Introduction to Writing
This Introduction to Writing class for advanced 6thgraders to 9th graders uses the WriteShop© I curriculum. This incremental, non-threatening approach to writing enables students to successfully enhance their writing skills by learning to write and edit compositions from various genres through engaging assignments. We will focus on mastering the fundamental building blocks of writing using hands on techniques, games, and a variety of activities. Students learn to write concise and explicit descriptive, informative, and narrative essays as well as expository reports. Each lesson includes a Skill Builder activity for students to practice new grammatical and stylistics skills that are incorporated in each lesson. A self-editing and proofreading checklist is included with each lesson to help students focus on lesson requirements, skills learned, content, composition, and mechanics. We will generally spend 2 weeks on each lesson except for our two (2) major projects; a 5 to 6 - week Journalism unit and a 6 - week MLA research paper unit on an animal of the student’s choice (although no two students can choose the same animal). Both projects include presentations. All assignments are evaluated and graded.
Class Topics:
- Descriptive Compositions
- Concrete Language
- Using Active Voice
- Sensory Details
- Sentence Varieties
- MLA Research Report
- Biographical Sketch
- “How To” Essay and Project Booklet
- Journalism Project - Writing a Historical Newspaper
- Narrative Compositions
- Point of View Compositions
- Applied Grammar
Prerequisites: Basic understanding of grammar and sentence structure.
Required Texts:
- WriteShop I
- Synonym Finder (J.I. Rodale) or Collegiate
- Dictionary/ Thesaurus
- Various Handouts (provided by teacher)
Tuition: $630.00 per year for first child, $580.00 if paid in full on or before the day of class orientation or monthly payments of $66.25. Sibling Discount Available.
Locations:
Tuesday Live - Online 11:20 am – 12:20 pm
Wednesday Indian Trail Town Hall 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Testimonies
Testimonies: “Introduction to Writing has been a great experience. My daughter is building foundational skills necessary for the writing process. Mrs. Gartrell is kind and patient with comprehensive feedback”. J. Love
“Mrs. Gartrell is a rich blessing with teaching our daughter how to write! Our daughter has loved learning from Mrs. Gartrell! This was our first year with her and where we had start up troubles on our end with our computer, Mrs. Gartrell was so patient, understanding, and forgiving! Mrs. Gartrell goes above and beyond just teaching our children, she cares about them and does all she can to help them succeed! We are excited to have her teaching our daughter and look forward to future classes with her! (1st year – Introduction to Writing) B. McCoskey