LANGUAGE ARTS 2019-20
Cursive Penmanship
Taught by
Carolyn Forte
Fridays
1:10 – 1:40 PM
Open to all ages including parents who want to improve their penmanship.
Description:
Cursive handwriting is becoming a lost art, yet studies have shown that those who use cursive to take notes remember the material much better than those who use printing or a keyboard. Cursive is fast and easy when learned properly. This class will teach the traditional American cursive beginning with development of muscle memory and hand-eye coordination just as our ancestors learned. They could write beautifully all day without becoming tired or getting cramps in their fingers because of the method that was once universally taught but was dropped from our schools almost a century ago. There will be no text/ copybook the first semester. The second semester, families may choose from a variety of books to accommodate differing age and skill levels. Parents are encouraged to observe (or take the class –no additional charge) so they will be able to guide their children in practice throughout the week.
COST:
- $100 per semester
- Includes materials used in class and practice hand-outs.
- Ask about family discounts.
Semester 1: September 14 – February 8
Semester 2: February 15 – May 31
CLASS TOWN SHIPWRECK ISLAND
JOURNAL WRITING
Taught by Ani Janbazian
We Spark Learning
Wednesdays
8:30am – 9:30am
COURSE DURATION: 1 year (two, 15 week semesters – classes begin Sept 12, 2018)
COST PER SEMESTER (ALL materials provided):
$250 for homeschool families paying out-of-pocket
$275 for iLead, Inspire, Sage Oak, Sky Mountain and Excel Academy Charter students. Please contact WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com in advance for the option to use HOMESCHOOL COACHES for Gorman, Golden Valley, CA Enrichment Academy, Valiant Prep and Compass Charter students.
Shipwrecked on a remote island, 1st-5th graders explore their exotic surroundings, scavenge for supplies, tame the wilderness, form a rescue plan, and band together for survival through perilous adventures — all the while journaling their epic story.
Your weekly explorations will serve as the journal prompt or inspiration for your creative writing assignments.
“The eerie howling sound seemed to be coming from…”
“After tirelessly digging in the sand, it was a miracle that I found a…”
“Seeing that spectacular splash, I started to believe the mythical stories about…”
Each student will be assigned special skills to contribute to the group’s success, and keep an inventory of valuable items they have salvaged or scrounged for in the search for more island resources.
Some drawing, crafts, prize games, and other creative expressions will also be incorporated throughout the year to fit our Island theme. Mini lessons on writing techniques, literary devices, and poetry will be explored, while maintaining the goal of this class: to motivate students to put pen to paper with enthusiasm! Journal writing is done during class time, and writing expectations can be varied to adapt to different learning levels and abilities.
Tuition includes all materials necessary for class, including a folder/binder, writing implements, school supplies, craft projects, art materials, incentive prizes and goodies for classroom rewards or celebrations.
How will you survive this harrowing story? Will your party ever be rescued? Join the adventure!
TO REGISTER: Opening May 1, 2018, simply download and complete the registration form that will be available on WeSparkLearning.com. Send it in with payment to reserve your spot. In addition to sending us your registration form, Charter School students must arrange for payment by P.O./Enrichment Certificate request, to be issued before classes begin.
TRAVEL THE WORLD with ARMCHAIR ADVENTURES
ARMCHAIR ADVENTURES Literature Classes
Exploring the world through great authors!
This year we are going to be combining GREAT STORIES with GEOGRAPHY!!
We will be leaning about the different countries where the stories we read take place. So your child will be studying literature and geography in one class!!
ARMCHAIR ADVENTURES is predominantly a literature discussion class, but your child/teen will also be doing worksheets on literary devices, character development, vocabulary and literature analysis.ARMCHAIR ADVENTURES 7-10
Wednesdays
2:00-3:00 OR
Fridays
11:00 – 12:00
ARMCHAIR ADVENTURES 10-12
Wednesdays
12:45 – 1:45 OR
Fridays
12:00 – 1:00
ARMCHAIR ADVENTURES 12-15+
Wednesdays
4:15 – 5:15
WHY HAVE YOUR CHILD PARTICIPATE IN A DISCUSSION LITERATURE CLASS?
TALKING ADVENTURES
The Only Thing We Have to Fear is Fear Itself . . . . . and Public Speaking!!!
TALKING ADVENTURES
Taught by Brenda Van Derloo
Wednesdays
3:15 – 4:15
IEW BASED CLASSES
Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons
Writing for Younger Students
Writers Level A
Recommended grade levels
3 through 5; however, ability dictates
Taught by Lilli Witczak
Mondays
9:00 – 10:00
Class begins September 9, 2019
In this Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons Themed course, students will survey the civilizations of Sumer, Egypt, Israel, Babylon, Greece, Rome, Asia Minor, and Asia—the people’s ideas, traditions, systems of government, feats, and skills. IEW’s structural units and elements of style are introduced gradually.
During the course, students will take notes, summarize narrative stories, write from pictures, compose creative essays, and more. Additionally, with the activities, games, and parties, there will be enough silliness and fun to keep the atmosphere light while students learn.
The goal of the course is NOT to receive a good grade or compare one student to another. The goal is to develop a love for and interest in writing. We are looking for progress. With realistic expectations, progress is determined by comparing a child’s writing in September to his/her own writing in January and in June.
COST: $200.00 per semester ($225 if a charter student) plus books, etc. Plus, a one-time non-refundable registration fee of $25, which is waived for students whose paid tuition and registration are postmarked before August 1.
