Upper Division Classes 2020-2021
In the 2020-2021 academic year we are offering the following groups.
7 year olds
Children in this class are expected to read and write in Russian at the beginning of the year. In this class children continue to develop literacy skills through the use of leveled libraries, independent writing assignments and read alouds. Children learn how to select books for independent reading based on their interests and reading needs. In reading conferences, and partner and group talks, children discuss stories they read independently and stories they listen to during read aloud time. Children are exposed to grammar by studying main orthography rules. At this age students learn to recognize the softness of consonants and practice reflecting them correctly in their writing. Children write their personal stories and practice using grammar rules they have learnt.
Group 1: Fridays, 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM IN PERSON
Group 2: Saturdays, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM IN PERSON
8 year olds
In this class children continue to develop literacy skills through the use of leveled libraries, independent writing assignments and read alouds. Children learn how to select books for independent reading based on their interests and reading needs. In reading conferences, and partner and group talks, children discuss stories they read independently and stories they listen to during read aloud time. Children are exposed to grammar by continuing to practice some main orthography rules they already know as well as learning some new ones. Children write their personal stories and practice using grammar rules they have learnt.
Group 1: Fridays, 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM IN PERSON
Group 2: Saturdays, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM IN PERSON
9 year olds
In this class students work in books clubs. The assigned reading is expected to be done at home independently. Students spend a portion of class discussing the book club book, with focus on character analysis, vocabulary, themes, and historical context where appropriate. Children write a lot in class and their responses are shared with peers. Familiar grammar rules are reinforced and new rules including some basic morphology are taught.
Group 1: Fridays, 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM HYBRID (BOTH ONLINE AND IN PERSON ON SOME DAYS)
Group 2: Saturdays 1:00 - 3:30 PM HYBRID (BOTH ONLINE AND IN PERSON ON SOME DAYS)
10 year olds
In this class students continue to work in books clubs. The assigned reading is expected to be done at home independently. The difficulty of texts is gradually increasing. Students spend a portion of class discussing the book club book, with focus on character analysis, vocabulary, themes, and historical context where appropriate. Children write a lot in class and their responses are shared with peers. Familiar grammar rules are reinforced and new rules including some basic morphology are taught.
Group 1: Wednesday, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM IN PERSON
Group 2: Tuesdays 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ONLINE
Group 2: Saturdays 1:00 – 3:30 pm IN PERSON
11 year olds
In this class students continue to work in books clubs. The assigned reading is expected to be done at home independently. Students spend a portion of class discussing the book club book, with focus on character analysis, vocabulary, themes, and historical context. The difficulty of texts is gradually increasing. Grammar rules studied in the previous grades are reinforced and students learn to recognize and correct spelling and stylistic mistakes in their writing. Significant portion of the class is spent on developing analytical skills, debates and peer led discussions to provide opportunities to express different ideas and opinions. Creative assignments continue to foster critical thinking and language development.
Mondays 6:00 – 8:00 pm ONLINE and 6:30 - 8:30 pm IN PERSON
12 year olds
In this class students continue to work in books clubs. The assigned reading is expected to be done at home independently. Students spend a portion of class discussing the book club book, with focus on character analysis, vocabulary, themes, and historical context. World History and Russian History is introduced, appropriately, to help students gain deeper understanding of the texts they are reading. The difficulty of texts is gradually increasing. This year our reading focuses on literature about adolescence experience. Grammar rules studied in the previous grades are reinforced and students learn to recognize and correct spelling and stylistic mistakes in their writing. Significant portion of the class is spent on developing analytical skills, debates and peer led discussions to provide opportunities to express different ideas and opinions. Creative assignments continue to foster critical thinking and language development.
Tuesdays 6:30 – 8:30 pm HYBRID (the group meets in person with an option to dial in).
13 year olds
In this class students continue to work in books clubs. The assigned reading is expected to be done at home independently. Students spend a portion of class discussing the book club book, with focus on character analysis, vocabulary, themes, and historical context. The difficulty of texts is gradually increasing. Grammar rules studied in the previous grades are reinforced and students learn to recognize and correct spelling and stylistic mistakes in their writing. Significant portion of the class is spent on developing analytical skills, debates and peer led discussions to provide opportunities to express different ideas and opinions. Creative assignments continue to foster critical thinking and language development.
Saturdays 1:00 – 3:30 pm HYBRID (BOTH ONLINE AND IN PERSON ON SOME DAYS)
14 year olds Book Club
Saturdays 12:00 - 12:45 ONLINE