NOTE: Level Three courses - Advanced Formal Writing and College Prep Writing - are designed
to be taken BEFORE a student begins PSEO courses!
to be taken BEFORE a student begins PSEO courses!
| 2022-2023_lang_arts_writing_overview_rev_05-18-2021.pdf |
The courses are listed in order of difficulty.
LEVEL ONE
Writing: Grammar Essentials
Level ONE
First Semester
Description: The purpose of this course is to understand the grammatical concepts necessary to write well. Students will focus on building stronger, more descriptive, and accurate sentences. They will learn to recognize common errors in sentence writing such as run-ons and fragments. This course will include instruction in the parts of speech, sentence structure, types of sentences, phrases, clauses, punctuation, basic diagramming, and editing skills. Students will use a variety of methods to help them grasp the abstract nature of grammar. A great follow up to this class is Writing: Intro to Style Techniques.
Tutor: Heidi Kuiper
Length: One Semester
Level: 7th – 9th grades
Prerequisite: None
Homework: approximately 2-4 hours per week, depending on the student’s abilities.
Text: None, but students must bring: loose-leaf paper, pencil, blue or black pen, red pen, yellow highlighter
3-ring binder will be provided
Class Tuition: See the registration form for current prices. Tuition will cover the cost of supplies.
Level ONE
First Semester
Description: The purpose of this course is to understand the grammatical concepts necessary to write well. Students will focus on building stronger, more descriptive, and accurate sentences. They will learn to recognize common errors in sentence writing such as run-ons and fragments. This course will include instruction in the parts of speech, sentence structure, types of sentences, phrases, clauses, punctuation, basic diagramming, and editing skills. Students will use a variety of methods to help them grasp the abstract nature of grammar. A great follow up to this class is Writing: Intro to Style Techniques.
Tutor: Heidi Kuiper
Length: One Semester
Level: 7th – 9th grades
Prerequisite: None
Homework: approximately 2-4 hours per week, depending on the student’s abilities.
Text: None, but students must bring: loose-leaf paper, pencil, blue or black pen, red pen, yellow highlighter
3-ring binder will be provided
Class Tuition: See the registration form for current prices. Tuition will cover the cost of supplies.
Writing: Introduction to Style Techniques
(formerly known as Creative Components)
Level ONE
Second Semester
Description: Based on The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) by Andrew Pudewa, this course focuses on developing effective sentence structures and word choices. Students will use models to help develop their writing skills. Students will learn new creative elements and are required to use them in each of their writing projects. Because of this, a student’s writing may seem awkward for a time. Once the requirements are mastered and removed, the student will have the tools to write concisely and beautifully, with the ability to use the varying sentence structures naturally. Students will learn to write key word outlines, style enhancements, sentence openers, paragraphs, a story, poems, and a report. Students can further develop these skills in Writing: Following Narnia and then Writing: Developing Style Techniques.
Tutor: Heidi Kuiper
Length: One semester
Level: 7th-9th grades
Prerequisite: “Grammar Essentials” or equivalent course
Homework: approximately 2-4 hours per week, depending on the student’s abilities
Text: None, but students must bring: loose-leaf paper, pencil, blue or black pen, red pen, yellow highlighter
3-ring binder will be provided
Class Tuition: See the registration form for current prices. Tuition will cover the cost of supplies.
(formerly known as Creative Components)
Level ONE
Second Semester
Description: Based on The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) by Andrew Pudewa, this course focuses on developing effective sentence structures and word choices. Students will use models to help develop their writing skills. Students will learn new creative elements and are required to use them in each of their writing projects. Because of this, a student’s writing may seem awkward for a time. Once the requirements are mastered and removed, the student will have the tools to write concisely and beautifully, with the ability to use the varying sentence structures naturally. Students will learn to write key word outlines, style enhancements, sentence openers, paragraphs, a story, poems, and a report. Students can further develop these skills in Writing: Following Narnia and then Writing: Developing Style Techniques.
Tutor: Heidi Kuiper
Length: One semester
Level: 7th-9th grades
Prerequisite: “Grammar Essentials” or equivalent course
Homework: approximately 2-4 hours per week, depending on the student’s abilities
Text: None, but students must bring: loose-leaf paper, pencil, blue or black pen, red pen, yellow highlighter
3-ring binder will be provided
Class Tuition: See the registration form for current prices. Tuition will cover the cost of supplies.
Writing: Following Narnia
Level ONE PLUS
Full Year
"Using the first three novels of The Chronicles of Narnia (Magician's Nephew, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and The Horse and His Boy) this series beckons students to experience the enchanted land of Narnia through the Structure and Style writing method."
