Middle School Writing Foundations 3: Informative Writing (Fall 2024)

Making the leap into early academic writing can feel overwhelming — for learners and teachers alike!

There are many types of writing included under the umbrella of "academic writing," and it can be beneficial to take some time to really focus on learning the elements of each particular type.

This class focuses on informative writing. Sharing information with an audience requires consideration of what the reader already knows, choices about how to organize and present ideas for clarity, and analysis to determine what is important enough to share.

We'll practice these important skills through creating how-to and process-focused texts.

Gain Key Academic Writing and Reading Foundations

Informative writing is a key academic writing component that comes up again and again throughout learners' academic writing experiences.

This class will dive deep into the following informative writing elements:

Adjusting texts for different audiences
Organizing ideas for clarity
Choosing which information to include and leave out

Meet Live Weekly

This is a live class, which means we meet weekly to discuss the reading and explore writing tips. Learners can also interact with each other and the instructor between class meetings on our discussion boards.

Provided materials include reading guides and activities to help with vocabulary and comprehension as well as writing tips to apply to the creation of our own narratives.

Find Individual Processes for Writing

There is no one way to write well. Learners must develop their own strategies and build a toolbox of approaches they can turn to as demands increase over time.

This class is designed to focus with intention on the tools used in informative writing.

Writers will get to practice writing their own informative texts with multiple drafts with focus on specific elements along the way.

Ages: 11-14

Class Size: 3-10 learners

Schedule

Class runs from August 12-October 6, 2024

We’ll meet via Zoom for a live discussion session each Tuesday at 12-12:45pm Eastern/11-11:45am Central/10-10:45am Mountain/9-9:45am Pacific

If a learner cannot attend a session due to illness or a schedule conflict, they will still have access to all class materials and can check in with the instructor with any questions.

Supplies

To participate successfully in class, learners will need the following:

Microphone and camera for in-class participation
PDF Reader
Zoom (free account)
Learners will submit work through Google Drive (a Google (Gmail) account can be acquired for free)

(Note: There are no required texts to purchase. Learners will receive access to links of class materials.)

Choose a Pricing Option

This class uses a sliding fee scale. All options provide access to the same class experience.

$286

Market Rate +25%

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities. You can read more about the plan and its goals here, but all options give access to the same classroom experience. This option allows us to build a more accessible and equitable community of learners by offering discounted pricing options.

$242

Market Rate +10%

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities. You can read more about the plan and its goals here, but all options give access to the same classroom experience. This option allows us to build a more accessible and equitable community of learners by offering discounted pricing options.

$220

Market Rate

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities. You can read more about the plan and its goals here, but all options give access to the same classroom experience. Pay what works for your family.

$175

Market Rate -20%

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities. You can read more about the plan and its goals here, but all options give access to the same classroom experience. Pay what works for your family.

$110

Market Rate -50%

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities. You can read more about the plan and its goals here, but all options give access to the same classroom experience. Pay what works for your family.

Meet Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason

Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason is the founder of Dayla Learning. She has a PhD in rhetoric and composition, a passion for helping students find their writing voice, and two homeschooling children of her own.

Michelle has taught in a wide variety of settings including six years as a full-time college professor. She has been teaching virtual and in-person homeschool writing and humanities classes for more than five years.

Michelle believes in meeting students where they are and — as any of her previous students will tell you — believes deeply that there is no such thing as a bad rough draft!

Is this the right fit for your learner?

This class is a beginner option for my Middle School level classes (Middle School Foundations). It’s designed for learners who are new to academic writing expectations. Learners will do best if they have the following skills:

Can write about 150-200 words (about one-half page double spaced) on a single topic
Confidently reads texts at or above ~650L on the Lexile rating

This class is a good fit for middle school readers and writers who have not had much formal academic writing experience. It’s an especially good fit for those who need practice in reading sources and pulling out key information.

NOTE: This is Class 3 in the Foundations series. While the classes can be taken out of order or individually, students taking Informative Writing may want to take Class 1 (Note-Taking and Summary) first, especially if they have not had experience with practiced note-taking.

Finding the Right Challenge

More advanced writers with experience writing academic essays may benefit from this class if they struggle with reading comprehension.

Writers who can confidently summarize texts, take notes with focus and clarity, and have experience writing academic essays may find this class lacks challenge.

These writers may instead benefit from a Middle School Level 2 class.

Skills Gained

We will focus on informative writing elements through both reading and writing practice.

Students will learn about the following:

Analyzing sample texts for informative writing elements
Identifying audiences and adapting texts to meet different needs
Organizing ideas in a logical order with smooth transitions
Choosing key details and eliminating unnecessary ones

Common Core Standards Alignment

For those who are using Common Core standards, this course meets the following:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.2, 7.2, and 8.2 (identifying central ideas)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.4, 7.4, and 8.4 (determining word meaning in context)
CCSS.ELA-WRITING.6.2, 7.2, and 8.2 (Identifying elements of narrative/explanatory texts)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WRITING.6.4, 7.4, and 8.4 (write clear and coherent texts)
CCS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.5, 7.5, and 8.5 (plan, revise, edit and rewrite)
CCS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.10, 7.10, and 8.10 (write routinely over extended time frames)

Upon successful completion of class, instructor provides detailed exit letter suitable for inclusion in portfolio. Families may request numerical grade at beginning of class for a detailed course grade summary, but it is optional.

Individual Support

All students will receive individualized video feedback on all rough drafts that specifically addresses their submissions.

My teaching philosophy very much focuses on starting with students’ strengths to build confidence and using them to work on improvements over time.

Feedback is tailored to each student’s individual needs and goals. I also encourage a lot of self-reflection and provide opportunities for students to directly communicate their challenges so that facing them with strategies becomes a normal part of the writing process.

Choose a Pricing Option

This class uses a sliding fee scale. All options provide access to the same class experience.

$286

Market Rate +25%

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities. You can read more about the plan and its goals here, but all options give access to the same classroom experience. This option allows us to build a more accessible and equitable community of learners by offering discounted pricing options.

$242

Market Rate +10%

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities. You can read more about the plan and its goals here, but all options give access to the same classroom experience. This option allows us to build a more accessible and equitable community of learners by offering discounted pricing options.

$220

Market Rate

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities. You can read more about the plan and its goals here, but all options give access to the same classroom experience. Pay what works for your family.

$175

Market Rate -20%

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities. You can read more about the plan and its goals here, but all options give access to the same classroom experience. Pay what works for your family.

$110

Market Rate -50%

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities. You can read more about the plan and its goals here, but all options give access to the same classroom experience. Pay what works for your family.