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

• $440 (taxes included)

Thursdays

• 12pm PST

• July 9 - August 27

• $440 (taxes included)

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 to 6. Limit 8. Instructor: Robin Russell

Reading Comprehension: Fiction

• August 17 - 21

• 6pm PST

• $275 (taxes included)

Reading Assessment

An individual Reading Assessment identifies a student’s strengths and areas for growth. This is an independent study. The assessment is a series of three sections taken at least a day apart. It takes around two hours. $250

Independent Study

For additional skill-building and practice, I can provide assignments for students to complete independently. These assignments would focus on areas for growth and also include a short video reviewing the skill. I charge $125/hour for preparing and grading the materials, as well as reviewing results over Zoom with student and providing feedback. I’m available from July 6 - August 28. It’s typically 10 - 15 minutes of my time per assignment and 30 - 40 minutes for the student.

Persuasive Essay Writing

Read sample essays and identify effective/ineffective elements. Explore 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 to 6. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. Instructor: Robin Russell

• August 3 - 7

• 6pm PST

• $275 (taxes included)

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. Instructor: Robin Russell

Grades 2 & 3

• Plot & Character

  • July 20 - 24

  • 4pm PST

  • $275 (taxes included)

• Descriptive Writing

  • August 3 - 7

  • 4pm PST

  • $275 (taxes included)

Grades 4 - 6

• Plot & Character

  • August 24 - 28

  • 2pm PST

  • $275 (taxes included)

• Descriptive Writing

  • July 13 - 17

  • 6pm PST

  • $275 (taxes included)

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. Classes include individualized content. Students needing more support are encouraged to attend both classes. Grades 4 to 6. Instructor: Robin Russell. To register, complete the form below.

• August 24 - 28

• 1pm PST

• $275 (taxes included)

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. Instructor: Robin Russell. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8.

• Informative Speeches (Grade 2-3)

  • July 6 - 10

  • 4pm PST

  • $275 (taxes included)

Creative Writing Clinics

Participate in guided writing exercises with a focus on syntax, vocabulary and grammar. Individualized feedback is provided in real time. All sessions are online, via Zoom. Instructor: Robin Russell. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8.

Grades 2 & 3

• August 24 - 28

• 4pm PST

• $275 (taxes included)

Grades 4 - 6

• August 10 - 14

• 10am PST

• $275 (taxes included)

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 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 - 6: Daily

July 13 - 17

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

August 3 - 7

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

August 10 - 14

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

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

Note: If you do not receive a confirmation email, please check your Junk Mail.