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My Writing Coach Online offers comprehensive writing courses, individualized tutoring, assessment and evaluation, and online workshops for middle school to high school students. Customized classes are available. Personalized, not computerized. Your Writing Coach is Deb Evans – you will always know who is working with you and your children… every time! Coaching is available via online classes (workshop-style or full, academic classes), one-on-one tutoring/coaching, evaluation and assessment via email, and/or traditional classes on location [Conroe/The Woodlands]. My Writing Coach
offers both the structure students need and the flexibility that busy
families require. |
Mark Twain said “"The difference between the right word and almost the right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
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My Writing Coach Philosophy: 1. Writing is FUN. Learning to write should also be fun. Most writing curriculum is so focused on the mechanics that they all but ignore the reason we write - to communicate - to share information, express an opinion, entertain through a story. It also zaps all the fun out of writing! Mechanics - grammar and punctuation and spelling – are important… Proper mechanics help us to communicate effectively, to make it easier for our readers to understand what we’re saying, but they aren't the reason we write. Writing teachers must understand that writing is, ultimately, expression, communication, art. By accepting that premise, we allow students the joy and freedom that comes with writing. When students enjoy writing… enjoy creating… the mechanics will fall into place. 2. Students need a purpose for writing. It increases their motivation and willingness to work and improve. Our writing assignments are designed to appeal to students’ interests and/or to coordinate with their other classes. We focus on the importance of writing throughout your life and career. 3. The process of writing is vital. We teach writing in separate stages -prewriting/writing/rewriting. It’s important to separate writing from editing. Editing too early in the process stifles creativity and expression. Remember, even bestselling authors need revising and editing. 4. Effective writing instruction must be individualized to the student’s needs and must include specific and timely feedback or assessment. A simple grade will not allow students to improve. They must have the opportunity to revise their work and learn from feedback. Students must have clear, achievable goals. 5. Reading and writing go hand in hand. Students learn the most about writing by reading good literature. Our curriculum includes studying the techniques of influential writers from a variety of genres. Writing should be taught across the curriculum; its importance in all areas of life should be emphasized. 6. Good writing is important. Colleges and Universities annually report an increase in the percentage of students requiring remedial reading and writing classes. Even corporations are reporting sending new employees to remedial writing classes. Students need to develop good writing skills. Although some children are naturally gifted writers, all children are capable of learning fundamental composition skills. 7. We believe that writing is a process. Every written work should go through this same process:
©Deb Evans
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Testimonials from a former student, now attending Texas A&M "Deb Evans has been a part of my life for many years, and for that I am so thankful. She has taught me everything from grammar basics to taking a passion in what I am writing about. Once frustrating to me, writing has become my form of expression as well as a great joy in my life. Many English teachers I have had in my life frustrated me with a greater concern for mechanics than content. Deb Evans balances the two perfectly, correcting my mistakes while still caring for my writing as if it were her own. I still rely on her services today, and every time I get her help on a paper I can submit it with confidence no matter how much the teacher likes that red pen;)" Sharon Joncyk and a few words from her mom... I have known Deb Evans for over
8 years. At that time, Montgomery College (now known as Lonestar) offered
classes to homeschoolers. Deb taught "Grammar Bootcamp" and a beginning
writing course. Both my children had always homeschooled, and worked on
unit studies with other families. These were their first "classroom"
experiences. There was some apprehension to be in a classroom- not just
for them, but also me. They immediately took to Deb because of her
charismatic personality and kindness. As a teacher, she taught concepts in
a non-threatening way, took time to explain things, and showed
encouragement. My children did not "like" to write, and that was a big
reason for our looking elsewhere for "help". Within the first few weeks
they were EXCITED to write. I watched small paragraphs become large
paragraphs, short/quick written papers became well-worded, well-thoughtful
essays. Our Services Evaluation & Assessment no contracts, no ongoing commitment; just submit your writing assignments as needed for professional review and instruction My Writing Coach evaluates submitted essays and reports based on the standard Six Traits of Writing assessment. Student will receive a detailed assessment of his or her work with practical suggestions for improvement. Here’s what we do not do: we do not offer complete proofreading and editing of your papers.* This does not teach a student how to write. Instead we identify areas that need work and coach the student in ways to improve his or her writing and to make necessary corrections. We are available to provide whatever instruction or assistance the students need; however, our goal is to guide students through the writing process, not do the work for them. Why use My Writing Coach Online to evaluate my child’s papers? Writing can be a difficult subject to evaluate. There isn’t an answer key to use. Sure, you can objectively assess whether a word is spelled correctly or a comma is in the right place, but it’s difficult to objectively assess style, structure, word choice… especially when it’s your child doing the writing. Some parents are not confident in their own writing skills and are uncomfortable teaching the subject. [kind of like my efforts to teach math to my kids…it’s not a good idea.] Having an objective third-part resource to review your child’s writing will make your life easier, as well as give you confidence in knowing your child is receiving quality instruction and assessment. We can help with any writing project from short stories to essays to research papers. My Writing Coach is available any time, any day of the week, with a quick turn-around time. Email your project to us in the middle of the night, if that’s when you’re up working on it! How does it work? Click here for details. *non-academic proofreading and editing is available for adult writers seeking publication. Long-Term Coaching Deb will coach and mentor your students through your choice of writing/language arts curriculum. We offer personalized tutoring at your own pace via email or web cam! A schedule and fees will be set up based on your needs. Contact Deb for a complimentary consultation and proposal. In-person tutoring is also available. Coaching can be based on an hourly or semester rate. Online Writing Courses We believe that the best teaching is delivered simply. If you can e-mail, you can participate in our classes. Weekly lessons are emailed to you. Complete the assignments and email your work back for evaluation. Mrs. Deb is available throughout the week to answer questions or to provide additional feedback or help. About our Curriculum: We use a custom curriculum, developed by Deb Evans. Our curriculum uses elements from a variety of respected writing programs, as well as the experience and skills that Evans has developed from years of working as a writer, as well as teaching writing at the elementary, junior and senior high levels. Students have the opportunity to publish their work for an audience (other students) and to have the chance to read other student writing through our online community. Click here for more information on our online classes.
Interested!? Email Mrs. Deb, your writing coach, at debevanscreative@gmail.com
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About Deb
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