Learning to write well is one of the most important skills for predicting school and life success. It is also a subject that many homeschool parents struggle to teach well. With that in mind, I offer writing classes for homeschool students. The classes are a lot of fun and include instruction in composition, grammar, vocabulary, and public speaking. Regular attendance and homework completion is expected.
Cost
The cost for each class includes one and a half hours of class time per week, paper editing and grading as well as guidance to help the parent educator teach their child. Students who are new to me will have a one-time $50 supply fee in addition to the material fee for the class. I will start collecting non-refundable $50 deposits now to reserve seats. The rest of the tuition will not need to be paid until August. I am a vendor for several charter schools. I am happy to become a vendor for other schools, but I will not start the vendor process for a new charter school until I have received your deposit. Due to the extra time involved in billing through a charter school, I will charge an extra $25 per year for charter pay families.
Location and day
Classes are taught in my home classroom on Wednesdays in South Escondido, near Felicita Park.
All classes will meet from late August-early June.
Other details
The age levels for these classes are not firm. If you have a child outside of the recommended age range (i.e., gifted or learning disabled) that you think would be a good fit for the class, please touch base with me. I am quite comfortable with the full range of students, and we can discuss which class would be most appropriate.
I can also modify the grammar level within the class. If your child has not had grammar instruction, begin with one of the earliest books. If you completed the book that is listed for a particular class previously, we will simply move your child up.
All classes come with recommended literature to extend what is learned from the source texts. This reading is optional for all but the Narnia class.
I limit my class sizes to ensure personal attention for each student. If you have a student in each class, the other student is welcome to use my yard or dining room as a study hall. Younger children are welcome to play in my large backyard with parent supervision.
A Zoom option will be offered for each class in case of illness or vacation. I am not accepting full time Zoom students for these classes.
About the teacher, Rebecca Shue
I am a local homeschool parent and a certified IEW instructor with over fifteen years of experience teaching IEW to all levels of students. I completed my Early Childhood Education associate degree and certificate at Cuyamaca Community College. My bachelor’s degree (with an honors thesis in gifted children) and multiple subject credential work was done at University of San Diego, my reading specialist certificate was completed at University of California San Diego, and my master’s work and special education credential was completed at Cal State University San Marcos. I homeschooled both of my children through high school and recognized just how important solid writing skills are to college success. I consider parents to be their child’s primary teacher, but I recognize that, as homeschool parents, it is sometimes helpful to hire out certain subjects.
Discoveries in Writing
Ages 8-12. Students should be able to read at a second-grade level or above and copy from the board.
Cost $680/year, +$25 for charter students, $65/materials, $50/new student pack
Materials included:
Fix it 2: Town Mouse and Country Mouse
https://iew.com/discoveries-in-writing-student-book-only
This is a perfect class for the unsure, young, or beginning writer. This is also the correct class for students who completed the Adventures in Writing book last year. Writing topics will include the Bayeux Tapestry, tsunamis, Jerusalem, and the Crusades. Class will include weekly Fix-it grammar instruction and assignments as well as instruction in public speaking and vocabulary.
Some students may need parental assistance in class to help with writing. Others may be fully independent in class, but parents are encouraged to observe class. All students will need parental assistance at home with grading Fix-it, editing papers, and keeping track of assignments. Parents should plan on working on writing at home for 30-45 minutes a day on the non-class days.
Medieval History Based Writing Lessons
Ages 10-13, student should be able to read at a 5th grade level or above and write independently.
Cost $700/year, +$25 for charter students, $65/materials, $50/new student pack
Materials included:
https://iew.com/fix-it-grammar-level-4-mowgli-and-shere-khan-teacherstudent-combo
https://iew.com/medieval-history-based-writing-lessons-student-book-only
From Anglo-Saxons to the Renaissance, chivalrous knights, to Genghis Khan, students will improve their knowledge of this fascinating period of history. This is the next class for students who participated in Wonders of Science last year. Class will include weekly Fix-it grammar instruction and assignments as well as instruction in public speaking and vocabulary.
Most students will be fully independent in class, but parents are encouraged to observe class. All students will need parental assistance at home with grading Fix-it, editing papers, and keeping track of assignments. Parents should plan on working on writing at home for 30-45 minutes a day on the non-class days.
Following Narnia: Lion’s Song
Ages:11-16
Cost $730/year, +$25 for charter students, $65/materials, $50/new student pack
Materials included:
https://iew.com/fix-it-grammar-level-5-frog-prince-teacherstudent-combo
https://iew.com/following-narnia-volume-1-the-lions-song-student-book-only
Your child will also need access to the first three Narnia books. Library is fine.
Utilizing the first three books of the Narnia series, we will begin to develop the skills necessary for literary analysis. While the Narnia series can be read as a Christian allegory, we will not be using it in that way. This is the class for students who completed US history-based writing lessons last year. Class will include weekly Fix-it grammar instruction and assignments as well as instruction in public speaking and vocabulary.
Students should be fully independent in class, but parents are welcome to observe class. Some students will need parental assistance at home with grading Fix-it, editing papers, and keeping track of assignments. Students should plan on working on writing at home for 30-60 minutes a day on the non-class days.