In this full year, theme-based course, we will cover the basics of IEW. Students will learn to take notes, create outlines, summarize narrative stories, construct a research report, compose creative essays and write formal essays and critiques using the "Structure and Style" method. Students will move from basic to more sophisticated writing. Each week the student will leave class with specific reading and writing assignments for the week. The student may need some assistance from a family member to edit assignments.
Pre-reading of the first three Narnia books, listed above, over the summer would be helpful for the class. Some experience with IEW is preferred, but not required.
Tutor: Michele Leverenz
Length: Full Year
Level: 7th-9th grades
Prerequisite: none
Homework: approximately 2 hours per week.
Text: IEW Student Book - Following Narnia Volume 1: The Lion's Song (*must be 3rd edition)
Additional resources: Chronicles of Narnia - first three books, listed above.
Class Tuition: See the registration form for current prices. Tuition will cover the cost of supplies.
Level ONE PLUS
Full Year
"Using the first three novels of The Chronicles of Narnia (Magician's Nephew, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and The Horse and His Boy) this series beckons students to experience the enchanted land of Narnia through the Structure and Style writing method."
In this full year, theme-based course, we will cover the basics of IEW. Students will learn to take notes, create outlines, summarize narrative stories, construct a research report, compose creative essays and write formal essays and critiques using the "Structure and Style" method. Students will move from basic to more sophisticated writing. Each week the student will leave class with specific reading and writing assignments for the week. The student may need some assistance from a family member to edit assignments.
Pre-reading of the first three Narnia books, listed above, over the summer would be helpful for the class. Some experience with IEW is preferred, but not required.
Tutor: Michele Leverenz
Length: Full Year
Level: 7th-9th grades
Prerequisite: none
Homework: approximately 2 hours per week.
Text: IEW Student Book - Following Narnia Volume 1: The Lion's Song (*must be 3rd edition)
Additional resources: Chronicles of Narnia - first three books, listed above.
Class Tuition: See the registration form for current prices. Tuition will cover the cost of supplies.
LEVEL TWO
Writing: Developing Style Techniques
(formerly known as Stylistic Development)
Level TWO
First Semester
Description: Based on The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) by Andrew Pudewa, this course focuses on developing more mature and effective sentence structures and word choices. Students will review the tools introduced in Writing: Intro to Style Techniques (formerly known as Creative Components) for the first three weeks and then move on to building new skills. Stylistic Techniques such as strong verbs, quality adjectives, vivid adverbs, adverbial and noun clauses, along with a variety of Sentence Openers will be developed and mastered to greatly enhance students’ writings.
As the key to good writing, organizational skills of planning and note-taking will be stressed and developed! Students will be encouraged to begin to personalize their style of organization to suit their unique personalities! Grammar is seamlessly included as students master the dress-ups and sentence openers, and particular grammar and punctuation issues will be addressed as needed. However, because our time is limited for this instruction, students should be comfortable with parts of speech and grammar prior to this class.
Using a variety of fun activities to learn to write well, students will analyze select pieces of excellent prose and then imitate them with their own writing by following specific instructions and checklists given in class. They will then learn more tools through several genres of writing, including poems, reports, a narrative story, and an essay crafted by mimicking a personal essay written by Helen Keller. By using fun, relaxed narrative writing, students are freed from the pressures of structured writing to focus on the style and flow of writing, including learning how to think like a writer and finding their own writing voice. This class may be repeated if more practice on these skills is desired! Students can further develop these skills in Writing: Intro to Formal Writing.
Tutor: Chrisanne Keswick
Length: One Semester
Level: 8th – 10th grades
Prerequisite: “Writing: Grammar Essentials” and “Writing: Intro to Style Techniques” or tutor approval
Homework: approximately 2-4 hours per week, depending on the student’s abilities and desire to excel in their projects.
Text: None
Students need to bring: loose-leaf paper, pencil
Class Tuition: See the registration form for current prices. Tuition will cover the cost of supplies.
(formerly known as Stylistic Development)
Level TWO
First Semester
Description: Based on The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) by Andrew Pudewa, this course focuses on developing more mature and effective sentence structures and word choices. Students will review the tools introduced in Writing: Intro to Style Techniques (formerly known as Creative Components) for the first three weeks and then move on to building new skills. Stylistic Techniques such as strong verbs, quality adjectives, vivid adverbs, adverbial and noun clauses, along with a variety of Sentence Openers will be developed and mastered to greatly enhance students’ writings.
