Course Details:
- 1 live class per week
- 11 weeks
- Live Class Length: 25 minutes
- 10 seats per section
- Homework is assigned
- Formal grades
- Materials
The teacher will provide all materials. Students will need to use Google products, Canva, and Typetastic.
SmartStart ELA: Tech-Powered Learners Ready for Middle School
$12.00 / week
Google Docs, Slides, Canva, PowerPoint, Typing, MLA formatting, E-mail, attitudes toward learning….OH MY! Designed to equip students with essential technology competencies and to build independence, students prep for tech-heavy English.
Section Options / Enroll:
- Description
- Lesson Schedule
- Class Intro Video
- A Biblical Worldview
- The Lemons-Aid Way
- Teacher Bios
- Outschool
- Request a Section
Description
⛳️ 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬-𝐀𝐢𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠
We have a number of offerings that are good for learners with different needs! To see a comparison chart of our middle school English language arts offerings, click the link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C4kPDI-gpxZD1Lap7vwqW9QwWsqQSwZ0/view?usp=sharing
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞: 𝗔 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵, 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲, & 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸
Addressing the challenges of ever-changing technology and our dependence on it for online learning, our SmartStart ELA course provides a strategic solution. Many students find themselves navigating a digital world without the essential technological skills needed for success. Recognizing these gaps as we’ve been teaching, our course is designed to empower students by not only addressing these technological challenges but also ensuring they acquire fundamental English Language Arts (ELA) competencies. We equip students to navigate the demands of a modern academic landscape. We fill those gaps in this course, preparing them for the rigor of on-grade-level work in our rigorous ELA semesters.
Through carefully crafted modules, we tackle the nuances of online learning etiquette, providing strategies for effective problem-solving and resource utilization. Simultaneously, we cultivate a genuine love for reading and build a strong foundation for essay writing. In this process, we employ tech tools to enhance grammar, style, and overall written expression. It’s crucial to note that technology does not substitute for ingenuity, creativity, and proficiency in reading and writing; rather, it serves as a valuable aid to students as they embark on the journey of essay writing, critical reading, and literary expression.
🚨Ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔ Ｎｏｔｅ:
All students receive specific feedback on their work. We are intentional about putting a little pressure on them and teaching them how to handle that pressure. They will rise to the occasion with mental toughness and confidence because they will know what to do, how to do it, and are absolutely capable of pulling it off. We are building leaders who will take on the world as high achievers.
✅ Ｈｏｍｅｗｏｒｋ:
Students can expect to have 30 minutes of homework per week. In addition, they read a novel of their choice for 100 minutes per week.
📆 𝐒𝐘𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐔𝐒
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭𝟲–𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺: 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝘁𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲
Discover the essential skills for online success in middle school! Students will learn the norms that ensure a positive and engaging virtual learning environment.
⦿ the importance of keeping cameras on
⦿ how to customize Zoom and Zoom norms (no primping, full face in the camera, backgrounds, lighting, etc.)
⦿ how to stay engaged (using the chatbox and emojis for good)
⦿ e-mail, chat, and communication norms
⦿ showing respect with your face and voice
⦿ learn in a quiet environment
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟯–𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
Students are equipped with valuable problem-solving skills, resilience in the face of challenges, and effective resource utilization. This module focuses on fostering learning habits crucial for success in and out of the classroom.
⦿ how to deal with frustration
⦿ how to use resources to solve your own problems
⦿ how to be an independent problem-solver
⦿ how to communicate with a teacher, coach, or someone in authority
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟯𝟬–𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀
Students not only discover the joy of reading but also master essential skills. From obtaining a library card and using the online library app Libby to participating in book clubs, this module enriches the reading experience and encourages a lifelong love for books.
⦿ how to pick a book to read for pleasure
⦿ get a library card and use the free online library
⦿ keep a Must-Read list
⦿ Present a Book Talk
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟯:
⦿ How to participate in a book club by participating in a book club
𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵-𝗜𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆–𝗘𝗟𝗔 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀
From learning to type to harnessing the power of Google tools, this module guides students in navigating the intricacies of MLA rules and formatting essays seamlessly. Students rapidly gain skills, ensuring that their work is not just effective and polished but also efficiently crafted.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗹 𝟳:
⦿ learn to type 26 lowercase letters
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟭𝟰:
⦿ Learn to type numbers, punctuation, and upper-case letters
⦿ Google Drive and staying organized
⦿ Google Docs and MLA formatting
⦿ using Google Docs for editing and revising
𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵-𝗜𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗟𝗔 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀
Students master the art of creating and presenting projects using various platforms, including physical projects, Google Slides, Canva, and other innovative tools. This module is designed to enhance digital literacy and presentation skills.
𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 3 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 3 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 21:
⦿ Quality physical projects and presentations
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟴:
⦿ Quality Google Slide presentations
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝘂𝗴 𝟰:
⦿ Quality Canva projects and presentations
🌻 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙖𝙮 𝙒𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙡𝙡:
𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘔𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 & 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺–We use “workshop time” in class so students will write while the teacher “visits” them on their Google Document, Slides, etc. Once we started using this method, we saw nearly a 100% completion rate in student writing! We implement other measures to hold them accountable for their learning, like asking them to verbally give answers if they stop using the chatbox, or telling them to send an “IDK yet” (I don’t know yet) in the chatbox if they can’t yet answer a question. We want to honor the investment parents make in this class and the time students spend. The goal is to build skills and learn! That means students are working, thinking, and writing. Active engagement is the key to success in this class.
𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 & 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘴–The instructor intentionally teaches communication skills and norms. These skills are taught through various methods, including speeches, presentations, and discussions. We also talk about how an online community is established, and students are encouraged–but not forced–to keep their cameras open. This helps all students feel connected to each other as a community of learners. It also helps the teacher picture their faces when reading their writing. They naturally get more attention from their teacher when their camera is on because the teacher’s eyes are drawn to faces, not empty black boxes. In fact, students who don’t have their cameras on are sorted last in the list of students and sometimes, Zoom even hides them! Keeping the camera on is a learning strategy and improves engagement. Also, we feel closer to each other when we see each other. Trust us. 🥰
𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤 𝘖𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘳𝘴–Students need graphic organizers to help them see the structure of a paragraph, essay, or project. This is how they learn to develop coherent ideas. They don’t figure out how to do this magically; the graphic organizers and the intentional, explicit teaching help them learn the skills!
𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺–Each class includes explicit, direct instruction with teacher modeling. Students are guided toward mastery of multiple writing skills and understandings so that they grasp the concepts and become independent. Students are held to a high standard of academic writing, including the use of grammar and the construction of sophisticated sentences.
𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬–The back-and-forth work between a student and teacher significantly benefits a student if it is done well. We follow best practices in this area with how we design class time, assignments, and routines. According to Pennington Publishing, effective writing feedback (or grading) is:
• Specific, not general
• Immediate, not postponed
• Routine with a revision / feedback cycle
• Explanatory
• The right amount
• Targeted to the most critical issues
• Varied (written, audio, and video comments)
• Holding students accountable
Lesson Schedule
coming soon…
Class Introduction Video
Coming soon…
Taught From a Christian Perspective
Our mission is to equip learners’ minds and shepherd their hearts. We want them to have saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and then develop a biblical worldview. This means they view their world, themselves, and God in a way that aligns with what the Bible teaches. This brings great peace and understanding to the believer because we serve a good, sovereign God. This course is taught with these goals in mind. In class, we may pray, read scripture, and discuss how to view the content from a Christian perspective.
We have adopted The Master’s Seminary Doctrinal Statement.
Learners Need Explicit Instruction!
Explicit teaching is a method of instruction students desperately need! It is the opposite of a constructivist philosophy whereby students try to construct meaning themselves.
Well…
Instead of leaving students to magically figure out how to write an essay or read or do a geometry proof, we teach explicitly, which is backed by a large body of evidence, and it’s how Mrs. Lemons teaches her undergraduate and graduate teacher candidates in college to teach! We do it this way because it’s how kids learn.
Explicit instruction is “a structured, systematic, and effective methodology for teaching academic skills. It is called explicit because it is an unambiguous and direct approach to teaching that includes both instructional design and delivery procedures. Explicit instruction is characterized by a series of supports or scaffolds, whereby students are guided through the learning process with clear statements about the purpose and rationale for learning the new skill, clear explanations and demonstrations of the instructional target, and supported practice with feedback until independent mastery has been achieved.”
-Explicit Instruction: Effective and Efficient Teaching by Anita L. Archer and Charles A. Hughes.
Anita Archer trained Mrs. Lemons in workshops, and it changed her teaching. Read a little more about the research behind explicit teaching here and here.
To read more about your teaching and learning methods, read Mrs. Lemons’ blog.
The Lemons-Aid Team
Lemons-Aid teachers have a few things in common.
❤️ They love their students and value each of their unique strengths and personalities that make our classes special. Our classes can be described as fun, personal, academic, challenging, and supportive.
🤩 We work to keep learners engaged, so there is always a degree of student accountability for their attention and focus, whether that be through asking them direct questions or by using the chatbox.
💭 We know all kids can learn, but sometimes things are hard! To support students, we teach them how to develop effective thinking and learning habits that will bring them success in class and in life.
🌟 Building relationships with students so they know we care about them helps us balance the high expectations we have for them regarding their effort, work quality, and behavior. Our students are encouraged, cared for, and they achieve!
