Grades 4 and 5
Web-based
Middle School
Qualifying verbal score and reading at 7th grade level (Take this short reading test)
Visit our textbook web page
Session Dates and Application Deadlines
10 weeks (Fall, Early Spring, Mid Spring), 12 weeks (Early Summer), or 5 weeks (Intensive Mid summer) Get swept away by a good book. Students read thematically connected, age-appropriate, above-grade-level books. Examples of themes are "Magical Life Lessons" and "On Our Own." Students first read for enjoyment, then re-read analytically to answer the fundamental questions: What is the author telling me about life or people? What made me keep reading? Assignments and discussions emphasize citing text as support. This course is for students who enjoy reading, pondering, and sharing their thoughts. Vocabulary and literary devices are included, and discussions emphasize critical thinking about themes and ideas. Parents are encouraged to review the books in each series before deciding on the theme that would be most interesting and appropriate for their child. This series grows on suggestions from students in previous courses. Check here for currently offered themes. Students must purchase texts for their theme. In the books Matilda by Roald Dahl, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling, and Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, a young person learns the joys and pitfalls of acquiring unexpected powers. Students analyze, compare, and contrast the experiences of Matilda, Harry Potter, and Meggie. (.pdf 103 Kb) YRML
In these books, the young orphaned protagonists search for their identities and their places in the world. Students examine characterization, point of view, and imagery. A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park, Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi, and The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke. (.pdf 80 Kb) YROO
Using only their wits, courage, and education, groups of gifted children band together to undertake difficult missions -- from winning an academic bowl to training to be a female knight to saving the entire world from domination by a criminal mastermind. The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg, First Test (Protector of the Small) by Tamora Pierce, and The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. YRQC - about 3 hours weekly for 10 week or 12 week sessions (Fall, Early Spring, Mid Spring, Early Summer )
- about 6 hours weekly during 5 week session (Intensive Mid summer)
All CTY Online courses require a properly-maintained computer with Internet access and a recent-version web browser (such as Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer). Students are expected to be familiar with standard computer operations (e.g. login, cut & paste, email attachments, etc). |
Spam blockers, parental controls, and other internet filtering software must allow email from JHU (jhu.edu & jhem.jhu.edu), and from the instructor's email address (provided at start of course). Important: Frequent changing of a student's screen name or email address is inversely proportional to success. |
If this course uses a web-based classroom for assignments and group discussion, your browser will need to allow cookies, javascript, and popup windows from the classroom web site. |
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