Description: The purpose of this course is to lay the groundwork for success in high school, so it will provide students with opportunities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. We will learn the parts of speech, sentence patterns, and sentence diagramming; analyze literature; and write informally in a journal. At the beginning of the semester, we will focus on writing good sentences and paragraphs, building the framework of short essays. We will also practice all steps in the writing process, from prewriting, creating a rough draft, revising, editing, to polishing the final draft. Students will write narrative, expository, descriptive, and persuasive essays.

Tutor: Kim Witthuhn works as a professional editor and has taught literature, writing, grammar, history, geography, and various electives at homeschool organizations over the last 20 years, including homeschooling her own children. She is also a homeschooling and career consultant and enjoys helping people discover the unique design God gave them. Mrs. Witthuhn graduated from Concordia University with a BA in English and Social Science Education. She lives in Eden Prairie with her husband and enjoys studying the Bible, reading, learning, and spending time with family.

Cost:  $249, $259, or $269 per semester (depending on registration date) + a $33 textbook fee for Analytical Grammar  which will be collected as part of the first semester registration
Level:  Grades 7-8
Prerequisite: none
Homework:  3-4 hours per week
Texts: The grammar text is Analytical Grammar, which is included in the class fees (above). The remaining texts (to be purchased by parents) are listed below.

1st Semester Texts (to be purchased by parents, any edition is fine):

• Holes (Louis Sachar)
• The Witch of Blackbird Pond (Elizabeth George Speare)

2nd Semester Texts (to be purchased by parents, any edition is fine):

• Island of the Blue Dolphins (Scott O'Dell)
• A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L'Engle)

Supplies:  The cost for the one-year Analytical Grammar license, a binder, copies of the curriculum, and a journal is included in the first semester supply fee of the class (above). Students need to purchase the above four books and a 1-inch binder or folder for class handouts.