Online Programs

What we'll do

Each week, we’ll read a lesson on literary concepts and/or writing techniques followed by a selection of several chapters from the course texts. You will then apply this knowledge in a reading comprehension quiz that will test your critical reading skills, discuss the book in writing with peers in asynchronous discussion forums, and produce a longer piece of writing that will challenge you to apply analytical, argumentative, and creative writing skills. Units are broken up by week with a Sunday night deadline. Each week, instructors will also provide written feedback that you will apply to your own writing.

What we’ll learn

• Critical reading and comprehension skills
• How to analyze and discuss literature in writing
• Writing techniques for fiction (e.g., short stories/poems)
• Writing techniques for nonfiction (e.g., persuasive/informative essays)

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate comprehension of key details and refer to details when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences
• Construct effective narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events, using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, dialogue, and well-structured event sequences
• Construct informative/explanatory pieces to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content
• Use technology, including the Internet, to engage in written discourse and interact and collaborate with others
• Construct effective persuasive writing pieces that support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence
• Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, nuances in word meanings, and analyze their meaning in context
• Analyze themes, topics, and events from a variety of informational and literary texts

How we'll measure learning

Instructors evaluate student work using rubrics and provide constructive feedback on writing assignments. The course is aligned to ELA Common Core standards for grades 4-5.