The First Steps with IEW Writing: People and Places – Part One – Tuesday – Fall 2023 – 10 Weeks – Grades 3 – 4

You have asked me for it over and over!  Here it is!

A writing class that comes BEFORE Intro to Writing for our 3^rd and 4^th graders!

Students should know how to write BASIC COMPLETE sentences, use capital letters and ending punctuation properly before enrolling in this class.

In People and Places, students will be writing DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE keyword outlines, sentences, paragraphs, and compositions with stylistic techniques as they learn about the workers, who keep a community running smoothly, from firefighters to police officers, from road crew to rescue workers.

Learning to write well will serve children not only during their school years; however, into college and throughout their adult lives.  This class is the FIRST STEP. It is a BABY STEP.  This class will encourage them to put pen to paper.

Parents are strongly, STRONGLY encouraged to be their child’s “scribe”.  This doesn’t mean “change their words”.  This means take down their dictation as they say it.  I would prefer wonderful language to flow from their mouths instead of the child being worried about spelling and handwriting.  There is a huge difference between “writing” and “handwriting.”  It is also strongly encouraged that students learn how to keyboard at a young age.

Writing is a lifelong skill.  Writing is profoundly important in the workplace.  The process of learning to write well also teaches students how to think clearly and communicate effectively in every area of life.  I will work with your students to hone the skills needed to communicate confidently and effectively. Whether your students are eager learners or reluctant writers, this step-by-step approach will give them the tools they need to confidently write well, think clearly, and express themselves eloquently and persuasively.  We will be using IEW, which is a more classical system that stresses modeling over and over.  Additionally, it builds a firm foundation of specific skills. As students practice each format and master each technique, they develop confidence – and consequently creativity. Even beginners can get a sense of structure and a repertoire of style

Students are expected to be present in class, 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.

Homework is given at the end of each class session. It is expected that students work on their assignment 15 – 30 minutes daily between class sessions depending on the student’s focus and speed.

Again, this class is specifically for grades 3 and 4.

NOTE: This class must reach the minimum of five students by August 20th to run. If we do not reach this minimum, parents will be notified via email.