Once Upon a Pen

ABOUT THIS COURSE

COURSE OPTIONS:

Since 2011, I have been developing and teaching this three-level composition program to students both online and in the classroom.  In level 1 students focus on the fundamentals of the writing process, as well as the single-paragraph, expository essay. After these basics are mastered, students finish the course by learning how to write four variations on the expository essay. In the final workshop, students learn how to expand their essays to two paragraphs in preparation for level 2.

This course is especially helpful to students who find writing to be intimidating.  It does not assume any knowledge beyond basic sentence construction, so that students begin at lesson 1 and progress systematically to the end.  By the final lesson, students will be able to confront the blank page with confidence and focus their energies on expressing their ideas clearly and effectively.

LIVE  COURSE:
REGISTRATION FOR ’25-26 IS NOW OPEN! SUBSCRIBE TO MY UPDATES EMAILS HERE!

NOTE: This course is still in development, so it has a reduced tuition for this year only. All students must have a Google account with regular access to the necessary apps.

* open to students in grades 6-12 (best sequence:  level 1 = gr. 6-8; level 2 = gr. 7-10)

* technical requirements:   webcam, microphone, headset or speakers, scanner or digital camera for handwritten assignments, and the following Google apps:  Gmail, Hangout, Meet, Drive, and Classroom

Tuition: $400 + $25 non-refundable registration fee (special beta edition price!).

SCHEDULE: This is a 32-week, online version of my original correspondence course. It covers level 1 and possibly the beginning of level 2. It will meet 1x/week for 60 minutes. Class days will be Thursdays OR Fridays, depending on student availability, and the time will also be determined by student-teacher availability. Class size: 1-8

To register, please complete this form:   https://forms.gle/KGyZ8gu8CpQCg2HQ6

Questions? Contact me here.

CORRESPONDENCE OPTION:

This is my original hybrid course in which students complete lessons independently and meet with me in a video chat once each month to review trouble spots, ask questions, and look ahead to coming lessons. Students may receive help anytime through Gmail and Chat, which are Google apps.

NOTE: All students must have a Google account with regular access to the necessary apps.

* open to students in grades 6-12 (best sequence:  level 1 = gr. 6-8; level 2 = gr. 7-10; level 3 = gr. 8-11)
* Google platform:  Classroom, Gmail, Drive, Meet, and Chat. 
* year-round start date; level 1 must be completed within one calendar year (7th/8th grades) or within two calendar years (6th grade and special circumstances). Exceptions to this policy are made on a case-by-case basis.

Tuition: $450 + $25 non-refundable registration fee.

To register, please complete this form:   https://forms.gle/KGyZ8gu8CpQCg2HQ6

Questions? Contact me here.

Not sure? Ask me for a sample lesson of your choice! Grading is not offered for sample lessons, but you will receive the entire lesson to examine at no cost. Please note that sample lessons do not include workshops.

SCOPE & SEQUENCE

Introductory Unit:   Page One–The Very Beginning
This introductory unit is designed to lay a solid foundation for the study of writing, so it is a prerequisite for all students in levels 1-3. Students who complete this preparatory unit will better understand the why’s behind the how’s of writing. This unit also covers important preliminary concepts such as how to use a writing notebook. 

1 — Picking Up the Pen: The Academic Writing Notebook
2 — Elbow Grease and Black Berets: The Dual Nature of Writing (​sample–coming)
3 — Why Writing Well Matters in the Real World (2 parts)
4 — Good vs. Bad Writing: What’s the Difference? (3 parts)
5 — Understanding the Writing Process (or How to Write a Building in Six Steps)

Unit 1: It Takes a Strong Foundation
This unit teaches basic prewriting skills. that all students need to master. More prewriting skills, such as formal outlining and thesis statements, are taught in level 2.

6 — Everybody Has a Lightbulb: Finding a Topic
7 — So Just What Are You Trying to Say?:  Determining the Main Idea (​sample–coming)
8 — Shaping Your Ideas:  The Informal Outline

Unit 2:  One Perfect Paragraph
Because all types of literature are built upon the paragraph, a mastery of paragraph writing is essential. In this unit, students will study the six elements of the paragraph.  They will write a variety of single-paragraph essays throughout the course and be well-prepared for multi-paragraph writing by the final workshop. 

9–Paragraph in a Nutshell:  The Topic Sentence
10–Paragraphs Have Legs:  Supporting Ideas
11–Wrapping It Up:  The Basics of Conclusions (sample–coming)
12–Stop for the E’s:  Expanding the 3-sentence Paragraph
13–Like Links on a Chain:  Paragraph Transitions
14–Hook Your Reader First: The Importance of Introductions
Unit Workshop–Mastering the Paragraph (intensive review of unit 1 concepts–assigned as needed)

Unit 3:  Polishing the Gem
This unit leads students through the rest of the writing process:  revision, editing, proofreading, and publishing.  These steps help writers produce a polished manuscript, and there is much to learn in each step.  In level 1, students learn only a few introductory lessons. Levels 2 and 3, as well as a good grammar program, cover much more.  

15–Good vs. Bad Writing:  What’s the Difference? (part 2)  
16–The Next Draft:  How to Be Your Own Editor 
17–Language Matters:  Introduction to Editing
18–A Splash of Panache:  The Least You Need to Know 
19–Make it Beautiful:  The Basics of Proofreading and Publishing
Unit Workshop–Review and Final Project

Unit 4:  Workshops on Essay Variations
Once students have finished their study of paragraph basics, it is time to explore some of the many variations. This final unit is a set of workshops, which means that students will spend less time receiving instruction and more time working on essays. They will study four common essay variations. Each takes approximately two weeks. The final workshop transitions students to multi-paragraph writing by introducing the two-paragraph structure. Each workshop includes detailed guidance and feedback throughout the writing process, as well as a mini-lesson (“spotlight”) on a related concept.  

Workshop 1–The Summary Essay (plus a spotlight on storytelling)
Workshop 2–The Descriptive Essay (plus a spotlight on word choice)
Workshop 3–The Cause and Effect Essay (plus a spotlight on coherence)
Workshop 4–The Compare-Contrast Essay (plus a spotlight on paragraph breaks)