Most weeks, students learn 12 high-usage words common in gifted education (usually referred to as Tier 2 or 3 words). In total, they learn 360 vocabulary words over the course of the year. Students reinforce their vocabulary knowledge through interactive games, in-class quizzes, and homework activities. Vocabulary words reappear in readings, discussions, and writing assignments.

Our time-traveller, Lexa, guides students through the grammar lesson each week. Lexa teaches students about an element of grammar, such as run-on sentences and comma splices. They then apply that knowledge by identifying and correcting errors in a story based on  Lexa’s historical travels, which she follows with questions designed to spur their creative and critical thinking.

In our weekly reading and discussion time, we read a story together, and students respond to critical questions designed to help them interpret and analyze texts with more complexity and depth. Corresponding writing assignments allow students to improve their writing skills, while giving them experience in several different genres, genres of writing, including personal narratives, reflective and critical pieces, and comparative essays.

Every in-class reading is accompanied by a Socratic discussion led by PhD and expert instructors. Students are expected to form their own positions on some “big ideas” and defend them in exchanges with the teacher and their classmates. Creativity is fostered both in classroom discussion and homework assignments that ask students to write personal narratives and reflections related to the week’s reading and discussion.