My one-on-one classes can be customized to fit your learner's needs.  I will work with the learner on a writing topic each week, assign homework if desired, and give constructive feedback on all work.  Each class session will include a mini-lesson (very short lecture), examples, practice, and feedback. Feedback is designed to be positive and encouraging and to help the learner continue to make progress. This is a great way to either supplement what your child is learning at school or as a homeschool curriculum option.

At their first lesson, the learner will be provided with an interactive google doc. This is where I will post instructions for homework assignments and where your learner will submit their writing. Notes, prewriting, and practice exercises will also appear on the google doc, so your learner will always have access to all of their notes and work in one convenient location that you can view at any time.  

My attitude toward teaching writing is that I know writing is hard.  I feel compassion when I hear learners say that they "just don't  know what to write about" or they "just don't know how to start." That feeling you get when you are staring at a blank screen or blank page is one of the most intimidating, miserable feelings in the world.  I want to help your learner get past that. I will therefore offer as much ongoing support as needed. I take the time to get to know your learner and their interests, I provide lots of examples and models, and I will talk them through every step of the process from brainstorming topic ideas to thinking of the first words to start their paragraph or essay to revising and polishing their final draft. I try to be positive and encouraging and to always look for the good.  I find that this approach helps many learners who lack self confidence to build not only the skills they need to level up their writing but also the belief that they can do so.  

Prior to your first lesson enrollment, please reach out and let me know your learner's needs and frustrations. This will help me design lessons at their level that will give them a positive experience and help them reach their potential.

In addition to the lessons themselves, I will keep in fairly regular contact with you (their parent or adult) to let you know how the learner is progressing. If you are homeschooling and would like additional support, I can also offer suggestions that you can work on at home with your child between lessons. 

Although the lessons are customized, here is an example of what we might cover in the first four weeks:

Week 1
I will get to know your learner and assess their current skills. 

Week 2
We will focus on how to choose a writing topic and how to use knowledge of purpose and audience to write better paragraphs or essays. 

Week 3
We will work on prewriting--using graphic organizers or thinking maps--to plan our first writing assignment. We will also talk about thesis statements and topic sentences. 

Week 4
We will talk about supporting evidence, why it is important, where to use it, and what to use as evidence.  

Learner may start and stop at any point.