Schedule & Class Descriptions
Write Ahead offers writing classes for 3rd-10th graders and ISEE/SSAT classes
All classes are online
(previously held at 309 Washington St., Wellesley, MA)
Writing classes are focused on expository/analytic writing strategies - developing and proving a claim or thesis statement. The curriculum follows an evidence-based teaching methodology whereby classes cycle through the full writing cycle. Each cycle includes explicit writing strategies, tools and processes appropriate for the age-level. Students typically complete an essay every 4-5 classes. For additional information please see class descriptions at the bottom of this page. Max of 10 students/class.
Feedback on any assignments for school is included in the cost of tuition, and will be provided within 24 hours of being shared with Write Ahead. High school students tend to be diligent about seeking feedback on assignments prior to due dates, though this benefit is open to all students.
The ISEE/SSAT class is a comprehensive test-prep class that covers math, verbal, reading comprehension, and writing. Classes will cycle through presenting strategies for how to approach each section and different types of problems, practicing problems, and reviewing concepts missed. Progress will be measured by comparing a pre-class test (we will provide) to scores on sections and practice tests throughout the class. Students will have homework plus be asked to learn new vocabulary words each day. Max of 8 students per class.
Summer 2021 Schedule & Tuition - Writing & ISEE/SSAT Classes
3 Week Summer Session - Daily Classes - June 28 - July 16
3 Week Summer Session - Daily Classes - July 19 - Aug 6
4 Week ISEE/SSAT Session 1 - Daily Classes - June 21 - July 16
4 Week ISEE/SSAT Session 2 - Daily Classes - Juny 19 - Aug 13
8 Week Summer Session - Classes 2 Evenings/week - June 28 - Aug 13
Further details to be added
Class Descriptions
Class Descriptions:
3rd Grade Develop & Support a Claim
An inviting, informative and just plain fun writing course designed to support your child in developing and supporting a claim. Students will learn to craft paragraphs, state a clear claim, choose relevant evidence, add details (analysis) to support the claim, and develop a conclusion. Students will be provided with tools to evaluate the flow of their paragraphs and the consistency of their information and details within their claim. It will be taught using a road-tested writing instruction methodology. Techniques will be practiced with engaging and high-interest content. Writing will become easier for them, and the quality of their writing will improve.
Curriculum:
The writing process: Pick Information, Organize and then Write - POW
Organization - Topic, Information, Details, Ending - TIDE
Close reading strategies to identify evidence
Outlining technique structured to articulate and prove a claim
Make and develop a claim
Prove your claim
Endings that wrap-up
Figurative language techniques, show don’t tell
Word choice & transitions
Class Descriptions:
4th Grade Develop, Support and Strengthen a Claim
An inviting, informative and just plain fun writing course designed to support your child in developing and supporting an argument. Students will learn to craft paragraphs that state a clear claim, choose best evidence to support the claim, develop analysis that proves the claim, and state a conclusion that synthesizes the point they aim to make. Students will be provided with tools to help evaluate the coherence of their paragraphs, improve the organization of their writing, and clarify the relationships of their ideas. It will be taught using a road-tested, proven, writing instruction methodology. Techniques will be practiced with engaging and high-interest content. Writing will become easier for them, and the quality of their writing will improve.
Curriculum:
The writing process: Pick Information, Organize and then Write - POW
Organization - Topic, Information, Details, Ending - TIDE
Close reading strategies to choose best evidence
Outlining technique structured to articulate and prove a claim
Make and develop a claim
Prove your claim
Endings that synthesize the argument
Figurative language techniques, show don’t tell
Word choice & transitions
Class Descriptions:
5th Grade Argument & Literary Analysis Paragraphs
An informative and inviting writing course designed to support your child in developing and supporting a strong argument, and introducing him or her to literary analysis techniques. Students will learn to craft paragraphs that state a clear claim, choose best evidence to support the claim, develop analysis that proves the claim, and state a conclusion that synthesizes his/her argument. Students will be provided with tools to help evaluate the coherence of their paragraphs, improve the organization of their writing, and clarify the relationships of their ideas. It will be taught using a proven, writing instruction methodology. Techniques will be practiced with engaging and high-interest content. Writing will become easier for them, and quality will improve.
