Write On! – Building My Own Writing Portfolio

Feature image - Write OnWrite On! is More Than SAT’s writing program designed for late elementary and middle school students. We believe that every student is already full of ideas and imaginations. Through a four-lesson cycle, our program helps the students to bring them out in a more effective, tangible, and creative ways in three stages:

Stage 1: Writing with Imagination + Writing with Ease

The best way to become writers is to simply write and write more often. Instead of worrying about deadlines, grades, and scrutiny, students will have a chance to brainstorm, write, and create to realize their imaginations and ideas.

Each student will have a Writing Journal in which they will practice capturing their thoughts on paper; this journal will become a source of inspiration for years to come, while they build good habits that support their writing. The Writing Journal will also be used by our professional teachers and editors to further create, edit, and revise their written pieces in various genres through an authentic writing process, just as a real world professional writer.

Stage 2: Writing with Writers + Writing with Clarity

Children best learn crafts or skills through good examples being modeled for them within a supportive community. The Write On! writing process provides children many opportunities to keep revising and improving their writing through meaningful feedbacks. Students will also have opportunities to learn from other great writers their own age, for example. By reading, reinterpreting, or remixing these exemplary writings, students can raise their own quality of writing.

Stage 3: Writing with Skill + Writing with Purpose

Our writing students write for a purpose with skill and quality. They have an audience. When the students’ written pieces are complete, they will be published in a monthly Online Newsletter, which will be accessible to the online world to share with friends and family. Additionally, students will add their final masterpiece to their own Writer Portfolio.

Celebration!

Just as students learn best within a community of peers and supporters, students will learn to also celebrate with others. The point of our celebration is to connect with others, whether it be their peers, families, or a friend-to-be.

We will have a quarterly celebration in which our participating students will be able to present (in various media) their writings in front of their families, friends, and guests.

Students Will Need:

  • Laptop, Chromebook, or iPad (must have a keyboard) equipped with Google Doc capabilities
  • Student Portfolio (provided by MTSAT)
  • Student Writing Journal (provided by MTSAT)
  • Gmail address to access Google Docs (we can help parents set this up for their students)

Four Sessions per Learning Cycle:

  • New Student Orientation (30 min) for new students and their parents
  • SESSION 1: Brainstorm to first draft
  • SESSION 2: Drafts (Revising/Improving your pieces)
  • SESSION 3: Drafts (Revising/Improving your pieces)
  • SESSION 4: Finalizing/Sharing/Celebrating!

Fees and Tuition:

  • $50/student: One-time registration fee for first-time students only
  • $200/student: Tuition for four-session cycle
    • Sibling discount may be offered for families with 2 or more students
    • If paying for 3 cycles up front, a 10% discount will be offered

Dates and Times:

Cycle 1: (Pilot Cycle: 50% Discount on Tuition)

  • 03/19, Thursday: 5:00-5:30pm New Student Orientation
  • 03/19, Thursday: 5:30-6:30pm Session 1
  • 03/26, Thursday: 5:00-6:00pm Session 2
  • 04/02, Thursday: 5:00-6:00pm Session 3
  • 04/09, Thursday: 5:00-6:00pm Session 4

Cycle 2:

  • 04/16, Thursday: 4:30-5:00pm New Student Orientation (if needed)
  • 04/16, Thursday: 5:00-6:00pm Session 1
  • 04/23, Thursday: 5:00-6:00pm Session 2
  • 04/30, Thursday: 5:00-6:00pm Session 3
  • 05/07, Thursday: 5:00-6:00pm Session 4

Cycle 3:

  • 05/14, Thursday: 4:30-5:00pm New Student Orientation (if needed)
  • 05/14, Thursday: 5:00-6:00pm Session 1
  • 05/21, Thursday: 5:00-6:00pm Session 2
  • 05/28, Thursday: 5:00-6:00pm Session 3
  • 06/04, Thursday: 5:00-6:00pm Session 4

Summer Cycle Dates, Times, and Location TBD

Add-On Programs:

  • We also will be offering add-on programs, workshops, or seminars for students and/or parents. More details will be given to participants
  • Some planned add-on program topics will include:
    • Effective study skills
    • Presentation skills (public speaking and presenting)
    • Digital literacy & citizenship and internet safety seminar for children
    • Creating art or digital storytelling to support your writing

Registration:

  • Please email WriteOn@morethansat.com for more information or to be on the mailing list.
  • Please call our Write On! Program Director, Jenny Chang, for more information:773-306-9655
  • Or register online here.