Composition-track
Beginning with the end in mind, when students are done with Composition-track at River Tech, what should they know?
College-readiness. Our curriculum is methodically moving towards the goal of being able to write at college level. We start simply by being able to read well. Then we move on to telling, acting, singing, and writing stories. We start to introduce grammar along with book reports and fictional essays. Then we gradually start to learn the skills needed for college-style writing, with sources, references, footnotes, and so on. Both Dan and Marija hold Master’s degrees and are familiar with the process of writing a college essay.
See our detailed curriculum here.
What Composition curriculum does River Tech use?
We read many books. At River Tech we believe being able to read well is the foundation for all other learning. At River Tech you will find a School Library containing the very best of living books. Our teachers will also read aloud, throughout the day, not just in Composition-track, but also in Math-track and Life-track.
As for text-books, we begin with Sylvan and BJU Press at level 1. Then all three Wordsmith books at level 2. Then all four Writing With Skill books at level 3. We use Grammarly—a software great at teaching students how to write better. We use Videography to record book reports and upload them to River Tech’s website under Kid’s Blog. We also use singing and drama to develop rhetoric; River Tech has a fantastic Arts program.
What Literature is available at River Tech’s Schoo library?
River Tech is a new school. We have bought over 200 living books to get our School library started, and we will continue to purchase more quality books regularly. You can donate to the library by contacting learn@rivertech.me
When will my child start writing at college level?
We use a competency based curriculum, so each child learns at their own pace. A child who finds composition difficult may progress at a similar pace as public school, while a child who loves writing could move considerably faster. Our son was already at high school level at age 11, and he took his first college courses at age 14. What’s great about River Tech’s approach is, we stay with a concept for as long as it is necessary to master it, and then we move on. There is no pressure to learn slower or faster than what comes natural to each child.
What is taught at each level of Composition-track?
Level 1: Reading, lots of reading! And story-telling, lots of story-telling! Focus on creativity. We also sing and act.
Level 2: Writing book reports and essays, with grammar.
Level 3: Taking essays to a new level of exellence.
Level 4: College-style essays.
A few examples of the kind of books you will find in our School Library:
For Kindergarten:
Book 1, by
Book 2, by
Book 3, by
Book 4, by
Book 5, by
For Early Readers:
Book 1, by
Book 2, by
Book 3, by
Book 4, by
Book 5, by
Beginner Chapter Books:
Book 1, by
Book 2, by
Book 3, by
Book 4, by
Book 5, by
Fluent Reader Chapter Books:
Book 1, by
Book 2, by
Book 3, by
Book 4, by
Book 5, by
Detailed Curriculum
Level 1
Focus: readin & telling stories
Level 1 focuses on reading and telling stories, along with games, songs, and acting. Some grammatical concepts are introduced, but we do not do much correcting at this level.
Books:
—Sylvan: 1st Grade Jumbo Language Arts Success
—BJU Press: English 3
Plus living books, singing, acting, games, and story-telling.
Level 2
Focus: writing book-reports & essays
Level 2 is focused on writing book reports and essays. We now also begin to focus more on grammar.
Books:
—WordSmith: Apprentice
—WordSmith
—WordSmith: Craftsman
Plus living books and games.
Level 3
Focus: Writing well
Level 3 focuses on honing our writing skill.
Books:
—Writing With Skill 1
—Writing With Skill 2
—Writing With Skill 3
—Writing With Skill 4
Plus living books
Level 4
Focus: College-style writing
Level 4 is about writing college-style essays and thesis.
Books:
—yet to be determined.