LANGUAGE ARTS 2020-21

Why study classic literature? Classic literature is not to be relegated to the dusty bookshelves of old libraries. It is filled with excitement, philosophy, and beauty! Reading classic literature develops critical thinking skills, expands vocabulary, and helps a person see the grander scale of life. Plus, it’s just plain fun!

This class will cover various works of classic literature, examining their historical contexts, themes, and literary elements. Using our literature discussions as a foundation, students will work on improving their writing skills.

For grades 9-12, but middle schoolers with good reading skills are welcome.

 A sample of great literary works:

• Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• King Lear by William Shakespeare
• Emma by Jane Austen
• Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
• Poetry and Short Stories by various authors (Dickinson, Poe, Tennyson, etc.)

COST:

• $275 per semester if using charter funds
• $225 if private pay, sibling discount available

Duration

One year

Bio

Before becoming a parent, I received my B.A. and teaching credential in English and taught at a private high school. I taught all four grades, ranging from basic English classes to specialized literature courses. When I became a parent and started homeschooling, I was highly influenced by the book, For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay, and have incorporated many of Charlotte Mason’s philosophies into our homeschool.  I have a daughter in college and two high school students.

CONTACT:

• Tanya Robinson
• (626) 201-2983
• Robinson5Tanya@gmail.com

We Spark Learning

Ani Janbazian

Target:  Grades 8-12
COST PER TRIMESTER:
$230 for private pay homeschool families.
$250 for iLead, Epic, Aveson, Compass, Inspire, Heartland, Blue Ridge Academy, Granite Mountain, Sage Oak, Sky Mountain, Summit, Golden Valley, and Excel Academy Charter students. If you don’t see your school listed, please contact us at WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com so we can apply to become a vendor for you.

COURSE DURATION:
One trimester to start (2 more trimesters may follow to complete the trilogy if there is interest)
Fellowship of the Ring Volume 1 & Movie 1
9 week trimester: September  14, 21, 28 October 5, 19, 26 November 2, 9, 16

IF THERE IS INTEREST IN CONTINUING THE TRILOGY,
THE REMAINING SCHEDULE WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:

The Two Towers Volume 2 & Movie 2
9 week trimester – $230/$250
November 30 December 7, 14 January 4, 11, 25 February 1, 8, 22
(March 1 held as emergency make-up day if needed)

The Return of the King Volume 3 & Movie 3
9 week trimester – $230/$250
March 8, 15, 22 April 12, 19, 26 May 3, 10, 17
(May 24 held as emergency make-up day if needed)

Students grades 8-12 are introduced to English literary analysis by exploring J.R.R. Tolkien’s magical Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings classic books, and will compare them with the epic movies by Peter Jackson.

Explore the splendid and harrowing story of Frodo Baggins, a humble hobbit, on his quest to save Middle Earth from the dark forces of Sauron.  Brace yourselves as Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, Goblins, Hobbits, WIzards and Men lay it all on the line in this epic tale of good versus evil.  Be inspired by the tale of friendship, humility, sacrifice, and hope in the face of the impossible.

Weekly classroom quests will have students searching for the use of illuminating vocabulary,  figurative language, and pondering the big questions about character, moral intent, symbolism and literary interpretation.  We will read chapters from the books, and match them with segments of the movies providing lively comparisons, analysis, debate, and discussion.

Opportunities for innovative challenges, activities, creative writing, and hands-on projects will round out this extraordinary classroom adventure.

NOTE TO PARENTS
The minimum grade recommendation for this class has been set partially due to The Lord of the Rings movie series being rated PG-13.  It depicts fantasy violence through gruesome battle scenes of good versus evil, and some scary imagery of Sauron’s evil army (orcs, goblins, etc..).  If you would like to read more about the content of this film series, we recommend searching CommonSenseMedia.org for their age-based reviews.  Parent permission slips for viewing will be required of all students taking this class.

REGISTRATION:  Beginning May 1, 2020, simply complete the form and payment on the Registration page of WeSparkLearning.com . Charter School students should request a P.O./Enrichment Certificate to be issued as soon as school begin processing for this period, in order to secure enrollment.

Questions? Call (626)482-8963 or email WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com

TARGET: Grades 1-5.

COURSE DURATION: 1 year (two, 14 week semesters – classes begin September 16, 2020)

COST PER SEMESTER  (All materials provided):

• $250 for private pay homeschool families.
• $275 for iLead, Epic, Aveson, Compass, Inspire, Heartland, Blue Ridge Academy, Granite Mountain, Sage Oak, Sky Mountain, Summit, Golden Valley, and Excel Academy Charter students. If you don’t see your school listed, please contact us at WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com so we can apply to become a vendor for you.

Students become “neighbors” in a crazy Wild West Town they help create, where they will experience many events through the year including western themed activities, natural disasters, community events, unbelievable mishaps and some silly celebrations!  As each town event effects the “homesteaders”, it will serve as the journal prompt for a creative writing assignment for the week.

“I hopped on my horse to round up some cattle thieves and …”

“I’ve never been to a barn raising before, so today was…”

“The unusual ingredients in my cauldron of stew were…”

Class cowboys and cowgirls will start by deciding what to name their town and establishing their own home and property. Each student will choose a job that will produce weekly earnings. They can use their income to save and upgrade their home, or enhance their property with decorative and fun items from the marketplace.  Neighbors will talk about and compare stories about the wild western events of the week.  Some drawing, crafts, prize games, and other creative expressions will also be incorporated throughout the year.