TEXT BOOK REQUIRED Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons [Student Book only]
By Lori Verstegen
ISBN: 978-1-62341-295-1
Edition/Printing: Fifth Edition, January 2018
Copyright Date: 2008, 2014, 2018
CONTACT: Lilli Witczak (626) 232-7932 or email at: lilli.witczak@gmail.com
Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons
Writing for Level B/C
Taught by Lilli Witczak
Recommended grade levels 6 and up, because ability dictates!
Mondays
10:00 – 11:15
In this Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons Themed course, students will read and write about topics such as the Knights, Vikings, kings, and famous men of the Middle Ages.
From the Anglo-Saxons to the Renaissance, from chivalrous knights to Genghis Khan, students will learn about medieval times while learning to write using IEWs structure and stylistic techniques.
Top of Form
During the course, students will take notes, summarize narrative stories, write from pictures, compose creative essays, and more. Additionally, with the activities, games, and parties, there will be enough silliness and fun to keep the atmosphere light while students learn.
The goal of the course is NOT to receive a good grade or compare one student to another. The goal is to develop a love for and interest in writing. We are looking for progress. With realistic expectations, progress is determined by comparing a child’s writing in September to his/her own writing in January and in June.
COST: $200.00 per semester ($225 if a charter student) plus books, etc. Plus, a one-time non-refundable registration fee of $25, which is waived for students whose paid tuition and registration are postmarked before August 1.
TEXT BOOK REQUIRED Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons [Student Book only]
By Lori Verstegen
ISBN: 978-1-62341-311-8
Edition/Printing: Fifth Edition, January 2019
Copyright Date: 2007, 2019
CONTACT: Lilli Witczak (626) 232-7932 or email at: lilli.witczak@gmail.com
British Literature
Taught by:
Lilli Witczak
Mondays
12:30 – 1:30
Recommended grade levels – 8th through 12th
CLASS BEGINS: September 9, 2019
COURSE DURATION: 1 school year, from September 9 through June 8.
We will be undertaking a college-preparatory course of study designed to introduce students to great literature from the British literary tradition, to teach students to read with discernment, to provide students with tools to strengthen their writing skills, and more. Of course, this includes Miss Lilli’s favorite part – exploring literary devices! Students will benefit from the classroom setting, because they will be able to discuss the books and writing assignments. Plus….we will have a couple of amazing themed tea parties that will be the envy of all!
Books Required:
Daniel Pool: What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew: From Fox Hunting to Whist-The Facts of Daily Life in Nineteenth-Century England (Paperback); 1994 Edition
- David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
- Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
- The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
- Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
- The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse
This above book list is a minimum goal.
Fees: $200.00 per semester ($225 if a charter student) plus books. Plus a one time non-refundable registration fee of $25 which is waived for students whose paid tuition and registration are postmarked before August 1.
CONTACT: Lilli Witczak (626)232-7932 or email at: lilli.witczak@gmail.com
THE ULTIMATE COLLEGE PREP WRITING CLASS
Advanced Speech and Writing
Traditional and Online
College Prep English Class
Taught by: Denis
For an introductory video with the teacher and Marty please click on the link below:
MEET THE TEACHER EIE VIDEO
For a quick video by the instructor about his class please click on the link below:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Drm-bTrC4eU
Monday’s
9:00 – 11:00
VENDOR WITH THE FOLLOWING CHARTERS:
- Academy of Arts and Sciences
- California Enrichment Academy
- Excel Academy
- Golden Valley
- Gorman
- iLead
- Inspire
- Sage Oak
- Sky Mountain
Online classroom is always open and lectures are available online.
Open enrollment during semester.
COST: $300 per semester. $250 for non charter school students.
This class is offered online as well as in a classroom setting.Current and ongoing class recordings of College Prep English are available on Youtube for auditors and for review. Visitors are invited to join our College Prep EnglishClass community on Google Plus.
This course covers advanced English communications for students of any age who can handle college preparatory material and is designed to prepare students for university studies and for SAT, ACT and TOEFL exams. Emphasis is placed upon innate language acquisition through immersion and emulation as well as an understanding of grammatical principles.
Writing and speaking skills and techniques are covered and works of the masters of spoken and written English arestudied. The list is flexible depending upon class enthusiasm but has in the past included Shakespeare, Swift, Dickens, Austen, J.S. Mill, Wilde, Shaw, Grahame, Wodehouse, Franklin, Jefferson, Paine, Lincoln, Twain, Fitzgerald, Churchill, King, Buckley, Baldwin and many other surpassingly brilliant but less well known writers and orators. (It is worth noting that one finds among these greats a disproportionately large percentage of homeschoolers.) All works are provided or linked to in the online classroom. College prep skills practiced will include note-taking, research and report writing, advanced vocabulary, language usage, comprehension and grammar. Students will write college admission essays, persuasive essays, SAT essays and reports and will prepare and deliver lectures and persuasive speeches. The class uses the one-room schoolhouse paradigm (See Advantages of the one-room schoolhouse approach to teaching). Please see our Writing Skills Playsheets for a taste of class content and style. Course includes personal instructor attention, traditional classroom/online video sessions, online text, extensive resources, graded compositions, moderated discussion forums and chatrooms.
Online text: SAT, ACT, TOEFL, College Prep English Practice by K. Titchenell.
Many text, audio, and video recording resources will be used and provided free of charge.
CONTACT: K. Titchenell (323) 432-7128
or email: eieclass@abacus-es.com