Description
Writing and literature classes offer systematic instruction to develop critical reading and writing skills.
This course is for novice and emerging writers who are 12-15 years old. This is an academic writing course. Please allow approximately 30 minutes for homework on each non-class school day. Writers grow by applying the foundations of intermediate writing to their own work throughout the week.
To register, please complete the form at the bottom of this description before making your payment. Thank you!
At the Foundations level, the fall semester begins with narrative and descriptive writing, then moves on to expository and introductory persuasive essays.
Fall lessons focus on:
- the 5-Step Writing Process: prewrite, draft, revise, edit, publish
- The 5-paragraph essay format
- narrative writing
- descriptive writing
- expository writing
- persuasive writing
- creating vivid imagery
- developing strong vocabulary
- elevating word choice and tone
- varying sentence structure and adding transitions
- effectively responding to prompts
- writing thesis statements
- creating outlines
- integrating research
- MLA citation format for expository and persuasive essays
The course will end with an Author’s Chair celebration on the last day.
High school students who have never had formal essay instruction are welcome to enroll in this class.
A note to returning families: Many students enroll in the Foundations level course for 2-3 years. As a result, writing prompts, assignments, and activities rotate from year to year.
Days & Times:
Online: Tuesdays, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM, September 12 – December 5, no class 11/21 (12 weeks); Author’s Chair Make-up date: 12/12
Location: Zoom & Google Classroom
In-person: Wednesdays, 2:30 – 4:00 PM, September 14 – December 6, no class 11/22 (12 weeks); Author’s Chair Make-up date: 12/13
Location: Ringwood, NJ; *New* In-person students will use Google Classroom this year.
Class sizes are limited to 6 – 10 students. Smaller groups will be billed at the group-tutoring rate.
Once enrollment reaches 10, additional students will be put on a waiting list.
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Winter Semester 2024: Registration for the Winter Semester opens in November.
Winter topics may include additional persuasive writing as well as literary, creative, or research writing. All essays are written using the 5-paragraph essay format. Writing activities and assignments cycle every 2-3 years, so returning students do not repeat the same work.
Winter lessons will focus on:
- novel study: book selection TBD
- critical reading strategies
- reading comprehension
- literary analysis
- vocabulary
- critical writing skills: responding, summarizing, and analyzing
- identifying the elements of fiction in a story (plot, character, setting, dialogue, theme)
- writing a literary analysis
- reading a variety of children’s books related to the novel topic and theme
- identifying the elements of fiction in children’s books
- creative writing based on the novel & children’s books topic and theme
- critical thinking through creative writing: planning plots, characters, and dialogue that make sense
You will be AMAZED at what your intermediate writers will achieve by the end of the academic writing year!
Winter dates:
Online: Tuesdays, 1:00- 2:30 PM, January 9 – April 9, no class 2/20 & 4/2; Author’s Chair Make-up date: 4/16
In-person: Wednesdays, 2:30 – 4:00 PM, January 10 – April 10, no class 2/20 & 4/2; Author’s Chair Make-up date: 4/17
Please read my course and refund policies before registering.
