Summer Courses
Writing Composition,
Reading Comprehension, &
Critical Thinking
June 27th – August 27th
Have fun this summer & begin fall on the right track!
+ Develop confident writers, proficient readers, and logical thinkers prepared for the academic challenges of their future
+ High-level guided instruction shows students how to master types of writing they need to succeed
+ Increased reading comprehension and critical thinking skills allow students to face challenges like the SAT head-on
+ Reinforce core skills students will continue to build, and depend, on throughout their academic careers
Grades 6-7
Writing:
Students are guided through comprehensive units covering the three major types of writing their schools focus on: Informative/Explanatory, Narrative, and Persuasive
Lesson 1: How to Write a Comic (Narrative)
Students learn how to develop compelling characters and structure interesting stories in this initial lesson that combines visual artistry with creative writing.
Lesson 2: If I Were a King or Queen (Explanatory)
This lesson in imaginative explanatory writing takes students through the process of creating their own country, from its name and appearance to its government and laws.
Lesson 3: Whining Effectively; or, How to Persuade Your Parents (Persuasive)
Students are guided through the persuasive writing process and craft proposals that will convince even the hardiest parent.
Lesson 4: Writing for Gamers (Narrative and Explanatory)
Students translate the narrative elements and conventions of video games to create their own master pieces.
Lesson 5: How to Write a One-Person Show About an Historical Figure (Explanatory and Narrative)
Students get to choose their favorite historical figure, conduct research on him or her, and compose a first-person narrative as if they were that person.
Grammar:
Students will be provided daily level-appropriate grammar exercises.
Reading:
Students are guided through a variety of readings and questions, a process that moves from basic literary understanding through critical analysis and synthesis.
Readings include the following short stories and biographies:
“The Last Lesson” (Alphonse Daudet), “The Diamond Necklace” (Guy de Maupassant), “The Lottery Ticket” (Anton Chekhov), “Thomas Edison’s Shaggy Dog” (Kurt Vonnegut), “Medicine” (Lu Shun), “Shooting an Elephant” (George Orwell), “Erwin Schrodinger, physicist”, “Margaret Bourke-White, photographer”, “Itzhak Perlman, violinist”, & “Amartya Sen, economist”
Grades 8-9
Writing:
Students are guided through comprehensive units covering the three major types of writing their schools focus on: Informative/Explanatory, Narrative, and Persuasive.
Lesson 1: Creating Characters (Narrative)
In this lesson, students learn how to how to build compelling, multi-layered fictional characters from the ground up.
Lesson 2: Writing for Gamers (Narrative and Explanatory)
In this lesson, students translate the narrative elements and conventions of video games to create their own master pieces.
Lesson 3: The Essay (Explanatory, Narrative, Persuasive)
Students will explore ‘The Essay’ by learning how to write three different types: The Personal Essay, The Reported Essay, and The Humor Essay.
Lesson 4: How to Write a One-Person Show About an Historical Figure (Explanatory and Narrative)
Students get to choose their favorite historical figure, conduct research on him or her, and compose a first-person narrative as if they were that person.
Lesson 5: Agitate! Propagandize! (Persuasive)
This lesson uses the somewhat unusual medium of propaganda to promote media literacy, critical media consumption, and persuasive writing techniques. Students learn how to write an effective persuasive essay and get creative with their own propaganda posters.
Grammar:
Students will be provided daily level-appropriate grammar exercises from
Reading:
Students are guided through a variety of readings and questions, a process that moves from basic literary understanding through critical analysis and synthesis.
Readings are taken from two genre, short stories and nonfiction, and include the following titles and authors:
“The Lie” (Kurt Vonnegut), “Medicine” (Lu Shun), “Shooting an Elephant” (George Orwell), “The Nightingale and the Rose” (Oscar Wilde), “Ugly” (Guy de Maupassant), “Where I Lived, and What I Lived For”, p. 70-81 in Walden (H.D. Thoreau), & “Critique of Modern Civilization”, p. 16-23 in The Penguin Gandhi Reader (M.K. Gandhi).
Your first 4 weeks are only $315!
(Regularly $630)
All classes meet 3 times a week for 1 & 1/2 hours per session.