Classic Literature Close Reading & Writing
Literature is among the central subjects in English education. Studying English literature opens up a world of inspiration and creativity. Not only will your child’s affections be trained to love the good through characters they encounter in literature, but also they will get a glimpse into the wonder of reality that only great literature can reveal to us. Being avid readers helps students become great writers. Apex’s Close Reading And Writing Program brings elementary school children a selection of the best books by the best authors.
We believe children should be introduced to literature at a young age. Our program starts with early chapter books for GK-1 and goes to classic novels for advanced elementary school levels. Through a combination of reading, discussion, and writing, our small group size allows every student to receive individualized attention and extra support.
In class, students will participate in thoughtful, critical analysis that focuses on significant details or patterns in order to develop a deep, precise understanding of the book’s writing style, background, meanings, etc. Through discussion, reasoning, comprehension, retelling, vocabulary expansion, students develop their understanding of plot, theme, and characterization. During each class students will identify elements of different genres as applied in the story, discussing story elements, and using critical thinking to practice deeper comprehension skills. In addition to close reading, our courses also focus on narrative, expository, and persuasive writing practices for the demonstration of learning. Every student’s work and assignments will be reviewed thoroughly by teachers.
Class size: 4-6 students
Tuition: $280 for 10 lessons
Courses and Books Selection
Mouse Soup (Recommended Grade Level: G1-3)
Mouse Soup begins with a mouse suddenly he’s caught by a weasel, taken up by the tail, and carted off to “be soup.” But the mouse – as charming and as quick-thinking as the mouse tells him, the soup won’t taste good if it doesn’t have any stories in it! The belly-rumbling weasel falls for this trick, and the stories unfold as ingredients.
Another sweet story about Mouse, from Arnold Lobel, the beloved author and illustrator of the Newbery Honor and Caldecott Honor award winning Frog and Toad books. Filled with warm, amusing illustrations, this inviting mouse adventure is a true delight that encourages young readers to fall in love with reading, and keep on wondering what is going to happen?
Magic Tree House #8 Midnight on the Moon (Recommended Grade Level: G1-3)
The Magic Tree House series transport kids through time and around the world, teaching history while stirring their imaginations. Kids can explore endless topics and interests in science, history, literature, art, music or nature.
Midnight on the Moon, Magic Tree House Book 8, Jack and Annie are whisked forty years “forward” in time and land at an international space station on the moon. There they wear space suits and go exploring the lunar surface in search of the fourth object needed to free the enchantress Morgan le Fay from a powerful spell. This Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie off to the moon–and the future. Their mission? To find the last “M” thing that will free Morgan from the spell. Can they do it before the air in their oxygen tank runs out? Will the mysterious moon man help them? And why is Peanut the mouse acting so strange? Let’s join our Apex close reading writing class of Midnight on the Moon to find all the answers.
Shiloh (Recommended Grade Level: G3-7)
Shiloh is a Newbery Medal-winning children’s novel by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor published in 1991. It is the first book in a quartet about a young boy, 11-year-old Marty Preston strives to protect a small hound from its abusive owner, Judd Travers. Between beers, Judd whips his hunting dogs into submission. One pooch turns to Marty for refuge. Marty then strikes a deal with Judd in hopes of earning the little dog’s freedom. Judd’s bitterness was fueled by a rueful personal history. Marty’s noble insistence that his nasty neighbor, Judd is capable of a change of heart.
This well-written story with strong emphasis on family values is for any young reader to enjoy. It’s a heartwarming novel, and one of the most popular Naylor’s Children’s-novels.
Misty of Chincoteague (Recommended Grade Level: G4+)
Misty of Chincoteague, Marguerite Henry’s beloved story of a wild horse’s gentle colt—and winner of a Newbery Honor—is now available at Apex literature reading course.
Misty of Chincoteague is a children’s novel written by Marguerite Henry in 1947. Set in the island town of Chincoteague, Virginia, the book tells the story of the Beebe family and their efforts to raise a filly born to a wild horse. Paul and his sister Maureen’s determination to own a pony from the herd on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, is greatly increased when the Phantom and her colt are among the ponies rounded up for the yearly auction. This brings Phantom into their lives, in a way they never would have suspected. Phantom would forever be a creature of the wild. But her gentle, loyal colt Misty is another story altogether…
