Education
Cathy’s Classes & resources for grades K – 12
The Battleground of Teaching Writing to your Children.
Unlike other subjects, writing is often taken personally by the student. No matter how the parent tries to critique or guide their student in how to correct their writing, the student is easily offended and feels as though the parent is picking on them or that they just don’t like their writing. This opens the door to the well-known battleground of parent and child fighting over anything involving writing. However, when a non-parent teaches writing techniques or tries to critique the writing, the student is open and willing to work on their suggestions without taking offense. The battleground vanishes instantly! I am a writing teacher and even I paid someone to teach my kids writing when we were homeschooling. It was instant relief for them AND me!
Online Classes
HIGH SCHOOL
Essay Writing/Literature Book Study
Essay writing and literature are combined to provide the average high school student the opportunity to earn the required language arts credit. We will use The Elegant Essay by Lesha Myers and The Book Thief by Mark Zusak.
HIGH SCHOOL
Analytical Literature
Using Windows to the World – An Introduction to Literary Analysis by Lesha Myers, the yearly Language Arts high school credit may be completed as we study literature and composition instruction.
HIGH SCHOOL
American Literature
This class is perfect for the established high school student who still needs a credit in Language Arts before moving on to dual enrollment or graduation. In American Literature by Janice Campbell, students will be challenged to expand their knowledge by reading, researching, discussing selected works and their authors, a process the author refers to as “deep reading”
HIGH SCHOOL
Literature & Workplace Writing
Perfect for the high school student who isn’t planning to dual enroll at the community college yet but still needs a Language Arts credit, this class will provide experience with a variety of writing used professionally. Then After the first semester we will read and analyze several novels together and review how to write analytically.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
IEW Writing & Literature Classes
These classes can be just a writing class with instruction, practice, individualized editing help, and assignments, OR a combination of writing AND literature studies using readers set in each particular time period, OR just as a literature class alone…
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
IEW Writing & Literature Classes
All of the elementary IEW writing and/or literature classes use the IEW themed writing textbooks for their main instruction. Textbook titles will be decided upon once students are enrolled. Students will learn how to write from notes, form complete paragraphs, and more.
GRADES K-12
Homework Help & Private Tutoring
Sometimes students need a different type of help to find success. Sometimes parents need someone to come alongside them to encourage their child. There are several ways I can help with either situation.
In-Person Classes
MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
World Mapping
Using David Smith’s Mapping the Word by Heart, this class will guide middle and high school students through a comprehensive study of the world. We’ll improve our mapping skills as we learn about the continents and their geographic features.
This class qualifies as a Social Studies credit for High School students.
MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
USA Mapping
Using David Smith’s Mapping the USA by Heart, this class guides middle and high school students through a comprehensive study of the United States. We’ll improve our mapping skills as we learn about the states, their geographic features, and special interests across the nation.
This class qualifies as a Social Studies credit for High School students.
MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
Public Speaking
This class offers excellent strategies to help students to be poised, capture the right tone & voice, achieve the right kind of eye contact, and be aware of how one’s appearance and actions affect their speech. Confidence will be built slowly through weekly activities and speeches.
This class qualifies as a Language Arts credit for High School students.
Reading Club
Parents tell me all the time that their children just aren’t reading as much as they should. They worry that their students will fall below grade level in their comprehension and reading skills. It seems like a constant battle for most families. My reading clubs will help with this dilemma by offering time each week to read and discuss interesting books together.
Although kids will get to practice articulating their thoughts on the story and will discuss characters, plot, events, vocabulary, and author’s techniques, the emphasis will be on encouraging the pure enjoyment of reading and appreciation of the story.
Cathy Backhaus
TEACHER | TUTOR | COACH
I’ve been teaching in various capacities and school systems from Elementary K-8, High School, Bible Studies, and Homeschooling Co-ops since 1977 and utilized a wide variety of writing curricula.
My passion is teaching! I love working with children of all ages and encouraging families in the education of their children. I believe in equipping my students with tools that will give them confidence as they write. Rather than expecting them to just invent something intriguing on a blank piece of paper, I prefer to watch them grow in their knowledge of these tools and their ability to use them proficiently.
If you have any questions about classes, tutoring, coaching, or resources for your child, feel free to send me an email!
