Summer Courses for Grades 6-8
French. Psychology. Entrepreneurship. Design. The middle school years are a time for figuring out what makes a student tick and what they’re curious about — and Dwight Global Online School offers a range of courses to help students explore and cultivate their unique spark of genius!
With flexible scheduling and lots of course options, our summer 2020 lineup makes it easy for middle school students to enhance their summer without sacrificing their summer fun.
Courses are offered as one-, two-, or four-week options from June 15 to August 30. Sign up for one — or a few! See our complete offering of summer 2020 courses for students in grades 6-8 below.
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 Prep Course (Open to Dwight NY Only) | Starts August 3
- Dates: August 3 - 7
- Time: 9 am EST
- Grades: Rising 8-12
- Teacher: Rebecca Singer-Zhou
- Prerequisites: This course is open to Dwight NY students only
This course will provide EAL students with an opportunity to practice their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills before the start of the school year. We will have interactive activities and class discussions, and focus on writing, vocabulary, grammar development, and other skill preparation. This course is highly recommended to all incoming EAL students in grades 8-12.
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.
- Game on: Strategies to Win! | Starts July 27
- Introduction to Graphic Design (Open to Dwight NY Only) | Starts July 27
Game on: Strategies to Win! | Starts July 27
- Dates: July 27 - August 7
- Time: 11 am EST
- Grades: Rising 6 - 12
- Teacher: Austin Boehm
- Prerequisites: None
- Materials required: iPad, Android tablet, or computer with Steam; participants will purchase 3-4 games for a total of $25
Do want to learn how to think one step ahead of the competition? Do you have a strategy to win? In this course, we will play fun multiplayer games to explore the concept of "game theory," which studies how people interact and make decisions. You'll learn a few new games you love and gain an understanding of why people think the way they do! In each session, we'll learn the basics and strategies of a new game, jump in and play in online multiplayer to explore the game theories in action! Students will be grouped by ability and age range, so we welcome both beginners and expert strategists! We'll play several exciting strategy card and board games (Settlers of Catan, Dominion, Carcassonne, Risk, and more), learning the basics of game theory with Mr. Boehm, who studied the topic at Duke University.
Introduction to Graphic Design (Open to Dwight NY Only) | Starts July 27
- Dates: July 27 - August 7
- Time: 10 am EST
- Grades: Rising 6 - 8
- Teacher: Nico Torres
- Prerequisites: Basic computer literacy
- Materials required: Students will need access to a remote (cloud) version of Adobe Illustrator
Learn the basic elements of graphic design, as well as the most important tools in Adobe Illustrator! You will explore the functions of line, shape, balance, harmony, and typography while practicing technical skills using leading industry software. Create a poster advertising your future rockstar self, or an abstract piece of digital art to be projected on a giant wall in an art gallery. No matter what kind of art you create, you will leave with a sense of the design process that can help you move from idea to reality.
FAQs: Spark of Genius Courses
What are the start and end dates of the Spark of Genius courses?
Courses run throughout the period of Sunday, June 15, and end on Sunday, 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 tutorials may be scheduled with 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 require reading, practice, or other exploration in between sessions. Please contact summer@dwight.global for more information about a particular course’s requirements.
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 many classes are offered two or more times during the summer. Please check the schedule to find a course that works for your child.
What if my child misses a class session? Is there an attendance requirement?
Teachers do take attendance, and more than one missed class during a session may be cause for denial of the course certificate.
Will my child receive a grade for the course?
While teachers provide 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 80% of live class sessions and complete any class assignments. 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 form. 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.
Are summer courses only for Dwight Students?
We welcome students from any school (domestic or abroad) to participate in our summer courses.
12 Week Courses
Our twelve-week summer classes for students in grades 8-12 are rigorous, full-credit online courses. Students learn with others who are motivated in a dynamic atmosphere that fosters collaboration and critical thinking. Our expert teachers are committed to supporting your academic success and are readily accessible outside of class hours. Classes are $3,000.
