Write Worthy Class Descriptions



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Class Descriptions

Write Worthy Classes team up with Christian parents to provide writing instruction that allows children to go deep, spending an entire year working toward mastery and learning to enjoy writing within a particular structure. Each class provides a full composition curriculum focused on one or two forms of writing, and provides ongoing support through classroom activities and instruction, grading of final drafts, quarterly tests, and weekly assignments for home school lessons. By continuing with Write Worthy Classes each year, students receive a full writing program.

Each class meets weekly, for 1-1/2 or 2 hours, from September 15 through May 21 (with breaks around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break). Group size is 6-12 students. Throughout the year, students and families develop a network of friendships in our small group setting and enjoy activities together such as working on the yearbook, going on field trips, and participating in a big year-end student presentation.

See the Registration page for more information.

Writing Classes

Basics

101: Jumpstart for Writing • 1st 2nd grade
Give your child a jumpstart in language! A strong foundation is established in spelling, penmanship, and sentences as kids and moms are guided through their first year using the highly successful Spell to Write and Read program. This program takes a unique approach to phonics – teaching consistent rules that guide our spelling and encouraging children to look for reliable patterns that God has created in our language. It also accelerates kids into literacy, giving them quick success. Throughout the year, beginning writers learn cursive, phonograms, and spelling words that take them from first through second grade level and they begin to write sentences on their own. As they develop learning skills in a structured class setting, children enjoy action-packed weekly sessions with instruction, assessments, and hands-on activities. This class helps prepare parents for teaching the program for years to come – and gets kids off to an incredibly strong start with writing!
Ages 6-7. Class time may be extended with an earlier start after Thanksgiving. Prerequisites: Student has motor skills to draw a circle the size of a dime and adequate attention span to benefit from class sessions; 3-hour parent meeting prior to class start date. Materials: Spell to Write and Read Core Kit from Back Home Industries.

102: Spelling 2 • 2nd through 5th grade
Onward! For families who have begun the Spell to Write and Read (or a similar) program,this class provides support and accountability for kids and parents as they continue the program. Kids enjoy fast-paced weekly sessions as we introduce new spelling words and rules, quiz phonograms, and do some fun hands-on reinforcement activities with penmanship, spelling, and writing. Parents enjoy support from the structure for lessons and ideas for activities at home. We’ll start at List M and work our way through List Q – soaring through 3rd and 4th grade level spelling words.
Ages 7-10. Prerequisites: Student - mastery of 70 phonograms, spelling level at end of 2nd grade or above, cursive (or willingness to learn it!); Parent – experience with the program (by teaching at home and/or through a seminar).

103: Joyful Writing • 2nd 3rd grade
A fun class of writing and crafts to spark children's interest and nurture their acquaintance with writing. Centered on Biblical themes, we begin the year with the Armor of God and composing strong sentences. Basic paragraph structure is introduced with a festive unit on thankfulness in November and December. Next, we embark on a fun adventure through the days of Creation, practicing descriptive paragraphs and making an impressive layer book to illustrate the days. With spring, comes writing poetry and craft activities with the fruit of the Spirit.
Ages 7-8. Prerequisites: Reading and spelling at or above beginning of 2nd grade level.

Stories

201: Writing and Literature • 3rd 4th grade
Investigates character, setting, plot, and theme through craft activities and a myriad of picture books read aloud in class; develops writing skills in both paragraph and summary structures. To start the year, we examine character and setting and students delve into writing descriptive three-point paragraphs. Later, a look at plot structure opens the door to writing summaries. At the end of the year, students bring it all together for a great big book report project. A fun-filled class with lots of crafts and read-alouds! Ages 8-9. 4 Chapter books to purchase.

202: Writing and Publishing Stories • 4th 5th 6th grade
An exciting year as kids sharpen their story-writing skills and write and illustrate their own book! This class strengthens writing and thinking skills as children learn to develop captivating stories with well-structured plots, interesting characters, and descriptive settings. Mid-year, we establish a mock publishing company, “hiring" students as editors and art directors to assist classmates, along with parents and siblings for positions of project manager, secretary, and project team members. Illustrating, page layout, and bookbinding – as well as skills to manage a large project – are included as each child produces one of their stories in hardbound edition. Ages 9-12.

Essays

301: Writing about Northwest Heroes • 5th 6th 7th grade
They came by sea, over the mountains, and through the desert! Explore the achievements of heroes God used to usher the Pacific Northwest into the USA as we delve into informational writing. Take writing to a whole new level, learning to communicate information effectively – by working through a body of knowledge to choose the best facts to prove a point, using advanced paragraph structure to elaborate on relevant details, and keeping readers engaged and on track by effective use of transitions and other writing tools. It’s a pivotal year that equips students with essential skills for years to come – complete with reading assignments and fun class activities including maps, crafts, a state history timeline, and creative writing projects. Several biographies to purchase.

302: Riveting Reports! • 6th 7th 8th grade
Discover the allure of going deep with a fascinating topic! Building on effective informational writing skills developed last year, students take it a step further, learning essay structure, research skills, techniques for citing sources, enrichment of their work with visual aids, oral presentation, and management of large projects. Students develop four reports during the year that pertain to the Pacific Northwest – including an animal, a person, an event, and one of their choosing.
Prerequisites: Essays 301 or instructor approval. Email access and keyboarding skills needed, as well as access to research online and at the library.

303: Essay Formats with Scientists and Inventors • 7th 8th 9th grade
From Archimedes to Einstein, look into the lives of scientists and inventors and join us in marveling at their achievements and how God used them to shape the history of science. See your writing skills soar to a whole new level as we focus on style, helping you communicate effectively and your writing to stand out for its excellence. You’ll learn to choose formats suitable for your subject, equipping you to approach various kinds of essays with ease – including: process, comparison, example, cause and effect, and others. We’ll also examine your work at the sentence level, developing variety in the grammatical structures you employ to strengthen your sentences and the dynamic of their flow. Wow! It’s an exciting and incredible class, preparing you as an outstanding writer for high school and beyond! Email access and keyboarding skills required. Several biographies to purchase.

Science!

We have some exciting new science workshop series coming in 2009-10! Watch the Workshops page for information!

Science Activity