Mastering the CLT: Reading, Grammar, and Vocabulary
Prep for college admission is a journey. Imagine your teen prepared and self-assured, confident they can handle anything the CLT throws. This assessment can be paid in advance from the Scholar Shop, taken at home, with results in 2 weeks.
Miss Sue MA MLIS
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(13)
What's included
Meets on Demand
schedule meetings as needed50 mins
per sessionTeacher support
Assignments
1-2 hours per week. 10-20 vocabulary words a day 30-60 minutes reading a dayClass Experience
US Grade 11 - 12
Advanced Level
$20 coupon for those registering in December 2024. Tutoring sessions are designed to cover 12 weeks, with weekly themes based on authors from the CLT author bank. Wk 1: Introduction to Classical Literature and CLT Format • Overview of the CLT structure and question types. • Introduction to analyzing classical texts: themes, tone, and rhetorical devices. • Practice passage: Excerpts from Homer’s The Odyssey. • Grammar focus: Sentence structure and subject-verb agreement. • Vocabulary: Words derived from Greek and Latin roots. Wk 2: Moral Philosophy in Literature • Reading: Excerpts from Plato’s Republic (focus on justice). • Analyzing arguments and identifying main ideas in philosophical texts. • Grammar focus: Verb tenses and consistency. • Vocabulary: Philosophical terms and advanced context clues. Wk 3: The Role of Virtue in Literature • Reading: Excerpts from Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (virtue and happiness). • Identifying the author’s purpose and evaluating ethical reasoning. • Grammar focus: Pronoun agreement and clarity. • Vocabulary: Abstract nouns and figurative language terms. Week 4: Allegory in The Pilgrim's Progress • Reading: Passages from John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress • Discussion on symbolism and allegory in religious texts. • Grammar focus: Modifiers (placement and ambiguity). • Vocabulary: Religious and philosophical lexicon. Week 5: Medieval Epics and Moral Themes • Reading: Excerpts from Dante’s Inferno. • Analyzing figurative language: metaphors and imagery. • Grammar focus: Parallel structure in sentences. • Vocabulary: Archaic words and etymology. Week 6: The Renaissance and Humanism • Reading: Excerpts from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. • Identifying tone and character motivations in dramatic texts. • Grammar focus: Punctuation and run-on sentences. • Vocabulary: Words related to emotion and drama. Week 7: Enlightenment Thought and Argumentation • Reading: Excerpts from John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government. • Evaluating logical structure in persuasive texts. • Grammar focus: Subject-verb inversion and syntax for emphasis. • Vocabulary: Political and social terms. Week 8: Romanticism and the Sublime • Reading: Excerpts from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. • Analyzing narrative voice and themes of nature vs. human ambition. • Grammar focus: Active vs. passive voice. • Vocabulary: Words describing emotions and the natural world. Week 9: Nineteenth-Century Realism and Satire • Reading: Excerpts from Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina. • Discussion: Character development and societal critique. • Grammar focus: Correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers. • Vocabulary: Words related to society, family, and critique. Week 10: American Transcendentalism • Reading: Excerpts from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Self-Reliance. • Identifying author’s central arguments and rhetorical strategies. • Grammar focus: Clauses (dependent and independent). • Vocabulary: Words related to self-reflection and independence. Week 11: Twentieth-Century Modernism • Reading: Excerpts from T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land. • Examining complex themes and fragmented structure. • Grammar focus: Complex sentence editing and concision. • Vocabulary: Modernist terms and figurative language. Week 12: Comprehensive Review and Practice Test • Full-length CLT practice test with all sections: Reading, Grammar, Vocabulary. • Review of strategies for tackling challenging questions. • Personalized feedback and final tips for success.
Learning Goals
Develop critical reading and analysis skills using classical texts.Master grammar and editing strategies to correct and refine written work
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Occasionally taught in public schools, frequently taught in parochial, Christian, and schools providing a classic education, and often part of a homeschooling curriculum, Pilgrim’s Progress is a cornerstone of English literature and a foundational work in allegory. In the CLT test prep 1:1 tutoring class, the focus is on the literary value highlighting its allegorical structure, narrative techniques, and historical context rather than its religious aspects. Taught from a humanities perspective Pilgrim’s Progress has inspired many beautiful illustrations, especially from the 18th and 19th centuries. Paintings by William Blake, Frederick Bernard, George Cruikshank, Harold Copping and Arthur Rackham will be shared and compared in discussion. To best prepare students for the CLT symbolism, allusion, tone and mood, metaphor and allegory, characterization and character development, application of universal themes like hope vs despair, imagery, moral conflict, and conflict resolution will be taught from a secular perspective.
Pre-Requisites
A student taking the CLT should have regular exposure to classical texts, experienced intellectual rigor, and studied in the equivalent to honors or advanced placement courses. Students need to have a strong grip on the English language.
Supply List
Recommended for a test prep book TBD.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined May, 2024
5.0
13reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Washington Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
3 Degrees
Master's Degree in Information Technology from University of Washington
Master's Degree in Theatre Arts from University of Washington
Bachelor's Degree in Education from University of Washington
Why Choose Me as Your CLT Tutor?
With over 40 years of experience teaching in the humanities, I bring a deep passion for classical education and a proven track record of success. My qualifications include a BA in Acting, Directing, and Education; an MA in Theatre Arts; and an MLIS in Library and Information Science. These degrees reflect my lifelong commitment to learning, teaching, and helping students excel in language, literature, and critical thinking.
I’ve spent years tutoring students for high-stakes tests like the SSAT, ISEE, SAT, and ACT, equipping them with the skills and confidence to succeed. Parents consistently praise my ability to connect with students, making complex material understandable and engaging. One of my most highly rated classes, Independent Schools: SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, has received glowing reviews for its results-driven approach.
I believe in the transformative power of a classical education, which cultivates the ability to think deeply, communicate effectively, and engage with timeless ideas. This belief fuels my dedication to helping students thrive on the Classical Learning Test (CLT).
With my expertise and personalized guidance, your student will develop the critical skills needed to navigate challenging reading passages, master grammar and writing, and approach the test with confidence. Let’s work together to turn preparation into success!Reviews
Live 1-on-1 Lessons
$160
per sessionMeets on demand
50 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 16-18
