Minimum Class Size: 8

Maximum Class Size: 20

Class Time: 2nd hour (9:35-10:30)

Estimated homework: 1 to 3 hours per week

Required Materials or Books:

• 3 ring binder
• notebook paper
• pencil
• pencil sharpener

This class is based on a two year syllabus. During 2009-2010 we will be covering first year information. If your student took year two last year as a 7th grader, we will be covering totally new literary units. This is NOT a repeat of last year. You may also begin the class as an 8th grader

 "The focus of this program is to teach students to write descriptively through emulating the actual skills of masters of great writing. The goal of the program is to produce successful writers who know how to write effectively, who know how to proofread their work efficiently, and who know how to properly analyze great literature." Excerpts from great works of world literature in various genres will be covered as students learn to write descriptive essays, dialogue, short stories, fables, and letters.  Authors studied include Jules Vern, Charles Dickens, Robert Louis Stevenson, Aesop, and Daniel Defoe. Student will become familiar with a Proofreading Checklist in order to edit their own work .

As time allows toward the end of the year, we will be studying the basics of journalism and learning to write and edit news copy. Students will have the experience of publishing an edition of a co-op "newspaper".

Teacher Information:

Silvia is the mother of six, and has homeschooled for 14 years.  This is her 5th year teaching at Brazos Valley Co-op.