Introduction to Writing I
Grades 6 to 8

This incremental, non-threatening writing program uses the WriteShop I (see website www.writeshop.com for detailed info and curriculum samples) curriculum. WriteShop I enables students to successfully enhance their writing skills by learning to write and edit compositions from various genres. We will focus on mastering the fundamental building blocks of writing. Students learn to write concise and explicit descriptive, informative, and narrative essays as well as expository reports and creative stories. Each lesson includes a Skill Builder activity for students to practice new grammatical and stylistics skills that are incorporated in each lesson. A self editing and proofreading checklist is included with each lesson to help students focus on lesson requirements, skills learned, content, composition, and mechanics. We will generally spend 2 weeks on each lesson. Also included is a 5 to 6 week Journalism unit where the students work in groups to create and produce an historical newspaper. Prerequisites: Basic understanding of grammar and sentence structure.