As students enter middle school, high school, and college writing becomes a critical skill necessary for success.  This class targets students in grades 4-6 and helps them develop and practice essay writing skills.

The class format is as follows:
Presentation of an engaging text(s) and a prompt  
Review of the prompt and identification of what is being asked
Reading the text(s) 
Discussion and marking the text to support the prompt utilizing the RACE (Restate the question, Answer, Cite, Explain, Summarize) format 
Generating an independent brief essay response to the prompt

Following each class, students will receive individual video feedback on their writing.  

Articles for discussion and writing responses are posted in PDF form to the Outschool classroom page one week in advance.  The topics for upcoming classes are as follows.
February 24, 2023
Article Topic: "Snake Charmer"
Prompt: Would you like to collect and study snake venom?  Why or why not?

March 3, 2023
Article Topic: "PROFILE — Kids win $5,200 for designing self-heating life-jacket"
Prompt: Identify the catalysts and inventor work traits that supported the development of the self-heating life-jacket.

March 10, 2023
Article Topic: "Paris's Avenue des Champs-Élysées To Get A Green Makeover"
Prompt: Do you think Mayor Anne Hidalgo's changes to the Champs-Élysées will be effective?  Why or why not?

A new article topic and prompt will be introduced each week and students are welcome to join this ongoing class at any time.