Our Voices Matter – Level 2 – Early Semester
$167.00
NEW Course! “Everyone has experiences worth sharing and a unique voice that deserves to be heard! In ‘Our Voices Matter,’ I guide students to discover the power of their own stories—not just as a writing exercise, but as a way to understand themselves and connect with others.” ~ Dr. Karen
Enrollment
Available
Step 1: Register Your Student
Step 2: Enroll Your Registered Student
| Instructor | Dr. Karen Arnstein |
| Content Levels | Grades 7-8 • Junior High Grades 9-10 • Lower High School Grades 11-12 • Upper High School |
| Course Length | 8 weeks |
| Live Webinars Held On | Mondays, 3:30 - 4:20 PM Pacific - |
| Additional Components | Asynchronous Option |
You have valuable experiences to share and a unique voice that should be heard!
In Our Voices Matter, we will uncover the strength of your own stories. This process goes beyond just improving writing skills. Sharing your story helps you build meaningful connections with others while gaining a deeper understanding of yourself.
I am excited to help you find your unique voice!
Note to Parents:
This course is the first in our series of four literacy/writing courses designed to build a complete set of reading, writing, and communication skills that students in grades 7 – 12 need. This course was developed in collaboration between Dr. Arnstein and Prof. Ariel. It aims to give homeschooling parents confidence that their gifted student will be challenged and get the critical skills that all learners need to move through their academic and personal lives successfully.
In this 8-week course, students will discover the power of storytelling as both readers and writers. Through the lens of “mirrors and windows,” we will explore how stories can reflect our own experiences and develop our understanding of other perspectives and ways of living. Students will develop critical reading skills that help them understand the broader world while crafting personal narratives that express their unique identities and experiences.
This course improves essential communication skills as students learn to organize their thoughts through outlines and bubble maps, distinguish between different writing styles, and master paragraph and essay structure. Beyond writing mechanics, students will grow in emotional intelligence as they practice empathy, self-reflection, and perspective-taking. Through supportive workshop activities, including collaborative writing, peer feedback, and examining model texts, students will gain the confidence to share their own stories and appreciate the diverse voices of their classmates and the authors we’ll have the privilege to meet along the way.
By the end of this journey, your child will have created a meaningful personal narrative that showcases their writing abilities and helps them understand their place in our diverse world. They will be better able to read and understand narratives written by and about people different from themselves, and to appreciate writing as a meaningful way to be connected to the broader world. Join us as we celebrate the power of stories to connect, inspire, and transform!
Skills Developed:
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Critical reading and analysis
- Empathy and perspective-taking
- Self-reflection
- Organization and planning strategies
- Revision and editing techniques
- Appreciation for diverse perspectives
Please see the Course FAQ under the Materials & More tab for further information.
Taught by Dr. Karen Arnstein
What to expect in the Required section in the classroom each week:
- Students should complete the Required section in the classroom each week.
- There will be a writing assignment each week
- There will be a reading response assignment each week
- There will be a forum response each week to encourage collaboration and connection.
What to expect in the Highly Suggested & Optional sections in the classroom each week:
- Curated resources, including websites & videos, are provided to excite learners and to add depth to the subject matter.
- Review materials that cover topics from both the weekly webinar as well as important learnings from previous weeks.
What to expect during the weekly webinar:
- Weekly webinars are 50 minutes long. Webinars are recorded and are available for students with schedule conflicts.
- While students are never required to share, this is a course that will be more meaningful and engaging when students are willing and able to engage and share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
Before taking this course, students should be able to:
- Read at a 6-7th grade level or above
- Write a paragraph independently
- Participate in group discussions and share ideas verbally
- Follow multi-step instructions
- Show willingness to revise their work based on feedback
- Type and/or handwrite their work
Students should be willing to:
- Be prepared for the webinar.
- Actively participate (via the microphone and chat) in the class discussion.
- Respond with positive and encouraging comments on their classmates’ posts in the classroom forums.
- Listen respectfully to their peers’ stories and perspectives.
- Accept constructive feedback on their writing.
- Engage with stories from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Reflect on their own life and experiences thoughtfully.
- Participate actively in class discussions and activities.
Required books & materials:
- Notebook or journal dedicated to this course, or a folder and loose leaf paper.
- Pencils, pens, and highlighters
- Access to a computer/tablet with internet for online sessions and typing final drafts
- Access to a printer (optional but helpful!)
- Selected short stories and essays (digital copies provided – some students may benefit from printing these for easy access)
- Writer’s toolkit handouts (provided by instructor, again– some students may benefit from printing this for easy access)
Courses in this Sequence:
This course is part of a four-course series designed to support homeschool families to feel totally confident that their student is growing as a reader, a writer, and a thinker. The series will work to cover a whole year, but each course can stand alone!
Course 1: Our Voices Matter: Developing a sense of ourselves in the world, how we can see ourselves in the work of others, and use writing to tell our own stories. An 8-week course designed to explore how stories can reflect our own experiences and develop our understanding of other perspectives and ways of living.
Course 2: Our Knowledge Matters: Informational Writing – How to turn your attention into something meaningful. An 8-week course designed to support students in researching what they are passionate about and turning that into action.
Course 3: Our Opinions Matter: Persuasive Writing – How to make your feelings known and advocate for what you believe in. An 8-week course designed to support students in writing persuasively, communicating effectively, and reaching out to the world around them to ask for what they need.
Course 4: Our Perspectives Matter: Fictional Novel/Short Story Analysis– How to read deeply, find yourself in a story, and truly evaluate what an author does and why. An 8-week course designed to develop the ability to identify meaningful connections between texts and their own lives, transform their appreciation of literature, and allow for critical engagement that empowers them as both readers and writers.
FAQ:
Q: How will this course accommodate the broad age range (7th – 12th grade)?
A: This course is designed with flexible writing prompts and activities that can be adapted to different skill levels. Instruction and feedback are personalized to meet each student where they are in their writing journey.
Q: Will my child have to share personal information they’re not comfortable discussing? A: Absolutely not! We create a respectful environment where students choose which personal experiences they wish to share, and sharing is always optional. They always maintain control over their stories and can write about any experiences they feel comfortable discussing. Alternative prompts will be available as needed.
Q: How much writing will be expected each week?
A: Students typically complete 1-2 short writing assignments weekly, with a longer personal narrative developed over the course duration. The focus is on quality rather than quantity, with ample time provided for brainstorming, drafting, and revising. Additionally, accommodations can be made as needed to support students who struggle with producing written work or who need graphic organizers to be successful.
Q: How will my child receive feedback on their writing?
A: Students will receive constructive feedback from me, and we will have structured opportunities to share work as a group. I emphasize that mistakes are magic, and create a space where all students can share without fear of judgment or being “wrong.”
Q: My child doesn’t enjoy writing. Will this course help change that?
A: Many students discover a new appreciation for writing when they’re empowered to tell their own stories. My approach emphasizes creativity and personal connection rather than rigid rules, helping reluctant writers find their voice and build confidence.
Q: How does this course prepare my child for academic writing?
A: Personal narrative writing builds foundational skills that transfer to all kinds of writing! Students learn to organize their thoughts, develop ideas with details, create smooth transitions, and revise effectively—all essential skills for academic success in any subject.
Q: How does this course connect with the course series you mentioned in the description?
A: This first course emphasizes how valuable each and every voice is, empowering students to use their own. The following three courses will focus on informational writing, persuasive writing, and developing an understanding of literature. Each course stands alone, but as a set, they are complementary and will cover the essentials of literacy skills that support the development of students as strong readers and writers.