As the key to good writing, organizational skills of planning and note-taking will be stressed and developed! Students will be encouraged to begin to personalize their style of organization to suit their unique personalities! Grammar is seamlessly included as students master the dress-ups and sentence openers, and particular grammar and punctuation issues will be addressed as needed. However, because our time is limited for this instruction, students should be comfortable with parts of speech and grammar prior to this class.
Using a variety of fun activities to learn to write well, students will analyze select pieces of excellent prose and then imitate them with their own writing by following specific instructions and checklists given in class. They will then learn more tools through several genres of writing, including poems, reports, a narrative story, and an essay crafted by mimicking a personal essay written by Helen Keller. By using fun, relaxed narrative writing, students are freed from the pressures of structured writing to focus on the style and flow of writing, including learning how to think like a writer and finding their own writing voice. This class may be repeated if more practice on these skills is desired! Students can further develop these skills in Writing: Intro to Formal Writing.
Tutor: Chrisanne Keswick
Length: One Semester
Level: 8th – 10th grades
Prerequisite: “Writing: Grammar Essentials” and “Writing: Intro to Style Techniques” or tutor approval
Homework: approximately 2-4 hours per week, depending on the student’s abilities and desire to excel in their projects.
Text: None
Students need to bring: loose-leaf paper, pencil
Class Tuition: See the registration form for current prices. Tuition will cover the cost of supplies.
Writing: Introduction to Formal Writing
(formerly known as Format Writing)
Level TWO
Second Semester
Description: This class is the first step into formal structured writing which continues next semester with Writing: Advanced Formal Writing. We will begin Intro to Formal Writing by focusing on paragraphs. Students will learn how to write various types of paragraphs using a prescribed structure. They will write from their experiences and also practice writing from research. After lots of practice with paragraphs, students will move on to write a personal narrative essay and a five-paragraph essay. Students will also practice brainstorming and outlining. The mechanics of writing will be covered in a light grammar book called Painless Grammar. Students can further develop these skills in Writing: Advanced Formal Writing.
Prerequisite: Grammar Essentials & Stylistic Development, or equivalent coursework at home.
Tutor: Judi Davidson
Length: One semester
Level: 8th - 10th grades
Prerequisite: Grammar Essentials or equivalent coursework at home.
Homework: approximately 2 hours per week.
Text: Painless Grammar (Included in the supply fee and will be purchased by the tutor)
Class Tuition: See the registration form for current prices. Tuition will cover the cost of supplies.
(formerly known as Format Writing)
Level TWO
Second Semester
Description: This class is the first step into formal structured writing which continues next semester with Writing: Advanced Formal Writing. We will begin Intro to Formal Writing by focusing on paragraphs. Students will learn how to write various types of paragraphs using a prescribed structure. They will write from their experiences and also practice writing from research. After lots of practice with paragraphs, students will move on to write a personal narrative essay and a five-paragraph essay. Students will also practice brainstorming and outlining. The mechanics of writing will be covered in a light grammar book called Painless Grammar. Students can further develop these skills in Writing: Advanced Formal Writing.
Prerequisite: Grammar Essentials & Stylistic Development, or equivalent coursework at home.
Tutor: Judi Davidson
Length: One semester
Level: 8th - 10th grades
Prerequisite: Grammar Essentials or equivalent coursework at home.
Homework: approximately 2 hours per week.
Text: Painless Grammar (Included in the supply fee and will be purchased by the tutor)
Class Tuition: See the registration form for current prices. Tuition will cover the cost of supplies.
LEVEL THREE
Writing: Advanced Formal Writing
(formerly known as Structure & Organization)
Level THREE
First Semester
Description: This class is a continuation of formal structured writing begun last semester in Intro to Formal Writing which established a foundation of paragraph structure. This course will focus on the organizational principles of essays essential for successful high school and college writing. A study of some 3,000 final examination papers of freshman in three universities showed that 93% of the “A” papers had five paragraphs in the basic format that will be taught in this class. We will cover the structure of some of the different types of essays that high school and college classes require (including college entrance exam essay tests), how to expand this structure into longer essays, and how to use resources effectively and ethically. Students can further develop these skills in College Prep Writing.
Tutor: Judi Davidson
Length: One Semester
Level: 9th - 12th grades
Prerequisite: "Introduction to Formal Writing" or tutor approval .
Homework: approximately 2-4 hours per week.
Text: Included in supply fee and will be purchased by the tutor.
Class Tuition: See the registration form for current prices. Tuition will cover the cost of supplies.
