An interactive English-speaking environment for children and teenagers

to develop writing, presentation, critical thinking and leadership skills.

Our mission is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to apply classroom learning

into real world context, empowering them to make a difference in their community.

Regular School Term Program 2012 - 2013

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Topical Kindergarten Program

Learning Goals

Language Development: By the end of each year (3 terms), students would have completed learning the

phonic requirements for that particular level and ready to graduate onto the next level.

Guided Writing: Through different forms of writing outputs linked with the module theme, the students

can focus to think and write with relation to their learning.

Personal Development: Students engage in sessions of practical learning in order to strengthen life skills,

prompt higher thinking and enhance confidence for solving problems they might encounter in life.

Character Building: Provide an augmented and integrated program which will develop our students into

life-long learners with positive attitudes.

Topic-Based Curriculum

Modules (each consisting of 12 classes) are topic-based and designed to develop students' skills in

communication (speech, phonics and guided writing), creativity and collaboration.

Students are taken through exciting themes to learn about the world around them – animals, cities,

storybooks and much more.

In each class, time will be allocated to practical learning activities designed to enhance students’

cognitive and confidence development, and to familiarize them with primary school interview

activities. Activities include training in manner and etiquettes, following instructions, staying focused,

sorting and sequencing, explaining decisions, describing images, retelling stories.

” Prior to joining, our son being somewhat shy, was reluctant to express himself. Since attending the different modules offered,

he is much more comfortable in expressing himself with confidence. This is evident in the success rate with the local schools applied. Most

importantly, he looks forward to his classes and has very good rapport with the teachers. ~ Parent of K3 student (attending ISF after summer)

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Little Readers Program

Class Content

Reading: Reading aloud by teacher, group and one-on-one reading; Focus on

pronunciation and enhance the ability to recognize words; Stories range from animal

fables, fairy tales, and adventures to stories about identity, the world and daily encounters.

Vocabulary Development: Learn new words in the context of stories read – a process that

leads to higher level of retention. Words may follow certain phonetic progression.

Comprehension Activities: Using a reading log book, students document stories read and

complete associated activities to reinforce learning.

Learning Objectives

As children immerse themselves in the joy of reading, they expand their vocabulary, build comprehension and communication skills,

and lay a strong foundation for literacy.

Reading is a fun and engaging way to stimulate a child’s imagination, strengthen discipline, attention span and memory retention.

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Goal: To instill young children aged 3-6 with the love of reading.

Level Selected Story Books

0 Birthday Surprise/ What Do I Need?/ Winter is Here/ When Night Comes/ Hide and Seek/ Hats, Hats, Hats/ Fun with Mud/ What Can I See/ Hello, Beach/ Shapes for Lunch/ Bubbles/ What do Monsters Eat?/ Animal Crackers/ Farm Twins

1 The Dressing-Up Box/ Old MacDonald had a farm/ Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See?/ The Missing Monster/ My Meatball/ I Wish I Were a Bird/ Tiny Things/ Gingerbread Boy/ Bigger/ I Like Socks/ Meet My Baby Brother/ Party Shapes/ The Wheels on the Bus/ Ice Cream Scoops/ What Flies?

2 The Enormous Turnip/ The Stonecutter/ The Genie in the Bottle/ The Very Hungry Caterpillar/ The Very Busy Spider/ I Wish I Were a Dog/ One Night in the Zoo/ What Santa Can’t Do/ When I’m a Grown-Up/ I Want to be/ How do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? / Bath Time!/ Eat Your Peas/ Brush Your Teeth Please/ Excuse Me!/ Please Pass the Manners!/ Let’s Be Honest/ Let’s Be Helpful/ Let’s Be Polite/ Let’s Be Happy

3 Androcles and the Lion/ The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse / The Fox and the Crane/ The Two Friends and the Bear/ Alice in Wonderland/ Danny and the Dinosaur/ The Cat in the Hat / Green Eggs and Ham/ What’s Alive? / Yes I Can! Help Save the Animals / Yes I Can! Help Save the Planet/ D.W.’s Guide to Preschool/ My Trip to the Hospital / Just Going to the Dentist/ I Was So Mad/ Clifford’s Good Deeds/ Clifford’s Manners/ Llama Llama Red Pajama/ I Wish I Could…Roar!

