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Asynchronous – Middle School Writing – Full Year – Grades 6 – 9
Wednesday, September 1 2021 @ 12:00AM – Wednesday, June 1 2022 @ 12:00AM EDT
Instructor:
Eva Goldstein-MeolaInstructor Email:
eva@opententacademy.comGrade/Level:
6-9Terms/Semesters:
Full Year 2021-2022
Please note – this is a PRE-RECORDED – Asynchronous IEW Writing Class. Students will work through the modules independently. There are fourteen modules in all.
Students will print out class notes PRIOR to the class, which can be found in CANVAS.
Then, watch the recording of the class,
After that, using their ASSIGNMENT PLANNER and COMPOSITION CHECKLIST will complete the assignment.
The students will submit their work in CANVAS and WAIT until graded BEFORE going onto next module. Grading time is approximately 5 – 6 days.
All modules must be completed by June 1, 2022. Any papers submitted on/after June 1, 2022 will not be evaluated.
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This class prepares your student for high school and (eventually) college level writing. In Middle School Writing, the students will be writing five paragraph critiques, research papers and essays (expository, persuasive and narrative). Students will practice each structure at least twice allowing the student to write the second or third papers with the same structure with more ease.
During class, each structure will be introduced, explained, brainstormed and modeled. While working on their homework it is expected that they use their handouts for reference. Students are expected to repeat the entire writing process with some degree of independence. Students might need parental assistance; however, over time we are striving for them to establish their independence as writers.
Students will work on finding their voice through required stylistic techniques that they add into their writing. We also work hard on eliminating the use of the “subject-opener” using various sentence openers. Finally, there is a list of banned words (overused, boring) that the students are not allowed to use, so that they can find more descriptive ways to say what they mean.
There is an emphasis on editing – TRULY editing, by using their composition checklist. However, at this stage editing means revising, revamping, rewriting, restructuring….. not just correcting.
NOTE: Registration deadline is January 1, 2022.
Excellent class with clear and detailed guidance
I believe my rising 7th grader has greatly benefited from taking the summer Powerful Paragraphs class from Eva. There were precise and detailed instructions on brainstorming, constructing varied and expressive sentences, and usage of transitional phrases, all in the context of the different writing structures they studied each week. The weekly reviews of past lessons and the incremental addition of new stylistic techniques were great reinforcement for the concepts being thoughts. It was also useful to have the numerous sample writings provided for reference with each lesson. Through out the class, they kids had a growing list of “banned” words to encourage them to choose more expressive and nuanced alternatives (started with one or two and grew to maybe ~15). Overall, a great class for my child who is still in the early stages of honing his essay writing skills.
Unsung Heroes
My daughter loved learning about “unsung heroes” of the Civil Rights Movement: individuals who deserve recognition, but receive little in the history books. Ms. Eva ties in historical background information extremely well to the book to help understand the bigger picture to further appreciate Claudette Colvin’s courage.
Eva's Literature Classes are Amazing!
All of Eva’s Literature Classes are amazing.
My daughter MOST RECENTLY loved learning about “unsung heroes” of the Civil Rights Movement: individuals who deserve recognition, but receive little in the history books. Ms. Eva ties in historical background information extremely well to the book to help understand the bigger picture to further appreciate Claudette Colvin’s courage.
She has taken HIDDEN FIGURES, TWICE TOWARDS JUSTICE, AMERICAN GIRLS, WONDER, FISH IN A TREE, TO HOPE AND BACK and REFUGEE with Eva.
Each class was better than the one before!
Do not miss out on Eva’s literature classes!
This class should be mandatory!
I signed up my 8th grader for this class because I wanted him to start thinking about his future.
What I didn’t expect is him initiating meaningful discussions about our cost of living inflation, budgeting, work-life balance etc.
My son will be attending a college prep high school this fall and has already told me he won’t “going to be an idiot who blows over $100 a month on lattes at the cafeteria”.
I am so thankful for this class.
It really got my son thinking about the future.
Eva is amazing!
My daughter has taken two of Ms. Eva’s IEW writing classes and LOVES them. Ms. Eva’s class structure and teaching style truly makes the process manageable, even for the most reluctant writers. Class notes are provided so that the student can focus on the class content itself. The notes can be reviewed, along with the PowerPoint presentation, before and after class so that the material is familiar. And, as with all the OTA courses, the class is recorded and can be re-watched as many times as needed. Ms. Eva provides constructive feedback in a manner that encourages continuous improvement.
