WordWise Instruction promotes individual and group classes in composition, critical thinking, creative writing, and literary analysis offered by Amanda Yskamp, who has taught gifted students through such programs as Johns Hopkins’ Center for Talented Youth and Northwestern’s Gifted Learning Links. WordWise is now enrolling students for summer seminars, both writing based and literature based.
Writing Courses
Creative Writing Sampler
This fun, summer course allows students to explore their creativity in a variety of genres (fiction, poetry, drama, comedy, song, and visual/written hybrid). Emphasis will be on experimentation and discovery. We’ll meet once a week (TBD) to workshop latest endeavors. Come join us for this writing adventure, geared for students 12-17.
Art of the Essay
This course helps students find their own voice and master the means of expression. Assignments include readings, responses, and writing exercises. Students will receive extensive feedback to help them identify areas of growth.
*Especially helpful for college applications
Sing a Song of Sonnets
In just 14 lines, students will discover the very heart of poetry. This six-week course will teach the rules and the wonders of this classic poetic form, with accessible works by authors ranging from Shakespeare to Edna St. Vincent Millay. We’ll meet weekly (time/date TBD) to discuss the poems students read and write.
Literature-Based
Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles
Join us for an exploration of Arthur Conan Doyle’s masterpiece! This longer work contains all the mystery and logic of Sherlock Holmes’ best tale. In this class, we’ll dabble in logic, and delve into the mystique of one of our most endearing detectives!
This website promotes individual instruction and group classes offered by Amanda Yskamp, who has taught gifted students through such programs as Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth and Northwestern’s Gifted Learning Links for many years. These classes are designed to help students of all levels and interests become better readers and writers.