Preparatory Classes for High School Students
College Application Essays
Take this workshop to write an authentic personal statement Common App essay or supplementary essays. We will engage in exercises to brainstorm topics and write the essay. You will learn how to structure your essay and you will receive direct feedback on your work. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. $200. Instructor: Benjamin Morgan
Mondays: July 15 - August 5 at 9am PST
Daily: July 22 - 26 at 11am PST
How to Watch and Listen like a Professor
Explore color symbolism in Taylor Swift’s “Red” or analyze the rhetorical situation for a Mr. Beast Youtube video. In this class, you will learn the skills and viewpoint of literary and rhetorical analysis by close reading artifacts of pop culture. You will write and organize a review or analysis of a relevant cultural artifact that you can share with peers and others. You may learn that the view of a Language Arts teacher can be quite fun to bring to some of your favorite songs! All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. $250. Instructor: Benjamin Morgan
Mondays: July 8 - August 5 at 1pm PST
Poetry Palooza
Read and write poetry in this engaging workshop. We will read both classic and contemporary poems from the perspective of a poet. You will learn how to write in verse form and practice imitating some of the best poets. The class will culminate in a reading of an original poem. It is a great course for aspiring creative writers as well as students looking to sharpen their Language Arts skills. All sessions are online, via Zoom. Limit 8. $250. To register, complete the form below. Instructor: Benjamin Morgan
Daily: July 29 - August 2 at 11am PST
Literary Analysis Essays
Modeled after the literary analysis essay on the AP Literature exam, you will learn how to write an effective essay about a literary text. You will learn how to identify choices the author makes and how to translate those insights into your essay. This style of essay is particularly suited to Language Arts or English classes. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. $250. Instructor: Benjamin Morgan
July 29 - August 2 at 10am PST
Public Speaking
Being comfortable in front of an audience and able to express your ideas concisely are valuable skills to possess. Being able to capture the undivided attention of your audience and keep them in the palm of your hand as you rally them to action are skills that can transform both the audience and the speaker. Learn how to project your voice, gesticulate effectively, end your sentences definitively and engage your audience. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. $250. Instructor: Robin Russell
Daily: August 19 - 23 at 1pm PST
Presentation Skills
Examine successful presentations, and develop one on a topic of your passion! You will learn how to structure your work, create engaging slides, present in a compelling way and field questions from the audience. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. $250. Instructor: Benjamin Morgan
Daily: July 22 - 26 at 10am PST
Project Design & Organization
Learn by doing in this project based learning class. You will work to identify a relevant problem in your community and engage in project work to bring about a solution. You will learn to work with the messiness and creativity that authentic project work entails. The class will culminate in a public facing presentation or product. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. $200. Instructor: Benjamin Morgan
Tuesdays: July 16 - August 6 at 1pm PST
Interviewing Skills
Engage in exercises and practices to hone your interviewing skills. You will explore how to make engaging choices and to tell your story in response to common college interview questions. You will get a lot of practice speaking spontaneously. You will get feedback on everything from the content of your responses to your overall atmosphere in an interview situation. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. $250. Instructor: Benjamin Morgan
Daily: July 8 - 12 at 11am PST
Synthesis Essays
Modeled after the synthesis essay on the AP Language and Composition exam, you will learn how to write an engaging, evidence-based persuasive essay. You will learn how to analyze the position and perspective of sources, how to substantiate your ideas, and how to structure your essay. This style of essay is applicable to any humanities classroom. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. $250. Instructor: Benjamin Morgan
Daily: July 15 - 19 at 10am PST
Writing Clinic
Participate in guided writing exercises with a focus on syntax, vocabulary and grammar. Both creative and essay prompts are presented. Individualized feedback is provided in real time. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. $250. Instructor: Benjamin Morgan
July 15 - 19 at 11am PST
Guest Teacher: Benjamin Morgan
Benjamin Morgan is a dynamic and innovative Language Arts teacher at Open Window School. Previous, he was assistant academic dean and English teacher at Suffield Academy. Mr. Morgan has experience and training in teaching AP Language and Composition, and he is passionate about the interplay between creativity and analysis. Mr. Morgan is known for using theater techniques to unlock literacy skills and inspire writers. Past families note that their children advanced their reading and writing, and also experienced joy and belonging along the way. In his spare time, Mr. Morgan spends time with family, performs improv comedy, and cheers irrationally for the New York Knicks!
Individual Sessions
Mr. Morgan is available to work individually with students (elementary through high school) in reading, writing and executive functioning.
Summer 2024 Registration
Note: If you do not receive a confirmation email, please check your junk box.
Academic reading and writing:
In this class, you will learn the skills and viewpoint of literary and rhetorical analysis by close reading of fiction and nonfiction texts. Modeled after the essays on the AP Literature exam, you will learn how to write an effective essay. Through creative writing, you will focus on descriptive language and literary devices. All sessions are online, via Zoom. Limit 8.
The Art of Memory
Do you have a desire to know something deeply? This class is for you. Bring whatever you want to truly know--poems, the periodic table of elements, the US presidents, Taylor Swift's discography etc.-- and you will commit it to memory. You will learn the most tried and true memory technique (the method of loci) that contemporary mnemonists, ancient Greek rhetoricians, and aboriginal Australians all have used to know something profoundly.
Presentation skills
Learn how to design and deliver interesting and engaging presentations for school! You will spend time practicing stepping into confidence with your delivery of material in order to train your skills for school or beyond.
College Essay seminar
Take this course to develop and workshop your college essay. You will spend time developing, editing, and listening to feedback for your college essay. I approach this by working individually with students where they are at, as well as sharing feedback in the larger group in order to learn. No matter where you are in the process, this class is for you. If you have questions about this, please feel free to reach out in advance.
AP Lang and Lit prep
Are you taking AP Lang or Lit in the upcoming year? In this course, we will focus on developing the literary and rhetorical analysis skills necessary to be successful on both of these exams. This course should help you to develop your close reading and analytical writing skills regardless.
Enjoying Poetry
This course is all about different ways to enjoy poetry! Its focus is more visceral than scholarly. We will explore different forms that poetry has taken in different cultures and spend some time learning for the sake of enjoyment. Students will have some autonomy to explore different avenues for experiencing poetry.