Curriculum:
The writing process: Pick Information, Organize, Write, Revise & Edit - POWRE
Establish an insightful thesis/claim
Organize and outline the argument
Select best evidence
Prove the argument
Interrogate argument for strength & depth
Revision and editing strategies
Fine tune word choice, transitions, sentence variety and coherenc
Class Descriptions:
6th Grade Argument, Literary & Expository Writing Methods
An informative and inviting writing course designed to help your child develop and support an argument with clarity and depth, and strengthen his/her literary analysis techniques. Students will learn to craft paragraphs that state a meaningful claim, choose best evidence to support the claim, develop analysis that proves the claim, and state a conclusion that synthesizes his/her argument. Students will be provided with tools to help evaluate the coherence of their paragraphs, improve the organization of their writing, and clarify the relationships of their ideas. It will be taught using a road-tested writing instruction methodology. Techniques will be practiced with engaging and high-interest content. Writing will become easier for them, and quality will improve.
Curriculum:
The writing process: Pick Information, Organize, Write, Revise & Edit - POWRE
Develop an insightful thesis
Organize & outline the argument
Select best evidence to support claims
Craft analysis to prove the thesis
Interrogate argument for strength & depth
Analyze literary characters and point-of-view
Revision and editing strategies
Fine tune word choice, transitions, sentence variety and coherence
Class Descriptions:
7th Grade Argument & Literary Analysis Fine Tuning
An informative and inviting writing course designed to support your child in developing and supporting an argument with clarity and depth, and strengthening his/her literary analysis techniques. Students will learn to craft essays that state a meaningful and insightful claim, choose best evidence to support the claim, develop analysis that proves the claim, and state a conclusion that synthesizes his/her argument. Students will be provided with tools to help evaluate the depth of their argument, coherence of their paragraphs, the logic of their organization, and clarity of the relationships of their ideas. It will be taught using a road-tested, proven, writing instruction methodology. Techniques will be practiced with engaging and high-interest content. Writing will become easier for them, and quality will improve.
Curriculum:
The writing process: plan, organize (outline), write, revise, edit - POWRE
Develop an insightful thesis
Organization & outlining techniques
Select best evidence to support claims
Craft analysis to prove the thesis
Interrogate argument for strength & depth
Literary character and point-of-view analysis
Revision and editing strategies
Fine tune word choice, transitions, sentence variety and coherence
Class Descriptions:
8th Grade Persuasive Essay & Literary Analysis Strategies
An informative and inviting writing course designed to help your child develop and support an argument with clarity and depth, and strengthen his/her literary and historical analysis techniques. Students will learn to craft essays that state a meaningful and insightful claim, choose best evidence to support the claim, develop analysis that proves the claim, and state a conclusion that synthesizes his/her argument. Students will be provided with tools to help evaluate the depth of their argument, the coherence of their paragraphs, the logic of their organization, and the clarity of the relationships among their ideas. It will be taught using a proven, writing instruction methodology. Techniques will be practiced with engaging and high-interest content. Writing will become easier for them, and quality will improve.
Curriculum:
The writing process: Pick Information, Organize, Write, Revise & Edit - POWRE
Develop an insightful thesis
Organization and outlining techniques
Select best evidence to support claims
Craft analysis to prove the thesis
Interrogate argument for strength & depth
Analyze literary character and point-of-view
Revision and editing strategies
Fine tune word choice, transitions, sentence variety and coherence
Class Descriptions:
9th & 10th Grade Advanced Argument Essay & Literary Analysis
An informative and enticing course designed to support your child in developing powerful arguments with persuasive writing, and historical and literary analysis capabilities. Students will learn to craft essays with a meaningful and insightful thesis, choose best evidence to support the claim, develop analysis that proves the claim, and craft a conclusion that synthesizes and extends his/her argument. Students will be provided with tools to help evaluate the depth of their argument, the coherence of their paragraphs, the logic of their organization, and the clarity of the relationships of their ideas. It will be taught using a road-tested writing instruction methodology. Techniques will be practiced with excerpts from literature and history topics likely to be encountered in school. Writing will become easier for them, and quality will improve.
Curriculum:
The writing process: Pick Information, Organize, Write, Revise & Edit - POWRE
Develop an insightful thesis
Organization & outlining techniques
Select best evidence to support claims
Craft analysis to prove the thesis
Interrogate argument for strength & depth
Introduce and address counterclaims
Revision and editing strategies
Literary character and point-of-view analysis
Fine tune word choice, transitions, sentence variety and coherence
Class Descriptions:
ISEE & SSAT Test Preparation
A comprehensive test-prep class covering math, verbal, reading comprehension, and writing. Classes will cycle through presenting strategies for approaching different types of problems, practicing problems, and reviewing concepts missed. Progress will be measured by comparing a pre-class test to scores on sections and practice tests throughout the class. Students will have homework plus be asked to learn new vocabulary words each day. Max of 8 students per class. Note, the practice sections and essay prompts assigned will be tailored/matched to the test each students plans on taking for those who know if they will be sitting for the SSAT or the ISEE.