Click Here for all class details including grade level, pre-requisites, times, and fees
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Special Note - Please Read - MS English at PATH 2021-22
One of the joys of homeschooling is teaching our children in a way that meets their individual needs. In PATH MS English, we aim to offer homeschooled students a variety of options to “meet them where they’re at” and inspire growth. All classes will include elements of grammar, literature, writing, and presentation, scaled to various levels of experience and skill. Therefore please take special note of the descriptions below and place your child in the appropriate level of MS English. Reach out to the tutors below with any questions you might have.
Prerequisites are listed as a guide for parents to make the best decision for their children. As all PATH classes will offer opportunities for students to be challenged, we recommend choosing a course in which your student can confidently complete assignments. We don’t want our students to be habitually frustrated! If you have questions about which class will be the best fit, we encourage you to reach out to the instructors. We are happy to discuss the best option for your student.
MS English E: (Generally Grades 7 - 9th graders who are reluctant writers or new to organized English. E is for Emerging)
Prerequisites: None
Tutor: Angela Johnson
This is an introductory class that will familiarize students with the basics of grammar, introduce quality literature, and encourage emerging writing skills. We will utilize games, activities, projects, and even a little bit of art to make English concepts fun and accessible. This is a perfect class for students who are new to formal English classes or are inexperienced or reluctant writers. The focus will be on exposure to English topics and developing the student’s voice as a writer. Note that if there is a schedule conflict: and your student cannot take the Intermediate MS English class, the tutor for this class can meet Intermediate writers where they are. Your "Intermediate" student can take this emerging class, in other words, and will be given additional guidance beyond this class if there is a conflict.
MS English Intermediate (this is called "i" on the PATH website) : Grades 7-9
Prerequisites: Knowledge of parts of speech, sentence structure, and basic grammar concepts.
Tutor: Heather Hickman
This course focuses on overall grammar, reading, writing, listening, and vocabulary development. Students will strengthen grammar skills through identifying parts of speech, diagramming sentences, and other grammar/editing activities. A focus will be on mastering the eight parts of speech while exploring the structure of language and grammatical rules in order to speak and write effectively. We will use mnemonic devices and other creative tools to help facilitate learning.
In addition, students will read a variety of novels in different genres. The literature will emphasize vocabulary development, comprehension, as well as analytical and critical thinking skills through whole group and literature circle experiences. Students will be involved in making connections between literature and scripture and/or personal experiences. Writing will be developed and expressed in essays and other creative writing assignments.
If your student has had some exposure to writing and grammar and has a basic understanding of the eight parts of speech, this class would be a good fit for them. In addition, if they took Middle School English last year and are not moving up to High School English, this would likely be the class for them.
For those students who were in Middle School English this year, please note that we will be reading a new list of literature books (TBD). Also, this year, we focused heavily on persuasive writing using The Lost Tools of Writing. Going forward, the plan is to focus more heavily on persuasive writing every other year. Therefore, for 2021-2022 school year, we may do one persuasive essay, but the focus will not be on persuasive writing. We are planning to explore other types of writing such as writing from pictures, journaling, narrative writing, informative writing, literature critiques, etc.
In summary, this class is for MS students that are more established in their writing skills, and are seeking to be prepared for high school English the next year. Students who took MS English in 8th grade, and are now in 9th grade may also benefit from this class if their writing skills are still developing (they aren't ready for HS English).
TEXTS | MATERIALS | SUPPLIES
Our grammar text is TBD. We are looking at different options for next year. Also, we are currently considering Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) and/or Brave Writer as our main writing texts. A final determination will be made in the next few months. Your student will likely be required to have the student workbook(s) that correlates with the chosen curriculum.
Editing Texts: Editor in Chief and/or Daily Paragraph. Parents DO NOT need to purchase these texts. However, a reference book for the rules of grammar, capitalization, punctuation, etc. would be helpful to have at home.
Literature Books:
A list will be posted on the PATH website by or before July.
General Supplies: Students should bring either a notebook or notebook paper in a three-ring binder, pencils, erasers, etc. to class each time. Students will be required to take notes during class.
TUTORS
Mrs. Hickman (i - Intermediate) lives in Rochester with her husband (Joel) and three boys. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls as well as a PHR certification in Human Resources. Mrs. Hickman worked in HR for 14 years and ended her career when the Lord gently nudged her to begin homeschooling. Eleven years later, she and her husband continue to homeschool their children. In addition, she has held various leadership positions in Classical Conversations and continues to tutor for their Foundations program. Mrs. Hickman considers herself tremendously blessed to be a child of the King, and her favorite verse is: Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Mrs. Johnson has been homeschooling her 5 children for 12 years in the Rochester, MN area. While her Bachelors degree is in Management, her heart has always been with children in the form of experiential learning. She has taught in numerous cooperatives including Bravewriter, Classical Conversations, and home grown gatherings.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Special Note - Please Read - MS English at PATH 2021-22
One of the joys of homeschooling is teaching our children in a way that meets their individual needs. In PATH MS English, we aim to offer homeschooled students a variety of options to “meet them where they’re at” and inspire growth. All classes will include elements of grammar, literature, writing, and presentation, scaled to various levels of experience and skill. Therefore please take special note of the descriptions below and place your child in the appropriate level of MS English. Reach out to the tutors below with any questions you might have.
