Grade: Rising 7th & 8th Grades

Dates: June 20 to June 30, 2023

Meets: Tuesday through Friday (first week) and Monday through Friday (second week), 9:30 AM to 12 PM

Cost: $945 early bird pricing, $990 after March 31

Instructor: Christine Childress

Course Description:  In their 7th and 8th grade English classes, many students will begin reading texts with an increasingly critical eye and writing with more of a focus on analysis and argument, developing the skills that will prepare them for high school writing expectations. In this course, students will focus on both persuasive writing and literary analysis. In their first week, students will read articles about a hot topic and craft a persuasive essay using textual evidence and analysis. During week 2, students will read several short stories in order to augment their comprehension and engage in basic literary criticism; they will produce several well-constructed literary analysis paragraphs, ending with an on-demand writing final. Additionally, lessons will introduce grammar concepts and help develop the ability to write increasingly complex sentences. At the end of the course, each student will receive a detailed analysis of their writing and a list of areas to address in English class during the following year. By the end of the two weeks, each student will have developed the skills with which to set foot confidently into their 7th or 8th-grade English classroom.

Instructor Bio: Christine Childress has taught middle and high school English for over 20 years.  She holds a Master of Education degree in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, as well as a certificate in college counseling from University of California, Los Angeles.  She has taught every level of English from 6th-12th grade including college preparatory, honors, and AP Literature classes.  Beyond supporting adolescents in their reading, writing, and thinking skills, she enjoys woodworking and being in nature. Currently, Christine is an English Teacher at Del Mar Middle School.