Classes
September 2024 - May 2025
In-person classes to be held during school hours
for homeschooling students.
More details.
English Language Arts with Literature Socratic Seminar, grades 3 to 8, in-person.
Welcome to a delightful literature class designed for students in grades 3-8. In this engaging course, students will embark on an exciting journey into the enchanting world of literature, where creativity, curiosity, and a love for reading come to life. Students should expect to complete some reading as homework and generate discussion questions for the next class period. The primary goal of this class is to foster a deep appreciation for literature while enhancing students' reading, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. Through a variety of age-appropriate texts and activities, students will develop a strong foundation in language arts, allowing them to express themselves effectively and imaginatively. Students will have the opportunity to sample a variety of literary genres, styles, and authors. Join us on this literary exploration where words come alive and imaginations flourish! "English Language Arts with Literature Socratic Seminar" is not just a class; it's a magical doorway to a world of endless possibilities through the power of literature. Let the adventure begin!
Key Highlights:
Storytime Adventures: Immerse yourselves in the magic of storytelling! From classic fairy tales to contemporary children's literature, students will experience a diverse range of stories that captivate their imaginations and encourage a lifelong love for reading.
Interactive Discussions: Engage in lively and interactive discussions about the characters, plots, and themes of the stories. This will not only improve comprehension but also help students express their thoughts and ideas in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Creative Expression: Unleash the creative spirit within! Through fun and imaginative activities, students will have the opportunity to express themselves through writing, drawing, and even acting out parts of their favorite stories.
Literary Exploration: Explore different genres and styles of literature, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and folktales. This exposure will broaden students' literary horizons and help them discover the vast and wonderful world of written expression.
Language Development: Strengthen language skills through vocabulary building, grammar exercises, and language games. These activities are designed to make language learning enjoyable and help students communicate effectively both in writing and verbally.
Book Club Adventures: Foster a sense of community and collaboration by participating in a mini book club. Students will have the chance to read and discuss a chosen book or short story together, promoting teamwork and shared learning experiences.
Required Materials:
Bring all books and materials on the first day of class:
Open Windows Reader 2nd Edition by Christian Light, ISBN 9780878139484
https://www.rainbowresource.com/016228.html
Aesop’s Fables by Dover Children’s Thrift Classics, ISBN 9780486280202
https://www.rainbowresource.com/020128.html
All students will need pencils, pens, highlighters, sticky notes, a 3-ring binder with looseleaf notebook paper, access to online resources including email and Google Classroom, and a willingness to participate actively in class discussions and activities.
Mini book clubs will require books from YouTube read-alouds and/or borrowed library books.
Structured Word Inquiry, grades 3 to 8 and grades 7 to 12, in-person.
Welcome, aspiring word detectives, to the captivating world of linguistic exploration! In this class, we embark on an exciting journey where words become clues, and language transforms into a mystery waiting to be unraveled. As word detectives, our mission is to decode the language intricacies that surround us every day. We'll navigate through etymology's historical landscapes, dissect vocabulary nuances, and uncover language's evolution over time. Get ready to sift through linguistic archives, solve lexical puzzles, and unveil the hidden narratives behind the words we use.
Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) is an instructional approach aimed at critically exploring language through a systematic investigation of word structures. In SWI, students explore the phonological (sound), etymological (origin), and morphological (structure) components of words, treating language as a puzzle to be solved. Students act as detectives, analyzing word patterns, roots, and affixes to uncover the underlying principles of language. This method goes beyond traditional spelling and vocabulary lessons, promoting a deeper understanding of how words are constructed and interconnected.
The benefits of SWI for students are significant. Firstly, it fosters a deep understanding of spelling patterns, enabling students to decode and spell words more effectively. By delving into the roots, prefixes, and suffixes, SWI enhances vocabulary skills and comprehension. Moreover, this method promotes critical thinking and analytical skills as students act as linguistic detectives, connecting the dots between word elements. Overall, SWI provides a holistic and engaging approach to language learning, empowering students with valuable lifelong tools for decoding and understanding the complexities of words.
The advantages of SWI extend to standardized testing, such as the SAT and ACT. By fostering a deep understanding of spelling patterns, SWI equips students with enhanced decoding and spelling skills and directly impacts their vocabulary knowledge. Since the SAT often includes challenging vocabulary and emphasizes critical reading skills, students proficient in SWI are better prepared to decipher unfamiliar
words and comprehend complex texts. In essence, SWI promotes linguistic insight and can contribute to improved scores on standardized tests, where a strong command of vocabulary and language mechanics is crucial.
Join us in this intellectual adventure as we sharpen our linguistic magnifying glasses, empowering ourselves to explore the rich tapestry of language and become true word detectives. Let the pursuit of lexical enlightenment begin!
All work will be completed in class, with no homework expected.
Required Materials:
Bring all materials on the first day of class:
One-inch 3-ring binder with looseleaf notebook paper, pencils, and an 8 or 10-pack of Crayola washable broadline markers.
English Language Arts for High School and College Credit, grades 8 to 12, in-person.
