📣 PLEASE NOTE: In order for your learner to get the most out of private sessions, please communicate with me before the first class so that I can prepare a lesson that targets your learner's needs! If I don't hear from you, I may not be able to tailor the lesson to your learner's specific needs in our first meeting together.
📣Also note: if you don't see a time available that fits your schedule, please message me and I can see if I'm able to open a time slot for you!

🌟 General 🌟
The most important part of writing an effective essay or creative piece is knowing how to revise. In my experience as a high school English teacher, this is the number one skill that students struggle with when it comes to writing. In this class, I will work one on one with students to improve their writing and revising skills. 

Each class, students are expected to bring a piece of writing they would like to improve, or an assignment they would like to start. This can be from any subject in school and is not limited to essays in English class. It can also be a creative piece that students are working on. 

I will give feedback on writing, assist in revisions, and help to brainstorm and outline various assignments or stories. The skills that I focus on will depend on the students' individual needs. Students will be expected to collaborate in this process, as I will not simply give comments or rewrite students' work. 

Alternatively, if you'd like me to work on something specific with your learner (ideas below), we can work together to develop a private ELA session that is right for your learner.

🌟 Class structure 🌟
✅  During the first class, we will focus on the first piece of student work that the student brings to class. We will also discuss the student's strengths, needs, and goals for writing. 

✅  After the first class, I will design individualized exercises that help students practice and strengthen essay writing and revising skills that match their particular needs. These exercises will be completed in the first 15 - 20 minutes of class. 

Sample Mini-lesson Topics: Essays & Academic Writing 

✏️ Outlining a multi-paragraph essay effectively so that it flows easily and also builds the argument
✏️ Writing a thesis that is coherent, comprehensive, and sets the essay up for successful argumentation
✏️ Choosing effective text evidence from various sources
✏️ Integrating text evidence into writing so that it effectively supports the argument made in the paragraph
✏️ Citing evidence to avoid plagiarism
✏️ Writing and revising effective sentences, focusing on grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and vocabulary usage
✏️ Using teacher rubrics to self-assess and revise essays before submission
✏️ Recognizing the moving parts of an essay and how they can be rearranged to increase effectiveness of the overall argumentation
✏️ Using meta-cognitive reflection when revising to understand why we are making changes and how to apply them to new writing going forward
✏️ Developing a critical eye for revision without losing confidence in one's writing ability
✏️ Developing a positive self-narrative for those students who think they are 'bad at writing'

Sample Mini-lesson Topics: Creative Writing

✏️ Outlining stories and approaches to creative writing
✏️ Effective beginnings
✏️ Developing compelling characters 
✏️ Elements of an effective story or poem
✏️ Writing conflict and climaxes
✏️ Effective endings
✏️ Key elements of different genres 
✏️ Rhetorical devices
✏️ Descriptive language
✏️ Finding your unique voice
✏️ The importance of revision in creative writing
✏️ Writing and revising effective sentences, focusing on grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and vocabulary usage
✏️ Developing a critical eye for revision without losing confidence in one's writing ability

🌟 Teaching Methods 🌟
Each of my private one on one classes is heavily tailored to the student’s individual needs and learning style. Writing and reading can be a pain points for many students, while others thrive and need a challenge. I assess each student’s personal beliefs about reading and writing, as well as their goals, and adjust my approach accordingly. 

I am TESOL certified and experienced in teaching writing to ESL students, including those preparing for the Cambridge B and C level exams. If this is the case with your learner, I adjust my techniques and lessons to this particular need.

In every class, I maintain a positive and inclusive learning environment in which students feel safe and encouraged. Through collaboration, discussion, modeling, and skills practice, students will learn to take their writing to the next level. Note that students will be expected to collaborate in this process, as I will not simply give comments or rewrite students' work. 

🌟 Interaction 🌟
Since this class is one to one, there is ample direct interaction with the teacher. 

🌟 Prior Knowledge 🌟
No specific prior writing knowledge is required. However, students are expected to bring a piece of writing they would like to improve, or an assignment they would like to start. This can be from any subject in school and is not limited to essays in English class. It can also be a creative piece that students are working on. 

🌟 About the Teacher 🌟
Meg Connolly is a certified teacher with bachelors degrees in literature and philosophy. She has masters degrees in teaching ELA, grades 7-12, and in teaching students with disabilities. In addition to her masters, she is TESOL certified and experienced in working with ESL students. She has nine years of teaching experience both in the US public school system and online. She also writes her own fictional short stories for podcasts. Check out her teacher profile for more info.

🌟 Meet and Greet 🌟
If you or your learner are hesitant to sign up before meeting me (understandably!), feel free to book a meet and greet here: https://outschool.com/classes/meet-greet-15-minute-session-MGpwi3mP#usXSuDFS3Z