Powerful Paragraph Writing – A Week – Thursday – Full Year – Grades 5-8
Thursday, August 31 2023 @ 11:00AM – Thursday, May 30 2024 @ 12:30PM EDT
Instructor:
Eva Goldstein-MeolaInstructor Email:
eva@opententacademy.comGrade/Level:
5 – 8Day of Week:
ThursdayTerms/Semesters:
Full Year 2023-2024Class Times:
11:00AM – 12:30PM (ET)
In this “technical writing” (nonfiction) class, students will focus on exploring, brainstorming and writing strong, one paragraph pieces. Structures include, but are not limited to: descriptive, chronological, definition, compare/contrast, process analysis, spatial, enumerative…. As this process is happening the students will learn how to use various stylistic techniques that match the appropriate structure, as well as which transitional words work best.
Powerful Paragraphs is a good option for the student who is not yet ready to tackle the five paragraphs expected in Middle School Writing. In addition, if you have a new or a reluctant writer, you will find it is better to build confidence rather than overwhelm your child with a class they aren’t ready for. This is a one-year class.
The goal is to help students focus on making every word count by choosing colorful, powerful words that create vivid pictures using the fewest number of words possible, as well as understanding the specific differences within each structure, and applying the appropriate transitions and stylistic techniques that lend themselves to each structure.
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.
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 course they will be able to respond to short answer questions writing a solid paragraph using advanced vocabulary and stylistic techniques. Additionally, students will know a wide variety of paragraph types to use for their writing. Finally, students will understand the writing process from brainstorming to final draft.
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.
