• About the Class

Textbook List

Teacher

Dorothy

#Philosophy

Description

Hi everyone! My name is Teacher Dorothy. I can’t wait to meet you all! I’ve been teaching with SOAR KIDZ for over a year and have absolutely loved discussing fantastic books with passionate students. Before I started teaching online, I taught literacy classes in public libraries here in Edmonton, Canada for over 10 years. When I’m not in the book club, you might find me teaching ESL to adults, tutoring, or skiing in the mountains. My teaching style is creative and joyful, and I love to help each participant connect personally with the material in an engaging way. My favorite thing about SOAR KIDZ is the way that the discussion questions help the kids not only with comprehension but also develop their ability to think on their feet and allow them to share their unique ideas and opinions, even on complex subjects. I am always impressed by the thoughtfulness and creativity that I witness every class. I would like to recommend the book The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo as one of my all-time favorite reads!

Our A+ Writing Classes are designed to equip students from 3rd to 8th grade with essential writing skills that align with Common Core standards. Whether your child is just beginning to write or looking to enhance their skills, our structured approach ensures that every student can excel in writing, achieve higher test scores, and gain confidence in their abilities.

Course Structure

Our classes are divided into key sections that focus on different writing styles and techniques:

1. Lecture + Vocabulary

   • Objective: Focus on result-oriented approaches, emphasizing form and rules.
   • Feature: Even students lacking basic skills and motivation can produce at least B-grade writing.
   • Approach: Through repetition and memorization, students learn structured writing with clear guidelines for each paragraph.

2. Model Answers + Practice

   • Objective: Provide model answers and repetitive practice to reinforce learning.
   • Feature: Helps students understand how specific formats yield desired results, making the learning process systematic and logical.

3. Group Feedback

   • Objective: Utilize collective feedback that applies universally to all students.
   • Feature: Enhances understanding and application of feedback, allowing for continuous improvement.

Course Content

Students will master the three major writing types, essential for developing diverse thinking abilities and expressing ideas effectively:

1. Informative Writing

   • Skills Developed: Clear and concise information delivery, research skills, central idea identification, and logical thinking.
   • Practical Applications: Email, research papers, reports, and other practical writing forms.

2. Opinion Writing

   • Skills Developed: Logical and persuasive expression of personal opinions, critical thinking, and reasoning.
   • Practical Applications: Editorials, argumentative essays, and more.

3. Narrative Writing

   • Skills Developed: Imagination, creativity, emotional expression, and storytelling.
   • Practical Applications: Novels, short stories, and personal narratives.

Why Spectrum?

We use the Spectrum Writing Series because it offers:

• Comprehensive Curriculum: A thorough and structured approach to writing.
• Clear Guidance: Step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow.
• Variety of Exercises: Engaging activities and exercises that provide ample practice.

Homework and Practice

1. Workbook Exercises: Based on lecture content, students will practice through workbooks.
2. Comparison with Model Answers: Students will compare their work with model answers, focusing on grammar, paragraph structure, spelling, and avoiding repetitive expressions.
3. Continuous Practice: Students will practice until they are proficient in form and rules.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will achieve:

1. Enhanced Sentence Structure: The ability to write clear and logical sentences.
2. Fundamental Writing Skills: Understanding basic writing forms and expressing ideas effectively.
3. Improved Grammar and Vocabulary: Accurate use of grammar and vocabulary, enhancing language skills through various writing activities.