COURSE DESCRIPTION
Students will watch two video-based writing courses and will have the chance to submit ten writing assignments to Ms. Finnigan for coaching and feedback along the way. They will have 30 days to watch the videos and submit the assignments.
In The 5-Day Essay ("basecamp"), the student will learn (or review) the fundamentals of argumentative essay writing, drafting a full essay by the end. In 6 Steps to Textual Support, the student will set off "up the mountain," learning how to elegantly and effectively incorporate quotes from a text into an essay, a critical skill for high school and college. They will also be introduced to the conventions of academic writing (MLA), applying the basic rules that govern how to document sources and writing a Works Cited list.
COURSE TIMING & RECOMMENDATIONS
Course Duration:
- Recommended 10 days
- Maximum 30 days
Amount of work:
- 30-45 minutes per day for ten days including video time and quizzes
Teacher-Student Interaction:
- Students will have the option to submit 10 assignments to Ms. Finnigan as they go through the two courses
- Ms. Finnigan will respond within 24 business hours
- Students are advised to hear from Ms. Finnigan before moving on to the next lesson, as some revisions might be recommended!
Questions?
Email Ms. Finnigan at
[email protected]
Hi, that's me, Ms. Finnigan!
When I'm not hiking with my nephew in the Rockies (and telling him tales of the great Odysseus!), I love to teach writing. This is a quick "camp" that can easily be done over summer break between campfires and water balloon fights!
For ten years I taught high school literature and composition at a classical school. I did not have time in my literature classes to teach students how to write. So I created an early version of these courses.
They are concise, quick, to-the-point. I have been teaching these tips, tricks, and techniques to my students for years -- with great success! These writing techniques help students to conduct better analysis, show keener insight, and exercise more critical thinking in their essays.
They are effective. My colleagues told me that they could easily identify which students had been through my literature classes because they were the best writers. One administrator told me that I was the best writing instructor their school had ever had! I loved setting up my students for success in high school and beyond. I'd love to do the same for yours!
Now, time to go roast some marshmallows...
Testimonials
"I taught with Ellen Finnigan at Kolbe Academy for several years. She taught English Composition at the 9th an 10th grade levels, and I taught Literature and History at the 10-12th grade levels. Without question I knew that her students who took my classes were excellent, well-trained writers. Often these students were as well-prepared as any students I had taught at the college level in my previous positions. Ms. Finnigan does an excellent job of preparing young writers to master the arts of composition. Anyone who takes the time to study with her and follow well her instruction will become competent at the craft of writing. She has the gift of teaching composition well!"
Carl Hasler, 2024
"Loved it. It was easy for my son, but it took him back to the basics. I really valued the well-thought out writing feedback Ms. Finnigan gave and her encouragement meant a lot to him!"
Parent, Spring 2024
"My daughter learned several techniques to keep her writing on track and more connected. Ms. Finnigan was approachable and so helpful during coaching."
Parent, Spring 2024
"This class was a good review of things that I had learned from you before at Kolbe. I enjoyed watching the videos; you were very enthusiastic and fun in them. Also, the feedback on assignments was timely and helpful."
Student, Winter 2024
"Dear Ms. Finnigan, I hope that you had a wonderful summer! I have been at Franciscan University for a few weeks now, and I am having a wonderful time! I wanted to let you know that earlier this week, I had the first draft of my English paper displayed on the large classroom screen for peer editing (and extra credit!), and as I was reading through it, my English teacher kept pausing me to point out to my classmates all the things that she loved about the paper. She did have some minor edits, but she was very impressed by the draft. Anyway, it made my day, and I figured I'd let you know about it because I know that I can trace a lot of the techniques that I used in that paper back to what you taught me in your class! Thank you for preparing me for the writing I've been doing here at college! Sincerely, Rebecca"
Email received September 2022
"The 5 Day Essay course by Ms. Finnigan was very helpful to me as a homeschool mom. I am glad we took a week out of our normal curriculum to devote to working on writing skills, because this course was succinct (about 30 minutes per day) but at the same time, thorough. My students learned a lot in a short amount of time and were able to improve their essay skills as well as writing in general after completing this course. I consider this time well spent and would recommend the course for grades six and up. Ms. Finnigan communicates so clearly that I feel younger students would benefit as well as high schoolers."
Maria B., Illinois, Fall 2023
In a short time, your student can take their essays to alpine heights!
Bundle Contents
You will get these two courses with your purchase, plus the ability to send 10 assignments to Ms. Finnigan for grading and feedback.
