Writing

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The focus of this program is the systematic development of students’ writing skills. Students will write pieces of varying styles, from different perspectives and with a range of purposes. The courses include both story writing and essay writing.  In each year-long course, students will become familiarized with a number of different story genres and essay styles by looking at exemplary texts. Through exposure to each of these different styles, students will come to perfect their writing process and understand the intricacies of writing for specific purposes. They will also be guided through each style or genre specific writing process from start to finish, completing multiple finished pieces in each semester. Individual courses include:

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Level 1 (G1-2)

Course Description: In this primary writing course, students will learn about their own thinking and about how to make their thoughts accessible to others by engaging in topics that are self-chosen. Format, Grammar, punctuation, and editing, and organizing skills are taught within the contexts of the children's own writing to increase their writing fluency. As the course progresses, students will be exposed to more writing experiences. They will start conducting beginning-level research on topics outside their personal experience. Phonics and spelling skills are reinforced in the course as well.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in the writing contests and publications, such as The Betty Award, using the writing completed in this course.

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Level 2 (G3-4)

Course Description: In this course, students will become familiarized with a number of different essay styles. They will be guided through the writing process from start to finish, completing multiple finished pieces in the narrative, opinion, and informative/expository genres. Through exposure to each of these different styles, students will come to perfect their writing process and understand the intricacies of writing for specific purposes. Each unit of roughly five weeks will begin with an introduction to the genre and the examination of an exemplar writing sample that demonstrates proficiency. From there, the teacher will lead explicit writing instruction, support students with graphic organizers, schedule independent writing time, and provide guidance for self-assessment. By the end of each unit, students will have completed a polished version of at least one full-length essay.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in the writing contests and publications, such as The Betty Award, Stone Soup Book Writing Contest, using the writing completed in this course.

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Level 3 (G5-6)

Course Description: This course will guide students through the processes of writing short-answer responses in English. We will examine the constituent parts of the language, develop grammar and vocabulary, understand basic writing structures and strategies for different question-types (about the setting, characters, plot, author's purpose, etc), and practice writing for purpose in short answer responses.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in the writing contests and publications, such as the New York Times Summer Reading Contest, Stone Soup Book Writing Contest, using the writing completed in this course.

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Level 4 (G7-8)

Course Description: In this class, students will learn about advanced writing techniques associated with writing a critical essay. They will read examples of well-cited papers and learn the strategies and skills associated with producing their own analysis.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in the writing contests and publications, such as the New York Times Summer Reading Contest, using the writing completed in this course.

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Throughout the program, teachers will lead explicit writing instruction (on topics including prompt analysis, vivid descriptions, example explanations, transition phrases and including figures), support students with graphic organizers, schedule independent writing time, and provide guidance for self-assessment.