𝙆𝘼𝙍𝙀𝙉 𝙇𝙀𝙈𝙊𝙉𝙎: English Language Arts
#High-Energy #Skilled #Experienced #Relational #Fun
Karen is the Founder of Lemons-Aid. She has a bachelor’s degree in English, a minor in Education, and a master’s degree in Education Administration from Liberty University. With a teaching certificate and a principal’s license in both Washington and Colorado, she has many years of experience teaching English Language Arts and History / Social Studies at the middle school and high school levels. Additionally, she is TESOL and TEFL certified and enjoys teaching English Language Learners from all over the world. She has worked in private and public schools at every level and is currently an affiliate faculty member at Colorado Christian University, supervising teacher candidates in their undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs. She is a teacher of teachers. A homeschool mom herself, she admits that teaching other people’s kids is easier than teaching her own teenage boys! She lives in the Denver, Colorado area where she cheers on the Broncos, Avs, and the Rockies, but her favorite athletes are her own kids who play hockey and baseball!
🎥 Karen’s Intro Video
𝑱𝑬𝑵𝑵 𝑹𝑰𝑨𝑳𝑬: English Language Arts
#Experienced #Knowledgeable #Empowering #Patient #Rises Above the Ordinary.
As a certified English teacher, Jenn has taught in some capacity over the course of the past twenty-five years. She has taught middle school and high school English classes in both private and public school settings, tutored international ESL students online, developed and taught literature and public speaking classes for a local homeschool co-op, and homeschooled her own two children. Jenn has a bachelor’s degree in English Education. A strong believer in lifelong learning, Jenn has also taken several graduate-level courses related to teaching. Jenn enjoys spending time with her husband, Mark, and their two teenagers. She enjoys taking day trips close to where they live in upstate New York. In her spare time, Jenn enjoys singing and performing in plays. Additionally, she enjoys curling up on the sofa to read a good book. More than likely, one of her four cats will be curled up at her feet.
🎥 Jenn’s Intro Video
𝙆𝙍𝙄𝙎𝙏𝙀𝙉 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀𝙈𝘼𝙉: Elementary
#Fun #Inspiring #LoveForLearning
Kristen has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a minor in child psychology from Liberty University. For nearly a decade, she has worked in elementary school classrooms, as a private tutor, and as an online ELL teacher. While passionate about education in general, her favorite subjects to both study and teach are reading, grammar, and writing. She and her husband are actively involved in a church where she works as a Sunday School teacher and Children’s Ministry teacher to ages 4-6. No matter where she is teaching, Kristen tries to find ways to connect with her students and to create an exciting classroom that builds a passion for education. It is her desire to not only teach a subject but also to foster a love of learning which inspires students to want to learn more even once the class is completed. Kristen lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and their new baby boy! In her spare time, Kristen loves to create teaching content such as interactive lesson plans, worksheets, and more! She also enjoys doing family outings and crafting.
🎥 Kristen’s Intro Video
𝙈𝙍𝙎. 𝘼𝙇𝙄:
Elementary
#Engaging #Fun #Patient #Kind #Encouraging
Ali has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and has worked with children over the last 11 years. She taught for 6 years in public school, 2 years in Kindergarten and 4 years in First Grade. She has worked as a reading tutor and ESL teacher online for the last 4 years; she has also tutored children in-person in reading, writing, and STEM. Ali believes that every child is a natural learner; she believes that an educator’s goal is to engage each child in the way that they learn best! She is passionate about creating a safe and FUN environment that teaches the whole child. Each time she enters a classroom, whether it is in-person or online, you can find her singing, playing games, and making learning fun. Ali lives in Missouri, near St. Louis with her husband and fur-child (an 80 lb. German Shepherd who doesn’t know how big he is). In her free time she loves reading, writing, crafts, hiking, working out, and spending time with my family.
🎥 Ali’s Intro Video
𝙆𝙄𝙈𝘽𝙀𝙍𝙇𝙔 𝙋𝘼𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙄𝙎𝙄: English
#Energetic #Kind #Encouraging #Authentic #Enthusiastic #Guide
Kim loves life, loves people, and loves learning! She views each student as a team member with his or her own unique talents, skills and life experience to bring to the group. She loves helping students expand their knowledge and sharpen their skills to reach their greatest potential. Kim has a Bachelor’s degree from Cairn University in secondary Education with certification in English (NY and PA) and endorsement in music. Her classroom experience has focused on English, PE and Bible education, but she has tutored in a variety of areas including ESL, special ed, math, history, science and music (piano and voice). She lives in northeast PA with her wonderful family. She has homeschooled all of her seven children. The youngest five are still in school and ensure that every day is an adventure. Kim also coaches intramural and competitive sports throughout the year. She loves music, sports, reading and taking long walks up her dirt road admiring wildflowers, listening to birds and reflecting on what she is learning in life!
🎥 Kim’s Intro Video
Christian Teachers on Outschool
We want to serve you on Lemons-Aid! For first-time learners on Lemons-Aid, you can use the coupon code Newbie20 to get $20 off your first class.
However, if the schedule doesn’t work for you, we will happily teach you on Outschool, but we can’t talk about Jesus.
Use this referral code and get $20 off your first class on Outschool: LEMONSA2020
Request a New Section
Want to see this class offered at another time? Send a request, and we’ll see what we can do!