NOTE: Individual sessions for students/parents who require this type of specialized and customized instruction are available upon request for all grade levels.
Primary/Elementary
This program is foundational and recognizes the significance of metacognition at this level. The learning experiences offered provide the scaffolding required by students to constantly challenge them. The focus is on words and sentences and making the learning process creative and fun so that students develop and sustain solid reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Students are exposed to the building blocks of the English language which are crucial in the development of core literacy skills.
In terms of reading, there is an emphasis on phonics and the connections between letters and sounds. Students will read a wide variety of simpler texts or extracts in varying lengths and forms. These include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama and songs. Decoding strategies for pulling meaning from words is crucial at this stage with attention to high frequency words and the added use of illustrations to assist with word study and word-solving. Preliminary discussions on plots, characters, themes and events in texts will be provided.
Students will also work on fundamental vocabulary building, with increasingly multi-syllabic and technical words, as well as spelling using familiar and new patterns.
Another key element at this level is basic grammar which is essential in fostering solid and consistent writing habits. Students will utilize grammatical structures and vocabulary to form sentences, eventually building up to paragraphs with appropriate topic sentences related to a specific idea or subject.
During these levels, various stages of the writing process will be undertaken so that students master their craft to produce finished pieces of writing. They will incrementally be able to generate ideas to produce outlines, drafts and they will be able to revise, edit and publish their pieces.
In terms of oral communication skills, students will refine their retention skills so that they can communicate with increasing complexity in both formal and informal contexts.
Evaluation will be done through spelling and vocabulary quizzes, writing paragraphs, reading comprehension exercises and concise book reports. Students and parents will be provided with progress logs and consistent feedback.
Junior/Middle
This level features the core components of reading comprehension, literature appreciation, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and writer’s workshop.
Fiction and non-fiction texts, extracts from magazines, journals and newspapers, poetry, drama and songs will provide opportunities for thematic exploration and for developing higher-level analytical and interpretive skills. Formal book reviews will be assigned with verbal presentations as a core activity to hone speaking and listening skills.
The grammar program will focus on reviewing and reinforcing key concepts and skills such as parts of speech, punctuation and capitalization. Higher level vocabulary and spelling drills will be weekly in-class activities and are essential building blocks for the major feature of this level which focuses on the mechanics of writing fluidly, clearly, cogently and in various forms.
Students will build their skills by selecting topics of interest, brainstorming to generate ideas, determining the objective of writing and the intended audience, creating outlines, writing drafts, revising and editing to create refined end-products. Attention will be paid to conventions of structure, tone and style. Writing assignments in and out of class will include descriptive, narrative, expository, persuasive, poetic and dramatic forms. Attention will be paid to title page, works cited page and quotation inclusion and citation.
Students will learn interactively through conferences with the instructor, peer and class discussions. Quizzes, homework, research assignments and projects will allow for evaluation and students and parents will be provided with a formal end of term report, progress logs and consistent feedback.
Senior/High School
This program is broad-spectrum in nature as it identifies students who are behind in their literacy skills and provides all the activities and opportunities for remediation. It identifies students who are ready for an enriched learning experience. Activities, assignments and tasks will be appropriately tailored for each student’s particular needs and students will be grouped accordingly to provide appropriate interaction, engagement and discussion.
For remedial students a review and focus on the basics is essential to ensure a solid foundation for higher-level analysis, critical thinking, composition, rhetoric and speaking skills. Grammar, spelling, vocabulary and reading comprehension will provide opportunities for critical and analytical deconstruction of texts and extracts combined with writing skills emphasizing parallel structure, sentence clarity and coherence.
For all students, the focus will be on cohesive, organized formal essays and reports with a clear and concise thesis statement, introduction, body paragraphs (topic sentences and supporting evidence) and conclusion. Essay writing will also stress transitional devices between paragraphs, appropriate tenses, flawless grammar, punctuation and capitalization. Students will also learn to include correctly formatted title pages, works cited pages and include and cite direct quotations. Citing resources in various formats including MLA and APA will be emphasized.
In preparation for university, students will also be instructed in research and reporting fundamentals. Each week there will be readings, textual and theoretical, from various disciplines, including philosophy, literature and literary theory, history, sociology, feminism and psychoanalysis. Research and written assignments (mini dissertations and essays) will be based on these readings.
