In this beginner writing class, students will use stories from ancient history as a model for developing excellent writing skills. While grammar will be reviewed, students should have a basic knowledge of English grammar. This includes understanding nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs and how to locate them in a sentence. 

Students must read at a fifth-grade level or higher to succeed in this course.

We will meet 2x each week. On the first day, we will practice structure. On the second day, we will practice style. I will model each lesson, and a portion of class time will be spent brainstorming ideas. Students will have homework and are expected to complete and turn in all required assignments. Students must be able to type their assignments and turn them in using Google Docs. Students who handwrite their papers must write legibly.

I will edit all submitted rough drafts and provide suggestions for final drafts.

Learners will need the student book for IEW Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen  
https://iew.com/shop/products/ancient-history-based-writing-lessons-student-book-only

Students will complete the first half of this book in this class, which includes IEW Units 1-5.

In this class, students will:
-Practice making keyword outlines and narrating a story using their outlines
-Practice retelling a story in their own words using their outlines
-Practice creating a title for their story
-Practice using strong verbs, quality adjectives, and -ly adverbs
-Practice using sentence openers
-Practice decorating their sentences with who-which clauses
-Practice writing from pictures

Week 1: Unit I: Note Making and Outlines
                        Hanging Gardens of Babylon
                        HOMEWORK assigned

Week 2: Unit 2: Writing from notes
                         Lighthouse of Alexandria
                         HOMEWORK assigned

Week 3: Unit 2: Writing from notes
                         Roman Hypocaust Systems
                         HOMEWORK assigned

Week 4: Unit 3: Writing from notes
                          Roman Aqueducts
                          HOMEWORK assigned

Week 5: Unit 3: Retelling Narrative Stories
                           The Wind and the Sun
                           HOMEWORK assigned

Week 6: Unit 3:  Retelling Narrative Stories
                           Damocles and the Sword
                           HOMEWORK assigned

Week 7: Unit 3: Retelling Narrative Stories
                          The Trojan Horse
                          HOMEWORK assigned

Week 8: Unit 3: Retelling Narrative Stories
                           Cincinnatus Rules Rome
                           HOMEWORK assigned

Week 9: Unit 4: Summarizing a Reference
                          The Epic of Gilgamesh
                          HOMEWORK assigned

Week 10: Unit 4: Summarizing a Reference
                          King Tut
                          HOMEWORK assigned

Week 11: Unit 4: Summarizing a Reference
                            The Mayans and Chocolate
                            HOMEWORK assigned

Week 12: Unit 4: Summarizing a Reference
                            Ashurbanipal's Library
                            HOMEWORK assigned

Week 13: Unit 5: Writing from Pictures
                           A Pharos Island Legend
                          HOMEWORK assigned

Week 14: Unit 5: Writing from Pictures
                         A Roman Chariot Race
                         HOMEWORK assigned

Week 15: Unit 5: Writing from Pictures
                         An Egyptian Tomb
                         HOMEWORK assigned

Students do not need any prior writing skills before taking this class. A basic understanding of English grammar is required.