* Please contact us for a placement test.

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Writing Foundation Program for G1-5

Through supporting reading articles from classic novels and renowned stories, students build critical reading skills, vocabulary,

grammar usage and are taught fundamentals for an array of writing styles.

In our small and interactive classes, students practice writing techniques prior to crafting their own stories.

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An integrated program designed to introduce and reinforce reading comprehension & writing skills with an

emphasis on developing stronger grammar, vocabulary and writing techniques.

* Please contact us for a placement test.

Level Writing Styles Supporting Reading Articles

0 Letter writing, descriptive paragraphs, journal entry, creative writing, mystery, story telling

Grimm Fairy Tales/ Journey of the Noble Gnarble/ If You give a Mouse a Cookie/ Diary of a Wimpy Kid/ Miss Nelson Series by Harry Allard/ Amelia Bedelia / Horrible Harry/ La Fontaine Series/ Novels by Majorie Weinman Sharmat, Mayer

1 Autobiography, fairy tales, descriptive stories, folk tales, imaginary writing, mystery, short stories, picture prompts

The Magic School Bus/ Aesop Fables/ National Geographic Kids/ Famous folktales around the world/ A Wrinkle in Time / Harry Potter/ Novels by Roald Dahl, Hans Christian Andersen, C.S. Lewis, Jacqueline Wilson

2 Persuasive, fiction, fable, descriptive, narrative, picture prompt, creative stories

The Magic Tree House Series/ Aesop Fables/ Dear America Series Children’s Newspaper articles/ Charlotte’s Web/ Matilda/ Novels by Enid Blyton, Judy Blume, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Gail Carson Levine, Beverly Cleary

3 Argumentative, news stories, biography, detective/sci-fi, movie scripts, descriptive writing, myths

A Series of Unfortunate Events/ Alex Rider/ Perry Jackson Series/The Foundation Series/ Documentaries / Sample movie scripts/ Newspaper articles/ Greek and World myths/ Novels by Nancy Drew, Philip Pullman

Although my son finds the course challenging, he loves the discussion topics and the fun atmosphere he shares with his classmates and

teacher…Furthermore, a disciplined approach in tackling different topics and putting thoughts on paper has helped my son feel less

intimidated and overwhelmed with writing. I see promising improvement in the way he approaches a topic, structures his ideas

logically and communicates them through his writing. I genuinely appreciate the thoughtful progress updates on my son’s development.

~ Parent of 4, 7 and 9 year old, Kiangsu & Chekiang International

Writing Enrichment Program for G6 and above

This program challenges students with reading material that promotes critical thinking and illustrates a specific writing style.

As students discuss reading articles and learn about current affairs, they polish their analytical abilities, acquire advanced writing

techniques and deepen insight into community and world issues.

In an intimate and engaging classroom setting, students receive individualized supervision and feedback on multiple drafts to

perfect their final masterpiece.

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An intensive program designed to sharpen students’ critical reading skills, writing techniques,

and expand their range of vocabulary to better prepare them for their academic careers.

* Please contact us for a placement test.

Level Writing Style Supporting Reading Articles

1 Descriptive, adventure, persuasive, compare and contrast, short story, fictional writing, expository

The Giver/ Sherlock Holmes/ Holes/ Tuck Everlasting/ South China Morning Post/ Novels by Dickens, Tolkien, Agatha Christie/ A selection of new sources, documentaries and critical reading passages

2 Narrative, persuasive, reflective, compare and contrast, short story, cause and effect,

Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Coifer/ The Hunger Games/ The Catcher in the Rye/ Paradise Lost/ Roald Dahl adult short stories / Novels by Dickens, Dorian Gray and Faulkner

3 Analytical essay, critical writing, research paper, creative short stories, timed thesis-driven essay, personal statement

Ender’s Games/ Fahrenheit 451/ The Death of Ivan Illych/ Of Mice and Men/ New York Times/ Novels by George Orwell, Edgar Allan Poe/ Sample personal statements of Ivy League Students/ A selection of informational articles and reading pieces from standardized exams

With his new found confidence, my son is brave enough to test his skills by joining writing competitions.

