The First Steps with IEW Writing: People and Places – Part One – Tuesday – Fall 2023 – 10 Weeks – Grades 3 – 4
Tuesday, September 12 2023 @ 11:00AM – Tuesday, December 12 2023 @ 12:30PM EDT
Instructor:
Eva Goldstein-MeolaInstructor Email:
eva@opententacademy.comGrade/Level:
3 – 4Day of Week:
TuesdayClass Times:
11:00AM – 12:30PM (ET)Terms/Semesters:
Fall 2023
You have asked me for it over and over! Here it is!
A writing class that comes BEFORE Intro to Writing for our 3rd and 4th 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.
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.
