employ several outlining techniques ("structures") to approach different kinds of genres and assignments.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined May, 2020
4.9
351reviews
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 Course
$330
for 20 classes2x per week, 10 weeks
50 min
Completed by 100 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
8-13 learners per class
