All English Language Arts Curriculum needs to have a few key components: a list of goals (standards), good things to read, tools to help readers practice comprehension and analysis, and various ways to practice writing with feedback and time to revise. An ideal curriculum also meets each student’s needs, goals, and interests. My Creative English Language Arts Curriculum does all of the above!
There is nothing easy about creating a curriculum, but once you have a basic design, it can be used year after year for elementary, middle school, and high school students. Yup! Year after year!
How do I know this?
I designed and implemented a middle and high school English curriculum at a private school for six years. When I left traditional teaching, I used the same basic design to teach my children and continue to do so for the many children (of all ages) I teach online.
Now, I’m passing the design on to you.
Creative ELA Curriculum
The Creative ELA Curriculum mirrors the many curriculums I’ve created over the years. After using several types of school and box curriculums, I’ve found this individualized approach to be the most effective. It includes-
- Individualized Lessons (it does not arrive in a box)
- Minimal materials- notebook, binder, library books, and a computer.
- Reading and Writing Workshop Structure- students choose what they read and the subjects they write about while learning the skills they need to be proficient readers and writers.
- Unit Studies- students read and write various types of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction within a unit study structure.
- Writing process- students revise and edit pieces of writing to completion.
- Portfolio- students keep a portfolio to assess their learnings and progress.
- Follows the National Council of Teachers of English Standards
The Creative ELA Curriculum is hands-on for both the student and the adult facilitating the student, meaning there are no workbooks to fill out and check at the end of the year.
It requires active participation from both the facilitator and the learner. The facilitator helps the student create each unit study, set goals for the week, month, and year, follow through with them, and they provide feedback on the student’s writing and reading comprehension.
Creative ELA’s curriculum is great for families with one learner or multiple, those who travel, and those who want a flexible or structured schedule.
Why Choose Creative ELA’s Curriculum?
There are a ton of curriculums to choose from. Here’s why Creative ELA’s might be a good fit for your family.
Creative ELA
- Individualized- meets your student where they are and builds their skills in the time they need
- Students choose readings that interest them
- Facilitators, video classes, and live classes teach lessons
- Students choose writing topics
- Students and families set goals
- Uses National Council of Teachers of English Standards
- Curriculum adjusts to your student’s interests and needs
Box Curriculums
- Created for students at their age or grade level
- Readings are chosen for students
- Worksheets teach lessons
- Writing topics are chosen for students
- Goals are set for students
- Standards of learning are not always clear
- Can’t adjust curriculum without skipping lessons
Creative ELA Curriculum at a Glance
Creative ELA’s curriculum is broken into unit studies. Each unit study contains readings, reflections, writing projects, and creative activities.
It is up to each family to decide how long each unit study lasts. Some students may complete a unit study in a couple of months, while others will take longer. Aim for four or more unit studies a year.
Regardless of how long it takes each student to complete a unit study, students should complete certain monthly and weekly tasks.
Unit Study
- Choose Creative Writing and Reading Unit Study
- Fiction
- Realistic
- Sci-fi
- Fantasy
- Historical
- Mystery
- Poetry
- Nonfiction
- Narrative
- Expository
- Persuasive
- Descriptive
- Fiction
- Choose Readings for Unit Study
- Choose writing projects
- Choose activities
- Gather materials and resources
- Set up a schedule
- Consult standards to make sure they are being met
Monthly
- Goal Setting
- Unit Study
- Individualized Tutoring Session*
- Add to Portfolio
Weekly
- Unit study mini-lessons
- Add mini-lesson notes to Reading and Writing Handbook
- Reading
- Reading comprehension activities
- Writing project
- Recieve Personalized Writing Feedback*
- 1-1 Check-in* for progress, understanding, and create next week’s schedule
- Weekly live group class *
*these resources are offered through my Creative English Language Arts Individualized Curriculum.
As a working homeschool mom, I know facilitating English Language Arts at an individualized level is not always feasible. I also know we all need support! (Don’t ask me to teach math!)
I offer families several options.
Creative ELA 10-month Personalized Curriculum
Includes-
- Unit study planning sessions with families
- 1-1 weekly check-ins
- Weekly personalized writing feedback
- 1-1 monthly tutoring sessions
- Curriculum building resources
- Flex and live group classes.
This is a good option if you want me to facilitate the creation and implementation of the curriculum, offer your students feedback and lessons, and have your students take my weekly group classes.
If you are interested in this option, keep reading.
Creative ELA Classroom Membership
- Live group and flex classes
- Curriculum building resources
This is a good option if you want to use my resources to help you facilitate the creation and implementation of the curriculum and have your students take my weekly group classes.
If you are interested in this option, head to my membership page. My Classroom Membership is also a great option for families who do not need an English Language Arts curriculum but are looking for supplemental activities, flex, and live classes.
Creative ELA Library Membership
- Flex classes
- Curriculum building resources
This is a good option if you want to use my resources to help you facilitate the creation and implementation of the curriculum.
If you are interested in this option, head to my membership page. My Library Membership is also a great option for families who do not need an English Language Arts curriculum but are looking for supplemental activities and flex classes.
