5/6 Grade Reading & Writing (Elementary)

Aug. 28- Nov 13

This class is typically for students in 5th-6th grade, often ages 10-12.

Skills Needed to Succeed in this Class

• Elementary Writing Foundations - prerequisite for this class for all new students (*summer class option is also available!)

• Able to read books independently and develop study skills such as annotating and charting while reading

• Uses the computer to complete writing assignments

• Listens carefully and follows instructions

• Has learned how to write a correct basic paragraph (as taught in our Primary Reading and Writing class)

• Willing to receive affirmation as well as correction on homework in order to grow as a writer

• Able to complete 2.5 to 3.5 hours of homework weekly

Skilled Learned in this Class

• Working towards mastery of TWJ basic writing steps and strategies for writing an expanded paragraph including brainstorming, outlining, writing a rough draft, rewriting for a final draft

• Creating quality expanded paragraphs with well developed “chunks”

• Providing specific examples from the novel to support assertions

• Explaining examples with insightful commentary

• Increased development of quality rewriting in the following ways:

  ○ Improving word choice through active verbs, concrete nouns, and well-placed adjectives and adverbs

  ○ Using sentence variety and transitional words and phrases

  ○ Learning to include complex punctuation in writing
  

Other Class Details

12 weeks

Class meets for 2 hours per week. 

Maximum class size 20 students.

Supplies: pencil, paper, TWJ Writing Foundations Handbook

Gmail account to access Google Classroom and communicate with instructor

The Twenty-One Balloons

by William Pene du Bois

ISBN- TBA

This wonderfully imaginative story follows the adventure of Professor William Waterman as he recounts his tales of travel in hot-air balloons, wealth beyond imagination, and seismic disasters. The themes of bravery, greed, resourcefulness, and integrity all come into the discussion as well! Students will primarily work on the expanded paragraph at this level, learn to develop their writing craft, and sharpen their critical thinking skills as they study this Newbery Medal winner.

For families that pay out-of-pocket for homeschooling classes, The Write Journey, LLC offers a discount of 10% for those classes. Use code “PRIVATEPAY” during check out to apply discount. This offer cannot be combined with any other discounts. The reduced rates for private-pay individuals may be used by students enrolled in charter schools, but only if the family chooses to pay for the goods or services out-of-pocket.

Venmo, PayPal, or Check? Use code “PERSONAL” during check out to change the class cost to $0. After you complete the registration process, please send us your payment. Venmo @TheWriteJourney-Cordell PayPal (Friends & Family) – info@thewritejourney.net

Paying with Charter School Funds? Use code “CHARTER” during check out to change the class cost to $0. After completing the registration process, contact your charter school to order vouchers/purchase orders in three one-month payments. Contact us for assistance if you plan to use charter funds and do not find The Write Journey (or Writing with Kris or Kris Cordell) on your charter school’s vendor list.

To pay with a check, contact us at 916.696.1759.

Cancellation Policy:

Due to the administrative costs and preparations of The Write Journey team to prepare classes and offer reasonable class sizes of 16- 20 students, we must charge a cancellation fee. Teachers typically begin communication 2 weeks before classes begin, and class schedules must be finalized in order to offer the correct number of spots open for families. 

A $25 cancellation fee will be charged up to 2 weeks prior to the start of the ordered class. Any time after 2 weeks prior to the start of class, the cancellation fee is one full month’s charge. For private pay families with more than 2 children, a flat rate of $50 will be charged.