Grammar & Literacy Skills
Everything you need to know about our Grammar & Literacy Skills program.
How do I choose the right Grammar course level?
Upon enrollment, you will be invited to a diagnostic/live editing class with one of our senior instructors. Parents are invited to join as the senior instructor reviews the student's writing sample and discusses the best options for course/level placement. The senior instructor will recommend ONE course/level depending on the student's availability, reading and writing levels, and goals. Parents are encouraged to provide deeper context about the student's study habits and reading/writing levels to ensure that the appropriate course/level is chosen.
Who developed the Grammar curriculum?
The curriculum was crafted by alumni of Harvard’s Linguistics concentration. The curriculum has since been updated and revised by alumni of the University of Pennsylvania’s English department and Graduate School of Education.
What does the Grammar course cover?
Our courses develop foundational literacy skills using multi-modal worksheets, guided exercises, and independent practice. The program builds confidence in both reading and writing.
What are the differences between the Grammar courses?
Each level addresses specific skills tailored to a student’s proficiency:
- Grammar I
- Focus: Foundational grammar skills
- Topics Covered: Nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions, conjunctions
- Goal: To establish a basic understanding of different parts of speech and their interaction in simple sentences.
- Grammar II
- Focus: Intermediate grammar and writing mechanics
- Topics Covered: Types of modals, phrases, clauses, infinitives, tone and mood, author’s voice
- Goal: To deepen sentence structure comprehension, enhance writing mechanics, and improve fluency.
- Grammar III
- Focus: Advanced grammar skills
- Topics Covered: Prepositional phrases, gerunds, participles, conjunctions, verb tenses, subjects, objects, advanced comma usage
- Goal: To master complex sentence structures and editing skills, with midterm and final editing projects to track progress.
- Grammar IV
- Focus: High-level grammar and composition
- Topics Covered: Run-on sentences, advanced modifiers, commonly misused words, ambiguity, redundancy
- Goal: To refine composition skills, eliminate errors, and develop clarity and precision in writing. Includes midterm and final projects for skill assessment.
Each level builds upon the last, gradually increasing in complexity to prepare students for advanced writing tasks.
Can you provide an example syllabus?
For a sample syllabus, please visit: Grammar & Literacy Program Syllabus
How do I know if my child is ready for the next level?
We assess your child’s progress through midterm and final exams/projects. If they demonstrate a solid grasp of the material, they are ready to advance to the next level.
What students will learn?
Each grammar course is designed to build specific grammar skills in areas like verb tenses, clauses, modifiers, punctuation, and sentence structure. Through multi-modal worksheets, guided activities, and independent practice, students gain confidence in both reading and writing. Midterms and final exams/projects ensure mastery of the material, fostering clarity and precision in writing.
Homework
Homework consists of worksheets aligned with in-class notes and assignments. Students complete these worksheets based on their coach’s instructions and submit them by the designated deadline.
For more information, please visit the Grammar & Literacy Program Page or contact our support team for further assistance.