What's more fun than learning ELA skills in an escape room game? A: Doing it LIVE with a dedicated teacher/game host and fellow learners! This fun and comprehensive course combines quality virtual education with an engaging group dynamic where learners will be immersed in a story that will encourage them in practicing English language arts skills. THIS STORY-COURSE FEATURES: 1️⃣ Middle school vocabulary words drawn from U.S. national and standardized test lists, with meaning in context, spelling and pronunciation. 2️⃣ Teacher-written original story with beautiful nature pictures and engaging questions using vocabulary words. 3️⃣ Reading comprehension questions featuring the skills of reading for main idea, conflict, inference, and cause and effect. 4️⃣ Creative and basic writing prompts. 5️⃣ Grammar games to practice or learn middle school ELA rules. 6️⃣ Every fourth week will be a review, where we play through the story in entirety, and receive badges to wrap up the happy ending. EACH CLASS MEETING (WEEKS 1-3) WILL COVER THE FOLLOWING: - Vocabulary, Spelling (5 min.): We will learn and practice four PSAT vocabulary words with pronunciation and spelling to broaden the word toolkit and help with standardized test prep. - Reading (15 min.): Each week will feature a new excerpt of the story lesson, which we will read and step through together, using vocabulary and reading skills to correctly choose our steps through the "escape room" game. We will end with reading comprehension questions. - Writing (10 min.): Learners will write a paragraph in every class on the theme of the day's story excerpt. Although this writing practice is time-limited to practice standardized testing skills, individual learners can use this section to ask for real-time tips or coaching through the chat box, and then complete the assignment outside of class. - Grammar, Punctuation, Word Usage (5 min.): We will play grammar games to learn or review different language arts rules -- including grammar, punctuation and word usage. WEEK 4 CLASS MEETING: - Class review by playing the game in entirety. Level-up ceremony. Badges. LEARNING GOALS: - Students will study and practice PSAT-SAT vocabulary words drawn from U.S. national and standardized test lists. - Student will exercise reading skills and vocabulary in context. - Student will practice reading comprehension skills: main idea, conflict, inference, and cause and effect. - Student will be guided and launched in basic and creative writing challenges. - Student will test their grammar knowledge and fill in the gaps regarding rules including punctuation, capitalization and word usage. - Student will practice metacognitive ELA thinking skills. - Student will engage in comprehensive English language arts learning while exploring creative word usage. - Student will work together and share learning with peers while practicing communication skills.