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Ms. Deb's Classes
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Philosophy
I am
Deb Evans. I've
homeschooled my children from Day One - they are in high school now [wow!
time flies] - and I'm a homeschooler through and through. I strongly believe
in parents' right to direct their own children's education, including
serving as teacher or outsourcing specific classes. I believe that children
all learn differently and that teaching should reach children where they
are, ideally using a variety of methods. I love teenagers - I have two
myself - I enjoy teachi*ng them, listening to them, mentoring them, and
hanging out with them. [Check out my
SuperFriends
Teen Social Club]. The best way to find out what teens are learning?
TALK TO THEM.
I am a professional
photographer and writer. Those are my passions and sharing them brings me
immeasurable joy. I'm a huge fan of the U.S. Constitution and desire to
light a fire under our youth [future voters].
My teaching style is very laid
back and informal, but that doesn't mean that my classes are not serious or
that I don't have high standards for my students. I do. I believe that if
you expect a lot from kids, they will rise to the challenge. I'm very
nurturing, though, and understand that students come to me with a variety of
skills and experiences and as long as they are trying and giving their best
effort, I will encourage and support them.
Deb Evans' classes and clubs are
open to ALL students who are interested in learning and participating.
Deb's Writing Class
Philosophy:
www.mywritingcoachonline.com
1. Writing is FUN. Learning to write
should also be fun.
Most writing curriculum is so focused on
the mechanics that they all but ignore the reason we write - to
communicate - to share information, express an opinion, entertain
through a story. It also zaps all the fun out of writing!
Mechanics - grammar and punctuation and
spelling – are important… Proper mechanics help us to communicate
effectively, to make it easier for our readers to understand what we’re
saying, but they aren't the reason we write.
Writing teachers must understand that writing
is, ultimately, expression, communication, art. By accepting
that premise, we allow students the joy and freedom that comes with writing.
When students enjoy writing… enjoy creating… the mechanics will fall into
place.
2. Students need a purpose for writing.
It increases their motivation and willingness to work and improve. Our
writing assignments are designed to appeal to students’ interests and/or to
coordinate with their other classes. We focus on the importance of writing
throughout your life and career.
3. The process of writing is vital.
We
teach writing in separate stages -prewriting/writing/rewriting. It’s
important to separate writing from editing. Editing too early in the process
stifles creativity and expression. Remember, even bestselling authors need
revising and editing.
4. Effective writing instruction must be
individualized to the student’s needs and must include specific and
timely feedback or assessment. A simple grade will not allow students
to improve. They must have the opportunity to revise their work and learn
from feedback. Students must have clear, achievable goals.
5.
Reading and writing go
hand in hand.
Students learn the most about writing by reading good literature. Our
curriculum includes studying the techniques of influential writers from a
variety of genres. Writing should be taught across the curriculum; its
importance in all areas of life should be emphasized.
6. Good writing is
important. Colleges and Universities annually report an increase in the
percentage of students requiring remedial reading and writing classes. Even
corporations are reporting sending new employees to remedial writing
classes. Students need
to develop good writing skills. Although some children are naturally gifted
writers, all
children are capable of learning fundamental composition skills.
7. We believe that writing is a process.
Every written work should go through this same process:
- Pre-write / Organize -
researching, brainstorming and deciding exactly what to write about /
putting ideas into logical order.
- Write - putting thoughts
and ideas into written format, using a writing style that suits the target
audience. Your writing should flow. Do not stop to make corrections or to
think about the proper word or correct grammar.
- Rewrite – looking at the
“big picture”. Look at your content, structure and style. Does your work
respond to the assignment or did you drift off course? Does it make sense?
Is your content organized?
- Editing - correcting
errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation – the “picky stuff”.
©Deb
Evans
Homeschooling High School
As a homeschooling parent in Texas, you have the right and responsibility to
issue high school credits towards your child's graduation. [I use college
admission requirements as my guideline rather than the state's requirements
- although they are similar.] You can issue credits for any of my classes
that your student completes. I'm happy to help you determine which credits
to give and how to record them on your child's transcript.
Dual Credit - a popular avenue for many
homeschoolers is to take dual credit classes through the community college.
As a mom, I'm not ready for my kids to be on a college campus, although it
is something I will consider in the future.
CLEP testing - another popular choice is for your student to take a CLEP
exam after completing high school courses. By passing the appropriate CLEP
exam, the college will issue your child college credits for that course!
This is the route that my family will pursue. Each college has their own
requirements for which CLEP exams they will accept, so you would need to
look into that before going forward with testing. Many of my classes will
help prepare your student for CLEP testing. If this is something you are
interested in, please discuss it with me at the beginning of the semester,
and I will help you to make sure your student is prepared [add'l coursework
may be required.]
