A620 Scholastic Writing Contest Workshop

We have been helping students compose and prepare work for the Scholastic Writing and UIL writing contest since 2016. Our students have gained unprecedented regional and national recognition in the writing contest. 

 

In 2022, our students earned 6 gold keys, 7 silver keys, and 4 honorable mentions in the regional category, as well as a national gold, best-in-grade award (only two are awarded in the entire grade), and national silver. Our center has received the “Scholastic Educator Award.” 

 

In the following two workshops, students discuss, share, and develop their own original works. Our instructors emphasize on completing and polishing works that students are proud to submit.

 

A620_A Scholastic Contest Writing Workshop: Non-fiction, Journalistic, and Academic Writing

 

In this course, we will examine the types of essays that win in the non-fiction categories of the Scholastic Contest, and explore what makes for compelling non-fiction. We will work on developing ideas into essays, learn techniques for impeccable research, craft gripping openings, how to lead readers to an accurate conclusion, and how to write for a general audience. We will also cultivate grammatical and lexical skills, expanding our knowledge of the written English language. Student papers will be given notes for revision with both teacher evaluation and peer reviews to give a broader idea of what works best with a diverse group of readers. 

 

A620_B Scholastic Contest Writing Workshop: Fiction, Poetry, and Creative Writing

 

In this course, we will show young authors and poets how to shape, craft, and revise to help them transmute their imagination into short stories, poems, plays and so on. We will study what Kurt Vonnegut called “The Shape of Stories” and Joseph Campbell called “The Hero’s Journey” to understand how poems and stories follow a specific structure, but that within that structure there are endless variables and possibilities that make each creative writer’s efforts unique. We will work on writing realistic dialogue, contriving compelling plots, and developing meaningful characters, while using apt language and playing with linguistic conventions. Works will be given notes for revisions based on teacher evaluation and peer review to help give an idea of how to write for a broad audience. We will work to polish the stories and poems so they will stand up to the best entries of the Scholastic Writing Contest.

 

 

A630 ”Using Literary Prowess to Write an Unforgettable College Essay: A Strategic Approach"

7/14-7/26 Tue-Fri & Sun 5:30-7:00 pm

And one-hour private tutoring by appointment (private tutoring has to be done by Aug.8th)

 

This summer workshop will serve as an introduction to essay writing, with an emphasis on creative narrative structure. Because many families in our community prioritize their children’s performance on standardized tests and overall academic performance, the most influential aspect of a college application has become the personal essay. This course is designed to teach students in middle and early high school how to identify the prevailing cultural norms of elite institutions such as the Ivy Leagues, Stanford, Rice, etc., and create an authentic, engaging personal narrative that appeals to those sensibilities while also conveying the child’s individual character. This course will also include instruction on more structured essay formats commonly assigned in high school and college. Persuasive, argumentative, rhetorical analysis and research essays with citations in MLA and APA will all be covered.

 

Kinder -1st Grade 

Session 1 June 1- June 12; Session 2 June 15- June 26

A101 Reading & Writing  

Students learn to listen carefully to stories, poems, and informational texts in order to identify common words and phrases. Through books, conversations, and experimentations with language, students expand their vocabulary while building upon their fundamental understanding of English grammar. Students will use their expanded vocabulary to collaborate with one another through the sharing of inferences and ideas. They begin to write and use a combination of writing, drawing, singing and dictating to describe their experiences and to give information. Come enjoy early literary activities designed to foster fluency, comprehension, and finding joy through reading.  

 

B 100 Reader’s theater 1:30-2:30 PM $220

Reader's theater is a highly engaging, collaborative literacy activity that has students practice and perform short scripts. Students will learn how to use their voices, facial expressions and gestures to interpret a story. It helps build young readers’ confidence and promotes fluency.

 

2nd Grade - 5th Grade

Session 1 June 1- June 12; Session 2 June 15- June 26

A 401 Literary reading and Critical essay writing   9:30 - 11:30 $419

This session will be an introduction to text analysis. Students learn to observe plot structure, track character development, and to identify and emulate literary devices commonly found throughout American literature. This course will teach students how to craft narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive, comparative, and research essays. Students learn how to plan, create first drafts, revise, edit, then present their research and original ideas. Grammar, diction, and language mechanics are observed and evaluated throughout the program. Every student will compile their own portfolio of writing samples that will be presented to their classmates and teacher at the end of the course.

 

B 400 Public Speaking 1:30- 2:30 $199

Our Public Speaking camp covers a wide range of topics including first impressions, the art of conversation, impromptu speaking, gestures, comedy, and more. Students learn important communication skills to improve their confidence and stand out in school, their careers, and life. Students learn to be expressive, use eye contact, gain vocal confidence, and deliver nonverbal communication through gestures and body language. With small class sizes, our highly qualified coaches focus on each student. Students practice individual and group performances daily and give a final presentation during the last class. Students will learn Shakespeare and the classics through performance. This course will explore a variety of speaking events hosted at the UIL tournament.

