In this self-paced course, we will partner to learn and practice ELA (English Language Arts) concepts that include: reading fiction and non-fiction, analyzing texts with an emphasis on making inferences for greater comprehension, spelling and vocabulary expansion, punctuation rules and application, and grammar rules. We will also practice essay writing and creative expression.

This course is dedicated to all of those families who wanted to join my ongoing comprehensive ELA class but could not find a schedule fit; this one is designed with greater flexibility, and the same less-is-more format for learners on the move. 

Learners will be able to focus on each assignment, especially the writing portion, with more intentionality and personalized pacing. Also, learners receive more personalized feedback on assignments.

Knowing that each student 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 designed to meet each individual learner where they are and help them to take steps to the next level of well-rounded reading, writing and language usage. Thus, learners can use this class as their ELA full curriculum for the course duration. Please ask me for a free PDF pretest if you are interested in gauging your learner's fit with this class level before signing up.

Learners are invited to pace themselves as needed; they will receive four videos and assignments every week for five weeks. Bonus questions will be posted in the classroom for optional added interaction. Friday will be dedicated to individual feedback and personalized coaching on the assignments that were turned in throughout the week (each Friday will include those assignments turned in by the previous Thursday at midnight). 

Each week will cover the following topics:
Monday -- Vocabulary, Spelling: We will learn and practice six PSAT vocabulary words with pronunciation and spelling to broaden the word toolkit.
Tuesday -- Reading Comprehension: Each week will feature a brief explanation of a reading comprehension skill related to making inferences. Then, learners will be given a short fiction or nonfiction passage to read in class. Finally, learners will answer questions (focused on, but not limited to, the skill of inference) about the passage to practice the reading comprehension skills and learn to infer. 
Wednesday -- Writing: Learners will receive an instructional video on a writing skill related to the assignment of the week. They will then write a paragraph, short essay or creative piece to answer a question about the reading passage or to practice the featured literary technique. 
Thursday -- Grammar, Punctuation, Word Usage: Each week will focus on learning or reviewing different language arts rules -- including grammar, punctuation and word usage -- and practice through standardized test styled editorial exercises.
Friday -- Feedback: Learners will receive feedback on their assignments and will revise their work as needed.

Calendar for 25 days of course material (available as a PDF after enrollment):
Week 1
1. Vocabulary list 2a
2. Reading Passage: "Bums in the Attic" from "The House on Mango Street" (literature excerpt)
3. Writing: inference exercise
4. Grammar Rules: Punctuation 
5. Friday Feedback and Homework Revision
Week 2
6. Vocabulary list 2b
7. Reading Passage: "Secrets Revealed" (realistic fiction); 
8. Writing: short essay
9. Grammar Rules: Capitalization
10. Friday Feedback and Homework Revision
Week 3
11. Vocabulary list 3a
12. Reading Passage: "Speed Skating" (sports nonfiction) 
13. Writing: personal narrative 
14. Grammar Rules: Conjunctions and Prepositions
15. Friday Feedback and Homework Revision
Week 4
16. Vocabulary list 3b
17. Reading Passage: "From Frozen to Food, Fast" (science nonfiction) 
18. Writing: creative narrative writing 
19. Grammar Rules: Spelling
20. Friday Feedback and Homework Revision
Week 5
21. Vocabulary list 4a
22. Reading Passage: "Music for the Ages" (social science nonfiction) 
23. Writing: short essay 
24. Grammar Rules: Correct verb usage
25. Friday Feedback and Homework Revision

All reading passages are used with permission from The Critical Thinking Company (1-800-458-4849), "Reading Detective Rx."