Reading & Writing Summer Enrichment
Help inspire your lifelong learners this summer with some reading and writing fun. Small class sizes, fantastic literature, plus engaging writing instruction and prompts all come together to help strengthen students’ reading and writing skills. Each session has been created to prepare students for the upcoming school year and beyond.
COURSES
Course Offerings
Early Elementary Read & Write
Suggested Ages
The Early Elementary Course is designed for typical students ages 6-7. These students already have basic reading skills and have successfully completed a kindergarten curriculum.
Purpose
The Early Elementary class includes the study of 5 diverse picture books. Students will participate in daily discussions about the literature. These discussions will include making predictions, learning new vocabulary, and characterizations. In addition to reading literature, students will
Accompanying Texts
During the Summer of 2023, students in the Early Elementary class will study from the following texts:
The Unstoppable Garrett Morgan: Inventor, Entrepreneur, Hero
The Stuff Between the Stars: How Vera Rubin Discovered Most of the Universe
Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played the Piano for President Lincoln
The list below includes books we have read in previous years. If you are looking for additional books that would make fantastic summer reading resources, students thoroughly enjoyed these selections:
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13
Pricing
The Early Elementary 5-day course is available for $60.
If you already have some of the books or wish to borrow some from your local library, you are free to do so.
If you would like to purchase the books on your own, Amazon affiliate links are provided above.If you would prefer to bundle the cost of the books with your course purchase, you can select this choice at checkout and I will order the books for you and have them shipped directly to you. You can select to add the book bundle at checkout.
Additional Information
The course will meet online via the Zoom webconference app. It is a free downloadable app on smartphones and tablets. It can also be accessed via a specific link on most web browsers.
After your registration is complete, you will receive an email confirmation. In the weeks prior to your first class, you will receive another email that will include the link to join your scheduled class for the week.
Each class session is limited to 7 students.
If your child cannot attend a day of class, no refund will be given, but a recording of that day’s session will be emailed to you.
Prior to the first day of class, you will have the opportunity to schedule a trial session to make sure we can see and hear one another. It is not required for you to schedule a trial session, but it is highly recommended.
What to Expect
Each student will meet daily for 5 consecutive days with his/her classmates and the instructor. Students will be expected to participate and to have the appropriate book and supplies throughout the duration of the class session each day.
Dates & Times Offered
June 12-16, 2023 8:00 am – 8:50 am
June 26-30, 2023 1:00 pm – 1:50 pm
July 17-21, 2023 8:00 am – 8:50 am
*Dates & Times above are listed in Central Time and are subject to change and availability. Please refer to your confirmation email to verify correct times.
Reluctant Readers & Writers
Suggested Ages & Level
This course is designed for reluctant readers and writers approximately ages 8-11. These students can read, but do not enjoy reading for fun. When asked to write, they may stare at a page for several minutes unsure of how to begin or even refuse to try.
Purpose
The Reluctant Readers & Writers (Elementary) class focuses on short stories, a novel in verse, and poetry carefully curated to keep readers engaged. Students will participate in discussions about each text. Discussions will involve making predictions, enhancing vocabulary, and identifying plot points. In addition to engaging literature, we will also work on overcoming the challenge of putting thoughts into words. We will emphasize the importance of pre-writing.
Accompanying Texts
During the Summer of 2023, students in the Reluctant Readers & Writers class will study from the following texts:
I’m Just No Good at Rhyming and Other Nonsense
The One Thing You’d Save (week 1)
When Stars Are Scattered (week 2)
The following are books we have read in this class during previous years. If you are looking for additional books that would make fantastic additions to your child’s summer reading or home libraries, look no further:
Pricing
The Reluctant Readers & Writers 5-day course is available for $70.
If you already have some of the books or wish to borrow some from your local library, you are more than welcome to do so.
If you would like to purchase the books on your own, Amazon affiliate links are provided above.
If you would prefer to bundle the cost of the books with your course purchase, you can do so and I will order the books for you and have them shipped directly to you. You can select to add the book bundle at checkout.
If you are interested in enrolling your child in a 2-week, 10-day course, please let me know.
Additional Information
The course will meet online via the Zoom webconference app. Zoom is a free downloadable app on smartphones and tablets. It can also be accessed via a specific link on most web browsers.
After your registration is complete, you will receive an email confirmation. In the weeks prior to your first class, you will receive another email that will include the link to join your scheduled class for the week.
Each class session is limited to 7 students.
If your child cannot attend a day of class, no refund will be given, but a recording of that day’s session will be emailed to you.
Prior to the first day of class, you will have the opportunity to schedule a short, 10-minute trial session to make sure we can see and hear one another. It is not mandatory that you schedule a trial session, but it is highly recommended.
What to Expect
Each student will meet daily for 5 consecutive days with his/her classmates and the instructor. During the week, each student will also have an opportunity to meet virtually for a one-on-one session with the instructor. This 20-minute writing conference provides an opportunity for the student to ask questions and receive individual feedback on his/her progress.
Dates & Times Offered
June 12-16, 2023 11:00 am – 11:50 am CT
June 26-30, 2023 9:30 am – 10:20 am CT
July 24-28, 2023 9:30 am – 10:20 am CT
*Dates & Times are subject to change and availability. Please refer to your confirmation email after registration to verify correct times.
Advanced Reading & Writing
Suggested Ages
This course is designed for students ages 9-11, who love to read and write. These students typically read and write outside of school assignments. They have no problem finishing a middle grade novel in a week. They may have even attempted writing their own books/stories.
Purpose
The Advanced Reading & Writing class celebrates some of the latest and greatest middle grade literature and writing handbooks while examining ways to enhance writing. Students will discuss the texts they read together in class. They will make predictions, enhance their awareness of the world around them, identify plot and sub-plots, and recognize themes. Students will also study ways to strengthen their writing, including ways to utilize pre-writing and strengthen their revision skills.
