All of these Zoom classes are 10 hours total; 2 hours per day over one week (Monday-Friday). We will offer these classes twice during the summer: the weeks of June 29-July 3 and July 27-31. These classes are designed for students who want to get ahead/preview the content for the upcoming school year. The full 10-hour class is $250 per student. Minimum of 3 students, maximum of 8 students per class.
The test prep classes are 16 hours total; four hours per week over four weeks. Each class is two hours long. The classes will dig into the essential content and strategies for success on the tests. They are designed for students who are just beginning to prepare for the ACT/SAT. The cost is $500 per student with a book included. Minimum of 3 students, maximum of 8 students per class. In addition, on Friday, July 31, we will proctor a full, timed practice test. The practice test for the ACT will be 9am-12:30pm, and the practice test for the SAT will be 1-4pm.
Early Grades Reading for K-2: This two-week reading program (10 hours total) will include multi-sensory, differentiated, explicit, and systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies. There are many skills that are woven into skilled reading, and during these one-hour sessions, we will dig deeply into each of these components. Phonics instruction will be based on a pre-assessment. Students will gain an understanding of sounding out one-syllable words with both short and long vowel sounds. After completion of this program, students will gain decoding and comprehension strategies that they can use to help them become more confident and fluent readers.
Reading Comprehension for rising grades 3-5: This two-week reading program (10 hours total) will help students develop reading comprehension skills. During our one-hour sessions, we will practice comprehension strategies and metacognitive skills; then, we will read passages together to apply what we’ve learned. After completion of this program, students will be able to identify and effectively apply comprehension strategies and will be able to identify the main idea and supporting details of a variety of texts.
Active Reading Circle for rising grades 6-8: The middle school active reading circle will be an opportunity for students to engage with stories and short novels in a social setting. Much like a book club, questions are designed to spark various perspectives and interpretations of literature, as well as authentic conversation about authorial choice. Additionally, this course is designed to ensure that students are also equipped with strategies and tools that will be useful in the school setting next school year. This is a three hour weekly committment over three weeks. Classes are 1.5 hours and will meet Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for the three-week period. This 9-hour class is $225 per student.
Active Reading Circle for rising grades 9-11: The high school school active reading circle will be an opportunity for students to engage with stories and short novels in group settings. Text sets are collected by a teacher to spark thematic discussion around universal questions, “how do people assimilate into various cultures?” or “What is civil disobedience?” Much like a book club, various perspectives and interpretations of literature are encouraged. Additionally, this course is designed to ensure that students are equipped with strategies and tools that will be useful in the school setting next school year. This is a four hour weekly committment over three weeks. Classes are 2 hours and will meet Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for the three-week period. This 12-hour class is $300 per student.
Creative Writing for rising grades 6-8: In the creative writing class for middle school, students will participate in generative writing prompts—short models or questions that encourage quick drafting on various topics, from nature, family, hobbies, or memory. Writers will have between five and twenty minutes to independently develop poetry, story, or song, and can then choose what to share for the audience. Peer feedback will focus on the positive aspects of work and teacher feedback will focus on strengthening mechanics and style. Classes last 1.5 hours and will meet Mondays and Fridays for two weeks. The class is a total of six hours over the two week period. This six-hour class is $150 per child.
Writers Workshop for rising grades 9-12: The writers workshop course for high school students takes the middle school creative writing class to the next level of sophistication. In the high school class, students will develop their voice and sharpen their writing mechanics. Students will participate in generative writing prompts—short models or questions that encourage quick drafting on various topics and themes, from nature, family, growing up, and overcoming challenges. Writers will have between five and twenty minutes to independently develop poetry, story, or song, and can then choose what to share for the audience. Peer to peer feedback will focus on positive aspects of writing, and students will also receive individualized teacher feedback on voice, style, development of characters or plot, and organization of content. Classes last two hours and will meet Wednesdays and Fridays for two weeks. The class is a total of eight hours over the two week period. This 8-hour class is $200 per student.
Mindfulness Learning Strategies: Social emotional learning is about understanding feelings, emotions, and making connections with peers and adults. This class will focus on what emotions are and how to identify emotions correctly in different situations. The classes will include opportunities for self-reflection on the emotions that each student faces at different times, as well as mindfulness exercises and strategies to use at home and at school. Each group will meet two times for one hour (2 hours total).
IEP Advocacy for Parents: This class is designed to help parents understand IEPs, their rights as a parent, and get support on next steps for their child, as well as tips on how to navigate IEP meetings, evaluations, academics, and behaviors.