Language Arts at The Lukeion Project
Viewed freely, the English language is the accretion and growth of every dialect, race, and range of time, and is both the free and compacted composition of all." --Walt Whitman
The art of language is foundational to mastering every other art and science in society. Learning how to write and communicate effectively makes everything else better. Though each human language has its own rules, there is a type of "language intelligence" that can be built by ever increasing amounts of experience with multiple languages. In fact, one of the best ways to build excellence in English is to master Latin and / or Greek. That said, The Lukeion Project offers a number of additional ways to help your student master communication in English. See how these courses fit into our recommended course of study. Below are brief introductions to our language arts courses, our literature courses, and writing courses. Follow links for more information.
Language Arts & Writing - ALL class times are ET (adjust for your time zone)
Witty Wordsmith - autumn semester, Wed 4:45 PM or Thu 9 am or 2:15 PM or by recording (normal schedule)
70% of English is descended from Greek, Latin, or related languages so verbal skills get a boost when we learn roots. Most root programs keep students busy with workbook drudgery. This course will build vocabulary while students have fun with language. Expect weekly homework & regular quizzes. This course is an excellent bridge from middle school to high school level language courses (Latin, Greek, Writing, Muse, Myth, etc). Spring companion course: Barbarian Diagrammarian. Recommended age 12/13+
Barbarian Diagrammarian - spring semester, Wed 4:45 PM ET or Thu 9 am or 2:15 PM or by recording (normal schedule)
We strongly recommend this class as your starting point for students who would like to move into high school level Greek, Latin, or any other language! Who’s afraid of a little grammar? We can show you how to put it in its place! Are you ready to split some infinitives or dangle some participles? This visual approach offers students the skills needed to start Latin or Greek, and claim ascendency over the English language. Master grammatical jargon, put nouns where they belong, and get your hands on the best weapons for defeating English grammar before it gets the better of you. This course is an excellent bridge from middle school to high school level language courses (Latin, Greek, Writing, Muse, Myth, etc). Witty Wordsmith is a great companion course. Recommended age 12/13+
Skillful Scribbler - autumn semester, Tue 2:15 PM ET or Self-Paced or by recording (normal schedule)
Writing instruction during a student's elementary and early middle school years likely focused exclusively on creative writing projects leaving few students prepared to move into the demands of academic writing (5 part essays, outlines, citation, etc.). In this course, students will transition to high school level by mastering the essential basics of clear, precise academic writing. Learn proper punctuation, well-organized paragraphs, good essay structure, and other important fundamentals of academic writing starting with strong paragraphs and short papers. Average time obligation 4-6 hours/week. This course offers the essential transitional step to help students write clear, precise, specific, accurate outlines, essays, research, analysis. This is not a creative writing course. Recommended age 13+ (strongly recommended for grades 8 or 9)
Scribble On - spring semester, independent study (no live class meetings though students have a semester schedule of videos and assignments)
The Skillful Scribbler gives middle school/early high school students an introduction to academic writing, but it’s just one semester. Keep your student's writing skills sharp for the rest of the year with our spring class, Scribble On. Students will have writing practice and feedback without being tied to a particular class time. Expect a 20 minute video each week. Students are given a writing assignment and a week to complete the task. Expect feedback and a library of short videos on specific skills. Scribble On will provide continuing practice of the academic skills learned in Scribbler, but will better accommodate your student’s hectic schedule.
Creative Scribbler - spring semester, Tue 2:15 PM or self-paced or by recording (normal schedule)
Who can blame a student for craving a few more blissful days of creative writing! Creative writing helps develop not only a student’s creativity, imagination, and ability to think outside the box, but a love and feel for words and writing. A creative writing class helps students learn to take and give criticism as they have the opportunity to workshop with their peers and receive feedback from their instructor. We will create short stories, poetry, and dramas in this class.
College & Business Composition - autumn semester only, Tue 3:30 PM ET or by recording (normal schedule)
Recommended ages 16+, Make college and career easier and less stressful simply by mastering the elements of college academic writing. For those going straight into a career without college or those already planning for the time after college, we’ll cover the basics of writing for business as well. A good blend of both, no matter what your goal is. Ideal class for final two years of high school.
