Builds word mastery through parts of speech, Greek and Latin roots, and morphological analysis of prefixes and suffixes. Develops nuanced comprehension using context clues, shades of meaning, and idiomatic expressions.
Students analyze the evolution of the possessive apostrophe in English and compare it to its Germanic 'cousins' (German, Dutch, and Danish) to understand how history and linguistic drift shape grammar.
A simulation where students develop a strategic style guide for a global corporation, defining when and how to use loanwords for internal and external stakeholders.
Analysis of code-switching in modern literature, examining how authors use non-translated foreign phrases to create narrative texture and challenge linguistic hegemony.
Identification and correction of common malapropisms and logical fallacies derived from foreign terms, such as i.e. vs. e.g. and petitio principii.
A technical workshop on the formal mechanics of loanwords, covering diacritics, italics, and the pluralization of anglicized terms according to major style guides.
Students analyze the rhetorical impact of loanwords on a speaker's ethos, debating the balance between establishing authority (prestige) and excluding the audience (alienation).
A practical workshop focusing on the stylistic choice between foreign loanwords and native English equivalents, emphasizing precision over pretension.
An analysis of social expressions used to characterize speakers, establish setting, and navigate social pragmatics.
A technical look at French loanwords used in artistic and cinematic critique to describe abstract aesthetic qualities.
An exploration of French as the historical lingua franca of diplomacy, focusing on political terminology and its use in international relations.
An investigation into the etymological split following the Norman Conquest, exploring how Germanic and French roots reflect class stratification in modern English.
A final mastery check and creative composition task where students demonstrate their ability to correctly identify and apply foreign loanwords in context.
A gamified review session featuring multiple stations (Pictionary, Taboo, Spelling) to reinforce retention and collaborative learning of foreign expressions.
Students apply context clue strategies to deduce the meaning of foreign phrases in complex texts, mirroring SAT and ACT reading comprehension formats.
Focuses on common errors and false cognates, teaching students to distinguish between tricky pairs that are often confused in academic writing and standardized tests.
Students investigate the morphological roots of common loanwords, using prefixes and suffixes to decode meaning and build a strategy for unfamiliar academic vocabulary.
A summative project where students write a piece of cultural criticism, weaving French loanwords into a professional, authoritative review.
Focusing on environment and setting, students use loanwords like milieu and ambiance to establish sophisticated narrative moods.
An investigation into terms of social hierarchy and etiquette, using literary excerpts to understand the nuances of social satire.
Students define and apply aesthetic terms like avant-garde and tour de force while critiquing modern art and film.
A linguistics-focused lesson tracing the evolution of the English possessive from Old English case endings through the 'His Genitive' folk etymology to the modern apostrophe. Students will explore how 'mistakes' and 'lazy tongues' shape the rules of grammar.
A culminating workshop where students synthesize their research skills to draft a comprehensive word biography using various reference tools.
Examines the debate between descriptivism and prescriptivism through usage guides and style manuals, critiquing how 'standard' English is codified.
Analyzes how specialized fields define terms differently, comparing legal, medical, and scientific reference works to understand contextual polysemy.
Explores the methodology of etymological research, tracing words back to Proto-Indo-European roots and identifying cognates across multiple languages.
Introduces students to the historical principles of the Oxford English Dictionary, focusing on how to interpret complex entries and trace semantic shifts over centuries.
A culminating workshop where students apply their full suite of reference skills to edit a text for clarity, precision, and stylistic accuracy.
Students compare descriptive and prescriptive reference tools, exploring style guides (MLA, Chicago, AP) to resolve usage debates and understand linguistic conventions.
An introduction to domain-specific reference materials like medical, legal, and technical glossaries, teaching students how to decode complex jargon.
Students analyze the difference between denotation and connotation, learning to use thesauruses and usage notes to select synonyms that match the intended register and tone.
Students explore the history of English by navigating the OED, tracing semantic shifts of words over centuries to understand how current meanings are rooted in historical context.
Students complete and self-audit a 'Zero Draft,' focusing on content and structure to prepare for the deep revision process.
Students draft final paragraphs that synthesize past experiences and project a sense of inevitability about their future in the program.
Students practice articulating specific research or professional interests with precision, balancing technical jargon with accessibility for interdisciplinary committees.
Students learn the 'growth mindset' framework to frame setbacks and academic challenges as opportunities for professional development and resilience.
Students focus on drafting body paragraphs that carry a single narrative thread, ensuring logical flow and cohesion between experiences.
A final project-based assessment where students integrate multiple sources to solve a technical 'crisis' through a formal briefing document.
Teaches the art of brevity and precision, training students to condense complex technical information for non-specialist executive audiences.
A simulation-based lesson where students compare conflicting technical reports to find consensus and identify points of disagreement.
Focuses on the intersection of quantitative data and written claims, teaching students to verify text against visual evidence.
Analyze themes, character development, and figurative language in literary excerpts to prepare for the literature portion of the TSIA.
Develop the ability to read between the lines and understand why an author wrote a text, moving beyond the literal.
Master the art of using context clues to define unfamiliar words, essential for tackling complex TSIA passages.
Learn to identify the central point of a passage and distinguish it from supporting details, a fundamental skill for the TSIA.
Students analyze the climax of Section I, where Gregor is revealed to his family and the Chief Clerk. They will focus on the father's aggressive reaction and the symbolism of the final push back into the room.
Students examine the breakdown of communication between Gregor and his family. They will analyze the symbolism of Gregor's changing voice and use affixes to decode complex words.
Students analyze Gregor's professional life and his feelings of alienation. They will focus on characterization and the arrival of the Chief Clerk, exploring how Gregor's identity is tied to his labor.
Students explore the opening of the novella, focusing on Gregor's physical transformation and his initial internal reaction. They will practice using context clues and the IDEAS method to define difficult vocabulary.
Students explore the theme of alienation and the role of family debt in Kafka's life and work. They will practice identifying these themes in short text excerpts and learn how to use the RACE format with transition words.
Students are introduced to the concepts of magical realism and the term "Kafkaesque." They will learn how Kafka blends ordinary reality with impossible, nightmare-like situations to create a unique literary style.
Students examine the historical and social context of Prague in the late 1800s. They will explore how Kafka's identity as a German-speaking Jew in a Czech city contributed to the themes of isolation in his writing.
Students read a simplified biography of Franz Kafka to understand the author's background, his difficult relationship with his father, and his "double life" as an office worker and a writer.
Students analyze how Kafka uses the Chief Clerk's arrival to explore the theme of authority and the dehumanizing nature of debt and labor.
Students master the use of commas with dialogue tags to punctuate the tense conversation between Gregor, his family, and the Chief Clerk.
Students analyze the arrival of the Chief Clerk and Gregor's deteriorating communication as the pressure to work intensifies.
Students learn to use commas to set off names in direct address, using dialogue from the family's attempts to communicate with Gregor.
A comprehensive vocabulary building course designed to master fifteen sophisticated words through weekly deep-dives, context analysis, and creative application.
An introductory lesson on Shakespeare's Macbeth focusing on its lasting impact on language and modern adaptations, specifically Joel Coen's film.
A comprehensive prep lesson for the TSIA2 ELAR section, covering reading comprehension, text analysis, and sentence-level writing skills. Includes a high-impact review presentation and a full 30-question practice exam with answer key.
Analyzes the family's final rejection of Gregor and his subsequent physical and mental decline.
