Four workshops for middle school writers working on foundational writing skills: brainstorming, crafting strong sentences, revising, and proofreading
| Age Range | 11-13 |
| Class Type | Live |
| Start / End Dates | Mondays- 8/15, 8/22, 8/29, 9/12 at 12-12:45pm Eastern |
| Class Size | 3-12 Learners |
Pricing Information
| All 4 Sessions | $40 per Learner |
Looking to brush up on writing skills? This writing workshop series offers four separate sessions that can be taken independently or bundled together.
Session 1: Brainstorming Strategies
Get stuck staring at a blank page? Find your ideas running away from you when you go to write them down? Brainstorming is an important tool for writers to have in their toolbox, and it can be used at any stage in the writing process.
In this workshop, we’ll learn four specific brainstorming strategies that can each be used on their own. We’ll also learn how to combine them to create a writer’s block-busting cycle that can get your words flowing again!
Session 2: Writing Interesting Sentences
A big part of writing is style, and it’s hard to teach. After all, we each develop our own voices and preferences.
You can, however, learn how to create more interesting and varied sentences to give you more control over your style. This workshop will show you how!
Session 3: What Does it Mean to Revise?
Revision is not the same as proofreading, and understanding the principles behind the crucial skill of revision can make you a better writer and thinker.
Come to this workshop to think through revision as a way of approaching your own actions and thoughts.
Session 4: Proofreading Strategies
The final touches might not feel all that important after you’ve spent so long getting the ideas of your paper in shape, but misspelled words and runaway commas can make your hard work look sloppy to readers.
Learn how to proofread like a pro in this workshop.
Time Commitment
These are self-contained workshops that last 45 minutes. No additional work outside of class is required.
Live Sessions Meet on Mondays
August 15, August 22, August 29, and September 12, 2022 at 12pm Eastern
(Please Note: We do NOT meet September 5)
Receive Handouts to Keep
In addition to our live session, learners will have access to PDF handouts that give an overview of the topic covered to keep for future reference.
Skills Needed
The ability to participate appropriately in an online live class.
Some experience with writing short academic assignments will make the discussion more useful and interesting.
Skills Gained
Learners will gain a familiarity with each topic as well as useful vocabulary and practical writing tips.
Brainstorming Strategies: In this session, learners will gain an understanding of four specific brainstorming strategies and how to use them in their own writing process.
Writing Interesting Sentences: Writers will gain an understanding of sentence structure and how to use introductory clauses, conjunctions, and other grammatical structures to increase the flexibility of their writing.
What Does it Mean to Revise?: Learners will gain a deeper understanding of the philosophy behind revision and how it impacts their own work.
Proofreading Strategies: Writers will practice identifying and correcting some of the most common writing errors.
To participate successfully in class, learners will need the following:
- Microphone and camera for in-class participation
- PDF Reader
- Zoom (free account)
- Google Docs
Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason
Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason has a Ph.D. in English with an emphasis on rhetoric and composition. She has more than a decade of teaching experience including six years of full-time college experience
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We have thoroughly enjoyed ancient history with Sam Matalone Cook and would love to continue following the history courses under her instruction. Michelle’s writing workshop was a welcomed addition to our semester and the ease of adding on a quick workshop to the semester was appreciated. I do wish that I could take classes, too. The great selection makes me jealous; Fairy Tales and Feminism would be so incredible to join in and to learn with Sam! And the LGBTQ+ history and US courses! Blair’s enthusiasm for science comes across strongly and is encouraging for the young learners. So many great classes- so little time.
Sheila and Elisa
So many great classes- so little time.
My Zoom-averse daughter looked forward to the weekly online meetings. Michelle does such a wonderful job at speaking with young people and guiding discussions. My daughter was motivated to work hard on her assignments and has asked to take another class from Michelle. E.F.P.
Michelle does such a wonderful job at speaking with young people and guiding discussions
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
I really appreciated your enthusiasm, support, and kind words in your video feedback messages to him. That goes a long way! [Learner] is going to a brick and mortar school next year for the first time since fourth grade. We submitted the two papers he wrote in your class to the high school he applied to go to next year, and they recommended he start in Advanced English! Woohoo! Jill G.
We submitted the two papers he wrote in your class to the high school he applied to go to next year, and they recommended he start in Advanced English!
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
The video lectures were clear and packed full of helpful and important writing lessons. The video and written feedback was clearly personalized, very detailed, and extremely beneficial for my learner. Michelle truly demonstrates compassion and expertise in her classes! Kristi R.
Michelle truly demonstrates compassion and expertise in her classes!
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
I only wish we had found Michelle sooner! I’ve been homeschooling my son off and on for years. Writing is very challenging for him and it is so difficult to take feedback from a parent. I have begged so many of his teachers to please offer direct, concise, written feedback and give him the opportunity to revise. I knew this would be the only way he could improve. This class was everything I’ve been asking for for years…..except I didn’t have to ask! It is designed this way and it worked brilliantly! My son gets to attend an adventure school in the fall, but if we homeschool the following year, the first thing I will do is sign him up for whatever Michelle is teaching. E.F.P.
I only wish we had found Michelle sooner!
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
I really appreciate how organized the class was, how clear the expectations and guidelines were and how professional and encouraging the feedback delivery was. Darcey
I really appreciate how organized the class was
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
I just want to take a few minutes to send a huge thank you for the way you deliver (have delivered) feedback to [Learner]. He tends to put a lot of pressure on himself and doesn’t often take feedback or constructive criticism well. You have managed to give him a boost of confidence and an opportunity to look inward to appreciate feedback from others. I’m so glad we found you! This experience is exactly what I hoped for in our homeschooling journey! Karen
I’m so glad we found you! This experience is exactly what I hoped for in our homeschooling journey!
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
He was so invigorated and excited after today’s meeting. It awakens something in him he craves and can only get from discussions like the one today. Bevin Early
He was so invigorated and excited after today’s meeting.
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
I especially enjoyed the final project for this class, which was something I had never tried before, using creative writing as a way to debate philosophy and contrasting view points. It was quite a bit challenging, ultimately leaving me satisfied with the ending result.
I used creative writing as a way to debate philosophy and contrasting view points
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
For us, this is “authentic learning.” We discussed how community college classes and other virtual online high school classes might be accredited and “weigh” a lot in terms of grades and credits, but SEA Online Classes is where her mind and creativity are challenged and inspired. I’d like to emphasize the part about creativity. She felt invited to engage creatively. SEA Online classes are where the love of learning happens.
SEA Online classes are where the love of learning happens.
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason