Throughout the school year, all writing courses cover narrative, literary response, informative/expository, and persuasive/opinion/argument writing. The literary response unit includes lessons for comprehension of literature, and the informative/expository unit includes non-fiction reading comprehension. Students will also begin rhetorical analysis writing in 7th grade. Vocabulary lessons are incorporated into both the narrative and literary response units, and grammar is taught as needed. Curriculum is also adjusted based on which state you live in, as California uses the Common Core while Pennsylvania uses the PA Common Core.
Classes are also available for students preparing for the essay portions of the SAT and ACT. I also offer AP Literature, AP Language and Composition, and college application essay tutoring and feedback.
For detailed information regarding specific skills and topics covered for each grade level, please contact me and I will be happy to email you the detailed descriptions.
Accelerated vs. Regular Classes
Accelerated classes focus on mostly the same skills and topics as regular classes, but expectations for the extent to which students master these skills will be higher. Additional lessons are added based on the skill level of the students. Generally, regular classes have a stronger focus on basic skills and grammar, while accelerated students are expected to have mastered basic concepts already, leaving time for the additional lessons.
Creating the Curriculum
Goal number one, is to ensure that students have solidified the previous grade’s writing skills to the extent that they are able to apply these abilities effectively and consistently. Improving upon one’s writing ability is very much reliant upon a strong foundation of basic skills. Throughout the school year, lessons on basic writing fundamentals are provided as needed, and students are given customized critique of their writing. Through this close attention to basic skills, students develop a list of their bad writing habits that they aim to break by the end of the semester. The program for the school year was designed with three goals in mind. This curriculum was created to develop a strong foundation in basic writing skills, meet and exceed the Texas State Standards (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) or Common Core Standards, as well as help students develop an interest in and a passion for expression through language.
When it is clear that the foundation is strong and sturdy, it is time to meet the second goal; incorporate the Common Core. Students in California receive Common Core based instruction while students in Pennsylvania receive PA Common Core based instruction. All lessons, texts, and assignments meet and often exceed the expectations of the state standards in writing. Why introduce skills that will not be tested in school? The goal is to provide students with all that they can effectively absorb, in order to pave the way toward success in their K-12 education, college, as well as the real world. The state standards end at 12th grade, but writing does not.
While basic writing techniques and state standards are important to a student’s success, the realization of the third and final goal is often even more essential. This goal is to help students find a passion for language and expression. Engaging assignments as well as fun and interesting literature lead students to remain self motivated and excited about their work. Through clear and easy to follow lesson plans, students are also able to elevate their writing in ways they never thought possible!
Writing Class or Reading Class?
While all courses are writing focused, much of writing is a reflection upon other texts. This is why reading comprehension is a key component of all courses as well. Students will read fictional texts in order to write literary response pieces which summarize, analyze and prove their arguments about literature. These texts also serve as great examples for strong narrative writing, which is a key writing style students practice primarily from 1st-8th grade.
Students also utilize non-fiction texts in order to write informatively and persuasively. The ability to comprehend, organize, and present factual information is especially important in the middle and upper grades, as students must utilize their writing skills in history and science courses. Furthermore, the ability to analyze non-fiction texts is key in selecting and incorporating strong evidence within argument writing pieces.
Miss Caitlin's Writing Program 