English Writing Classes Descriptions

Grade 1-2: We Can Type, and We Can Write!
"We Can Type and We Can Write!" works with students to begin learning the home keys on the Qwerty Keyboard. Using online typing applications, students build skills and keyboarding knowledge through systematic lessons on the computer. Paper practice is also used. This is when students type a handout into a word processing document. This is an important skill we cover because students will eventually need to know how to transcribe notes and outlines for schoolwork. Additionally, we have reading time each class when we discuss a short story or read a chapter book together. Finally, students have time each week to write about a topic based on reading or discussion. Students are encouraged to use their keyboarding knowledge for these assignments. Each student is starting off right with strong keyboarding knowledge they will need in later grades!

Grade 3-4: Writing is Fun!
The focus of this course is to make writing fun. Students will be able to engage in informal writing assignments (i.e. reader response, freewriting, focused freewriting, prediction, response journals, dialectical notebook entries, and other pieces of writing that they do not take through the entire writing process). In addition, they will be exposed to a variety of genres, authors and styles so that they can tap into their own interests. Students will then take their topics or genres of interest and engage in more formal writing assignments that will require them to draft, revise, edit, and publish.


Grade 5-6: Let's Write!
Students will read a variety of grade-level-appropriate narrative and expository texts, including classic and contemporary literature, poetry, magazines, newspapers, reference materials, and online information. Students will write for a variety of purposes and audiences using narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive, and reflective modes. Students will demonstrate appropriate practices in writing by applying Standard English conventions to the revising and editing stages of writing.


Grade 7-8: Formal Writing
This course places an emphasis on writing conventions, grammar, and syntax. Students will learn to steer clear of collegial speech and write with their audience in mind. Students will engage in revision in the following areas:

a. language, information, style, voice and structure appropriate to the purpose and selected audience
b. clear, understandable, and accurate language
c. incorporation of sentence variety (simple, compound, complex)

Students will also deliver focused, coherent presentations that convey ideas and relate to the background and interests of their audience.G9-10: Critical WritingThe purpose of this course to get students thinking more in depth about what they are writing, considering all sides of an argument. For example, in their reading they are likely to discover different authors with different views. It is their job as a critical writer to consider all of these views in their essays in order to demonstrate their awareness of all the issues associated with the topic of their choice. Students will also deliver focused, coherent presentations that convey ideas and relate to the background and interests of the audience.

G9-12: Analytical Writing
This course is meant to tune students into the needs of the reader. The analytical approach permeates every aspect of writing, from word choice to the way you organize and present your paper. The purpose of this course is it to make students’ words, sentences, paragraphs, and overall presentation more readable, more informative, and more effective. Students will be exposed to a variety of genres, authors, and styles through reading and analysis. Students will also deliver focused, coherent presentations that convey ideas and relate to the background and interests of the audience.Grade 9-10: SAT, College Application Essay & Communication DevelopmentThe course is a specifically designed for students preparing for the SAT. It will focus on writing and language assessment, identification of student weakness in respective areas, and writing projects to develop skill level and creative thinking. Areas of study include complex sentence structure, development of vocabulary within the written text and structured elements of writing. Students will become comfortable with the SAT essay process by learning to build on critical thinking and research practices. Students will use various media to write essays and will research information to develop comprehension skills.

G9-12: ESOL English
Students will be able to:
• Demonstrate effective word choice, vocabulary, idioms, grammar and sentence structure allowing accurate communication of meaning in written work
• Brainstorm, draft, and outline ideas for essays and other forms of academic writing
• Develop a thesis and supporting topics and organize evidence using basic rhetorical patterns 
• Revise the organization of written work to increase utility, coherence, and emphasis
• Integrate material from outside sources logically and gracefully with their own writing
• Cite sources according to conventional style, and maintain academic integrity in their work