Courses

With formative assessments and engaging reading and writing exercises, students improve their grasp of grammar, reading comprehension, writing, and the use of language. Special focus is given to selected reading passages, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Students learn to reflect on the author's purpose and distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator and characters in popular children's fiction and nonfiction books. Critical thinking skills aid in building proficiency for the grade level reading standards.

Students continue to build skills through conversations on grade-level topics and texts in a harmonious atmosphere. Students improve comprehension through oral, visual, and auditory information.

To support reading, writing, and the use of language, students go through assessments and practice sessions to reinforce grammar with a specific focus on spelling and punctuation. Vocabulary is adapted through Language Standards for the grade level.

• Identify the author's purpose for writing
• Increase vocabulary, grammar, and language skills
• Write and elaborate comprehension questions around the text

With formative assessments and engaging reading and writing exercises, students improve their grasp of grammar, reading comprehension, writing, and the use of language. Special focus is given to selected reading passages, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.

As students continue to critically analyze and reflect on what they read and how it impacts their comprehension, they learn to compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated. This includes being able to tell the difference between first-person and third-person narrations in popular children's fiction and nonfiction books.

Students continue to build their skills through collaborative conversations on grade-level topics and texts with constant help from the teacher. In addition, students work on improving comprehension by determining the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

To support their reading, writing, and use of language, students strengthen their vocabulary and grammar. Learning to identify and understand word relationships, and nuances in word meanings by knowing general academic words (used in all sorts of texts and subject areas) and content-specific words (important to understanding specific topics or fields of study). Emphasis is given to understanding figurative language like simile, metaphor, hyperbole, etc. As part of their development of understanding, students in this grade distinguish the literal and non-literal meanings of words and phrases in context.

• Identify the author's purpose for writing
• Increase vocabulary, grammar, and language skills
• Write and elaborate comprehension questions around the text

Students will learn how to properly analyze a book by examining the theme and author's purpose. Students improve their grasp of grammar, reading comprehension, writing, and the use of language. Special focus is given to spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Active engagement with text to analyze, identify, define, explain, integrate, evaluate, compare, contrast, and cite supportive evidence - developing and building upon these skills. Deeper analysis of literature and informational text continues to be the focus of the sixth grade, although reading fluency and accuracy remains a common goal for all students.

Students identify and interpret information from a variety of media and ask questions to gain additional information. They use the structures found in the literature and informational text they read in their own writing (e.g., a central idea or theme supported by facts, descriptive details, or observations). They sequence ideas logically, use appropriate facts and relevant details to support the main idea or theme, and speak clearly.

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization and analysis of relevant content. Practice essay writing and other forms of academic writing. Refine and revise grammar, spelling, and punctuation for impeccable write-up. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

• Identify the author's purpose for writing
• Increase vocabulary, grammar, and language skills
• Use appropriate facts and relevant details to convey ideas

Students will learn how to properly analyze a book by examining the theme and autho's purpose. Students improve their grasp of grammar, reading comprehension, writing, and the use of language. Special focus is given to spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems. Active engagement with text to analyze, identify, define, explain, integrate, evaluate, compare, contrast, and cite supportive evidence - developing and building upon these skills. A deeper analysis of literature and informational text continues to be the focus, although reading fluency and accuracy remains a common goal for all students.

Students listen critically to speakers and media presentations, identify and interpret information from a variety of media and formats, deliver presentations, and ask questions to gain additional information. In their oral presentations. They use the structures found in the literature and informational text they read and in their own writing (e.g., a central idea or theme supported by facts, descriptive details, or observations). Students apply the same conventions of standard English when speaking that they use in their writing.

Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., stingy, scrimping, economical, unwasteful, thrifty). Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. Writing is drawn heavily from student experience and opinion. We still expect narrative writing, and we also teach a command of sequence and detail which are essential for effective argumentative and informative writing. The course focuses on evidence-based writing along with the ability to inform and persuade.

• Read and comprehend literature
• Increase vocabulary, grammar, and language skills
• Improve argumentative and informative writing skills

Inspire your child to write in the world of imagination!

Students will read short stories to develop an appreciation of a compelling story: plot, dialogue, figurative language, character development, sequence of events, and imagery. Meaning and characters will develop imaginative writing. Each student will attempt to create their own story with guidance from the instructor on how to realize detective details, inference, and many unknowns that are learned from human behavior.

Students draw on all materials read aloud in class and get their chance to create their very own stories. Imagination through reading and writing allows each student to have fun and share their voice which allows the characters to come to life and mimic human behavior in the worlds of motivation and pleasure-seeking. Distinguishing between fact and fiction, characters and situations come alive with your child's voice. What fun!

• Develop creative writing skills.
• Read, sample, and write in different genres.
• Complete their own short stories with fun and guidance.

