Writing Reboot: A Therapeutic Approach to Writing

Writing Reboot is designed for students who are not on grade level for writing. These students may have struggled with reading and writing due to a learning disorder such as dysgraphia and/or dyslexia. The texts used in this course are at or below an 8th grade reading level to reduce the mental energy required to read; thus, allowing comprehension to become the focus of writing. Writing Reboot is designed to be semi-prescriptive, in which assignments and expectations are based on a student’s ability level, and is cumulative. Writing Reboot integrates grammar, sentence structure, diagramming, and writing in a way that is designed to increase a student’s understanding of written language. The writing method used is from the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). Students will learn sentence structure and diagramming from Shurley English. Grammar is an integration of the methods and materials from Shurley English, IEW, and The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation.

Monthly progress follows the units from IEW, with the exception of the first two units, which will take 2-3 weeks each. Each week students will meet live for interactive instruction and recitation of their papers. Weekly assignments include pre-recorded lectures, appropriate reading for the week, writing of one keyword outline, and one paper. The diagnostic assessments are given during the first week of the first semester and the week following Christmas break. Semester exams will be given before Christmas break and at the end of the second semester.

Course Objectives:

1. Develop an understanding of English grammar.
2. Learn the seven sentence patterns and how to use them to increase writing abilities.
3. Develop an understanding of the four sentence types.
4. Diagram sentences to see how words are related in sentences.
5. Increase writing abilities in a systematic, cumulative approach.
6. Increase writing abilities based on semi-prescriptive assignments.

Texts or Required Materials:

• Teaching Writing: Structure and Style, Second Edition [Seminar Workbook]
• Shurley English Level 8 (Not all exercises will be used.)
• Aesop’s Fable: The Lion and The Mouse *
• Aesop’s Fable: The Tortoise and The Hare*
• Aesop’s Fable: The Blind Man and The Lame Man*
• Aesop’s Fable: The Spaniel and The Mastiff*
• Aesop’s Fable: The Lion and The Mouse*
• Aesop’s Fable: The Angler and The Salmon*
• Mark Twain, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calavera County^
• Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow^
• Jack London, To Build a Fire^
• Mark Twain, The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg^
• O. Henry, The Gift of the Magi^

*Will scan and share the version required. ^May be found for free online. Must be original and unabridged. If you prefer to have the exact books used for Aesop's Fables and the American Short Stories, please follow these links:

• Aesop's Fables
• Great American Short Stories

Non-fiction writing in IEW Units 4, 6, 8, and 9 will require access to internet search engines. These units will be based on student interest and ability. We will learn how to find material online in a live instructional lesson.

Suggested Resources:

• The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation by Jane Straus