Creative ELA 10-month Individualized Curriculum-
This option is for busy families who want me to create and implement a personalized curriculum for their student.
The Creative ELA curriculum can be implemented any time of year and includes 10 months’ worth of material given over ten months. Families and I will work together to allow for vacations and holidays.
It includes-
- Goal setting and Unit Study planning sessions on Zoom with the student and parents
- Creation of curriculum (4 unit studies) over 10 months
- 1-1 weekly 30-minute check-ins on Zoom with the student (parents welcome)
- Weekly check-in emails to parents
- Weekly personalized writing feedback via Google Docs or email
- 1-1 monthly tutoring session with student
- Curriculum resources
- Flex and live group classes
My Role
As the student’s facilitator, I will use the NCTE standards to co-create an ELA curriculum that includes four unit studies with families. I will meet with students each week for 30 minutes to review their work, discuss their reading, and help them plan for the following week. I will also offer weekly individualized writing feedback and a one-hour-a-month tutoring session. Families will have access to my library of resources, flex classes, and weekly live group classes.
Student’s Role
To get the most out of the curriculum, students commit to completing their weekly reading and writing assignments, sending me their weekly writing, revising their writing, meeting with me weekly, asking questions, and helping to plan their curriculum.
Note– the amount of work students complete weekly depends on the student’s and family’s goals and can be changed at any time to suit the student’s needs, travel, sickness, etc.
Parent’s Role
To get the most out of the curriculum, parents need to attend the goal-setting and unit study planning meetings (one before each unit study), read and respond to weekly emails regarding student’s progress and needs, register students for weekly and monthly classes, provide materials, and help students reach their goals with reminders, assistance, and a conducive work environment.
Limited Spacing
Due to the amount of classes I teach each week, I can create a limited amount of individualized curriculums. If you do not see an option to purchase individualized curriculums, please contact me to join the waitlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Creative English Language Arts Curriculum for? Homeschool Families!
Ages– I teach students of all ages. Students should be able to read and write independently (minimum short chapter books and short paragraphs) or have continuous assistance. It is ideal for students in upper elementary school through high school.
When do Classes Meet?
Once registered, I will work with families to schedule planning sessions, monthly tutoring sessions, and weekly sessions. All sessions will meet Monday through Friday.
Live Weekly Group Classes for students ages 8-11 will meet every Thursday from 12- 1 pm ET, and students ages 12-15 will meet every Thursday from 1 pm- 2 pm ET. Note- When a national holiday falls on a Thursday, classes meet on the Tuesday before.
Check my Classes page for exact dates.
Creative ELA classes are offered EVERY Thursday to help families have a consistent schedule and offer students more time to write, read, and connect.
- Creative Writing Studio- 1st Thursday of the month
- Homeschool Hangout, Topics class, or Pen Pal class- 2nd Thursday of the month
- Creative Writing Topics class- 3rd Thursday of the month
- Book Clubs- 4th Thursday of the month
Inclusivity- YES! My classes welcome students from all countries, genders, backgrounds, and beliefs, and I am committed to creating a safe space for all students. All of my materials and class discussions are secular.
Neurodiversity- Students who are neurodiverse will find my resources, classes, and unit studies offer many options and encouragement to help them learn how they learn best. I have decades of experience working with neurodiverse learners. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out.
Assessment– Your student will keep a portfolio to show and reflect on what they’ve learned throughout the year. I offer feedback to help them learn and grow as readers and writers. I do not offer grades. My focus is on the learning process and growth.
My child hates reading/writing– I have taught a lot of kids who hate reading and writing. It’s one of the reasons I use a creative approach. Kids do not typically hate reading and writing per se; they’re struggling because the material does not match their learning style or address their needs. My classes and resources meet kids where they are and help them learn and enjoy learning.
I have multiple children- My Classroom and Library Memberships are for families, so all of your children are welcome to use my resources and attend my classes.
Due to the nature of this individualized curriculum, it is best designed for each student individually.
Additional Questions
What are your qualifications? I have a BA in English and received my secondary English teaching license in 2004. I taught English for nine years in middle and high school classrooms. In 2013, I became a certified creative writing facilitator and started leading women’s and youth creative writing circles for Women Writing for (a) Change, Bloomington. In 2017, I started teaching online for Outschool. I currently teach on Curiosity Encoruaged, LLC (Creative ELA) and Outschool. You can also find me leading classes for Women Writing for (a) Change, Bloomington, Kindred Explorers, and Cambly. I no longer keep my VA or IN teaching license active since I work nationwide and worldwide. I continue to take professional development classes and keep up with new research and findings.
Do you offer refunds? It depends. I want what is best for your family and my students. This is also how I make a living. If you need to cancel or the curriculum is not working for your family, we will work something out that is fair for everyone.
What happens after I sign up? I’ll send you an email within 24 hours, usually much quicker, which includes details about our first planning session, my live classes, and your class code. You’ll use this code when you register for live classes. It makes them free. You’ll also have instant access to my resource library.
How do I sign up?
Creative ELA Memberships
Have questions? I’d love to talk with you.