Inspire your child to write in the world of imagination!

This course will explore the art of storytelling. Students will read stories to develop an appreciation of a compelling story: plot, dialogue, figurative language, character development, sequence of events, and imagery. Meaning and characters will develop imaginative writing. Each student will attempt to create their own story with guidance from the instructor on how to realize detective details, inference, and many unknowns that are learned from human behavior.

Students draw on all materials read aloud in class and get their chance to create their very own stories. Imagination through reading and writing allows each student to have fun and share their voice through mysteries and adventures which allows the characters to come to life and mimic human behavior in the worlds of motivation and pleasure-seeking. Distinguishing between fact and fiction, characters and situations come alive with your child's voice. What fun!

• Develop creative writing skills.
• Read, sample, and write in different genres.
• Complete their own short stories with fun and guidance.

Inspire your child to write in the world of imagination!

This course will explore the art of storytelling. Students will read stories to develop an appreciation of a compelling story: plot, dialogue, figurative language, character development, sequence of events, and imagery. Meaning and characters will develop imaginative writing. Each student will attempt to create their own story with guidance from the instructor on how to realize detective details, inference, and many unknowns that are learned from human behavior.

Students draw on all materials read aloud in class and get their chance to create their very own stories. Imagination through reading and writing allows each student to have fun and share their voice through mysteries and adventures which allows the characters to come to life and mimic human behavior in the worlds of motivation and pleasure-seeking. Distinguishing between fact and fiction, characters and situations come alive with your child's voice. What fun!

• Develop creative writing skills.
• Read, sample, and write in different genres.
• Complete their own short stories with fun and guidance.

This course is designed to play with language and ignite your child's imagination. We offer "story starters," "design your own ending," and plenty of lighthearted humor to get reluctant writers excited. The collaborative and energetic environment, both indoors and outdoors, will help your child let loose and let the words flow.

Each student will work on their writing creations, including jokes, crossword puzzles, word hunts, rhymes, limericks, scrambled words, silly sagas, and funny situations. Your child's imagination is the only limit!

• Develop writing skills with fun and inspiring new words and phrases.
• Write about comical thoughts, grand ideas, and possibilities that only a young child can consider.
• Complete their own writing projects of their endless, illustrative thoughts.

Sign up today and let WordSMASH! bring language to life for your child.

Ignite your child's creativity and love for writing with this jam-packed and engaging reading and writing course.

It is packed with writing games, wacky and humorous prompts, rhymes, silly jokes, nonsense words, hilarious scenarios, absurd plots, homophones, puns, and everything in between. We offer activities such as "design your own characters" and "create homophones, synonyms, or antonym responses" that encourage exploration. Our collaborative and lively indoor and outdoor the environment provides the perfect foundation for kids to unleash their creativity and let their words flow.

Each student work on their writing creations, including jokes, crossword puzzles, word hunts, rhymes, limericks, scrambled words, silly sagas, funny situations, and interesting tidbits, all while leaving room for the simple pleasure of reading a favorite, whimsical book.

• Develop writing skills with fun and exciting new words, phrases, and suggestions.
• Write about interesting thoughts, and grandiose ideas, that only an elementary child can imagine.
• Complete their own writing projects with important and illustrative ways to use and learn the language.

Get ready to giggle and laugh out loud with your children - it's contagious!

Encourage your child's creativity with a thrilling-writing experience.

“Writer's Nook” is designed for young middle school students passionate about writing. Whether it's a story, poem, or argumentative or narrative essay on a topic of your choice, our instructors guide students through the elements of writing.

Throughout the course, students work on their own writing projects, using their own writing topics, ideas, plot characters, and unique plot twists. Each student will have the opportunity to create their own project supported by personalized feedback. The interactive class setting will inspire an engaging and collaborative peer-to-peer learning environment among young writers. Students are also given opportunities to present their work to the class and develop valuable public speaking skills.

• Develop writing skills with other passionate writers of the same age group.
• Write about chosen material with professional guidance and critique.
• Students complete their own story, poem, or essay.

Encourage your child's creativity with a thrilling-writing experience.

“Writer's Nook” is designed for young writers passionate about writing. Whether it's a story, poem, or argumentative or narrative essay on a topic of your choice, our instructors guide students through the elements of writing.

Throughout the course, students work on their own writing projects, using their own writing topics, ideas, plot characters, and unique plot twists. Each student will have the opportunity to create their own project supported by personalized feedback. The interactive class setting will inspire an engaging and collaborative peer-to-peer learning environment among young writers. Students are also given opportunities to present their work to the class and develop valuable public speaking skills.

• Develop writing skills with other passionate writers of the same age group.
• Write about chosen material with professional guidance and critique.
• Students complete their own story, poem, or essay.