The approach at this level is comprehensive and integrated to ensure that students are adequately prepared for tertiary education. Students will be given the intellectual tools to think, read, analyse and deconstruct critically.
Research techniques will enable them to hone their skills at determining required information and accessing it with alacrity and precision. Writing skills based on the building blocks of solid grammar, vocabulary and spelling will enable them to transcribe research, thoughts and ideas into cogent, logical, organized reports and essays.
Sophisticated oral presentation skills will enable them to present their theories, research and ideas confidently and eloquently regardless of audience. Weekly quizzes, readings, assignments, presentations, group and class discussions will be the basis for evaluation. Students may be formally assessed through an exam on a particular discipline. Parents and students will be provided with progress reports and consistent feedback.
At Oxbridge Prep, preparedness and goal-setting are important components of success, both now and in the future. Therefore, in order to help Oxbridge Prep students be as successful as possible in their endeavours, we offer a variety of preparatory programs which can be differentiated to meet individualized needs and goals.
SSAT PREP:
Secondary School Admission Tests are administered at elementary, middle, and upper levels, and they are used by selective private schools during the application and consideration process. Due to the competitive nature of these private schools, SSAT preparation is highly recommended. With one-on-one guidance, explanation, and scoring, students will be better prepared to take the test at any level.
EQAO PREP:
EQAO Testing, a mandatory component of Ontario education, administers assessments of students’ reading, writing and math skills. In order to meet the requirements of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, all students must pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) in grade ten. The test highlights varying reading, writing, and comprehension skills, and students write short answers, paragraphs, one essay question, and one newspaper article, in addition to answering a variety of multiple choice questions. In order to be as successful as possible, OSSLT preparation is greatly encouraged.
POST-SECONDARY ADMISSIONS PREP:
College and university applications can be tedious, and as a result, it is often helpful to have assistance when filling out the extensive questionnaires and short answer responses. Depending on the program of choice, some applications require much more critical analysis and formal responses than others. To give you or your child peace of mind, get one-on-one assistance when filling out applications. Although post-secondary admission cannot be guaranteed, applications with proper spelling, grammar and syntax will be received in a more positive manner worthy of consideration at the post-secondary level.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) and ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) PREP and Tutoring:
The International Baccalaureate and AP programs and courses are globally recognized programs and courses which challenge students who are ready for this next level of learning. These programs/courses are offered at a variety of educational facilities in and around the Greater Toronto area, including in Richmond Hill. IB schools and schools which offer AP programs and courses can be quite competitive in terms of enrolment and curricula, so let Oxbridge Prep help prepare your child for the exciting challenges in their future.
University/College
University and college students require sound literacy skills in any program or discipline. This program is aimed at remediating and enriching the analytical, research and writing skills required by the student to exceed expectations within their prescribed program.
A targeted approach to fulfill specific needs is recommended here. A methodology and program are formulated upon the learner’s evaluation and executed based on weekly sessions and an incremental approach to meeting the student’s needs.
Enhanced grammar and vocabulary skills with an emphasis on sophisticated, research and writing skills are pivotal elements of this program.
There is also an emphasis on other much needed skills at university and college which include self-organization, workload prioritization and time and stress management skills.
Techniques on how to select optimal programs, courses and extra-curriculars are offered as well as tips on how to best engage with professors, researchers and academics at this level. Student success is ensured with active engagement and regular attendance.
Every company or business, small or large requires its employees to possess the ability to effectively engage and communicate with its customer base and manage its reputation. The digital and social media revolutions have created a requirement for all professionals to think, write and present quickly and creatively.
This program is designed to meet the needs of professionals and adults who wish to improve their written and verbal communication abilities. It also demonstrates how to seamlessly and creatively integrate new technologies into the communications process in a timely and effective manner.
Learners are provided with practical skills in writing and presenting key business documents in myriad settings. Presentation skills are critical in this program as they enable learners to instruct, inform, motivate, promote and sell their ideas, products and services in the office, the boardroom and in public.
Learners will actively engage in writing persuasive and informative copy websites, blogs, podcasts, email blasts and other online media as well as for internal and external publications, boardroom presentations, conferences, news releases, speeches and public service announcements.
Learners will also be able to effectively present in multiple forums including the boardroom, conferences and media interviews.
Schedule:
Please contact us for further information on our schedules for both group classes and one on one customized sessions.
Copyright © 2022 Oxbridgeprep.ca - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.