Writing Course (Fables)

Service Description

Description: This Australian course delves into the foundational principles of writing, drawing its inspiration from the ancient 'progymnasmata' system. Comprising the initial stage of a comprehensive 14-stage program, it extends the legacy of Greco-Roman traditions in preparing students to excel in both writing and oratory skills. The programme is centred around utilising eminent works from Western literary canon as exemplars for writing. Each lesson commences with an in-depth examination of a fable, employing precise annotation techniques for analysis. Students will learn to restructure, amplify, and rewrite the fable. They will aim for mastery of variation of words and phrases. Additionally, the course emphasises the refinement of drafting and editing capabilities. Beyond the written word, the program fosters the development of oral skills through evocative fable retellings and the art of poetry recitation. Student evaluation rests on active participation and the completion of a final assessment project. Prerequisites: Students should have spelling capabilities at a grade level and be able to write sentences with basic sentence syntax. This course is recommended for students in Grade 3 or 4. This course is also suitable for older students who have not commenced a formal writing program. In class, students need to be able to follow teacher-led workbook completion and record answers during class. They need to be able to answer questions when called on in a group setting. At this age, students will need parental support in submitting assignments and keeping abreast of homework and due dates. Required Materials: Students must purchase the Australian Progymnasmata (Fable) student text from Via Classica. They should also have an exercise book for additional notes. Students will also need a USB headset microphone (built-in microphones also work). Students will use Microsoft Teams for online sessions. They will also use Microsoft OneNote for course materials. Course sessions: The course commences in Term 1 on Monday, 2 February, with two one-hour sessions each week on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:00 AM (AEDT/AEST). The term will end on Wednesday, 1 April. Term 2 will resume on Monday, 20 April, and conclude on Wednesday, 24 June. There are no classes on March 9 and June 8. Instructor: Mrs. Madeline Dugdale