Elements of Reading from Talentnook is an effective reading program for all students including diverse learners such as Students with Disabilities and English Learners who participate in general education classroom instruction. We begin with very young readers, and our philosophy is that good reading skills lead to good writing skills. Our reading program is based on letter-sound recognition and word attack strategies with phonemic awareness and syllable breakdown.
GOOD READERS → GOOD WRITERS → GOOD STUDENTS → GOOD GRADES

Each Reading Level is broken down, not by school grade, but by reading efficiency level determined by proven assessments. The first lessons are “training lessons” which involve Sound Play and Decoding activities, working on phonemic awareness games that focus on syllables, identifying first sounds in words, rhyming, blending, segmenting, and identifying last sounds in words. Each Sound Play lesson aligns with a Decoding Lesson. Decoding lessons are implemented and practiced before the next activity is introduced. In every lesson, reinforcement of sounds and words are practiced with increasing variety and difficulty. Students learn specific prompts and correction procedures for each activity.
(Novice) Level 1 - (Pre-Reader) Level 2- (Reader) Level 3 - (Detective) Level 4 - (Navigator) Level 5

   • “What Sound?” Lower-case consonants and vowels are printed at the top of the lesson sheet and practiced for recognition and mastery.
   • “What Word?” Common sight words are printed on the lesson sheet below the “What Sound?” activity for context and practice.
   • “Sound Boxes.” Decodable words are printed with each sound of the word in a box that blends the sounds together in a sing-song fashion, and then the student reads the word quickly to hear and speak the word.
   • Reading Sentences. The students READ a sentence made up of decodable and sight words practiced in the lesson.

Elements of Reading from Talentnook is an effective reading program for all students including diverse learners such as Students with Disabilities and English Learners who participate in general education classroom instruction. We begin with very young readers, and our philosophy is that good reading skills lead to good writing skills. Our reading program is based on letter-sound recognition and word attack strategies with phonemic awareness and syllable breakdown.
GOOD READERS → GOOD WRITERS → GOOD STUDENTS → GOOD GRADES

Each Reading Level is broken down, not by school grade, but by reading efficiency level determined by proven assessments. The first lessons are “training lessons” which involve Sound Play and Decoding activities, working on phonemic awareness games that focus on syllables, identifying first sounds in words, rhyming, blending, segmenting, and identifying last sounds in words. Each Sound Play lesson aligns with a Decoding Lesson. Decoding lessons are implemented and practiced before the next activity is introduced. In every lesson, reinforcement of sounds and words are practiced with increasing variety and difficulty. Students learn specific prompts and correction procedures for each activity.
(Novice) Level 1 - (Pre-Reader) Level 2- (Reader) Level 3 - (Detective) Level 4 - (Navigator) Level 5

   • “What Sound?” Lower-case consonants and vowels are printed at the top of the lesson sheet and practiced for recognition and mastery.
   • “What Word?” Common sight words are printed on the lesson sheet below the “What Sound?” activity for context and practice.
   • “Sound Boxes.” Decodable words are printed with each sound of the word in a box that blends the sounds together in a sing-song fashion, and then the student reads the word quickly to hear and speak the word.
   • Reading Sentences. The students READ a sentence made up of decodable and sight words practiced in the lesson.

Elements of Reading from Talentnook is an effective reading program for all students including diverse learners such as Students with Disabilities and English Learners who participate in general education classroom instruction. We begin with very young readers, and our philosophy is that good reading skills lead to good writing skills. Our reading program is based on letter-sound recognition and word attack strategies with phonemic awareness and syllable breakdown.
GOOD READERS → GOOD WRITERS → GOOD STUDENTS → GOOD GRADES

Each Reading Level is broken down, not by school grade, but by reading efficiency level determined by proven assessments. The first lessons are “training lessons” which involve Sound Play and Decoding activities, working on phonemic awareness games that focus on syllables, identifying first sounds in words, rhyming, blending, segmenting, and identifying last sounds in words. Each Sound Play lesson aligns with a Decoding Lesson. Decoding lessons are implemented and practiced before the next activity is introduced. In every lesson, reinforcement of sounds and words are practiced with increasing variety and difficulty. Students learn specific prompts and correction procedures for each activity.
(Novice) Level 1 - (Pre-Reader) Level 2- (Reader) Level 3 - (Detective) Level 4 - (Navigator) Level 5

   • “What Sound?” Lower-case consonants and vowels are printed at the top of the lesson sheet and practiced for recognition and mastery.
   • “What Word?” Common sight words are printed on the lesson sheet below the “What Sound?” activity for context and practice.
   • “Sound Boxes.” Decodable words are printed with each sound of the word in a box that blends the sounds together in a sing-song fashion, and then the student reads the word quickly to hear and speak the word.
   • Reading Sentences. The students READ a sentence made up of decodable and sight words practiced in the lesson.