summer classes

Academic ownership isn’t just being in control of what is expected: it’s owning the learning yourself

Today we are featuring a student who came to us for our Summer Mini-classes program as a high performing middle schooler whose parents just wanted her to keep busy and stay focused on academics. This student is super smart and engaged and very willing to learn. However, her approach to lessons was literal and not critical of the material or the lesson (critical meaning not disparaging but thoughtful). In other words, she has succeeded in school by following instructions and doing what is expected — but at the expense of critical thought. Starting with some classical tests (Plato, Cicero) we engaged in a discussion of the meaning of words and phrases. What does a word mean? How is it most effectively used? What makes for impactful writing and critical reading? From there we reviewed modern essays and essays of our own — student and teacher! On that one, she was fantastic, addressing the teacher’s own […]

Summer learning isn’t just about learning some topic: how two students benefited beyond academics from our academic enrichment program

Here is a story about how two students, a 5th and a 12th grader connected for mutual benefit and whose lives are enriched because of it. We all know the severe impact of school shutdowns and “distance learning” upon students, from checking out, to boredom, to struggling without direct teacher feedback and classroom interactions. Worst of all is the extended “learning loss” students face with curricular shortcuts and dampened expectations. So we decided to run summer mini-classes in order to help students catch up on lost learning from the spring, prepare for the compacted curriculum this fall, and stay engaged over the summer. With our 8+ year experience teaching online, we are fully aware of the extents and limits of online learning. For “distance learning to work,” a few things must happen: Expectations must be clear Sessions must be limited to no more than 4 students (best 2-3) Cost must be low Resources must be […]

Do your words just sit there, or do they persuade the reader?

Today we culminated two week’s study of words and language by reviewing students’ own persuasive essays — they did great! Students were challenged to replace vague words and passive voice phrases with active sentences and charged words. They were amazed how a simple turn in word order or switch to another word empowered their ideas and expression. Our goal is to provide the highest quality, practical language arts classes, tutoring and academic support. We have been providing affordable and effective online learning since 2012. Review and Sign up for courses here: A+ Club Online Summer Classes and Academic Enrichment from School4Schools.com LLC, Arlington, VA Visit www.school4schools.com for more information or call (703) 271-5334

What does persuasion look like? Cicero has a few thoughts

Today we looked into the great Roman politician and philosopher Cicero and his ideas on persuasion, or “rhetoric,” as he called it. While condemning empty emotional appeals, Cicero commended use of emotional words and sounds that advance an argument, from use of alliterative, rhythmic words like “little daggers” to “well-arranged” sentences. Students identified how word choice and sentence construction can make or break an argument. Our goal is to provide the highest quality, practical language arts classes, tutoring and academic support. We have been providing affordable and effective online learning since 2012. Review and Sign up for courses here: A+ Club Online Summer Classes and Academic Enrichment from School4Schools.com LLC, Arlington, VA Visit www.school4schools.com for more information or call (703) 271-5334

There really is an “art” to the Language Arts: this week in words & meaning

On Monday & Tuesday we discussed George Orwell’s “Politics and the English Language” and his critique of euphemistic and vague language and appeal for clarity in writing. We used Orwell’s point of view to analyze the SAT practice test 10 essay and the Gettysburg address. Today, we will compare the Gettysburg address to Pericles’ Funeral Oration and study how Lincoln mimicked that speech by the great ancient Greek orator and democratic leader. Students are learning word choice and the power of specificity in conveying meaning. Our goal is to provide the highest quality, practical language arts classes, tutoring and academic support. We have been providing affordable and effective online learning since 2012. Review and Sign up for courses here: A+ Club Online Summer Classes and Academic Enrichment from School4Schools.com LLC, Arlington, VA Visit www.school4schools.com for more information or call (703) 271-5334