Four workshops dedicated to different elements of teaching writing: giving feedback, connecting reading and writing, pairing texts, and crafting writing prompts
| Age Range | Parent/Guardian |
| Class Type | Live |
| Start / End Dates | September 2-23, 2021; Thursdays from 2-2:45pm Eastern |
| Class Size | 3-10 Learners |
Pricing Information
| Single Session | $12 per Participant |
| Bundle: All 4 Sessions | $40 per Participant |
This class has filled up. If you’re interested in enrolling, you can join the waitlist and be the first to hear if a new section opens.
Want some help teaching writing? This series of workshops is aimed at parents/guardians to help make teaching middle school and high school writing and language arts easier.
Session 1: The Believing Game and the Doubting Game
Peter Elbow is a rhetoric and composition scholar who has been incredibly influential in the teaching of writing. This workshop will use his theories about giving feedback to help parents/guardians think about their role in the writing process more productively.
Session 2: The Reading-Writing Connection (Writing is Easier When You Have Something to Say)
One of the biggest struggles I’ve seen from families working on writing instruction is the tension that comes from separating reading and writing into different tasks.
Reading and writing are inherently and inextricably connected. This workshop will show you how to use that fact to your advantage.
Session 3: Pairing Texts for Deeper Learning
Graphic novel and prose; classic and contemporary; film and book; nonfiction and fiction; news articles and book.
There are so many productive and interesting ways to pair texts and get deeper understanding out of both. This workshop will give you some templates.
Session 4: The Anatomy of a Writing Prompt
Crafting a writing prompt can be a daunting task. You want to make sure you’re asking your writer to do enough . . . but not too much. You want to give the details they need to succeed . . . but leave freedom for creativity. You want to provide suggestions for getting started . . . but not tell them what to write.
This workshop will go over how to craft a writing prompt that will make things easier and more productive for everyone.
Time Commitment
These are self-contained workshops that last 45 minutes. No additional work outside of class is required.
Live Sessions Meet on Thursdays
We’ll meet via Zoom for a live discussion session each Thursday at 2-2:45pm Eastern/1-1:45am Central/12-12:45am Mountain/11-11:45am Pacific
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
None needed. Bringing any materials you’re currently working on as you plan writing/language arts classes may be helpful.
Skills Gained
Participants will leave each session with practical tips to help them teach writing and language arts with more confidence and preparation.
Believing Game and Doubting Game: Participants will gain an understanding of Peter Elbow’s “Believing Game” to help give productive feedback on writing assignments.
Reading-Writing Connection: Participants will learn how to connect reading and writing assignments for more productive learning experiences.
Pairing Texts: Learners will leave with frameworks for pairing texts to achieve different learning outcomes.
Writing Prompts: Participants will learn how to craft writing prompts that support writer’s autonomy and progress as critical thinkers engaging in academic discourse.
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