Redacción de ensayos para 4.º y 5.º grado de primaria (nivel 1)

This class introduces the 5 paragraph essay. Students will  learn the core components of writing an essay, and complete two narrative essays. Previous experience with essay writing is not required. Each class begins with a free write exercise before going into the focus of the day. The teacher will engage in a discussion with students regarding the components of an essay, then students will use Google Docs and Nearpod to write their essay. As writing skills improve students may be invited to engage in peer review or observe how editing of student essays in class. No printouts are required for class work. 

To create a positive online learning space, please look at our "Classroom Etiquette" information under "frequently asked questions."

Prerequisites: 
- Basic computer literacy (ability to copy links in chat and paste them into a web browser, ability to minimize zoom if needed, ability to type in Google Docs)
- Some knowledge of grammar is helpful even if the student is unclear about the difference between a noun and a verb.
 
This class is great for:
- Students who struggle with essay writing
- Students who struggle with grammar and sentence structure
- Students who write like they text
- Student who struggle to express their thoughts when writing

Class Overview:
- Welcome & Share
- Free Write of the Day via Google Docs
- Focus of the week using Google Docs or Nearpod
- Putting the Writing Techniques into Practice using Google Docs
- Reviewing Our Work

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does my kid need to know how to type?
Students do not have to be good at typing, but should be comfortable using a mouse and a keyboard. This class does not use paper and pencil. If you are child needs support with basic computer skills please consider registering for our course titled: Learn Typing and Computer Skills for Elementary School.

What is the "Classroom Etiquette Policy"?
We ask that students have their cameras on when joining class, as it helps with building a welcoming class environment. If your child has anxiety or physical concerns that prevent camera usage, 😊please let us know, so that we can ensure everyone feels positive about the in class communication experience.

This may seem like a silly rule, but if you have ever hosted a meeting online where the participants do not respond and you just have black screens in front of you, it can be challenging to determine who is engaged and who is playing video games. Plus, some homeschoolers use Outschool as a way to make new friends, it's heart breaking to see one child say hello and then watch the other child ignore those words and just turn off their screen. We want to make sure your child feels supported. 


What if we have a Green Checkmark? Can't we keep the camera off?
Yes. Outschool families who have been verified by Outschool through the green check mark system, may have their kiddo keep their cameras off; however, we do ask that students engage verbally. If your child cannot engage verbally please make sure they are comfortable typing and using emojis to aid in communication. We have worked with kids who are mute or have selective mutism, and work to provide positive reinforcement for kiddos.

What if we can't attend all the classes?
Students must attend at least 50% of the classes in order to continue receiving homework and class feedback. Only watching the class video recording does not substitute for the in class experience. 

Does an adult need to take the class with their child?
No. All of our classes are designed for students to work independently of their grownups.  For this age group, students tend to feel completely independent by their third class, and are usually more comfortable by then as well, as they realize the online classroom is a safe (and fun) space.

Does an adult need to help their child with the homework?
No. Students are welcome to make mistakes on their homework. We do ask that they try. If they try and forget that is okay, but trying is key. We have had some kiddos who forget their homework every week. We reach out to parents for assistance when this happens, but we also talk to the kids to encourage them to build systems and skills to take responsibility for their work. A few kids have paused mid class to set reminders in Alexa, others have jumped out of their chairs to make a note on their calendar. We applaud and support whatever works for them. 

What if our schedule changes?
Let us know. If we have another section that we can transfer your kid to, then we will happily do so. Transfer request should be made within the first 2 weeks of class, with the exception of extreme circumstances. We can not guarantee that a transfer will be possible, but we will try.

What if we want to switch to On Demand?
A request to switch to On Demand will only be honored at the sole discretion of the instruction. A valid reason must be provided, as the teacher is still engaged with the student's work via the On Demand courses. Your child's schedule changing or their interest changing does not qualify as reasons in which a switch will be granted. We have found that families who have asked for this type of switch, are less likely to complete assignments before the course expires, and that students tend to do less work than those who sign up for On Demand directly. 

Will the class be canceled if there's only 1 child enrolled?
Not necessarily. We budget for a certain amount of "low minimum" classes every month. If we are agreeing to proceed with the class with only 1 student enrolled (practically a private lesson), we ask that your family is mindful of this and communicates if your child will miss a lesson or will withdraw. It is not profitable for us to run a group class with only 1 child enrolled; however, our goal is to help empower kids by helping them discover what they can do.