This course is comprised of weeks 1-4 of a one-semester (16-week) writing course appropriate for ages 8-13. 

Students can expect to have fun while learning how to elevate their writing style through grammatical and stylistic devices. Each individual class will focus on a specific aspect of writing. All weekly assignments will include a checklist that builds over time, and all submitted assignments receive an evaluation with detailed feedback. 

Classes consist of a warm-up activity, followed by an instructor presentation interspersed with learner interaction and activities. Students are welcome to either use chat or out-loud answers. Each week, the instructor will post worksheets that review the class material, classwork and homework assignments. 

Week 1 focus: Clarity in writing; making every word count by choosing strong, specific words, especially nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs; using at least one sentence opener that is not subject-verb. 

Example of week 1 after-class materials: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cuN18YOUrckpI7YHXRPEcu_GyNyVGRlQDHepfmSE360/edit?usp=sharing

Week 2 focus: Using descriptive writing in narration (strong, specific adjectives, adverbs, and verbs); using transition and sequence words (First, Next, The following morning); using a minimum of two adverbs and two adjectives; eliminating specific words from writing. 

Week 3 focus: All of the above + remaining in one verb tense when narrating; using different styles of sentence openers. 

Week 4 focus: Construction and organization in persuasive writing; using a minimum of two adverbs and two adjectives; eliminating specific words from writing; remaining in one verb tense; using adverbs as sentence openers. 

, a discussion question, a grammar-based challenge, or another creative activity 
3) occasional Nearpod activities such as editing a paragraph to find misspelled words