WRITE RIGHT WITH MRS. WHITE
English Composition Classes
Grades 9-12
Preparing students for
college and for life
Learning
to write is not only an essential communication skill, but it also equips
individuals to think, to organize those thoughts, and to present ideas
clearly and in a logical order. In other words, this skill helps us
in every area of our lives. For students, it helps them in their
other classes as well.
If
you live in or near Cleburne, Texas,
contact
Mrs. White at
composition@charter.net
to enroll your student.
. . . . . . .
Registration Form
Class Information
. . . . . . .
Terri White is the founder of
the local home school support group in Cleburne, Texas. From 1983-99 she home schooled her three children. The White's children are grown and married, and they have several
grandchildren. A 1972 magna cum laude graduate from the University of
Wisconsin, Terri has written numerous articles for various publications
and three books: Good News Bible Study,
Successful Home Schooling, and Write Right with Mrs. White. As a graduate
of "Leadership Cleburne," Terri served five years on the
Board of Directors for East Cleburne Community Center, a nonprofit organization
that works with at-risk youth and adults. She also served as ECCC
Chairman of the Board for three years. Currently, Terri's English
Composition classes are offered to high school age home schoolers and to
full-time students at Cleburne Christian Academy.
Composition One is a foundational
course. It focuses on fundamental composition skills,
covering English grammar only in relationship to writing.
Students are taught how to formulate ideas by using prewriting techniques
such as brainstorming and clustering. To convey ideas clearly and
accurately, they learn how to develop well-structured sentences.
Using a step-by-step approach, students study the beginning essay form and
work through all steps of the writing process to create effective
paragraphs and short essays in various genres. Prerequisite: Grammar
Composition Two masters the classic
five-paragraph essay in all genres: descriptive, expository, narrative,
and persuasive. Further sophisticated writing techniques are
practiced to bring depth and maturity to writing. The students learn
to draft an interesting, thought-provoking introduction with a thesis
statement that controls the essay. Following that, they are taught
to use logical thought processes and clear supportive reasoning in the
body of the essay and to summarize the topic in the concluding paragraph.
Prerequisite: Composition One (Exceptions
are made on an individual basis.)
Composition Three is an
in-depth course preparing students for college level work. Students will
practice, practice, practice in class to master skills. They write a
personal essay, research paper, timed essays, and learn advanced
techniques. Anyone completing this course is prepared to CLEP out of
College Composition and to take the SAT/ACT essay exam. Prerequisite:
Composition II & a working knowledge of outlining.
STUDENT & PARENT TESTIMONIES
On that first
day, I stepped into your class with doubt and fear of my potential.
I now leave with confidence. I leave with peace. I leave with
gratefulness - for all the time, care, and energy you gave; for your
passion as a writer; for your discipline as a teacher; and your love as a
friend. After a year and a half of class, I carry no regrets (yes, I
wanted to die at certain times, but I always survived. I always
learned). Above all, you taught me to be a better person -
passionate, excellent, diligent, and humble - and for that I am most
grateful. You've heard this from many others I'm sure, but from all
of my heart: thank you!! May God bless you for the work you have
done, the lessons you have taught, and the lives you have touched - all
for His glory. I'll always remember. ~Ryan B. 2011
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"Before I took
Mrs. White's class, I hated writing. I would sit there and stare of into
space... It was torture. Mrs. White teaches you how to write by
breaking it down. Now I actually like writing; it doesn't stress me out."
~ Justin 2009
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"I have good news, Mrs. White: I received my acceptance letter from
DBU
on Monday! So I just wanted to let you know that I will be a "Patriot" in
the fall. But the big news I thought you would be interested in is that --
thanks ONLY to your classes -- I CLEPped out of Freshman English 1301.
Should my accomplishment be recorded in the "Mrs. White's Student Hall of
Fame?" I don't think so; but for me, it is a huge relief - my fall
semester is English free! THANK YOU, MRS. WHITE!!" ~Bethany B.,
2007
As a junior at
Texas Tech, Bethany B. writes, "You were one the best
teachers I have ever had. I don't know if I told you, but I
CLEPed out of all the rest of my English courses!" ~Bethany
B.
Now Bethany B. is
preparing to launch into her career at a registered dietitian (2011):
"Mrs. White, as I sit at Starbucks completing the tasks of my internship
and preparing for my future career, I am so thankful for all that you
taught me about grammar and sentence structure so many years ago. While
writing is still not my talent or passion, I now appreciate the many
exercises and assignments that you usually had to "force" me to do! I am a
much better person because of it! I just wanted you to know that
your sweet, calm voice is still in head when I write summaries,
curriculum, letters, etc. You made such a lasting impact on this future
dietitian! ~Bethany
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"Thank you,
thank you, thank you for all the effort you invested in me. I would be
completely sunk if I hadn't taken your composition classes. Now [in
college], I am actually the 'go to girl' if anyone needs help making their
papers more interesting." ~Helen A.
