Classics Allowed
You're concerned.
You know your child has picked up some great writing skills, but you still worry. Those skills seem fresh and fleeting, not yet anchored through real practice. Every new writing assignment still brings struggle, hesitation, or lots of correction. You wonder: Are these new tricks really sticking, or do they disappear when your child tries to write on their own? It’s tough watching them get discouraged, and you’re unsure how to help them transform new knowledge into true writing confidence and fluency.
Imagine true proficiency in your child's writing.
Imagine your child sitting down with a blank page, not out of obligation, but out of excitement, the spark of an idea lighting up their eyes. They write with confidence, unafraid to express their opinions and share their unique perspective. They know their words matter, and they trust their own voice. They believe that what they have to say is important.
This is true writing proficiency: not just technical skill, but the initiative, security, and self-assurance that empower your child to communicate boldly and authentically with the world.
Introducing
The Applied Literacy Course
Graduates of the 6-week Essay Writing course can sharpen
their new skills in our 10-week course.
During this course, students will:
1. Read five fantastic classics (the book list is below, in the FAQ section).
2. Write an essay about each book, and receive detailed, personalized feedback on every essay to improve their writing.
3. Participate in live virtual group discussions about each book with their teacher and other enthusiastic students.
4. Play fun online quizzes with other students to test their reading comprehension.
5. Learn vocabulary that allows them to take part in intelligent discourse around themes, characters and plot development in stories.
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THIS COURSE WILL TAKE PLACE VIRTUALLY EACH WEDNESDAY AT
12:30 pm ATLANTIC STANDARD TIME /11:30 am EASTERN/ 10:30 am CENTRAL/ 9:30 am MOUNTAIN/ 8:30 am PACIFIC.
EACH CLASS RUNS FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES.
Started Oct 15
100 Canadian dollars
Started Oct 15
180 Canadian dollars
"Just wanted to write you separately and say thank you for all your feed back!!!! It's giving me much more confidence and I appreciate the kind words!"
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-Rayna A., Homeschooler
"Thank you so much for your feedback. I always feel nervous, presenting my opinion pieces because it never feels like it’s enough. The way you run this course gives me a lot of confidence in my own abilities."
-Mavka M., Homeschooler
"I am so happy to have found you and your wonderful classes! You are a jewel. The children have never been so happy to practice and to write."
-Kristina H., Homeschooling Mother of 5
FAQs
Essential Facts
Which books will be read/discussed in this course?
1. “Summer of the Monkeys” by Wilson Rawls
2. “The Birchbark House” by Louise Erdrich
3. "A Little Princess" by Frances Hodgson Burnett
4. “The Giver" by Lois Lowry
5. “Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank
These books can by read by the individual students, together as families, or listened to as audiobooks for the purposes of this course.
Do I have to purchase the books on the list?
No, not at all! We hope you will support your local library by borrowing the titles as needed. Several of these books can also be found for free as electronic resources throughout the internet.
How do I submit my child’s homework?
You’ll be asked to simply email your child's typed essays to us at classicsallowed@gmail.com.
Can anyone register for this course?
This course is intended only for graduates of the 6-Week Essay Writing Course. However, if your child has had extensive practice with writing essays, he/she may submit an essay to see if they can bypass the 6-Week Essay Writing Course requirement.
Meet the Teacher
Meet Savannah Hepburn Penny! She earned her BA in English Literature with a focus on Creative Writing from the University of Calgary in 2004. Since then, Savannah has dedicated herself to teaching writing to homeschooled children in a variety of settings—including her own home, where she currently homeschools her six kids. She’s passionate about helping kids and teens discover their unique voice, nurturing their confidence, and inspiring a lifelong love of great literature and big ideas. If you're looking for a knowledgeable and caring writing tutor to support your child's growth, Savannah is here to help!