- English Language Arts (Grades 7, 8)
- Ancient World History (Grades 7, 8)
- Physical Science (Grades 7, 8)
- FAQs
English Language Arts (Grades 7, 8)
In English Language Arts (MS), a course for grades 7 and 8, students develop literacy skills and build knowledge by reading, analyzing, and responding in writing to informational and literary texts. In this way, students improve comprehension, critical thinking skills, and writing ability. Students learn the fundamentals of organization, style, and content in order to analyze an author’s intent and strengthen their own writing. Students compose narrative, expository and argumentative works. The writing curriculum is enhanced through regular lessons on grammar, mechanics, and vocabulary. Since this course moves at a much faster pace than a year-long English course, it is recommended for students who have shown a strong competence in the subject and who can allocate a minimum of 6-10 hours a week for course work.
Ancient World History (Grades 7, 8)
In Ancient World History, students will focus on geography by using the themes of location, place, movement, human-environment interaction and region to understand how civilizations gain, consolidate, and maintain power from the beginning of human existence to the Renaissance. Students will also study the achievements, political structures, economics, and social structures of each civilization. This course is organized around five essential questions that are designed to guide students' critical thinking skills and to help them compare and contrast civilizations throughout time and place.
- How do people respond to their environments?
- What causes conflict? When conflicts end, are they resolved?
- How do civilizations gain, consolidate, maintain and lose their power?
- Do the benefits of globalization and interconnectedness outweigh the costs?
- How is culture both a unifying and divisive force in human relations?
The assignments in this course will use the content of ancient world history and current events to develop students communication, digital literacy, critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Physical Science (Grades 7, 8)
Physical science is the study of matter and energy and can be divided into chemistry and physics.
Chemistry focuses on matter and energy at the scale of atoms and molecules. Chemistry is the study of the structure, properties, and interactions of matter. Important concepts in chemistry include physical and chemical changes, atoms, isotopes, periodic table, bonding, naming, balancing, chemical reactions, and acids/bases.
Physics focuses on matter and energy at all scales, from atoms to outer space. Physics is the study of energy and how it interacts with matter. Important concepts in physics include motion, forces (such as gravity), waves, and different forms of energy.
FAQs
What are the start and end dates of the summer course?
Courses start Sunday, June 7, and end on Sunday, August 30.
Are the summer courses asynchronous or synchronous?
Most summer courses are primarily asynchronous (no live classes) because many students need maximum flexibility over the summer. Teachers check-in regularly with students, and students may request office hours or one-to-one meetings with teachers as needed. Students in language courses will attend weekly meetings.
How many hours should my child expect to spend working on their summer course each week?
Though this varies from course to course, students should be able to dedicate six to ten hours per week on coursework.
My child will be traveling a lot this summer. Is there flexibility in terms of when work can be completed?
Summer courses are designed to have structure with flexibility. Assignments are submitted weekly and are typically due Sundays at 11:59 pm. Students may obtain deadline extensions when needed to accommodate travel and other summer plans. Students should take caution, however, to pace themselves over the duration of the summer and not to leave too much work to the end, when it may be difficult to finish.
What if my child doesn’t finish the course on time?
If your student is not able to complete a course by August 30, the Head of School may grant an extension. No extensions will be granted past Sunday, September 13.
Will my child receive a grade for the course?
Yes, your child will receive a Dwight transcript noting your child’s credit for the course and your child’s grade, on a scale of 1 to 100.
Is there a registration deadline?
Registration is open until Friday, June 19. Students who wish to register after this date should contact Koko Lawson at registar@dwight.global
What is your cancellation policy?
Courses may be cancelled after June 24 for a refund of all but a $500 administrative fee. After June 24, there are no cancellations, and the fee is non-refundable.
Will my child take a final exam?
Yes, students take a proctored, final exam in order to receive credit for the course. The exam is video-proctored; students do not need to come in to a Dwight campus.