Focus

Students learn how to evaluate and write in a variety of styles and purposes. This includes learning research skills and report writing using the APA format. All students  develop a mastery of usage of the English language in an authentic way. Each student's creativity is nurtured as they learn how to use various literary elements such as onomatopoeia, alliteration, personification, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, and other types of figurative language. They also learn how authors become published in various ways.  Primary students practice handwriting daily including writing sentences.  First and Second grade students also practice handwriting and learn typing skills in the third quarter.  Second grade students learn cursive writing and typing.  Third through seventh-grade students practice cursive writing and learn typing.

Time Distribution

25 Minutes: Writers workshop – Students write about events of their interest in an expressive way. Each student consults with the teacher weekly to discuss errors and areas for improvement.  Students have the opportunity to read their essays to the class on Fridays.  Prekindergarten and kindergarten students practice writing ideas and are assisted by the teacher each day.

20 Minutes: Individual and group instruction – Students explore writing using various styles as well as using the English language correctly.  Prekindergarten and kindergarten students visit learning centers based upon their needs such as writing or spelling. They also play fun and engaging games that assist in developing fine-motor skills, spelling, grammar and writing.  

30 Minutes: Individual projects – First through Sixth grade students work on the projects below.  Prekindergarten and kindergarten students work on simpler writing projects.  On Thursdays, Senate and President students learn and write various types of poetry.  On Fridays, students play various games that strengthen writing and reading skills.

Writing Projects

Students learn and display their knowledge through various monthly projects. They also learn the ways in which real authors publish their work. Therefore, students submit their work to be published professionally or will be self published. These projects include:

• Creating their own “Writing Rules Road map” guide for children on using grammar correctly.

• Writing an autobiography.

• Writing a book that is a spin off of a popular story.

• Studying narrative essays and writing a historical fiction story based upon a period in history in first person as a diary.

• Writing biographies using the multigenre approach of black historical figures and creating a black history book for children using all of the students' entries.

• Studying persuasive essays and writing an editorial letter on a personal viewpoint and send it to the newspaper.

• Studying expository writing and creating a “how to” guide for creating something and sending it to a magazine to be published.

• Writing poetry, which will be included in the school's self-published poetry book.
  

• Letter writing including writing a businesses letter, letter of complaint, and letter for donations. These letters will be written with a real purpose and mailed.

• Creating a magazine to highlight their writing. This final project will include works created by students throughout the school year.

Pen Pals

Students have international pen pals and are encouraged to write to them monthly. All letters are be submitted to the teacher for proofreading. They are then mailed to the pen pal from the teacher using the school address. All letters from the international pen pal are mailed to the school and not to the students. Sending emails are not allowed.

Portfolios

All works created by students go into their portfolio. Each portfolio is graded quarterly with a rubric. Students and parents also assess the work that is in each portfolio and create a plan for improvement.