Enrichment Classes for Gifted and Talented Elementary Students

Interactive Fiction with Twine

Take your readers on adventures where their choices drive the story and bring your creative writing to life! In this class, students will learn how to use Twine, an open source, HTML based non linear storytelling tool, to create interactive fiction. Students will create Choose Your Own Adventure stories and worlds for their reader to explore. No HTML knowledge is required. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. Instructor, Maria DiGiovanni.

Mondays

  • 11am PST

  • July 6 - August 24

  • $400 (8 sessions)

Thursdays

  • 12pm PST

  • July 9 - August 27

  • $400 (8 sessions)

Reading Comprehension

Engage in discussion and activities that strengthen your critical thinking and reading comprehension skills. Through short stories, articles, writing exercises and discussion, we'll explore how authors convey deeper meaning for greater understanding. Preparatory work and homework provided. All sessions are online, via Zoom. For the Non-Fiction, classes, the content is different. Students needed extra practice are encouraged to attend both sessions if possible. To register, complete the form below. Grades 4 & 5. Limit 8. Instructor: Robin Russell

Reading Comprehension: Fiction

  • August 17 - 21

  • 6pm PST

  • $250

Reading Comprehension: Non-Fiction

  • July 6 - 10

  • 1pm PST

  • $250

AND/OR

  • August 10 - 14

  • 7pm PST

  • $250

Essay Writing

Read sample essays and identify effective/ineffective elements. Explore personal narratives and persuasive rhetorical devices. Formulate a claim and write essays using details and textual evidence to substantiate your ideas. Receive feedback and revise your essays. All sessions are online, via Zoom. Grades 4 & 5. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. Instructor: Robin Russell

Persuasive

  • August 3 - 7

  • 6pm PST

  • $250

Personal Narrative

  • August 17 - 21

  • 1pm PST

  • $250

“Ms. Russell is always full of energy, she gives fantastic, personalized feedback to help everyone build on their talents, and we always learn in a fun and engaging way. I’ve grown tremendously in this class, and I’d highly recommend it to all students who want to improve their writing skills.”
 

Creative Writing

Engage in activities that hone your skills and foster your love of writing as storytelling. Areas of focus are Sentence Fluency and Word Choice with the goal of cultivating descriptive language, specifically in employing similes, metaphors and other literary devices. Optional homework activities are provided. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8.

Grades 2 & 3

  • Plot & Character

    • July 20 - 24

    • 4pm PST

    • $250

  • Descriptive Writing

    • August 3 - 7

    • 4pm PST

    • $250

Grades 4 & 5

  • Plot & Character

    • July 27 - 31

    • 6pm PST

    • $250

OR

  • Plot & Character

    • August 24 - 28

    • 2pm PST

    • $250

  • Descriptive Writing

    • July 13 - 17

    • 6pm PST

    • $250

OR

  • Descriptive Writing

    • August 3 - 7

    • 10am PST

    • $250

 

Academic Skills

Reading Comprehension

  • Finding Evidence

  • Identifying Main Ideas

  • Grammar Foundations

    • Parts of Speech

    • Subjects & Predicates

    • Run-on Sentences

  • Essay Fundamentals

  • Vocabulary Expansion

All sessions are online, via Zoom. Limit 8. Students needed more support are encouraged to attend both classes. To register, complete the form below.

  • July 27 - 31

  • 1pm PST

  • $250

AND/OR

  • August 24 - 28

  • 1pm PST

  • $250

“Going to Mrs. Russell’s class is like immersing yourself in a new world where anything can happen! It’s full of life, magic, and laughter. By the end, you’ll be creating your own unique world that you never want to leave.”
 

Public Speaking & Presentations

Being comfortable in front of an audience and able to express your ideas concisely are valuable skills to possess. Being able to capture the undivided attention of your audience and keep them in the palm of your hand as you rally them to action are skills that can transform both the audience and the speaker. Learn how to project your voice, gesticulate effectively, end your sentences definitively and engage your audience. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8.

Grades 2 & 3

  • Informative Speeches

    • July 6 - 10

    • 4pm PST

    • $250

  • Persuasive Speeches

    • August 17 - 21

    • 4pm PST

    • $250

Grades 4 & 5

  • Persuasive Speeches & Presentations

    • July 6 - 10

    • 6pm PST

    • $250

  • Informative Speeches & Presentations

    • July 13 - 17

    • 2pm PST

    • $250

Writing Clinics

Participate in guided writing exercises with a focus on syntax, vocabulary and grammar. Both creative and essay prompts are presented. Individualized feedback is provided in real time. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8.

Grades 2 & 3

  • August 24 - 28

  • 4pm PST

  • $250

Grades 4 & 5

  • August 10 - 14

  • 10am PST

  • $250

Vocabulary Institute

Aristophanes said, "By words, the mind is excited and the spirit elated." Join this deep-dive into the world of words for the purpose of expanding your written and verbal vernacular. Preparatory work provided. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Grades 4 - 6. Limit 8.

  • July 20 - 24

  • 1pm PST

  • $250

“Your support as an instructor, cheerleader, and coach has been a part of a successful journey for my children. They really enjoyed the environment, classmates, and of course, your expertise.”
 

Elementary Summer Schedule at a Glance

Grades 2 & 3: Daily

July 6 - 10: Public Speaking: Informative (4pm PST: July 6 - 10)

July 20 - 24: Creative Writing: Plot & Character (4pm PST: July 20 - 24)

August 3 - 7: Creative Writing: Descriptive Writing (4pm PST: August 3 - 7)

August 17 - 21: Public Speaking Persuasive (4pm PST: August 17 - 21)

August 24 - 28: Writing Clinic (4pm PST: August 24 - 28)

Grades 4 & 5: Weekly

  • Interactive Fiction with Twine (Mondays @ 11am PST: July 6 - August 24)

  • Interactive Fiction with Twine (Thursdays @ 12pm PST: July 9 - August 27)

Grades 4 & 5: Daily

July 6 - 10

  • Reading Comprehension: Non-Fiction (1pm PST: July 6 - 10)

  • Public Speaking & Presentations: Persuasive (6pm PST: July 6 - 10)

July 13 - 17

  • Public Speaking & Presentations:: Informative (2pm PST: July 13 - 17)

  • Creative Writing: Descriptive Writing (6pm PST: July 13 - 17)

July 20 - 24

  • Vocabulary Institute (1pm PST: July 20 - 24)

July 27 - 31

  • Academic Skills (1pm PST: July 27 - 31)

  • Creative Writing: Plot & Character (6pm PST: July 27 - 31)

August 3 - 7

  • Creative Writing: Descriptive Writing (10am PST: August 3 - 7)

  • Essay Writing: Persuasive (6pm PST: August 3 - 7)

August 10 - 14

  • Writing Clinic (10am PST: August 10 - 14)

  • Reading Comprehension: Non-Fiction (4pm PST: August 10 - 14)

August 17 - 21

  • Essay Writing: Personal Narrative (1pm PST: August 17 - 21)

  • Reading Comprehension: Fiction (6pm PST: August 17 - 21)

August 24 - 28

  • Academic Skills (1pm PST: August 24 - 28)

  • Creative Writing: Plot & Character (2pm PST: August 24 - 28)

Summer 2026 Registration

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