This 34-week course is a space to demonstrate and practice ELA (English Language Arts) thinking skills that include: reading higher-level fiction, literature excerpts, and nonfiction, analyzing texts with ELA terminology for greater comprehension and standardized test practice, PSAT-SAT vocabulary expansion, and grammar rules with application. We will also practice verbal and written expression through class discussion and weekly writing prompts with individualized coaching.

This course is designed with a flexible, less-is-more format for learners on the move; you are welcome to join and leave the class as needed. Additionally, learners can use this weekly class as the basis of a full curriculum (please ask me for workbook recommendations to use as extension exercises for non-class school days; all workbook pages that are turned in through the classroom will receive teacher feedback).

Knowing that each student has a different schedule and comes from a unique background -- that includes schooling history, regional standards, personality, online engagement, individual talents, (among other things) -- this class integrates a variety of language arts skills and exercises to provide a comprehensive, well-rounded exercise of reading, writing and language usage. 

Since each learner connects differently with the various exercises and weekly topics, the class is designed to help each person enhance language strengths while filling in ELA gaps. Thus, learners who participate in multiple meetings will find some things easy and other things challenging, but will ultimately be able to gain confidence and competence in English as a whole subject while practicing thinking skills needed for standardized tests. 

This class is an advanced version of my "English Language Arts (ELA): Ongoing Style" course for those learners who are ready for a faster pace, including less lecture, more practice, and a greater focus on writing skills. The two courses can be taken in tandem for those looking for more class meetings or guided practice. 

Each class will cover the following:
-- Vocabulary (10 min.): We will practice six vocabulary words according to standardized test lists to broaden the word toolkit.
-- Reading (15 min.): Each week will feature a short fiction or nonfiction passage to read in class. Learners will answer questions to practice reading comprehension skills. Learners will have the opportunity to practice focused group discussion and verbal reasoning as we talk about the answers.
-- Grammar, Punctuation, Word Usage (10 min.): Each week will have a standardized test style editorial exercise in which learners will work together to find and correct English rules errors. We will discuss the answers and relevant rules.
-- Writing (15 min.): Learners will write a paragraph in every class to answer a literary analysis question about the reading passage or to practice similar creative writing techniques. Learners will receive individualized coaching upon request, and will be encouraged to submit the writing assignment before leaving class. 

Please note that this writing portion can vary greatly depending on the individual capabilities (or just the mood of that day!) of your learner; some will finish quickly and will be allowed to leave early, while others will need more time, and may stay in the classroom longer than the scheduled period to complete their assignment. I will accompany learners as needed and stay after class if necessary to help coach them through this assignment and meet them where there are at to grow their individual writing skills. Please let me know if your family has scheduling or writing expectations or needs that you want me to keep in mind.

Class topics by week:
~~ FALL TERM ~~
Week of Sep. 8-14: Vocabulary list 1.1; Reading Passage: "The Cay (excerpt)" Genre: literature excerpt; Writing: short essay; Rules Exercise: Content, Capitalization, Punctuation.
Week of Sep. 15-21: Vocabulary list 1.2; Reading Passage: "Head Chef at 14" Genre: fictional short story; Writing: short narrative; Rules Exercise: Content, Capitalization, Punctuation.
Week of Sep. 22-28: Vocabulary list 2.2; Reading Passage: "Put Your Heart Into It" Genre: nonfiction article; Writing: short essay; Rules Exercise: Prepositions, Spelling, Adverbs, Conjunctions, Adjectives.
Week of Sep. 29-Oct. 5: Vocabulary list list 3.1; Reading Passage: "Sparrow Hawk Red (excerpt)" Genre: literature excerpt; Writing: creative writing (setting); Rules Exercise: Spelling, Adjectives, Articles, Conjunctions.
Week of Oct. 6-12: Vocabulary list 3.4; Reading Passage: "A Flood of Help" Genre: fictional short story; Writing: short essay; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills.
Week of Oct. 13-19: Vocabulary list 4.1; Reading Passage: "Galileo’s Vision" Genre: nonfiction article; Writing: short essay; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills.
FALL BREAK: NO CLASS OCT. 21
Week of Oct. 27-Nov. 2: Vocabulary list 5.1; Reading Passage: "The Moon by Night (Excerpt)" Genre: literature excerpt; Writing: creative writing (metaphors); Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills.
Week of Nov. 3-9: Vocabulary list 5.6; Reading Passage: "Race for Pepper" Genre: fictional short story; Writing: reading analysis (character traits); Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills.
Week of Nov. 10-16: Vocabulary list 6.1; Reading Passage: "Making Apple Pie" Genre: nonfiction article; Writing: personal narrative; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills.
Week of Nov. 17-23: Vocabulary list 7.1; Reading Passage: "The Giver (Excerpt)" Genre: literature excerpt; Writing: short essay; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills.
Week of Nov. 24-30: Vocabulary list 7.8; Reading Passage: "Sea Otter Attack" Genre: fictional short story; Writing: short essay (fact vs. opinion); Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills. 
NO CLASS DEC. 2
Week of Dec. 8-14: Vocabulary Semester Review; Reading Passage: "Hidden Cost of Buried Treasure" Genre: nonfiction article; Writing: explanatory essay (science); Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills.
Week of Dec. 15-21: Vocabulary list 1.1; Reading Passage: "Under the Blood-Red Sun (Excerpt)" Genre: nonfiction article; Writing: creative writing game with integrated grammar rules review
**END OF FALL TERM**