Johns Hopkins University

Teaching Texts and Forms

This course is part of Teaching Writing Specialization

Mark Farrington

Instructor: Mark Farrington

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

21 hours to complete
3 weeks at 7 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

21 hours to complete
3 weeks at 7 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • How to teach a variety of writing forms, including argument, personal writing and creative writing.

  • How to connect reading and writing in teaching your students.

Details to know

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Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Teaching Writing Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 4 modules in this course

Imagine a scenario where a student is asked, for example, to name the capital city, state bird, state motto and primary economic industry of their state, and although they get the first three correct, on the fourth that student is told, “No, I’m sorry, that’s wrong.” Now imagine a scenario where a student is asked to describe a time in their life when they realized for the first time something important about themselves or the way the world worked. Whatever they say, the one response they won’t be hearing is, “I’m sorry, that’s wrong.” Personal writing allows students to do research into the area they know best: themselves and their lives. In this module, learners will define what constitutes personal writing as well as the benefits of encouraging students to engage in personal writing. They will identify and apply strategies for teaching personal writing, and create a personal writing prompt they can use in their classrooms.

What's included

7 videos3 readings1 assignment2 peer reviews1 discussion prompt

Often, writing is taught as writing, and reading is taught as reading. But there can be great value in connecting the two. In this module, learners will identify strategies for supporting the reading/writing connection and practical assignments for engaging students in writing around texts. Learners will identify different techniques of reading, including reading like a writer and deep reading, and will reflect on how they might apply their learning with the students they currently teach or will teach in the future.

What's included

6 videos5 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

Too often these days, it seems that “argument” gets confused with “arguing,” with the goal being to prove , “I’m right and you’re wrong.” But true argument is a way of “entering the conversation” on a question or issue and considering multiple perspectives with the goal of arriving at the best option. In this module, learners will identify and define the different forms of argument and persuasion along with strategies for teaching argument writing. They will also identify and practice techniques of critical analysis, and consider other forms of transactional writing, including informational and instructional writing.

What's included

9 videos6 readings2 assignments1 peer review4 discussion prompts

“Tell me a story!” “Sing me a song!” Most children have a love for hearing – and telling – stories, and for the explosion of an emotion or a moment one often finds in poems and the lyrics of songs. In this module, learners will identify some of the components of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction, and examine strategies for teaching students to write these forms. They’ll identify the benefits of encouraging students to explore creative writing, and will practice approaches that will help even the most reluctant creative writer find confidence and success.

What's included

10 videos7 readings1 peer review4 discussion prompts

Instructor

Mark Farrington
Johns Hopkins University
5 Courses4,693 learners

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