College Research Writing - spring semester, Tue 3:30 PM ET or by recording (normal schedule)
Recommended ages: 16+, Best after students have had Lukeion Myth and/or Classical History (or other experience with an extended research writing assignment) The dreaded research paper assignment strikes fear in the heart of most. Many will spend several years floundering at college before they discover what makes a good research paper. In a student’s final high school years, he or she must develop the tools & techniques of scholarly research…on a deadline. Participants should give & take constructive criticism maturely & have access to a college or university library to complete course requirements. Great companion course to College Composition.
AP® English Literature and Composition - 2 semester course, Tue at 1 PM or by recording (normal schedule)
Recommended ages: 17+. Full preparation for the College Board AP English Lit. and Comp. exam offered in May each year. Students will need to find local testing facilities. Click the title for more info.
Advanced Lit. Shakespeare - autumn semester, Wed. 4:45 PM - live only
The Bard loved Classical themes and so do we! Here's your chance to read the best and learn these stories well.
Advanced Lit. Tolkien spring semester, Wed. at 4:45 PM- live only
While most of us read J.R.R. Tolkien for the pleasure of it, there is much to be learned when we study it as literature. We will cover college-level literary topics in The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and other Tolkien writings, plus Tolkien’s creation of languages and his use of folklore in storytelling. Read The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings before beginning the class (or get them completed quickly). Expect parts of The Silmarillion as well. Taught by R. Baty. - learn more about Tolkien here
Rhetoric - 2 semesters - Tue 4:45 PM ET - live only
Recommended ages: 16+. Rhetoric is the art of being persuasive (both in speech and in writing). Develop critical thinking skills by analyzing various texts using both written and oral assignments. Learn techniques for clear and persuasive expression of ideas in writing and speech. Average time obligation 5-10 hours/week.
The following literature-focused semester courses are also heavy in language arts and are credited as "English" on high school transcripts. They complement a student's writing education perfectly as they enjoy some of the most foundational pieces of literature in the Western canon:
Recommended Language Arts Progression:
70% of English is descended from Greek, Latin, or related languages so verbal skills get a boost when we learn roots. Most root programs keep students busy with workbook drudgery. This course will build vocabulary while students have fun with language. Expect weekly homework & regular quizzes. This course is an excellent bridge from middle school to high school level language courses (Latin, Greek, Writing, Muse, Myth, etc). Spring companion course: Barbarian Diagrammarian. Recommended age 12/13+
Barbarian Diagrammarian - spring semester, Wed 4:45 PM ET or Thu 9 am or 2:15 PM or by recording (normal schedule)
We strongly recommend this class as your starting point for students who would like to move into high school level Greek, Latin, or any other language! Who’s afraid of a little grammar? We can show you how to put it in its place! Are you ready to split some infinitives or dangle some participles? This visual approach offers students the skills needed to start Latin or Greek, and claim ascendency over the English language. Master grammatical jargon, put nouns where they belong, and get your hands on the best weapons for defeating English grammar before it gets the better of you. This course is an excellent bridge from middle school to high school level language courses (Latin, Greek, Writing, Muse, Myth, etc). Witty Wordsmith is a great companion course. Recommended age 12/13+
Skillful Scribbler - autumn semester, Tue 2:15 PM ET or Self-Paced or by recording (normal schedule)
Writing instruction during a student's elementary and early middle school years likely focused exclusively on creative writing projects leaving few students prepared to move into the demands of academic writing (5 part essays, outlines, citation, etc.). In this course, students will transition to high school level by mastering the essential basics of clear, precise academic writing. Learn proper punctuation, well-organized paragraphs, good essay structure, and other important fundamentals of academic writing starting with strong paragraphs and short papers. Average time obligation 4-6 hours/week. This course offers the essential transitional step to help students write clear, precise, specific, accurate outlines, essays, research, analysis. This is not a creative writing course. Recommended age 13+ (strongly recommended for grades 8 or 9)
Scribble On - spring semester, independent study (no live class meetings though students have a semester schedule of videos and assignments)
The Skillful Scribbler gives middle school/early high school students an introduction to academic writing, but it’s just one semester. Keep your student's writing skills sharp for the rest of the year with our spring class, Scribble On. Students will have writing practice and feedback without being tied to a particular class time. Expect a 20 minute video each week. Students are given a writing assignment and a week to complete the task. Expect feedback and a library of short videos on specific skills. Scribble On will provide continuing practice of the academic skills learned in Scribbler, but will better accommodate your student’s hectic schedule.
