This course is designed with the emerging elementary writer in mind. Through the analysis of literature, students will learn how to identify major parts of a story, the key ingredients to proper writing and grammar, and demonstrate their learning through various writing assignments. This course reviews proper sentence structure and focuses on proper paragraph writing. There will be a short research project and a formal public speaking project each semester.
Class instruction (throughout the year) includes: * Acquiring literary terms to identify parts of a story * Knowing how to describe characters, settings or an event in a story * Answering questions to demonstrate understanding of a text * Identifying plot line and main idea/s of a story * Using technology to improve writing and gather information * Analyzing informational texts (i.e. non-fiction; articles, etc.) * Learning and repeating the stages of writing (brainstorming, drafting, revising/editing, final product) * Expressing one's own thoughts and point of view via speaking and writing * Creating a short research project through investigation and organization of information * Writing in an organized way to convey information or a coherent story (narrative) * Engaging in collaborative discussions in class about the stories we read, information we learn, etc. * Presenting a piece of writing (poem, speech, etc.) orally to class and have a chance to respond to others' writing verbally * Reviewing basic parts of speech including prepositional phrases and other grammatical elements * Forming simple, compound and complex sentences and recognizing run-on sentences and fragments * Discovering new vocabulary words each week
This is a year-long class and it is assumed a fall student will continue through the spring. This design allows continuity in learning and skills acquired for the student; allowing the topics to build upon one another, from one semester into the next. However, students are welcome to join after the semester begins or mid-year with instructor permission.
Required Equipment: * Headphones with mic ability * Scanning ability (SimpleScanner app is free and highly recommended) * Internet/Wifi connection * Google docs access (free and only requires a gmail account) * Printer ability for weekly homework * FALL NOVELS: The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling * Google email accountFlora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo * SPRING NOVELS: Frindle by Andrew Clements Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater Weekly Class Time: Tuesdays, 9:15 am - 10:00 am (log-in at 9:10 am for attendance and journal assignment) Assigned Work for the week: approximately 3 assignments each week Cost: $60/month
At this age, students have the option to hand write their assignments and upload to Schoology or email them to me instead of completing digital assignments.
Vouchers are due by the first day of class. Private pay options are available. Please email to request this option.