While the class will have some mini lessons on writing techniques, literary devices, figurative language, and poetry, our focus is not on the formal fundamentals of writing.  The main goal of this class is to motivate kids to put pen to paper to write with enthusiasm and express their ideas in written form.    Journal writing is done during class time, and journal expectations can be varied to adapt to different learning levels and abilities.

REGISTRATION: Beginning May 1, 2020, simply complete the form and payment on the Registration page of WeSparkLearning.com .  Charter School students must request a P.O./Enrichment Certificate to be issued as soon as possible, in order to secure enrollment.

Questions? Call (626)482-8963 or email WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com

 ARMCHAIR ADVENTURES

ARMCHAIR ADVENTURES Literature Classes 

Exploring the world through great authors!

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.

Recommended for 7-10 year olds. The books will be approximately 100-150 pages long and appropriate for 2nd-4th graders.  

Recommended for 10-12 year olds. The books will be approximately 150-300 pages long and appropriate for 5th-7th graders.

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!!!

IEW BASED CLASSES

CLASS BEGINS:  September 14, 2020

COURSE DURATION:  1 school year, from September 14 through May 24.

 Your student’s imagination will soar in this Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales Writing Lessons Themed course as he or she is introduced to The Mule and His Buyer, Bellerophon and the Chimera, and Tiger Tamer, and that is just the beginning.

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: $225.00 per semester ($250 if a charter student) plus books, etc.  Plus, a one-time non-refundable deposit of $25, which is waived for students whose paid tuition and registration are postmarked before August 1.

Miss Lilli is a vendor for: Sky Mountain, ILEAD, Excel Academy, Sage Oaks, Golden Valley, Gorman, Inspire, and more.

TEXT BOOK REQUIRED Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales Writing Lessons [Student Book only]

By Maria Gerber

ISBN: 978-1-62341-309-5

Edition/Printing: Third Edition, May 2019

Copyright Date: 2019

Please note: The textbook is not available through the EIE bookstore.

CONTACT: Lilli Witczak (626) 232-7932 or email at: lilli.witczak@gmail.com

CLASS BEGINS:  September 14, 2020

COURSE DURATION:  1 school year, from September 14 through May 24.

In this U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons Themed course, students will read and write about topics such as the civil war, the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889, the Sinking of the Lusitania, and many more.

From the Native Americans to the Statue of Liberty, from the Westward Movement to Transportation Milestones, students will learn about the history of this great nation while learning to write using IEWs structure and stylistic techniques.

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: $225.00 per semester ($250 if a charter student) plus books, etc.  Plus, a one-time non-refundable deposit of $25, which is waived for students whose paid tuition and registration are postmarked before August 1.

Miss Lilli is a vendor for: Sky Mountain, ILEAD, Excel Academy, Sage Oaks, Golden Valley, Gorman, Inspire, and more.

TEXT BOOK REQUIRED U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons [Student Book only]

By Lori Verstegen

ISBN: 978-1-62341-324-8

Edition/Printing: Second Edition, November 2019

Copyright Date: 2019

Please note: The textbook is not available through the EIE bookstore.

CONTACT: Lilli Witczak (626) 232-7932 or email at: lilli.witczak@gmail.com

Recommended grade levels – 4^th through 7th

 CLASS BEGINS:  September 14, 2020

COURSE DURATION:  1 school year, from September 14 through May 24.

 This class will focus on the basics of grammar and writing. The year will begin with the students learning how to write sentences and paragraphs. In time for Thanksgiving and the end of the calendar year, we will focus on how to write thank you notes and letters to family and friends. With the start of the new year, we will write about our hopes for the coming year and future years. In February, we will write about Presidents and patriotic topics in celebration of Presidents’ Day. During March and April, we will study how to write persuasively, how to write a how-to paper, and more. The last topic of the year will be poetry, because we are going surprise Mom (Shhh!!! Don’t tell her.) for Mother’s Day!

 Fees: $250.00 per semester ($275 if a charter student..
Plus a one time non-refundable deposit of $25 which is waived for students whose paid tuition and registration are postmarked before August 1.

 Miss Lilli is a vendor for: Sky Mountain, ILEAD, Excel Academy, Sage Oaks, Golden Valley, Gorman, Inspire, and more.

CONTACT: Lilli Witczak (626)232-7932 or email at: lilli.witczak@gmail.com

THE ULTIMATE COLLEGE PREP WRITING CLASS

Online classroom is always open. 
Open enrollment during semester.

COST: 

• $350 per semester for Charter students.
• $300 for non charter school students.
  
  This class is offered online as well as in a classroom setting. 

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

COST:  

• $250.00 per semester. 
• $200.00 for non charter school students per semester.
  

Those who have slipped the bit, bridle and blinders of K12 education, and fled stable and paddock to taste the joys of free-range education still find themselves subject to the yoke of state educational mandates – at least until graduation.  Fortunately, California offers a shortcut to graduation that most homeschoolers can use to put secondary school obligations behind them.  Unfortunately, very few are familiar with the CHSPE (California High School Proficiency Exam), whose certificate of successful completion states unequivocally that it is for all legal purposes the equivalent f a High School diploma.

John Taylor Gatto, award winning teacher and luminary of the homeschooling movement, stated that a motivated student could  acquire the requisite K12 skills in about 100 hours of study.  There is no need for 12 years of pointless daily confinement with its enforced compliance and conformity.  Study for the CHSPE and put it all behind you.

CONTACT: K. Titchenell

(323) 432-7128
or email: eieclass@abacus-es.com