Accompanying Texts
In the Summer of 2023, students in the Advanced Reading & Writing class will study from the following texts:
June Selections–
Thirst (week 2)
July Selections–
Spilling Ink: A Young Writer’s Handbook
Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls (week 1)
Amari and the Night Brothers (week 2)
The list below includes books we have read during this class in previous years. If you are looking for additional summer reading books or fantastic additions to your home library, look no further:
Brave the Page: A Young Writer’s Guide to Telling Epic Stories
The Boy, the Boat, and the Beast
Writing Radar
Wishtree
Pricing
The Intensive Reading & Writing 5-day course is available for $75. To enroll your child for 2 weeks, the cost is $130.
If you already own some of the books or wish to borrow some from your local library, you are more than welcome to use them.
If you would like to purchase the books on your own, Amazon affiliate links are provided above.
If you would prefer to bundle the cost of the books with your course purchase, you can do so and I will order the books for you and have them shipped directly to you. You can select to add the book bundle at checkout.
Additional Information
The course will meet online via the Zoom webconference app. It is a free downloadable app on smartphones and tablets. It can also be accessed via a specific link on most web browsers.
Once you have registered, you will receive an email confirmation that will include the link to join your scheduled class.
Each class session is limited to 7 students.
If your child cannot attend a day of class, no refund will be given, but a recording of that day’s session will be emailed to you.
Prior to the first day of class, I will contact you to schedule a brief, 10-minute trial session to make sure we can see and hear one another. A trial session is not mandatory, but is encouraged.
What to Expect
Each student will meet daily via Zoom for 5 consecutive days with his/her classmates and the instructor. During the latter part of the week, each student will also have an opportunity to meet for a one-on-one writing conference with the instructor. This 20-minute session provides an opportunity for the student to ask additional questions and receive personalized feedback on his/her progress.
Dates & Times Offered
One-week Sessions:
June 12-16, 2023 9:30 am – 10:20 am CT
June 26-30, 2023 8:00 am – 8:50 am CT
July 17-21, 2023 9:30 am – 10:20 am CT
July 24-28, 2023 11:00 am – 11:50 am CT
Two-week Sessions:
June 12-16 & 19-23 Time TBA
July 17-21 & 24-28 Time TBA
*All dates & times are subject to change and availability. Please refer to your email confirmation to verify exact times.
Emerging Readers & Writers
Suggested Ages
This course is designed for students who may consider themselves too old for picture books (typically 7-9 years old), yet aren’t quite ready to read a full middle-grade novel in a week. These students can read independently and will enjoy reading a book that is a bit more “grown up” without being intimidating.
Purpose
The Emerging Readers and Writers class is designed for students who are ready to take on a larger work of literature, but not quite the length of a typical middle grade novel–at least not in one week. Students will read together in class as well as outside of class independently each day. Class discussions will support comprehension and enhance vocabulary in an engaging way. Students will be encouraged to write quality sentences and will work their way up to paragraphs by the end of the week. The goal of this class is to help young readers continue their love of reading as they grow into longer works of literature while simultaneously helping students create quality writing that feels both natural and accessible.
Accompanying Texts
Suggested texts for Summer 2023 Emerging Readers & Writers:
Pricing
The Reluctant Readers & Writers 5-day course is available for $60.
If you already have some of the books or wish to borrow some from the library, you are more than welcome to do so.
If you would like to purchase the books on your own, Amazon affiliate links are provided above.
If you would prefer to bundle the cost of the books with your course purchase, simply select this option at checkout and I will order the books for you and have them shipped directly to you.
Additional Information
The course will meet online via the Zoom webconference app. Zoom is a free downloadable app on smartphones and tablets. It can also be accessed via a specific link on most web browsers.
Once you have registered, you will receive an email confirmation that will include the link to join your scheduled class.
Each class session is limited to 7 students.
If your child cannot attend a day of class, no refund will be given, but a recording of that day’s session will be emailed to you.
Prior to the first day of class, I will contact you to schedule a short, 10-minute practice session to make sure we can see and hear one another.
What to Expect
Each student will meet daily for 5 consecutive days with his/her classmates and the instructor. During the week, each student will also have an opportunity to meet for a one-on-one session with the instructor. This 10-minute session provides an opportunity for the student to ask questions and receive individual feedback on his/her progress.
Dates & Times Offered
June 26-30, 2023 11:00 am – 11:50 am CT
July 24-28, 2023 8:00 am – 8:50 am CT
*Dates & Times are subject to change and availability. Please refer to your confirmation email after registration to verify correct times.
Future Success
Give your child an opportunity to enhance his communication skills. Regardless of his future career, he will benefit from strong reading and writing skills.
Writing for All
Whether a reluctant writer or an aspiring pro, every student will benefit from the carefully-curated literature and the thought-provoking writing instruction.
Imagination
Books take you places! Send your child on adventures in the pages of good books. In addition to the books, poems, and stories your child will study during class, you will also receive a specific list of book recommendations from a children’s book expert.
Better Readers
Students can avoid the summer reading gap and progress instead. This gives them a better advantage when they return to school in the Fall. Students will feel more confident reading a variety of texts.
Learn From Home
Online Class Offerings
Give your child a small class of peers from different neighborhoods and varying cities, even states–and still go to the pool later in the afternoon. Online classes are an excellent way to give your child some summer educational opportunities without fighting traffic day after day. This is an excellent opportunity to enhance your child’s learning from an experienced online educator.
Book A Course Soon!
Whether you want to register your own child for a course, or provide an opportunity for a less-advantaged student, spaces are limited. I’d love to help bring the joy of reading and writing to more children with your help.