This is an amazing writing class! Classes include worksheets (attached in the Outschool classroom), classroom discussion, and writing assignments. I like to create an atmosphere where all students can appreciate and enjoy one another's writing. This is a very positive and encouraging class. For each weekly writing assignment, I give students written feedback on what they did well and how they can improve. Students will gain confidence and writing skills as they progress through this course.

**Please note that all times are in Pacific Time**
Week of January 3-5: Editing Your Own Writing
Kids will learn about the writing process (planning, writing, editing, getting feedback, rewriting). Then they will learn how to add editing marks to their own handwritten drafts. Finally, they will rewrite or type a final draft. 
Jan 3-5 (Please note that this week's classes will be on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday)

Week of Jan 8: Writing Paragraphs
Kids will learn to write paragraphs that have a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a conclusion sentence. They will learn how to make sure all the sentences work together to support the main idea. After this we’ll talk about different kinds of topic and concluding sentences. 
Jan 9-12

Week of Jan 15: The 5 Paragraph Essay
Kids will learn the basic structure of a 5-paragraph essay, use a graphic organizer to plan it, and write one. 
Jan 16-19

Week of Jan 22: Writing a Reflective Essay
Students will plan, write, and edit an essay in which they reflect on their own lives.

Week of Jan 29: Writing a Blog Post
Students will learn the unique structure and characteristics of a blog post and write one.
Times Offered:

Week of February 5: Writing Acrostic Poems, Concrete Poems, and Limericks
Students will learn how these poems are structured, and they will write each of these kinds of poetry.

Week of February 12: Writing a Narrative Essay
Students will plan and write a narrative essay. We will use a graphic organizer.

Week of Feb 19: Free Form and Journal Writing
Students will learn about free form and journal writing as they practice both.

Week of Feb 26: Writing in 1st, 2nd, 3rd Person, All Knowing Narrator, and Limited Narrator
Students will learn how and when it is appropriate to write in different "voices." They will read some examples and practice the different types.

Week of March 4: Sonnets, Ballads, and Free Verse
Students will read Sonnets, Ballads, and Free Verse poems, learn about their history and some famous poets, understand how these poems are structured, and practice writing them.

Week of March 11: Epic Poetry 
Students will read Epic poetry, learn about its history and some famous Epic poets, create their own epic hero, learn about the 12 steps in a hero's journey, understand how these poems are structured, and write an Epic Poem.

Week of March 18: Writing a Speech 
Students will learn how to plan, outline, and write a speech. They will learn various aspects of speech writing. They will have an opportunity to read their speech to the class.

Week of March 25: Writing a Play 
Students will learn the structure of a play, and they will write one. We will read a play in class to help them see and understand how one is written.

Week of April 1: Impromptu Writing
Students will learn to express their thoughts through several impromptu writing exercises.

Week of April 8: Writing a Review for a Movie, Book, or Video Game
Kids will list what they liked and didn't like about a book, movie, or video game, and write an article in which they give their opinion and recommendations.

Week of April 15: Using Sensory Words to Be Descriptive
Kids will learn to use words that engage the reader's senses in various types of writing. 

Week of April 22: Writing a Short Story 
Students will learn about the elements of a plot, use a worksheet to plot out their own story, and then write a their own 300 to 700 word short story. 

Week of April 29: Creating a Character for a Story
Students will learn the importance of developing realistic characters as they go through several exercises to create their own, unique character. The exercises include creating their characters physical traits, developing their character's motivation and backstory, and writing a monologue. They will also have the opportunity to draw their character, its environment, and its family tree.

Week of May 6: Writing a Graphic Short Story
Students will learn the key parts of a graphic story. Then they will plan, write and edit their own. They do not need to be good at drawing to do this.

Week of May 13: Write, Cite, and Explain Your Evidence
Students will learn to write a text that has a citation. They will explain the evidence withing the text.

Week of May 20: Writing an Opinion Essay
Students will learn the key elements of an opinion essay. They will plan, write and edit their own.

Special Notes:
 - When students complete this class, I recommend taking either my Essay Writing class or my 6th and 7th Grade Writing class as a next step.
 - Students should be able to read and write in English at a 4th grade level or higher to be successful in this class.