Summer Courses

Introduction to English 1

PURPOSE
English 1 will refine the students’ understanding of basic grammar and challenge them to write longer, more detailed compositions. The objective of this summer course is to introduce the eight parts of speech and make it easier for students to put words to paper.

PROCESS
To raise kids who love to write, we must first show them that words are fun… and big words are big fun. Not only will students feel the thrill of the Big Word Challenge every week in class, but they will also gain confidence in using new words through their vocabulary assignments. This includes:
• Charts to be filled out on each list, involving definitions and parts of speech
• Dictation exercises to improve retention and comprehension
• Word games like scrambled words, alphabetizing words, word searches, and spelling “checks”

The most important step in writing is establishing the “comfort zone.” Students need to feel at ease conveying their thoughts onto paper. If critique comes too intensely in this early stage, students may doubt their abilities and feel discouraged. Therefore, our Writing Sparks compositions are:
• Designed to be enjoyable, allowing students to be creative and expressive
• Usually one or two paragraphs long
• A prime opportunity for the teacher to highlight strengths, offer encouragement and suggestions, and impart a sense of accomplishment
• A prime opportunity for students to employ the rules of correct grammar they learn in class

CURRICULUM & TEXTS
• Fast Track to English 1 Course Workbook, available at www.pahlowsenglish.com ($15)
• Easy Grammar Grade 5 Workbook, ISBN 978-0-936981-45-1 ($13-$15)

Introduction to English 2

PURPOSE
English 2 will draw heavily upon the students’ knowledge of basic grammar in order to mature their writing. To prepare for this, students must be able to master the eight parts of speech as well as their functions in a sentence.

PROCESS
The first step in writing is establishing the "comfort zone." Students need to feel at ease conveying their thoughts onto paper. If critique comes too intensely in this early writing process, students may doubt their abilities and feel discouraged. Therefore, these compositions are:
• Designed to be enjoyable, allowing the student to be creative and expressive
• Usually three paragraphs long, typewritten, and double-spaced
• A prime opportunity for the teacher to highlight strengths, offer encouragement and suggestions, and impart a sense of accomplishment
• A prime opportunity for the student to employ the rules of correct grammar, capitalization, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure they learn in class

Next we will strengthen their vocabulary. Vocabulary is like weight training. To build a strong muscle (vocabulary), one gradually increases both the weight (the difficulty of the words) and the repetitions (how many times the words are used) while keeping a consistent practice schedule (a list of twelve words a week). This weekly vocabulary program features:
• Charts to be filled out on each list, involving definitions and synonyms
• The students’ own original, descriptive sentences using their new words
• Spelling tests administered by the parent-teacher

CURRICULUM & TEXTS
• Fast Track to English 2 Course Workbook, available at www.pahlowsenglish.com ($15)
• Easy Grammar Grade 6 Workbook, ISBN 978-0-936981-46-8 ($13-$15)

Introduction to English 3

PURPOSE
English 3 will call upon students to incorporate certain style techniques into nine new types of paragraphs. This summer course introduces these elements of style one-by-one, giving students the opportunity to learn and practice them to mastery. Instruction will include:
• Six basic stylistic techniques that govern powerful word choice and organization
• Six ways to ensure that a paragraph will contain varied and well-structured sentences
• Accomplishing the purpose of a paragraph
• Utilizing a style rubric for each writing assignment

PROCESS
This course emphasizes:
• Note-taking and key word outlines
• Summaries from reference material

This summer, our vocabulary gets exciting. Our new words will be grouped according to their common English roots. This way, students not only learn to recognize the roots in these new sets of words, but they are also trained to recognize these roots in any other words they come across. This particular practice is highly recommended by PSAT and SAT to improve performance on these exams. The program includes:
• Weekly charts will be filled out, involving definitions, roots, synonyms, and antonyms
• The students’ own original, descriptive sentences using their new words
• Spelling tests administered by the parent-teacher

CURRICULUM & TEXTS
• Fast Track to English 3 Course Workbook, available at www.pahlowsenglish.com ($15)
• A paperback, dictionary-style thesaurus to be brought to class each week

Introduction to English 4

PURPOSE
English 4 will focus primarily on writing five-paragraph essays, leading to a research paper. This summer class prepares the student for this challenge by:
• Reviewing advanced style techniques for mature word choice and sentence structure
• Introducing six of the most common types of paragraphs and how to write them effectively
• Teaching transition techniques to make paragraphs seamless

PROCESS
The course centers on:
• Three-paragraph compositions
• Literary analysis, covering theme and literary devices in classic short stories
• Original narratives, inspired by the themes discussed in class

We will continue our fascinating study of vocabulary through common English roots. Students learn to recognize the roots not only in these new sets of words, but also in any other words they come across. While this practice is highly recommended by PSAT and SAT to improve performance on their exams, our prime objective is to raise the caliber of word choice in their own writing. The vocabulary program features:
• Charts to be filled out on each list, involving definitions, roots, prefixes, suffixes, synonyms, and antonyms
• The students’ own original, descriptive sentences using their new words
• Spelling tests administered by the parent-teacher

CURRICULUM & TEXTS
• Fast Track to English 4 Course Workbook, available at www.pahlowsenglish.com ($15)
• A Writer’s Guide to Transitional Words & Expressions, ISBN 0-945045-02-6 ($13-$15)*
• A paperback, dictionary-style thesaurus to be brought to class each week

Creative Writing

PURPOSE
This course hopes to gift the student with a life-long love of exciting stories, vivid description, and cleverly-turned phrases.

PROCESS
This summer course will delve into short fiction. Students will:
• Uncover the importance of plot development, setting, conflict, point of view, character development, drama, dialogue, and description
• Read great examples of classic dramatic fiction
• Choose a setting first and write an original short story in that location and time period
• Participate in the Big Screen Pitch, a multi-media presentation of their original short stories.

We will also explore the wonder of poetry. Students will:
• Identify the different forms of poetry and read wonderful examples of each
• Learn about the six plots and the seven tools that make poetry great
• Enjoy several unique opportunities to flex their own poetic muscle
• Participate in our Poetry Slam, the students’ dramatic poetry recitations from memory.

CURRICULUM & TEXTS
• Inspired Writing Course Workbook, available at www.pahlowsenglish.com ($15)

Dynamic Writing – Middle School

The fear of writing will be replaced with a new-found zeal when students are equipped with these techniques that immediately add style and confidence to their work. All levels of writers are welcome 

Dynamic Writing – High School

Find writing too abstract? Wish there was a way to really know how to write well? Here is a chance to see writing as more of an artful science. Students will use proven “elements” of language to help them enjoy freedom, consistency, and excellent results in their writing experience.