Vocabulary, Grammar, and Writing Using STEM, Intermediate I
Placement Test AvailableOpen to: Grades 3-5
Eligibility: CTY-level or Advanced CTY-level math or verbal score required
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Vocabulary, Grammar, and Writing Using STEM, Beginners or a CTY English Language Development placement test.
Course Format: Session Based. See calendar for session dates and application deadlines.
Course Length: 12 weeks (Early Fall, Late Fall, Winter, Spring, Early Summer, Mid-Summer)
Course Code: ELD2
Course Description
Description
CTY’s online English language development courses are challenging, above-grade-level courses designed for students in grades 3 and up who seek to enhance their English writing skills with the emphasis on building strong grammar and vocabulary. These courses advance each student’s English academic content language in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math for academic writing in those areas.
In this course, students will build strong vocabulary and grammar, and improve their basic writing skills. This course has synchronous virtual class meetings and students will also schedule one-on-one virtual meetings directly with the instructor and teaching assistant. View the schedule for class meeting times. Meetings will be recorded for students who are unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.
The interactive lessons will give students the opportunity to take risks and have fun while working on improving English grammar, speaking, listening, reading, and composition skills. The virtual classroom includes live audio and video interaction with the instructor and online classmates, interactive whiteboard, multimedia learning materials including games, and other features to enhance online learning.
In this course, students will:
- Read several topics and become more familiar and comfortable with reading informational texts in English.
- Continue to develop linguistic proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- Learn the meanings of new words for BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) and basic English vocabulary.
- Learn CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) and STEM academic content vocabulary and language.
- Acquire better domain-specific English abilities by practicing tasks through various methods.
- Write varied sentences (simple, compound, complex) and effective paragraphs including all three types of sentences.
By the end of this course, students will acquire more STEM concepts, knowledge, and vocabulary. This course will help prepare eligible students to take CTY’s online science, engineering, and math courses. Review course prerequisites carefully prior to enrolling.
Virtual classrooms, and student activities in the classroom, may be recorded and added to the course as an ongoing asset for all class students to review. Students may be invited to interact in CTY community spaces that include students and instructors and potentially specially invited guests that are not enrolled in their course. Videos from YouTube or other web providers may be present in the course. Video recommendations or links provided at end of videos are generated by the video host provider and are not CTY recommendations. Student contributions (e.g., projects, forum posts, etc.) may remain in the course after the student completes the course. These artifacts may be preserved to showcase student work or to continue important conversations.
Materials Needed
Students must purchase a headset with microphone. A microphone with an on/off switch is recommended.
Detailed Course Information
Course Details
This course will focus on improving sentence structure and provide an introduction to paragraph writing.
Students will:
- Learn the basic organization of a well-written paragraph
- Produce a basic paragraph that includes a topic sentence, body, and concluding sentence
| Week | Lesson | STEM Topic | Grammar Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | The Atmosphere | Introductions/Brainstorming/Journal Writing Writing Basics Review Part 1 |
| 2 | The Atmosphere | Writing Basics Review Part 2 | |
| 2 | 1 | Earth’s Seasons | Brainstorming/Journal Writing Writing Basics Review Part 3 |
| 2 | Earth’s Seasons | Writing Basics Review Part 4 | |
| 3 | 1 | Climate | Brainstorming/Journal Writing Writing Compound Sentences in Simple Present Tense Part 1 |
| 2 | Climate | Questions/Review Writing Compound Sentences in Simple Present Tense Part 2 | |
| 4 | 1 | Earth’s Magnetic Field | Brainstorming/Journal Writing Understand Beginning with the Simple Past Tense Part 1 |
| 2 | Earth’s Magnetic Field | Questions/Review Understand Beginning with the Simple Past Tense Part 2 | |
| 5 | 1 | Nonrenewable Resources | Brainstorming/Journal Writing Writing Compound Sentences in Simple Past Tense Part 1 |
| 2 | Nonrenewable Resources | Questions/Review Writing Compound Sentences in Simple Past Tense Part 2 | |
| 6 | 1 | Midterm Review | Midterm Review Part 1 |
| 2 | Midterm Review | Midterm Review Part 2 | |
| 7 | 1 | Introduction to Genetics | Questions/Review Using Words, Phrases, and Editing Skills to Build Better Sentences |
| 2 | Introduction to Genetics | Questions/Brainstorming/Journal Writing Review Writing Paragraphs in Simple Present and Simple Past | |
| 8 | 1 | Role of Organisms in the Environment | Questions/Review Using Present Progressive and Connectors in Sentences Part 1 |
| 2 | Role of Organisms in the Environment | Questions/Review/Brainstorming/Journal Writing Using Present Progressive and Connectors in Sentences Part 2 | |
| 9 | 1 | Organ Systems: Skeletal System | Questions/Review/Peer Editing Using Adverbs and Parts of Speech to Build Better Sentences Part 1 |
| 2 | Organ Systems: Skeletal System | Questions/Review/Peer Editing Using Adverbs and Parts of Speech to Build Better Sentences Part 2 Writing Complex Sentences in Simple Future Tense Part 1 | |
| 10 | 1 | Organ Systems: Digestive and Excretory System | Questions/Review/Peer Editing/Journal Writing Writing Complex Sentences in Simple Future Tense Part 2 Using Adjective Clauses, Place Phrases, and Time Words Part 1 |
| 2 | Organ Systems: Digestive and Excretory System | Questions/Review/Peer Editing Using Adjective Clauses, Place Phrases, and Time Words Part 2 | |
| 11 | 1 | Fossils | Grammar Review for Final Exam Part 1 & 2 |
| 2 | Fossils | ||
| 12 | 1 | Review Last 6 Weeks of STEM Topics Covered | Grammar Review for Final Exam Part 3 & 4 |
| 2 |
Time Required
Students should expect to spend about 5-7 hours per week on this course.
Technical Requirements
This course requires a properly maintained computer with high-speed internet access and an up-to-date web browser (such as Chrome or Firefox). The student must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details.
Zoom online virtual classroom
This course uses an online virtual classroom which can be used for instructor-student communication if the student has any questions about the course or curriculum. The classroom works on standard computers with the Zoom desktop client and also tablets or handhelds that support the Zoom Mobile app. Students will need a computer with the Zoom desktop client installed to watch any recorded meetings. The Zoom desktop client and Zoom Mobile App are both available for free download.
This course uses Respondus LockDown Browser proctoring software for designated assessments. LockDown Browser is a client application that is installed to a local computer. Visit the Respondus website for system requirements.
While Chromebook can be used to progress through the course, all exams must be completed on a PC or Mac.
#400 McAuley Hall
Baltimore, Maryland 21209
410-735-6277
ctyinfo@jhu.edu