Prerequisites are listed as a guide for parents to make the best decision for their children. As all PATH classes will offer opportunities for students to be challenged, we recommend choosing a course in which your student can confidently complete assignments. We don’t want our students to be habitually frustrated! If you have questions about which class will be the best fit, we encourage you to reach out to the instructors. We are happy to discuss the best option for your student.
MS English E: (Generally Grades 7 - 9th graders who are reluctant writers or new to organized English. E is for Emerging)
Prerequisites: None
Tutor: Angela Johnson
This is an introductory class that will familiarize students with the basics of grammar, introduce quality literature, and encourage emerging writing skills. We will utilize games, activities, projects, and even a little bit of art to make English concepts fun and accessible. This is a perfect class for students who are new to formal English classes or are inexperienced or reluctant writers. The focus will be on exposure to English topics and developing the student’s voice as a writer. Note that if there is a schedule conflict: and your student cannot take the Intermediate MS English class, the tutor for this class can meet Intermediate writers where they are. Your "Intermediate" student can take this emerging class, in other words, and will be given additional guidance beyond this class if there is a conflict.
MS English Intermediate (this is called "i" on the PATH website) : Grades 7-9
Prerequisites: Knowledge of parts of speech, sentence structure, and basic grammar concepts.
Tutor: Heather Hickman
This course focuses on overall grammar, reading, writing, listening, and vocabulary development. Students will strengthen grammar skills through identifying parts of speech, diagramming sentences, and other grammar/editing activities. A focus will be on mastering the eight parts of speech while exploring the structure of language and grammatical rules in order to speak and write effectively. We will use mnemonic devices and other creative tools to help facilitate learning.
In addition, students will read a variety of novels in different genres. The literature will emphasize vocabulary development, comprehension, as well as analytical and critical thinking skills through whole group and literature circle experiences. Students will be involved in making connections between literature and scripture and/or personal experiences. Writing will be developed and expressed in essays and other creative writing assignments.
If your student has had some exposure to writing and grammar and has a basic understanding of the eight parts of speech, this class would be a good fit for them. In addition, if they took Middle School English last year and are not moving up to High School English, this would likely be the class for them.
For those students who were in Middle School English this year, please note that we will be reading a new list of literature books (TBD). Also, this year, we focused heavily on persuasive writing using The Lost Tools of Writing. Going forward, the plan is to focus more heavily on persuasive writing every other year. Therefore, for 2021-2022 school year, we may do one persuasive essay, but the focus will not be on persuasive writing. We are planning to explore other types of writing such as writing from pictures, journaling, narrative writing, informative writing, literature critiques, etc.
In summary, this class is for MS students that are more established in their writing skills, and are seeking to be prepared for high school English the next year. Students who took MS English in 8th grade, and are now in 9th grade may also benefit from this class if their writing skills are still developing (they aren't ready for HS English).
TEXTS | MATERIALS | SUPPLIES
Our grammar text is TBD. We are looking at different options for next year. Also, we are currently considering Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) and/or Brave Writer as our main writing texts. A final determination will be made in the next few months. Your student will likely be required to have the student workbook(s) that correlates with the chosen curriculum.
Editing Texts: Editor in Chief and/or Daily Paragraph. Parents DO NOT need to purchase these texts. However, a reference book for the rules of grammar, capitalization, punctuation, etc. would be helpful to have at home.
Literature Books:
A list will be posted on the PATH website by or before July.
General Supplies: Students should bring either a notebook or notebook paper in a three-ring binder, pencils, erasers, etc. to class each time. Students will be required to take notes during class.
TUTORS
Mrs. Hickman (i - Intermediate) lives in Rochester with her husband (Joel) and three boys. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls as well as a PHR certification in Human Resources. Mrs. Hickman worked in HR for 14 years and ended her career when the Lord gently nudged her to begin homeschooling. Eleven years later, she and her husband continue to homeschool their children. In addition, she has held various leadership positions in Classical Conversations and continues to tutor for their Foundations program. Mrs. Hickman considers herself tremendously blessed to be a child of the King, and her favorite verse is: Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Mrs. Johnson has been homeschooling her 5 children for 12 years in the Rochester, MN area. While her Bachelors degree is in Management, her heart has always been with children in the form of experiential learning. She has taught in numerous cooperatives including Bravewriter, Classical Conversations, and home grown gatherings.