Course Description
See Reviews of Instructor Colette Bailes
English Foundations 1 is for 5th–7th graders who want an all-in-one online class that includes literature, vocabulary, writing and grammar. The class will teach students how to approach literature.
Students will learn the following skills:
- Employ close reading skills
- Develop vocabulary
- Identify and explain signposts in writing
- Identify elements of plot
- Use questions, predictions, and inferences to deepen knowledge of texts
- Synthesize, summarize, and discuss texts
We will use literature to create writings in response to texts.
Course Structure
Students will develop the following skills:
- Craft sentences and three-part paragraphs
- Produce narrative, descriptive, informative, and persuasive writings
- Identify author’s craft and messages in poetry
- Develop grammar skills
- Create multimedia project for individual presentations
Who should enroll?
This class is open to 5th–7th graders.
Technology Requirements
- High speed, broadband Internet
- Headset and microphone (for live sessions)
- Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
- Microsoft Word and Power Point is extremely helpful. If using a different word processing program, the document should be saved or exported as a pdf in order to submit it on Canvas.
Evaluation and Feedback
Rubrics are provided and clearly state the required criteria for writing assignments. Grammar and vocabulary exercises are usually graded automatically by Canvas. The literature comprehension questions are graded based on effort.
I believe in substantial, individualized feedback so that each student can gain confidence, enhance learning, and improve skills to encourage self-awareness and enthusiasm for learning. Students will receive this feedback via Canvas.
Parents will receive individual mid-year and end-of-year assessments.
Communication
Parents are welcome to contact me via email with questions before registering, but it is not necessary before enrolling a student. Once I know a student has registered, the family will receive a welcome packet with additional information about the course. I will contact parents if there is a concern that a student is not keeping up with the work or frequently turning in late assignments.
Parent –
-Consistent meeting times
-Excellent teacher response to all assignments. I was blown away by the individualized feedback for each assignment, which enables the student to grow, regardless of their current caliber of work.
-Teacher truly cared about the students. We had an issue come up partway into the year and the teacher was very caring and responsive, and gave grace to our child.
Parent –
We have been thrilled with this class. I really wanted my daughter to have another teacher other than myself before entering high school and other online classes. This class gave her a safe place for that transition to happen. She was challenged, guided, and encouraged. I feel like the class helped to strengthen some of the areas where I did not know how to teach/grade and gave her confidence in some areas we didn’t know she was strong in. My daughter has struggled with confidence with schooling and was so scared to go into a different learning situation (which was one reason I really pushed for this) and Mrs. Graybill did such a great job of making her feel comfortable and confident. Her thorough evaluations on the writing assignments were so helpful. If you put in the effort, you will succeed in this class. We are so thrilled she took this class and had this opportunity to learn and grow in her language arts skills.
Parent –
Covers grammar, literature, vocabulary and writing. Well laid out in that students are given daily expectations to complete with weekly due dates. This allows great flexibility for students to do daily work to keep on track or work ahead if they are inclined to do so. Besides weekly class sessions, students had videos and PowerPoints to reference for information. Mrs. Graybill was very patient with my daughter and I am grateful for her help with English this past year. Five stars for Mrs. Graybill and this course.
Joseph M. –
5 (stars) I think that Mrs.Graybill is an awesome teacher. She expects a lot from you, but not too much, and can be flexible too. I loved this course and am kind of sad that it is coming to an end. I hope to take more of her classes in the future.
Selena (verified owner) –
This was my son’s first online class and it was amazing! We were looking for just a writing class, but he learned literature study, grammar, and vocabulary in this class. Mrs. Graybill offers very informational classes in a fun way. It was a bit fast paced for us, maybe because it was his first online class, but we’re both glad he took the class. His writing improved and I gained so much knowledge. I now feel confident in helping him check his assignments and in reinforcing what she taught him about writing. Two thumbs up!
Brantlee –
Mrs. Graybill is such an amazing teacher! This was my first English class and I was a little scared, but Mrs. Graybill took me under her wing and was very positive through it all. I would highly recommend this class to other students. I learned a lot, and am still learning. It always helps to have an amazing teacher by your side.
MSTA ROCKS!
Meenakshi Gupta –
This was my son’s first English class and we joined the class in October. Mrs. Graybill was very welcoming and even waived off vocabulary exercises for him. She explained the course material very well and answered our questions very promptly. She took the time to grade students’ work, and always had a positive comment for every assignment.
My son gained a lot from this class. He was completely responsible for this class and completed his assignments on time. His writing skills have improved tremendously. This is all because of all the hard work Mrs. Graybill put in. Thank you so much, Mrs. Graybill.
Rebecca Klabunde (verified owner) –
Both my daughter and my son have taken courses and we couldn’t speak more highly of their experience! Mrs. Graybill is warm, friendly, and helps all of the students feel at ease. She is both thorough in her explanations and dependable to answer questions in a timely manner. We also appreciated her willingness to work with each and every student, individually, if they struggled with a particular area. Her patience comes across in all that she does and it’s evident that she works hard to make sure that each of her students succeeds! We all think that Mrs. Graybill is AMAZING!
Josie Pinnow –
What an excellent class with a wonderful, loving instructor! I highly recommend this course for any middle school student. My son learned so much, especially in grammar!