Middle School Writing – LIVE – * B Week – Wednesday* – Full Year – Grades 6-9
Wednesday, September 6 2023 @ 1:00PM – Wednesday, June 5 2024 @ 2:30PM EDT
Instructor:
Eva Goldstein-MeolaInstructor Email:
eva@opententacademy.comGrade/Level:
6 – 9Day of Week:
WednesdayClass Times:
1:00PM – 2:30PM (ET)Terms/Semesters:
Full Year 2023-2024
This fast paced, interactive class begins preparing 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.
Students are expected to be present in class, with class notes in front of them, participating actively and asking questions when they arise.
Students are expected to USE their CLASS NOTES (provided by instructor) while writing.
Students are expected to USE their ASSIGNMENT PLANNERS while writing.
Students are expected to USE their COMPOSITION CHECKLIST while editing.
Middle School Writing is an interactive, fast paced class.
If the student participates in class and does their homework to the best of their ability using the tools provided, it is expected thatby the end of the first year of Middle School writing, it is expected that students feel more comfortable writing a 5-paragraph essay. It is typically during the second year of MSW, that students can increase their writing speed, finding their voice and fluency of word choice as the process become easier.
Please note that this class meets (typically) every other week. Over the course of the two weeks, students are expected to spend approximately 5 hours going through the writing process independently to complete their homework. Good writing takes time.
NOTE: This class must reach the minimum of ten students by August 10th to run. If we do not reach this minimum, parents will be notified via email.
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.
10 out of 10!
My son just finished ESSAY INTENSIVE, a 10-week course focusing on Critique Writing, Expository Essays, Persuasive Essays, Compare/Contrast Essays and Narrative Essays.
I really appreciate what you have accomplished in the course of 10 weeks!
What a change I saw in my son’s writing.
He would never admit it, but I think that he even likes writing a little now that he understands how to write!
As with our original OTA class, this experience has been incredible!
Forget 5 Stars – it is a 10 out of 10 in my book.
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.
