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Summer Courses for Grades K-5
Elementary-aged students need structure and support as they build their foundation for learning and cultivate their unique spark of genius. With compelling, interactive options like Songshop! and Recycle as Art, along with Reader’s Theater and the Juggling Crew, our summer options cover everything from the basics of reading and writing and math to P.E., art, and even French. Every class is led by teachers fluent in online education, so that your child has the summer structure and engagement he or she needs.
Courses are offered as one-week or two-week options from June 15 to August 30. See our complete offering of summer 2020 courses for grades K-5 below and sign up for one — or a few!
Please contact us via summer@dwight.global with any questions.
1 Week
Our one-week Spark of Genius courses run every week of the summer, starting on June 15, and meet daily. Students who successfully complete the course earn a certificate. Tuition for one-week Spark of Genius courses is $500.
EAL Summer Practice | Starts July 27
- Dates: July 27 - 31
- Time: 9 am EST
- Grades: Rising 1, 2, 3 beginning and intermediate level EAL students
- Teacher: Kristy Benfante
- Prerequisites: None
- Materials required: A notebook
This course will provide EAL students with unique opportunities to practice their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills — all while having fun! Our week will be packed with grammar games, storytelling, interactive speaking activities, and read-alouds. Spend some time this summer catching up with your EAL friends and practicing English!
Mrs. Bowllan's Summer Wave of Learning | Starts July 13
- Dates: July 13 - 17
- Time: 11 am EST
- Grades: Rising 4, 5, 6
- Teacher: Amy Bowllan
- Prerequisites: None
- Materials required: Summer reading and math materials, lined paper and writing utensils, coloring markers, a jump rope, and a computer with a keyboard
Let's keep the joy of learning going! Did you know that learning is not only fun, learning is also a verb? Action! Talking! Read’ing! Math’ing! Writ’ing! Explor’ing! And shar'ing ideas while enjoying every bit of the process. Students will be reading all sorts of new and fun stories, while delving into math that will make you see math everywhere! Writing is an art that will be an exercise through daily writing prompts.
2 Weeks
Our two-week Spark of Genius courses run every week of the summer, starting on June 15, and meet daily in a live online session during the course period. Students who successfully complete the course earn a certificate. Tuition for two-week Spark of Genius courses is $1,000.
- Reader's Theater | Starts July 13
- Book Club: Graphic Novels and Comics | Starts July 13
- Strategic Problem Solving with Story Problems for Grade 2 | Starts July 13
- Strategic Problem Solving with Story Problems for Grade 3 | Starts July 13
- Songshop! for Grades 1-2 | Starts July 13
- Playing Around with Theater | Starts July 13
- Jump Your Way into Fourth Grade Math with Mrs. Bowllan | Starts July 13
- Summer of Stories | Starts July 13
Reader's Theater | Starts July 13
- Dates: July 13 - 24
- Time: 10 am EST
- Grades: Rising 3-5
- Teacher: Kayla Shaffer
- Prerequisites: None
- Materials required: Computer/internet to log on for the classes and to read scripts
This course is a fun way for children to develop reading fluency by reading parts in scripts. We will read various stories divided into parts or characters, which students will reread orally for practice; they don't need to memorize lines. This strategy will enable students to build their confidence and fluency, and have fun while reading aloud as a character from stories and scripts! This a great course for students who enjoy theater, acting, and reading!
Book Club: Graphic Novels and Comics | Starts July 13
- Dates: July 13 - 24
- Time: 10 am EST
- Grades: Rising 3, 4
- Teacher: Aly Shampain
- Materials required: The selected books
Do you like graphic novels? If so, this club is for you! If you answered no, this might be your chance to find your next favorite genre of books! Graphic novels have become so popular because of their easy-to-read mix of text and art. As a group, we will read multiple graphic novels together. After working on our critical reading skills, learning how to ask questions, and analyzing the text and artwork, we will have the chance to become an author! In our second week, we will begin to plan our very own graphic novel or comic book. Whether you are on your couch, the beach, or halfway across the world, this club will help you connect with other Dwight students and explore new books this summer!
Strategic Problem Solving with Story Problems for Grade 2 | Starts July 13
- Dates: July 13 - 24
- Time: 9 am EST
- Grade: Rising 2
- Teacher: Izzy Leahy
- Prerequisites: None
- Materials required: Paper, pencil, and two dice
In this course, students will have the opportunity to solidify their math skills from first grade, and dive deeper into their own inquiry around math. With a primary focus on story problems, students will use various strategies to approach problem solving independently and in small groups. We will work together to grow in our social and thinking skills, while gaining new knowledge. Students will finish the course by creating an assessment for their peers, demonstrating a confident command of their math skills.