Creative Scribbler - spring semester, Tue 2:15 PM or self-paced or by recording (normal schedule)
Who can blame a student for craving a few more blissful days of creative writing! Creative writing helps develop not only a student’s creativity, imagination, and ability to think outside the box, but a love and feel for words and writing. A creative writing class helps students learn to take and give criticism as they have the opportunity to workshop with their peers and receive feedback from their instructor. We will create short stories, poetry, and dramas in this class.
College & Business Composition - autumn semester only, Tue 3:30 PM ET or by recording (normal schedule)
Recommended ages 16+, Make college and career easier and less stressful simply by mastering the elements of college academic writing. For those going straight into a career without college or those already planning for the time after college, we’ll cover the basics of writing for business as well. A good blend of both, no matter what your goal is. Ideal class for final two years of high school.
College Research Writing - spring semester, Tue 3:30 PM ET or by recording (normal schedule)
Recommended ages: 16+, Best after students have had Lukeion Myth and/or Classical History (or other experience with an extended research writing assignment) The dreaded research paper assignment strikes fear in the heart of most. Many will spend several years floundering at college before they discover what makes a good research paper. In a student’s final high school years, he or she must develop the tools & techniques of scholarly research…on a deadline. Participants should give & take constructive criticism maturely & have access to a college or university library to complete course requirements. Great companion course to College Composition.
AP® English Literature and Composition - 2 semester course, Tue at 1 PM or by recording (normal schedule)
Recommended ages: 17+. Full preparation for the College Board AP English Lit. and Comp. exam offered in May each year. Students will need to find local testing facilities. Click the title for more info.
Advanced Lit. Shakespeare - autumn semester, Wed. 4:45 PM - live only
The Bard loved Classical themes and so do we! Here's your chance to read the best and learn these stories well.
Advanced Lit. Tolkien spring semester, Wed. at 4:45 PM- live only
While most of us read J.R.R. Tolkien for the pleasure of it, there is much to be learned when we study it as literature. We will cover college-level literary topics in The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and other Tolkien writings, plus Tolkien’s creation of languages and his use of folklore in storytelling. Read The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings before beginning the class (or get them completed quickly). Expect parts of The Silmarillion as well. Taught by R. Baty. - learn more about Tolkien here
Rhetoric - 2 semesters - Tue 4:45 PM ET - live only
Recommended ages: 16+. Rhetoric is the art of being persuasive (both in speech and in writing). Develop critical thinking skills by analyzing various texts using both written and oral assignments. Learn techniques for clear and persuasive expression of ideas in writing and speech. Average time obligation 5-10 hours/week.
The following literature-focused semester courses are also heavy in language arts and are credited as "English" on high school transcripts. They complement a student's writing education perfectly as they enjoy some of the most foundational pieces of literature in the Western canon:
- Muse Series (2 semesters) - Survey of Greek (autumn) and Latin (spring) literature in translation. Read foundational passages while improving analysis skills creatively.
- Advanced Classical Lit. (2 semesters) - Tackle foundational epics Iliad, Odyssey, Aeneid, and Metamorphoses. We include several Greek tragedies and a throughout discussion of essential Classical themes.
- Advanced Lit. Shakespeare (Autumn semester) - The best known Shakespeare pieces are tightly connected to the Classical world! Perform them with your international peers in our synchronous classroom.
- Advanced Lit. Tolkien (Spring semester) - sample the works of one of the best-loved authors in world history.
Recommended Language Arts Progression:
- Grade 7 - 10: Witty Wordsmith; Barbarian Diagrammarian; Master Mythologist, Skillful Scribbler/Scribble On, Creative Scribbler
- Grade 9 - 10: Muse Series, Master Mythologist (1&2)
- Grade 10 - 12: Advanced Classical Lit. series, Advanced Lit. Shakespeare, Advanced lit. Tolkien
- Grade 11 - 12: College Composition; College Research Writing; AP English Literature, Rhetoric
Always try to use the language so as to make quite clear what you mean and make sure your sentence couldn't mean anything else." --C. S. Lewis