(formerly known as Structure & Organization)
Level THREE
First Semester
Description: This class is a continuation of formal structured writing begun last semester in Intro to Formal Writing which established a foundation of paragraph structure. This course will focus on the organizational principles of essays essential for successful high school and college writing. A study of some 3,000 final examination papers of freshman in three universities showed that 93% of the “A” papers had five paragraphs in the basic format that will be taught in this class. We will cover the structure of some of the different types of essays that high school and college classes require (including college entrance exam essay tests), how to expand this structure into longer essays, and how to use resources effectively and ethically. Students can further develop these skills in College Prep Writing.
Tutor: Judi Davidson
Length: One Semester
Level: 9th - 12th grades
Prerequisite: "Introduction to Formal Writing" or tutor approval .
Homework: approximately 2-4 hours per week.
Text: Included in supply fee and will be purchased by the tutor.
Class Tuition: See the registration form for current prices. Tuition will cover the cost of supplies.
Writing: College Prep Writing
Level THREE
Second Semester
Description: Heading into PSEO or graduating and moving on to a college degree? Writing skills are essential in higher-education and are often a source of anxiety. In this class, you will learn about the kinds of writing and thinking college professors will expect of you and have a chance to improve your writing in an encouraging, yet sufficiently challenging, environment.
Working on a research paper, a persuasive essay, a literary analysis essay, and several smaller assignments, we will address skills in forming a strong thesis statement, analyzing information, applying logic that is sound and appropriate, organizing your thoughts clearly, writing strong opening and closing paragraphs, developing excellent writing style, gathering solid supporting evidence, and avoiding costly errors.
The purpose of the essays is to guide the students through every step of a complete college writing assignment, including instruction and practice in note-taking, narrowing a topic, and using books and web sources for their research and documentation. The research paper will be the primary assignment for the semester, and every aspect of the research paper process will be covered in detail. Students will select their basic research topic in collaboration with their primary teaching parent, and they will be encouraged to select a topic that is integrated into another subject they are studying. In addition to these longer writing assignments, students will also learn and practice techniques for tackling short essay questions on in-class college exams with success.
The skills covered in this class will prepare each student for the variety of writing assignments they will encounter in college. This class may be repeated if more practice on preparing for college level work is desired! Students can further develop these skills in College Writing & Research in the PSEO program.
Tutor: Chrisanne Keswick
Length: 1 semester
Level: 10th -12th grades
Prerequisite: “Writing: Structure & Organization” and “Writing: Stylistic Development” or equivalent coursework at home.
Homework: approximately 3-5 hours per week, depending on the student’s abilities & desire to excel in their projects.
Text: None
Students need to bring: loose-leaf paper, pen or pencil
Class Tuition: See the registration form for current prices.
Level THREE
Second Semester
Description: Heading into PSEO or graduating and moving on to a college degree? Writing skills are essential in higher-education and are often a source of anxiety. In this class, you will learn about the kinds of writing and thinking college professors will expect of you and have a chance to improve your writing in an encouraging, yet sufficiently challenging, environment.
Working on a research paper, a persuasive essay, a literary analysis essay, and several smaller assignments, we will address skills in forming a strong thesis statement, analyzing information, applying logic that is sound and appropriate, organizing your thoughts clearly, writing strong opening and closing paragraphs, developing excellent writing style, gathering solid supporting evidence, and avoiding costly errors.
The purpose of the essays is to guide the students through every step of a complete college writing assignment, including instruction and practice in note-taking, narrowing a topic, and using books and web sources for their research and documentation. The research paper will be the primary assignment for the semester, and every aspect of the research paper process will be covered in detail. Students will select their basic research topic in collaboration with their primary teaching parent, and they will be encouraged to select a topic that is integrated into another subject they are studying. In addition to these longer writing assignments, students will also learn and practice techniques for tackling short essay questions on in-class college exams with success.
The skills covered in this class will prepare each student for the variety of writing assignments they will encounter in college. This class may be repeated if more practice on preparing for college level work is desired! Students can further develop these skills in College Writing & Research in the PSEO program.
Tutor: Chrisanne Keswick
Length: 1 semester
Level: 10th -12th grades
Prerequisite: “Writing: Structure & Organization” and “Writing: Stylistic Development” or equivalent coursework at home.
Homework: approximately 3-5 hours per week, depending on the student’s abilities & desire to excel in their projects.
Text: None
Students need to bring: loose-leaf paper, pen or pencil
Class Tuition: See the registration form for current prices.
