We recommended that you submit a student writing sample to spidersmartbellaire@gmail.com

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Language Art Camps:

• A101 Reading & Writing (K-G1)

  • 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. ​

• B100 Reader’s Theater (K-G1)

  • 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.

• A401 Literature Reading and Critical Essay Writing (G2-G5)

  • ​​​​​​​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.

• A501 Reading Writing with Mock Trial (G6-G8)

  • 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 also multiple facets of the US legal system.

• B505 Literature Reading and Analytical Writing (G7-G8)

  • This course is meant for students who are mastering their middle school writing skills and transitioning to high school. Students will investigate the purposes for which authors write and will become purposeful readers and writers. Additionally, they will practice advanced annotation and reading strategies to understand, analyze, and synthesize causes and effects to issues that impact their community. Students will learn advanced grammar and writing techniques that align to SAT standards.

• ​A61o High School Advanced English (Bridge to AP) (G9-G11)

  • ​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.​

• A520/A620 Contest Writing Workshop (G7-G8 or G9-G11) 

  • We have been helping students compose and prepare work for the Scholastic Writing and UIL writing contest since 2016. Our students have enjoyed unprecedented regional and national success in the writing contest. In the workshop, students discuss, share, develop, and complete their own original works. Our instructors place a premium on completing and polishing a work that the student is proud to submit.​

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Public Speaking and Debate Camps:

• B200/B201 Public Speaking (G2-G8)

  • 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.

• B400/B401 Novice or Varsity Debate (G5-G8)

  • ​Students will sharpen the distinction between Lincoln–Douglas (LD) debate and Public Forum (PF) debate. More advanced lessons will include case construction, resolution analysis, and drills to polish debate skills. This class is focused on taking that skillset developed earlier and applying it within debate rounds.​

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Math Camps (G1-G12):

• Algebra 1

  • 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• AMC8

  • 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.