By participating in a small class, the students assist each other in many ways such as commenting on what they want to learn from the writer about their topic, by making suggestions for a vivid choice of words to replace an ordinary one, or by drawing out fascinating details from the author on their topic.

For our beginners who are strong readers, The Beginning Writing Class provides an engaging, hands-on learning environment where students delve into sentence structure, learn to write Super Sentences, provide excellent transitions, discover topic sentences, improve their penmanship, and extend their writing through details. As they progress, they learn new vocabulary words and begin writing paragraphs organized with bold beginnings, mighty middles, and excellent endings. Students are encouraged to write from personal experience selecting topics that interest them. Some create imaginative tales or write their responses to literature we read in class.

Intermediate Writing: 1 class per week, 2 hours per class.

The Intermediate Writing Class is for 2nd and 3rd graders and is based on the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing© which has become nationally acclaimed curriculum during the past twenty years. The goal for each student is to enhance their ability to write ever more compelling papers and to love writing. In order to accomplish this, we write papers often to reinforce their confidence in writing and their skill in using the best writing tools available. By dividing the craft into six traits, the art is more manageable and easier to comprehend. We spend about two weeks on each of the following traits of writing: Ideas, Organization, Sparkling Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, and Conventions.

This class is offered on a Monday or Wednesday for 2 hours per class over the school year. Tuition is $289 per month (10 Pymts) or $939 per quarter for 3 quarterly payments, discounts are available for electronic payments, Course book, workbook & materials are $102.96 (including 8.375% sales tax) for the school year.

Advanced Writing for 3rd, 4th and 5th Graders

The First Focus Advanced Writing program will teach your child how to take an assigned subject and create a written report that is organized and logical.

• In the Advanced Writing Class, open to 3rd, 4th and 5th graders, we will explore the reflective process of writing by asking students to discuss and consider the following issues:

  Is my topic small enough to handle?
  Do I know a lot about this topic?
  What is my purpose in writing?
  Is my writing bursting with fascinating details?
  Who is my audience?
  What would I like them to know?

This class will include writing a researched report on a designated subject. The students will be guided through the process of gathering data, planning an outline, making a rough draft, and then revising and editing for their final presentation.

Students will learn how to summarize the main points in the paper and how to create a final conclusion to the content. At the end of the program, all students will know how to create a composition and research paper on a subject with confidence.

These classes are offered one day per week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday for 2 hours per class over the school year. Tuition is $289 per month (10 Pymts) or $939 per quarter for 3 quarterly payments, discounts are available for electronic payments, Course book, workbook & materials are $102.96 (including sales tax) for the school year.

To reserve placement in this class, please call 650-938-3100 or complete the registration form on this website.