Writing Under Pressure: Timed Writing Practice 101 for Teens (Semester Course)

The goal of this course is for learners to be confident in how to "attack" a prompt quickly and efficiently so as to get words on paper within a set time frame.  Learners will be guided in organizing their ideas into a cohesive paragraph and/or multi-paragraph response while maintaining a firm handle on grammar, mechanics, and sentence structure.  Additionally, learners will be encouraged to strengthen their writing through expanding their vocabulary and by using logical connectors.  

This course will primarily involve in-class writing assignments.  Select classes will involve more direct instruction along with looking at written examples.  (See schedule below.)  On writing days (prompt days), directions will be quickly given by the teacher within the first five minutes of class time and then students will have the majority of class time to write.  The instructor will guide learners during the writing time period, letting them know what minute mark they are at and where they should be in regards to their written responses.  

Learners will be encouraged and expected to respond to questions and discussions, either orally or via the chat.  They will also be encouraged to share their writing, if comfortable, either orally or via screen sharing with the class.  Learners must share their writing with the instructor, preferably during class via an unrestricted Google document link that is privately shared with the instructor, or immediately at the close of class via a PDF, Word document, or scanned picture of written work that would then be posted in the classroom teacher area (directly to teacher).  Instructions on how to share links and/or upload assignments will be given during the first class session.  

The course schedule is as follows:  
Class 1:  Welcome & What is a prompt?  
Class 2:  Analyzing stellar, one-paragraph responses
Class 3:  Brainstorming & Prompt 1:  Narrative
Class 4:  Editing & rewriting
Class 5:  Prompt 2:  Descriptive
Class 6:  Examining excellent, multi-paragraph responses
Class 7:  Prompt 3:  Opinion #1
Class 8:  Boosting vocabulary level
Class 9:  Prompt 4:  Opinion #2
Class 10:  Prompt 5:  Advice
Class 11:  Prompt 6:  Autobiographical Sketch - part 1
Class 12:  Prompt 7:  Autobiographical Sketch - part 2
Class 13:  Sharing your best writing

The bulk of the work for this class will be done within the class time frame.  No outside research will be needed.  However, some homework assignments may be given to strengthen grammatical, syntactical, and mechanical skills.  

Note:  If extensive revisions are deemed necessary or it becomes apparent that a learner needs additional fundamental writing assistance, learners may be referred to a separate tutoring section to take alongside this course in order to make maximum progress.  Additional tutoring is always optional and involves enrolling in a separate class specifically for one-on-one tutoring.