 

5th Grade - 8th Grade (Divide groups by ages) 

Session 1 June 1- June 12; Session 2 June 15- June 26   

A501 Reading & Writing with Mock trial 9:30 - 11:30, $450

This two-week advanced program consists of text annotation, multi-genre essay writing, grammar evaluation, building vocabulary through critical analysis, and the innovative “Mock Trial” pedagogy. Through our online summer camp, students build analytical reading and writing skills, knowledge of common themes and motifs throughout contemporary American literature, and an understanding of the US legal system through a variety of historical and political frameworks.

 

In our Mock Trial program, students study multiple methods of discernment while investigating underlying themes within contemporary American literature. While receiving guidance from their instructor, students will collaborate with one another to develop their own theories and cases through daily group discussions and writing assignments. Students will study and explore the US court system, as well as the history and laws that animate it. By the end of the camp, students will have a well-developed understanding of not only persuasive writing and literature, but multiple facets of the US legal system. 

 

B 500 Public Speaking 2:30-3:30 $199

 

Our Public Speaking camp covers a wide range of topics including first impressions, the art of conversation, impromptu speaking, gestures, comedy, and more. Students learn important communication skills to improve their confidence and stand out in school, their careers, and life. Students learn to be expressive, use eye contact, gain vocal confidence, and deliver nonverbal communication through gestures and body language. With small class sizes, our highly qualified coaches focus on each student. Students practice individual and group performances daily and give a final presentation during the last class. Students will learn Shakespeare and the classics through performance. This course will explore a variety of speaking events hosted at the UIL tournament.

 

 

Debate 

Session 1 June 1- June 12; 

B510 Novice Debate, 3:30-4:30 

B520 Varsity Debate, 4:30-5:30

Debate camp will cover core skills such as basic argumentation, case construction, resolutional analysis, flowing, and weighing. These form the skillset that all debate formats require for success. The advanced class will also cover the specific skills needed for Lincoln Douglas and Public Forum formats. We will use an integrated teaching approach that combines lectures, demonstration debates, the Socratic Method, and practice debates. Both debate camps will end with a round-robin style tournament to apply the skills learned over the week. 

 

    

    9th Grade -11th Grade 

Session 1 June 1- June 12; Session 2 June 15- June 26

B610 High School Advanced Reading and Writing 4:00- 6:00 PM $599

This class is recommended for high school students (or highly gifted middle school students) who are on the Pre AP and AP track. Per semester session, students will be assigned 20 or more readings (short stories), and they will be expected to produce a well written essay within 40-50 minutes. Students who sign up must be prepared for the rigor and challenge to think and write critically. 

On college entrance exams, this is a vital skill as students must process information, analyze content, evaluate elements, and develop a quick prewrite to establish a well grounded piece of writing that conveys depth of thought, reflection, and a mature perception.

 

Mathematics

Session 1 June 1- June 26(4 weeks)

Algebra I  

 

The course will follow the Texas Algebra I TEKS blueprint. Students will study linear, quadratic, and exponential functions along with their graphs, transformations, and how to solve their related equations and inequalities. In addition, students will learn to set-up and solve 2 x 2 systems of linear equations using various methods and apply them to real-world problems. Other topics along the way include, polynomial expressions, radical expressions, laws of exponents, and arithmetic/geometric sequences. This course will help students get ready for the CBE test. 

 

Geometry  

  

The course will follow Texas state Geometry blueprint. Within this course, students will begin to focus on more precise terminology, symbolic representations, and the development of proofs. Students will explore concepts covering coordinate and transformational geometry; logical argument and constructions; proof and congruence; similarity, proof, and trigonometry; two- and three-dimensional figures; circles; and probability. 

 

MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8  

The course is designed for students preparing for State and National MATHCOUNTS and AMC8 competition. The course will cover Number Theory, Algebra, Word problem, Sequences, Counting, Probability, Geometry, Logic and imagination and countdown. 

 

AMC10 

This course will help students prepare for the AMC 10 Contest. It will improve the students' problem-solving skills as well as knowledge in basic math concepts exponents, proportional reasoning, expressions and equations, data management, linear relations, properties of slope, equations and graphs, measurements of geometrical objects, quadratic relations and graphs, analytic geometry, trigonometry, etc.

 

Algebra 2__This course will guide students through among other things linear equations, inequalities, graphs, matrices, polynomials and radical expressions, quadratic equations, functions, exponential and logarithmic expressions, sequences and series, probability and trigonometry. Students will do daily problem solving, including SAT prep questions. 

 

Precalculus

Pre-Calculus is the preparation for Calculus. The course approaches topics from a function point of view, where appropriate, and is designed to strengthen and enhance conceptual understanding and mathematical reasoning used when modeling and solving mathematical and real-world problems. Students systematically work with functions and their multiple representations. The study of Pre-Calculus deepens a student’s mathematical understanding and fluency with algebra and trigonometry and extends their ability to make connections and apply concepts and procedures at higher levels. This Course will cover the content described in the Precalculus TEKS, and additional topics as determined by the instructor and allowed by time constraints. The four major themes of the course will be Trigonometry, Advanced Algebra, Limits, and Logical Reasoning. There will be an emphasis on rigorous proof, and problem-solving skills