Before becoming a teacher, I worked as a professional writer and editor. My life was deadline after deadline after deadline. I consider myself to be a good writer, yet there were days when I would stare at a blank computer screen - unable to think of anything to write - or I would delete everything I had written. Once I liked what I had written, the words usually flowed faster than I could type!
Writing comes fairly easily to me, but writing is hard work! It is a valuable communication tool and a necessary skill all children need to develop. When I opened VCLA Tutoring, I offered a writing workshop for students in grades 5-12. I soon realized that more and more writing demands are placed on our younger students and I needed to develop writing programs for them, too. Now VCLA offers six writing classes; three of which are for students as young as 5-years-old!
I want your children to fall in love with writing. I want them to know that writing does not have to be a painful process, so I have added workshops to ignite their creativity and teach them writing can be fun. Two of my favorite workshops are Awesome Me! and Microsoft on Training Wheels.
I am so excited about Awesome Me! that I, too, am creating my own book. Microsoft on Training Wheels will teach your child how to use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. The really good news is that the tuition includes a licensed copy of the software, so your child can use the program at home, too.
Writing is a great summertime activity; it wraps around vacation times perfectly and goes hand-in-hand with reading. Please take a look at the classes, then call me to schedule times convenient for your summer schedule. I am looking forward to talking with you soon.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Berry
Awesome Me! - Grades K-5
This workshop gives your aspiring author the guidance and tools necessary to produce a 20-page, full-color, professionally typeset, hardcover book – complete with your child’s photo on the back cover. After your child completes the book, VCLA will send it to the publisher. This is a one-on-one, work-at-your-own pace workshop.
Microsoft on Training Wheels - Grades K-5
This kid-friendly introduction to Microsoft Office will help your child learn PowerPoint, Word, and Excel – technology skills they will need and use throughout their school years and beyond. The tuition includes a licensed suite of five programs - Write, Show, Count, Paint and Record. Students will create a presentation to display weather symbols and a weather map; a chart to present a 5-day weather forecast; and a report about the weather. Technology requirements: Home computers must have pre-installed the 32-bit, Windows version of Microsoft® Office 2007 or Microsoft® Office 2010. This is a one-on-one, work-at-your-own pace workshop.
Creative Writing for the Reluctant Writer - Grades K-5
Students will select from hundreds of borders, shapes, and themes to use as inspiration to write and design poetry, short stories, letters, personal narratives, invitations and awards. Students of all abilities will learn to plan, set goals, develop strategies and solve problems as they learn to enjoy the writing process and experience success. When students complete this 10-hour, one-on-one workshop, they will leave with a personal, licensed copy of the software used during the workshop, and their creative works will be published on VCLA’s Web site and Facebook pages.
Essay Express - Grades 4-8
Students who Jump aboard the Essay Express will learn a fresh approach to answering short answer essay questions. This fresh approach will include learning nine cognitive strategies to use before, during, and after the essay writing process. Students will become more confident about taking essay tests and their essay writing skills, in general. Provide your child with a solid foundation of lifelong writing success with this 10-hour, one-on-one workshop.
Author, I Am! - Grades 6-12
This workshop gives your aspiring author the guidance and tools necessary to produce a 20-page, full-color, professionally typeset, hardcover book – complete with your child’s photo on the back cover. After your child completes the book, VCLA will send it to the publisher. This is a one-on-one, work-at-your-own pace workshop.
Essay Writing - Grades 9-12, Adult
The writing seminars teach students the process of writing, how to write well, and how to make their work stand out from the rest. We incorporate lessons in storytelling, grammar, and technology to help students develop personal writing styles and write copy people want to read. Please note: We will schedule and tailor writing workshops to fit your needs. Adults welcome!
The essay writing class focuses on the traditional five-paragraph essay. Students learn how to write thesis statements and develop points to support the thesis. Students also learn the fundamentals of academic research, how to summarize their research to avoid plagiarism, and how to cite their sources. Each student will create a 3D writing tool, write an essay, score it using a rubric, and participate in a peer review. The student will meet with the instructor one-on-one throughout the writing process. Maximum 4 students.
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