**** If you have already taken this class with me, you can absolutely take it again.

During the 2023-24 school year, I used an animal theme.  For 2024-25, we will go through the same units, Units 1-5, and practice the same skills, but with different source materials.  

For the 2024-25 school year, I will be teaching Modern World History with this IEW book: https://iew.com/modern-world-history-based-writing-lessons-student-book-only

In the fall I will teach Units 1-5, and I will offer the second half of this class (Units 6-9) in spring 2025.  I am super excited about this book!  Until now, I have generally used my own materials since I have been teaching IEW for so long.  

This student book will cost you $35.  It includes vocabulary cards and tests, preprinted outline models, suggested schedules.  You won’t need to print out anything, and all of the checklists are in the book.  Buying the book from IEW also gives you a code for the IEW website so you can download all of the lists and extra materials.  

I hope this makes it convenient for you to follow along and plan ahead. With this book, you have everything you need for the whole school year!  It is 335 pages!  Of course I hope that you will stay with me for Part 2 of this class and cover Units 6-9 with the class.  But if you choose another path, you will still have the book so that you can finish the year on your own or somewhere else. 

You WILL need to keep up with your child's work!  In this book there are 15 weeks planned out for Units 1-5.  We will do those 15 weeks in 20 sessions, or 10 weeks.  There will be a lot of writing and editing during this time so you may want to plan accordingly. 

Students should expect to write outside of class a few hours a week.  We share our work during class as much as possible.  Generally, we work on outlines and brainstorming and then students write and edit on their own. 

The IEW writing method transforms struggling writers by teaching specific skills and challenges strong writers with specific tasks. 

I suggest students have some IEW experience before starting this class.  The IEW method allows for a wide variety of learners,  but I am structuring this class for writers with some experience.  

Before starting this class, students should be able to read at a 5th grade level and write a paragraph without help (not necessarily a good paragraph, but they should be able to manually write or type several sentences). They should be able to copy from the screen and be willing to volunteer answers occasionally. 

Generally, the schedule - 
Weeks 1- 2 note-taking and writing from notes
Weeks  4-6 How to write narratives
Weeks 7-8  Combining sources
Weeks 9-10  Writing from a picture prompt


*This class exceeds Common Core standards.  IEW is an award-winning writing program.  You can find the program (and me) at www.iew.com.  

I do not grade papers in this class.  Students share and learn how to edit their own work using a checklist.  I don't see too much value in giving a "grade" because writing is all about editing, and they need to learn how to edit themselves.  

However, if you want me to grade their papers and give specific feedback, I can do that with them in an individual tutoring session, which is 50% off if you are enrolled in this class.  https://outschool.com/classes/writing-tutoring-and-grading-personal-instruction-qI6yBJjc#usxPqAuK2O

This class works well with an IEW grammar class.  Some middle schoolers are these levels: 

https://outschool.com/classes/excel-at-grammar-with-fix-it-mowgli-and-shere-khan-pQEmNhMI#usxPqAuK2O

https://outschool.com/classes/target-your-grammar-with-fix-it-robin-hood-iew-book-3-weeks-1-16-FIUWyyu9?refuid=xPqAuK2O