More importantly, credit to The Open Classroom, he has develop a passion for writing.

He even won a writing competition with his classmates recently. ~ Parent of Year 7 student, Renaissance College “ ”

Academic Program

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Our academic programs aim to help students reach their full potential and prepare them for specific academic goals in school or

outside school.

We offer customized private and semi-private classes after consultation with parents and students to understand their needs.

Standardized tests (SSAT, PSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL etc)

Personal Statement and Resume Preparation

Writing

Academic subjects including English and Math

“ We were fortunate to find the SSAT Prep Course at The Open Classroom for my daughter with only a few weeks left before her exam.

The instructors teach with dedication and kindness and create a comfortable, caring and friendly learning environment. They formed a

personal bond with my daughter and immediately identified her strength and weaknesses, teaching her invaluable strategies and techniques

through curriculum and concept reviews and repeated practice tests. Most importantly, they made the class enjoyable and fun. As a result,

my daughter gained a lot of confidence as well as an excellent SSAT score! The problem solving techniques and good study habits acquired at

The Open Classroom will help my daughter do well in her new prep-school. ~ Parent of G7, HKIS

Entrance exams for local and international schools

Interview Preparation for primary 1, school entrance exams, boarding schools,

college and internship

” This year I applied to boarding school and successfully got into Choate Rosemary Hall! This would never have happened had I

not taken the SSAT and private classes offered at the Open Classroom. Prior to taking the class, my vocabulary was sub-par

and my initial SSAT score was unsatisfactory. The class educated me on testing strategies, writing techniques and vocabulary.

These all came in useful in my final SSAT test. I am grateful to the instructors.~ Year 9 student, GSIS

Regular School Term Calendar

* If you let us know at time of payment that your child will be missing certain classes, tuition shall be pro-rated accordingly. We can reschedule make up classes subject to terms and conditions. Apart from situations stipulated under “Cancellation and Refund” in our terms and conditions, we regret that no refunds will be granted for classes that have been paid for. 7

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Our Students

Our curriculum and teaching method have been well received by students from quality institutions.

DGJS, DGS, DBSPD, DBS, Good Hope, Heep Yunn,

Kau Yan, La Salle, Logos Academy, Maryknoll,

Marymount, Sacred Heart, St. Joseph’s, St. Paul’s

Co-ed, St. Paul’s Convent, St. Paul’s College

Primary, St. Stephen’s, Wah Yan

Kindergarten International / ESF Local

Bradbury, CIS, Canadian International School,

Discovery Bay International School, Glenealy

School, GSIS, Hong Kong Academy, HKIS, ICS, ISF,

IMS, Island School, Kellett School, Kennedy School,

Kiangsu and Chekiang, Norwegian, Peak School,

Quarry Bay School, Renaissance College, SIS,

South Island, Victoria Shanghai Academy

Braemar Hill, CCKG, CIS, Hillside, GSIS, IMS, ISF,

Kellete School, Kiangsu and Chekiang, Ling

Liang Church, Lingnan, Sheng Kung Hui,

Sacred Heart, St. Catherine’s International ,

St. Paul Church Kindergarten, St. Paul’s Day

Nursery, St. Stephen’s, Small World, Victoria,

Yew Chung

s” Classes are fun and conducted in small groups so teachers are able to identify the individual student’s

strength and weakness after only a few classes...This personalized experience and tailored-training helped

my kids grow their strength and overcome their weakness quite effectively. ~ Parent of Year 4 and K3, CIS “

S” “ Audrey is not only improving her English but also broadening her knowledge in her living environment and

developing her skills in thinking from different angles…The Open Classroom’s topic-based curriculum develops social

responsibility and awareness in kids at an early age as well as good living and learning attitude. Kudos should be

given to the teachers who pay personal attention to Audrey and customize classes to help her with her P1

interview. This has led to stellar results in her P1 interviews. ~ Parent of K3 (attending DGJS after summer)

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After joining The Open Classroom programs, my daughter was taught to take time to analyze the characters

and content of different stories. Then I noticed that her reading habits have changed and her writing skills are

improving. She has less grammatical mistakes in her written work. I am impressed that her writing speed has

improved significantly under the teacher’s guidance. ~ Parent of P5, St. Paul’s Convent