Grades 7-10 (higher grades welcome)
A rich, comprehensive English course that teaches essential lessons through in-depth studies of literature, supplemented by history, music, film and art. Foundations will broaden students' knowledge and appreciation of excellent writing, and help them thrive in college—and life!
AM session: 9:00 - 11:00 PST
or
PM session: 1:00 - 3:00 PST
on 14 Mondays beginning 1/26/25
Scroll down to read the Details and enroll.
This semester-length high school writing and literature course is for grades 9-12. It’s a-g approved for grades 9-10, and meets California language arts standards, including essay writing. We welcome mature 7th and 8th graders who are ready for a challenge.
Foundations delivers a four-year rotation of topics, so students can take the class for all four years without repeating titles or writing projects.
Customization Options
This course is designed to be flexible to fit the needs of each student/family.
Age: Younger high school students are welcome if they're up for college-prep rigor, OR if they choose the “modified” course track (see Level, below). (We also offer Chronicles, our English Honors course for advanced students/mature teens looking to meet their American Lit requirement. If you aren’t sure which course is best for your teen, please contact the instructor, Lisa Craddock.
Level: Parents can choose the grade track that best reflects their student's academic level, including a "modified" track which allows parents to choose the assignments and projects that best meet the learning goals of their students. These tracks will be explained at the first meeting, which parents are asked to attend.
Grading: If you'd like the instructor to do the tracking, recording, and grading for you, a grading option is available for an additional $95.
Tutoring: Parents who want their student to have one-on-one writing guidance can sign up with Lisa for tutoring to support this class.
read a rich array of works, both fiction and non-fiction
study significant narratives and poetry in depth
analyze different expressions of similar ideas, e.g. through music, film, and art
engage with important ideas to understand the impact of literature
gain essential composition skills (we practice writing as a process)
write and revise three full-length formal essays every semester
write creative works, short in-class essays, and presentations
Spring 2026
We'll study so many excellent and important works this year! Our book and film list for spring is below; updates will be emailed to enrolled students. Foundations materials are generally “PG\PG-13” and the instructor will alert parents if there are more mature elements to be aware of. If you have specific questions about course content or structure, please contact the instructor, Lisa Craddock.
The Red Pony, by John Steinbeck
The Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank (excerpts)**
Iron Curtain Memoirs, by Irene Kucholick (excerpts)**
The Giver, by Lois Lowry
Dandelion Wine, by Ray Bradbury
We will also be watching the following films:
The Man from Snowy River (1982)
Temple Grandin (2010)
The rest of the works to be assigned over the course of the semester are short works, poems, articles, or book excerpts.
for Foundations English Course - Spring 2026
Dates: Mondays, Jan 26 - May 4 ( no class 2/16 or 3/30) for 14 weeks; 16 for A-G includes a 2-week self-led unit
Hours: Your choice of 9-11AM PST or 1-3PM PST. The registration form is in your dashboard and will also be emailed to you after checkout. (If you don't see it, please check your spam/promotions folders, and add @litwits.com to your non-spam senders list.)
Location: Online, via Zoom.
Ages: This course is for grades 9-12. It’s a-g approved for grades 9-10, and meets California language arts standards, including essay writing. Younger high school students are welcome if they're up for college-prep rigor, OR if they choose the “modified” course track (track options to be explained at the first meeting).
Cost:
Ungraded option for $595: The instructor gives feedback and evaluations on assignments submitted; the parent records & tracks student work and assigns a semester grade.
Graded option for $690: The instructor gives feedback and evaluations on assignments submitted, records and tracks student work, and assigns a semester grade.
At checkout you'll see an option to pay in installments.
Tutoring: If you're interested in signing up your student for tutoring in academic writing, please contact the instructor, Lisa Craddock.
Charter parents: If you're using Ocean Grove, South Sutter, or Sky Mountain funds, enter code CHARTER at checkout to enroll without prepaying, then request a PO.
Cancellation Policy: Cancel anytime before the first day of class for a full refund. 50% refund once class starts, if requested before the second class; there are no refunds after that.
Instructor: Lisa Craddock holds BAs in Literature and Theatre, and a Master of Humanities in Film Studies with a concentration in Rhetoric (the art of speaking and writing effectively). She has taught classes in literature, composition, and film for the University of Colorado, and her scholarship, essays, poetry, and plays have appeared in a variety of literary and academic venues. We’re proud to have her on our team!
IMPORTANT: After checkout, please complete the registration form in your dashboard,
required to confirm enrollment.
If you're an Ocean Grove, South Sutter, or Sky Mountain parent, apply code CHARTER to enroll without prepaying.