Language Arts

The following language arts courses are available in addition to our Humanities Block English classes.

Advanced Grammar Marilyn Kehoe

Appropriate for grades 7-8. Prerequisite: a base knowledge of grammar.

Course Description: Review of all parts of speech; parts of a sentence; kinds of sentences; word phrases, and clauses; emphasis on diagramming; mechanics: punctuation, capitalization, etc. Understanding grammar is an excellent preparation for the study of foreign languages or creative writing.

Special Materials: Voyages in English, Grade 7, 1995 Edition ISBN 0-8294-0762-6, Loyola University Press, 3441 North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, ILL 60657; Exercises in English, 1995 Edition, ISBN 0-8294-0795-2 Assignment pad, a 6-inch ruler, pen, pencil, eraser and red marking pencil

• Parent Role: Educational Supervisor - Teachers will provide parents with a syllabus and updated information on material being covered each class period. Parents will guide their children by assuming the role of supervisor: setting up a study schedule with their child, checking to be sure that assignments are completed, helping them to understand difficult material, and by helping with time management for successful completion of long term assignments. Parents bear the responsibility for ensuring that their child comes prepared for class.

Meets Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00-10:00 Class size : 4-12

Course fee for the year: $370.00 ($5.75 per instructional hour)

Creative Writing Tricia McClintock

Appropriate for grades 9 and above.

Course Description: A writing course in which the students write for and publish a Westminster Academy Literary Magazine. Students also publish the school yearbook. A focus is placed on writing and evaluating prose and poetry. The course offers experience in layout design and editing while building writing and grammar skills. Each student is involved in every aspect of compiling and publishing the literary magazine and yearbook. This course is good preparation for college composition courses.

• Parent Role: Educational Counselor: Here parents have the opportunity to monitor the independent school work performed by their children while it is still possible for them to provide additional guidance if needed. The responsibility for time management, preparation for class and academic success falls on the student.

Special Materials: TBA

Meets Tuesdays from 12:30 - 1:30 Class size : 6 - 10

Course fee for the year: $184.00 ($5.75 per instructional hour)

Advanced Writing & Literature for Juniors and Seniors TBA

Appropriate for grades 11 - 12.

Course Description: The literature emphasis of this course will be on contemporary British literature. In addition, this class is designed to perfect writing skills for students in preparation for college writing assignments. The process of writing a detailed research paper will be taught.

• Parent Role: Educational Counselor: Here parents have the opportunity to monitor the independent school work performed by their children while it is still possible for them to provide additional guidance if needed. The responsibility for time management, preparation for class and academic success falls on the student.

Meets Mondays and Thursdays from 2:00 - 3:30 Class size : 4-12

Course fee for the year: $550.00 ($5.75 per instructional hour)