Strategic Problem Solving with Story Problems for Grade 3 | Starts July 13
- Dates: July 13 - 24
- Time: 11 am EST
- Grade: Rising 3
- Teacher: Izzy Leahy
- Prerequisites: None
- Materials required: Paper, pencil, and two dice
In this course, students will have the opportunity to solidify their math skills from second grade, and dive deeper into their own inquiry around math. With a primary focus on story problems, students will use various strategies to approach problem solving independently and in small groups. We will work together to grow in our social and thinking skills, while gaining new knowledge. At the end of the course, students will create an assessment for their peers, demonstrating their confident command of their math skills.
Songshop! for Grades 1-2 | Starts July 13
- Dates: July 13 - 24
- Time: 11 am EST
- Grade: Rising 1, 2
- Teacher: Erin Lee Kelly
- Prerequisites: Creativity!
Have you got a story to tell? Why not tell it through song? Let’s turn an everyday happening into an event. Using rhyme, rhythm and repetition, let’s make something that can blow up Spotify! Learn how to create a song from concept through completion, while exploring how to cooperate and collaborate with co-writers. Together, we will compose and sing your song!
Playing Around with Theater | Starts July 13
- Dates: July 13 - 24
- Time: 1 pm EST
- Grades: Rising 5, 6, 7
- Teacher: Kim Guzowski
- Prerequisites: None
- Materials required: Zoom with virtual background capability
Through acting and design, we will create a play on Zoom!
Jump Your Way into Fourth Grade Math with Mrs. Bowllan | Starts July 13
- Dates: July 13 - 24
- Time: 1 pm EST
- Grade: Rising 4
- Teacher: Amy Bowllan
- Prerequisites: None
- Materials required: Graph paper, notebook, protractor, ruler, pencils, erasers
In this course, students will analyze, problem-solve, and fine tune third grade math skills, while being introduced to the skills they will need to succeed in fourth grade math. Students will focus on mathematical applications and understand how to best use mental math while solving math facts: multiplication, division, fractions, regrouping, and solving word problems.This course is taught by fourth grade teacher, Amy Bowllan.
Summer of Stories | Starts July 13
- Dates: July 13 - 24
- Time: 10 am EST
- Grade: Rising K, 1, 2
- Teacher: Erin Lee Kelly
- Prerequisites: Imagination!
Do you like to pretend? Do you like to tell stories? Perfect! We’ll be bringing favorite stories to life using our voices, our bodies, and our imaginations in this introduction to theater and storytelling. No experience is necessary to take part in this program — everyone is welcome! Lessons will include a warm-up, exercises that teach beginning improv, and theater games focusing on creativity, teamwork, and problem solving.
FAQs: Spark of Genius Courses
What are the start and end dates of the Spark of Genius courses?
Courses run throughout the period of June 15 to August 7. New one- and two- week courses start every Monday during this window. Four-week courses start on June 15 and July 13. One-on-one tutorial sessions may be scheduled with the teacher during the teacher’s availability.
Are the Spark of Genius summer courses asynchronous or synchronous?
One- and two-week Spark of Genius courses meet in a live online session daily at a scheduled time during the duration of course. Four-week courses meet twice per week in a live online session. Courses running the week of June 29 do not meet on Friday, July 3.
How many hours should my child expect to spend working on their summer course each week?
Some courses will involve very little activities outside of class time, while others may encourage reading, practice, or other exploration in between sessions. Please contact summer@dwight.global for more information about expectations for a particular course.
My child will be involved in various activities this summer. Is there flexibility in course offerings?
Spark of Genius courses are offered as 1-week, 2-week, and 4-week courses, and some classes are offered two or more times during the summer. Please check the schedule to find a course that works best for your child.
What if my child misses a class session? Is there an attendance requirement?
Teachers do take attendance, and multiple missed classes during a session may be considered when awarding course certificates.
Will my child receive a grade for the course?
While teachers provide nurturing feedback and guidance over the duration of a Spark of Genius course, students do not receive a numerical grade.
What does my child need to do in order to receive a certificate for the course?
Each class is different, but for most classes, a student will need to attend live class sessions. Requirements for earning a certificate will be posted on the course’s home page at the start of a course.
Is there a registration deadline?
Registration closes one week before a course starts. Students who wish to register after this date should contact the Dwight Global team at summer@dwight.global.
What is your refund policy?
Unfortunately, we are not able to grant refunds, as we reserve teacher time based on confirmed enrollment.
Will my child need any textbooks or materials?
Courses requiring books are listed in the registration from. Other courses may list materials on the course syllabus page on Canvas.
Where will my child access the online courses?
All courses will be on Dwight’s Canvas, our learning management system. Before the start of a course, students and families will receive login credentials and a video tutorial on how to access course content and join live classes. We ask that parents assist younger students in accessing Canvas and live classes. Please contact summer@dwight.global with any Canvas questions.
Are summer courses only for Dwight Students?
We welcome students from any school (domestic or abroad) to participate in our summer courses.