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"You are a
marvelous teacher, Mrs. White. Because of you,
my writing skills have improved tremendously - now I enjoy writing."
~Cheyenne H.
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"Next fall I will
be attending the Honors College at Texas A&M University - Commerce.
Because they require strong writing skills in this program, three years of
your composition classes have prepared me for academic success.
Thank you for equipping me to reach my goals." ~ Hana H.
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"I want to
thank you so much for improving my writing skills. A few weeks ago, I read
through my old essays and laughed at how much I improved over the year. I love being in
your class because you make writing fun and interesting. I'm looking
forward to next year!" ~ Mary B.
At her graduation
from high school, Mary B. writes, "Mrs. White, I have been so
blessed to know you over the past few years, and I don't mean that from
just an academic point of view. You have been an honorable, godly
role model in my life. Thank you so much!" ~2011
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"Because of your teaching, Mrs. White, I no longer
stress over my papers, and I actually enjoy writing them. Did you
know that I CLEPped out of College Composition? All thanks to
you! I'm going to miss you when I leave for college, but I'll stay
in touch. ~Michala D.
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"I just wanted
to say thank you for teaching Justin. It has been the best class he
has taken to date. Three years ago, writing a strong,
well-structured sentence was like climbing Mt. Everest. Now he
writes five page research papers. He has come so far in his writing skills
- from loathing a writing assignment to having
a positive attitude and confidence in the writing skills that he has
learned. He has also learned the benefits of
perseverance!" ~ Cheryl N.
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"I am in my first college
English class this semester and received one of my essays back
yesterday. After our instructor informed the class that few received full
credit and that he usually makes numerous corrections, he handed the essays
back to us. Not only did I receive full credit, but he also only corrected
two errors. Moreover, he wrote, 'You write with flair and overall
superior skill.' I KNOW I could not have done so well in this class if I
had not completed Mrs. White's writing classes. THANK YOU MRS. WHITE!!!!"
~Bethany W.
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We are so pleased
with what Caleb is learning from you. You came highly recommended, with
good reason. ~Lori H.
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In Composition 3,
students write a personal essay at the end of the year. Drew wrote
about his life long struggle with Auto Inflammatory Diseases and his
paper is included on
http://www.stopcaidnow.com/ , a nonprofit organization
dedicated to helping children suffering from Auto Inflammatory Disease (CAID).
Click on "Family Stories" for Drew's essay.
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I passed the College
Composition CLEP!! Thank you, Mrs. White, for teaching me write
from wrong. ~ Drew M.
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Former students who
are now in college: "Mrs. White, we can no longer
use the word "thing" in our essays, and we feel good about it, too!"
~Rachael S. & Carrie S., 2011
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Former student who
is now in college:
I didn't struggle with any of
my writing assignments in this first semester of college, thanks to you,
Mrs. White. ~ Abi B. 2011
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Michael has
learned so much in your composition classes these past two years. He has
seen how your class helped his brothers in high school and college.
He really does enjoy writing - thanks to you!. All three of my boys are
very grateful to you for everything you have taught them. ~Sally Y. 2012
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I want to say
"thanks" for teaching my three boys. They are all doing great in
high school in college. Writing is their strength and they have
you to thank. ~ Deedra D. 2012
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I learned that
Mrs. White really does know what she is talking about and actually
helped me become a better writer. ~Journi C. 2012
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I wanted to offer
my most profuse thanks for all the time and trouble you invested in me
this past school year. Your instruction took me further in writing
and communication than I thought possible. Before I took your
class, I was an "impulsive writer" - pulling whatever random facts out
of my brain I could get a hold of and throwing them in haphazard manner
on the paper. Now, thanks to you, I have a never-fail plan that
equips me for a lifetime of communication. A blank page is now not
an insurmountable obstacle to my sanity, but a wealth of possibility.
You have given me an invaluable tool, and I am thoroughly grateful! ~
Moriah H. 2012
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Poem from 2004-05 Composition 2
Class:
“MRS. WHITE”
Mrs. White taught us to write
It could have been disaster,
But she prevailed
And not one failed
The essay we all mastered.
There were some times when we were
blind
To what she tried to say
But it got through
Till we finally knew
Our minds weren’t made of clay!
Even when our marks were low
And our papers filled with red,
Her kind and caring spirit
Always would shine through it
And our hearts weren’t filled with
dread!
We learned a skill, and it will fill
Our lives with many chances
To communicate
Things small and great,
And in society make advances.
Thanks, Mrs. White!
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