Welcome to High School English Language Arts, a comprehensive English course. This engaging class seamlessly blends literature exploration with composition writing. Immerse yourself in captivating, thought-provoking discussions and refine critical thinking skills through the Socratic method. Dive into the world of literature and composition and embark on a journey to unlock a deeper understanding of language, culture, and the enduring power of storytelling while satisfying your high school English course requirements.
This class serves as an entire English course, replacing the need for an additional course of study at home. Notably, this class is presented on a four-year rotation, so students may enter the class at the start of any school year and eventually receive all four years of high school instruction. Students entering 8th grade may join the class if they can perform at the high school level.
Choose your academic path: earn high school credit, pursue an honors designation, or go further by opting for both high school credit with honors and the opportunity to earn college credit through examination (up to 15 college credits/5 college courses are available). Heavy daily homework will be required, and the daily duration of completion will increase with the English Honors and College Credit options. The college credit option is available at no additional cost, and details will be provided for all students.
Assessment in this course will include a combination of essays, exams, presentations, creative projects, and class participation. All students will be held to high standards. Emphasis will be placed on the development of analytical skills, critical thinking, and effective communication. Most assignments will be submitted and returned through Google Classroom, and grades will also be posted there. Parents/legal guardians are ultimately responsible for their child’s grade, transcript, record keeping, portfolio samples, and following the appropriate requirements for the county or umbrella school.
Key Learning Objectives Include:
1. Critical Reading Skills: Develop the ability to analyze and interpret various genres of literature, focusing on comprehension, inference, and interpretation.
2. Effective Writing: Hone your writing skills through a variety of assignments, including essays, creative writing, and literary analysis. Emphasize clarity, coherence, and proper use of language conventions.
3. Literary Analysis: Understand and apply key literary concepts, such as symbolism, characterization, theme, and tone, to critically evaluate and discuss literary works.
4. Research and Presentation: Learn how to conduct literary research, citing sources properly, and present findings through written and oral presentations.
5. Discussion and Collaboration: Engage in thoughtful discussions about literature, collaborating with peers to deepen understanding and perspective.
6. Cultural Context: Explore the cultural, historical, and social contexts of literary works, examining how they shape and are shaped by the societies in which they were created.
This class is on a four-year rotation. During the 2024-2025 school year, this class will focus on World Literature.
Required Materials:
Bring all books and materials on the first day of class and arrive with your eight divider tabs already labeled as described below.
All students will need pencils, pens, highlighters, sticky notes, a 3-ring binder with eight tabbed dividers, looseleaf notebook paper, access to online resources, including email and Google Classroom, and a willingness to participate actively in class discussions and activities.
All students need Learning Language Arts Through Literature Complete Package Gold - World Literature
https://www.rainbowresource.com/llcpgw.html
All students need grammar: Select the grade level appropriate for your student. Get the Teacher Guide only, as it has all the student pages plus the teacher’s answer key. (Parents should remove the answer key pages but may allow their students to check their own work after completing it each day to learn from their mistakes.)
Easy Grammar Ultimate Series – Purchase the Teacher Guide Only
Grade 8 Teacher Edition https://www.rainbowresource.com/003091.html
Grade 9 Teacher Edition https://www.rainbowresource.com/002187.html
Grade 10 Teacher Edition https://www.rainbowresource.com/014292.html
Grade 11 Teacher Edition https://www.rainbowresource.com/003078.html
Grade 12 Teacher Edition https://www.rainbowresource.com/003082.html
Bring all books and materials on the first day of class and arrive with your eight divider tabs already labeled as follows:
1. Course Notes
2. Writing Assignments
3. Vocabulary
4. Literary Terms
5. Short Stories and Essays
6. Tests
7. Blank Paper
8. Honors
Honors:
Students pursuing the optional Honors designation will also need the following physical books in addition to everything listed above. You may optionally also use the audiobook, but students must have a physical copy of each book.
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Cyrano de Begerac by Edmond Rostand
https://www.amazon.com/Cyrano-Bergerac-Signet-Classics-Rostand/dp/0451531981/
Optional audiobook available on Learning Ally, BookShare, and Amazon Audible -
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
https://www.rainbowresource.com/011984.html
Optional audiobook available on Learning Ally, BookShare, Amazon Audible, and the app called Libby by Overdrive (Pinellas public library) -
Bridge to the Sun by Gwen Terasaki (288 pages)
https://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Sun-Memoir-Love-War/dp/0615432727/
Optional audiobook available on BookShare, and the app called Libby by Overdrive (Pinellas public library) -
Young Ladies Will Also Read:
Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible, and What He Wants to Do with You
by John MacArthur (218 pages)
https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Extraordinary-Women-Shaped-Bible/dp/1400280281/
Optional audiobook available on Learning Ally, BookShare, Amazon Audible,
and the app called Libby by Overdrive (Pinellas public library) -
Young Men Will Also Read:
Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You
by John MacArthur (201 pages)
https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Ordinary-Men-Disciples-Greatness/dp/0785288244/
Optional audiobook available on Learning Ally, BookShare, and Amazon Audible