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from a mom...
... so
apparently YOU are the TEACHING QUEEN - not only do you rock the photog
classes but you can also demolish the wall of fear surrounding ... da da
da dum .... WRITING! Oh the horror - ANYthing but writing!!!!
--- until today! Pull up to
pick up my non-writer, who hops in the car & says: "I love writing". I
almost turned the car around to see if I picked up the right kid!
Seems I'll be signing my VERY reluctant writer up for your classes this
fall. hmmmm.... do you put a spell on them?!? LOL Whatever it is - keep on
keeping on! Anne Sullivan only THOUGHT she was the Miracle Worker - nope,
it's YOU!! :-) thnx!! Chris Darnell
another mom...
Alex enjoyed your camp very much and it's
encouraging to see her actually enjoy writing. You do have a gift with
these students and your tutoring this summer has been extremely helpful.
Judy Dueitt
from a mom...
you are really good
with these kids & it shows ... they LIKE you! highest teen
compliment I can think of.
C. Darnell
another mom...
I met Deb
Evans during the school year 2008-2009. She is very dedicated to
teaching kids about Writing, Literature, and Government. She has
taught my oldest son how to pull stories out of his mind, and put these
on paper. He has taken a great interest in creative writing and has
really enjoyed her classes. He will be taking more classes with Deb
during the summer and this following school year. I am happy to know
that my son takes a real interest in writing because of the great things
he learned from Deb this past school year. I wish her the best in all of
her teaching adventures!
from
a former student, now attending Texas A&M
"Deb Evans has been a part of my
life for many years, and for that I am so thankful. She has taught me
everything from grammar basics to taking a passion in what I am writing
about. Once frustrating to me, writing has become my form of expression as
well as a great joy in my life. Many English teachers I have had in my
life frustrated me with a greater concern for mechanics than content. Deb
Evans balances the two perfectly, correcting my mistakes while still
caring for my writing as if it were her own. I still rely on her services
today, and every time I get her help on a paper I can submit it with
confidence no matter how much the teacher likes that red pen;)" Sharon
Joncyk
and a few
words from her mom...
I have known Deb Evans for over
8 years. At that time, Montgomery College (now known as Lonestar) offered
classes to homeschoolers. Deb taught "Grammar Bootcamp" and a beginning
writing course. Both my children had always homeschooled, and worked on
unit studies with other families. These were their first "classroom"
experiences. There was some apprehension to be in a classroom- not just
for them, but also me. They immediately took to Deb because of her
charismatic personality and kindness. As a teacher, she taught concepts in
a non-threatening way, took time to explain things, and showed
encouragement. My children did not "like" to write, and that was a big
reason for our looking elsewhere for "help". Within the first few weeks
they were EXCITED to write. I watched small paragraphs become large
paragraphs, short/quick written papers became well-worded, well-thoughtful
essays.
Both my children now are in college, and writing assignments take little
effort. It's as natural, and as "fun" to them as reading their favorite
book. In fact, they both write for "fun" now. My daughter has been
nominated twice for Honors English at Lonestar because her teachers have
been so impressed with her papers. Deb is still a fixture in their lives.
Before they turn something in, she is the first to read it. They still
rely on her opinion, and advice. This has been true for personal pieces,
college assignments, and essays for scholarships. She is not only a
mentor, but a family friend.
God has truly blessed us with her in our lives,
Robin Joncyk
another student
You are one of the coolest moms I know!! You
started the completely awesome group SuperFriends!! And I can't wait till
fall to do the photography class :D
L.R. Brown
Interested!? Email
Mrs. Deb at
debsclasses@yahoo.com
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Deb Evans' classes and
clubs are open to ALL students who are interested in learning and
participating.
debevans.com
About Deb
Deb
Evans is a 10+ year homeschooling veteran, mom to Kayla, age 16, and
Kristin, age 15, and wife to Mike for 19 years. She has taught
language arts, history, government, photography, and more through multiple
programs including Montgomery College, Extraordinary Education, and The
Lighthouse. Deb also operates www.MyWritingCoachOnline.com
and mentors
SuperFriends! a local social club for teen homeschoolers in Montgomery
County. She has owned
DebEvansPhotography.com since 2003, providing “contemporary, fine art
portraiture in your home”. She has a BS degree from UT, is a widely
published writer, and has extensive, professional experience in PR and
marketing, primarily from her life “before kids”. She still works with
select businesses, offering copywriting and marketing
consultation.
Click
here for more info about Deb Evans.
Please note that ALL
photographs and text on this web site are protected
by
U.S. Copyright Laws and may
NOT be reproduced in ANY manner without express permission.
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