Opinion Writing and Explanatory Writing
Recommended Grades: 2nd - 4th graders
Course Outline: We'll be following the Alaska Writing Standards for 2nd to 4th Grade, adjusting as per the grade level. Throughout the years, your child will work on narrative, informative, and opinion writing. It's important to note that as they progress, the standards and expectations will become more advanced. While the content covered in class will be the same for all students, when it comes to editing and revising their papers, they'll receive feedback tailored to their specific grade level.
Times: 11:00 - 12:30 on Mondays and Wednesdays for 15 weeks
Starts Monday January 6th to April 16th. If any classes need to be made up as a group, they will be tacked on to the end of the semester.
Cost: $900 - Includes all materials
Located: at 1625 West Edlund Road in Wasilla
If you have any questions, please email Jessica Bertram at Matsulearnandinspire@gmail.com
Over the course of 15 weeks, third-grade students will engage in writing an opinion essay and a research paper. Students working at this writing level are welcome to join.
The Alaskan standards we will cover include:
1. Writing Opinion Pieces
Students will write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting their point of view with facts or text-based reasons.
They will introduce a topic or text, state an opinion, and list fact-based reasons to support their opinion.
They will use words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to link opinions and reasons.
They will provide a concluding statement or section that reinforces or restates their opinion.
2. Writing Informative/Explanatory Texts
Students will write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
They will introduce a topic and group related information together, including labeled or captioned visuals when useful to enhance comprehension.
They will develop the topic with facts, definitions, details, and explanations that support the focus.
They will use linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and, more, but) to connect ideas within categories of information.
They will provide a concluding statement or section that paraphrases the focus of the text.
Additional Information:
Students will be encouraged to type their papers using Google Documents and bring a laptop to school if possible.
Each week, students will focus on a different writing trait using the Daily 6-Trait Writing for 3rd Grade by Evan Moore.
Parents will be provided with a Google Document of Grades to track their child's progress.
Parent Involvement
Since we only meet twice a week, it’s beneficial for your student if you check in with them regularly to review their progress and discuss the writing process at home. This helps to reinforce and solidify the information they learn in class.
While the final grade is provided based on the Alaska State Standards for Writing, I strive to meet children where they are in their individual writing journeys. Sometimes, I provide suggestions that are above grade level. This is intentional, as it gives students additional challenges to work on while others are engaged with different tasks. At other times, my feedback may be below grade level, designed to help students catch up on essential skills.
If at any point the work feels too challenging or overwhelming, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I do my best to tailor instruction to meet the needs of each student, but as I don’t see the majority of the work being done at home, your insights and involvement are invaluable.
Registration: If you are associated with a homeschool program and would like me to direct bill the school, please put your homeschool in the PROMO code section of registration (the homeschool will be all one word, no spaces, and no characters). I will follow up with another email with the appropriate form. If you need to, you are more than welcome to email Matsulearnandisnpire@gmail.com to register.
I am a direct bill vendor with the following homeschool programs: Mat-Su Central, IDEA, CyberLynx, Raven, PACE, Twindly Bridge, Denali Peak, and Totem.
Disclaimer:
Please note, once you commit to attending the workshop, the cost of the workshop will be deducted from your student's allotment. Workshop costs are refundable until 7 days before the event. Please contact me via email at: Matsulearnandinsipire@gmail.com, as soon as possible if you are unable to attend the workshop, and I will make every effort to fill your spot with another student and refund your allotment account. Thank you!