Summer Enrichment without Leaving Home
Whether you are looking to give your child additional reading and writing practice, enhance literacy skills, or to foster a love of reading and writing that already exists, you’ve come to the right place.
Curated Curriculum
Your child will be inspired by fun and engaging literature.
Small, Online Classes
Live sessions have a maximum of 7 students.
Unmatched Expertise
An experienced educator, mother, and children’s book author.
COURSES
Course Offerings
Early Elementary Read & Write
(suggested ages 6-7)
1 week classes
Your child will spend a week studying a diverse array of picture books. Together, the class will make predictions, learn new words, and celebrate a variety of cultures. A variety of fiction and non-fiction books will be read and discussed throughout the week and by the end, all students will know the difference between fiction and non-fiction. Students will practice writing complete sentences and lay the groundwork for putting thoughts and story ideas into words. Recommended for students who have already completed a Kindergarten program.
Emerging Readers & Writers
(suggested ages 8-10)
1 week classes
Designed for those students who are growing out of picture books, yet aren’t quite ready to read a full-length, middle-grade novel in one week. The class will read a chapter book together, breaking the reading up into digestible sections each day. Students will make predictions, enhance their vocabularies, improve comprehension, and build confidence in reading longer works. Your child will practice writing thoughts in sentences and pararaphs. Together, students will create a unique story with elements inspired by each class member.
Reluctant Readers & Writers (suggested ages 8-11)
1 week classes
Reading and writing should be fun. The literature in this class has been carefully selected with reluctant readers in mind. Students will make predictions, enhance their vocabularies, learn about other cultures, and identify basic plot points. Your child will practice different ways to put thoughts into words and together the class will learn more about the magic of pre-writing and how to use it effectively. The main goal of this class is to help reluctant readers and writers see that reading and writing can–and should–be fun.
Advanced Reading & Writing Elementary
(suggested ages 9-12)
1-2 Week Classes
For the child who already loves to read and/or write, this course is designed to challenge and enhance existing skills. Students will study a variety of short stories, a writing handbook, and a novel. They will make predictions, enhance vocabulary, identify
Reluctant Readers & Writers (MS)
(suggested ages 12-14)
1 week classes
Sometimes reading loses its appeal and writing becomes a struggle. If you have a middle-school-aged child who struggles to stay engaged in a story? Does she get stuck on a writing assignment and refuse to finish it? Or maybe he can’t think of more than one sentence to write? This online summer camp is designed to take away some of the pressure that comes with middle school reading and writing. The reading is engaging and the writing assignments are varied. Your child will practice different ways to put thoughts onto paper followed by revision exercises designed to help writers of all levels consistently improve their manuscripts.
Advanced Reading & Writing (MS)
(suggested ages 12-14)
1-2 week classes
If your child already loves to read and write and is even considering a career like teaching, writing, journalism, etc., this class will be a perfect fit. This class includes a novel, short stories, and a writing handbook–all designed to help strengthen your child’s love for the written word. Discussions will include themes, tone, mood, and figurative language. Writing prompts will inspire your child to push the boundaries of her creativity. Students will not only complete writing assignments, but will work as a critique group, strengthening one another’s writing through constructive feedback.
Register Today!
Spaces are extremely limited. While this provides an excellent opportunity for your child to get individual attention in reading discussions and in writing instruction; it also means spaces fill up quickly. If you are considering this opportunity, do not delay.
WHY
Why Study in the Summer?
Travel the World of Books
The literature for each course is carefully selected to provide diverse voices and a variety of themes and settings.
Literature Takes Many Forms
Whether evaluating a poem or recognizing bias in a news article, these skills help our children become successful adults.
More Perspective on Arts & Culture
Help your child see the world in a new ways. Our unique small-group discussions enable each child to contribute. And the literature we study is always current and diverse.
Become a Better Learner
By continuing to study during the summer, children maintain the skills they need to become lifelong learners.
Enhanced Communication
Prepare your children to effectively communicate in writing. Whether they pursue creative writing or simply need to write a document as an executive, everyone needs these skills.
Give Your Child a Voice
Each child has a unique perspective and voice. By giving students opportunities to express their thoughts in writing, we empower them to continue to do so throughout their lives.
FEATURED
Popular Courses
1 week class
Early Elementary Read & Write
(suggested ages 6-7)
This course is designed for young readers and writers. Each day students will focus on a different picture book. The picture books are a diverse mix of nonfiction and fiction and provide a variety of topics for daily class discussions.
1 week clasS
Reluctant Readers & Writers
(suggested ages 8-11)
No boring stories here! Students will explore short stories and even a little poetry (nothing too serious). Each piece of literature is full of rich characters and engaging plots. There are no generic, test-centered writing prompts. The goal is to show how reading can be fun and writing can feel more natural.
CHOOSE ME
Why Learn With Alissa McClure?
Experienced Educator
After years as a licensed teacher in Texas, she began teaching live classes online. She has been teaching English in some capacity for over 15 years.
Published Author
As a children’s book author, she is constantly reading the latest and greatest children’s books. Plus, she knows a thing or two about how to write.
Mother
As a mother to five young kids, she has unique insights into how to reach kids of differing interests and abilities.
Professional
Professionalism matters. You will notice it. Your child will notice it. See why so many students have found reading and writing success through studying with Alissa McClure.
Learn From Home
Lifelong Learning Starts Today
Our goal is to help children become lifelong learners. These online summer camps are a great way to encourage children to embrace learning now and far into the future.
meet the teacher
Her Story (abridged)
After graduating from Brigham Young University with a BA degree in English, she spent a few years working full-time as an office manager, while teaching ESL classes in the evenings out of her home. She and her husband moved to Houston in 2006 where she ran events and classes for two different retailers. But she wanted to do more with education and less with retail. She began teaching 8th grade Reading in Cy-Fair ISD until the fateful day she went into labor with her twins. But she couldn’t stay away from the classroom. So when her twins were about 10 months old, she began teaching night classes at Lone Star Community College. She continued teaching there until her fourth son was born. She participated in a preschool co-op and taught online classes for the next few years. In her “spare time,” she took a Creative Writing class and began writing. She has since published three books: two children’s books and one self-help book. She is currently working on a middle-grade novel and a picture book. When the COVID-19 pandemic made their world a little less predictable, she spent the 2020-21 school year homeschooling her five children, capitalizing on the opportunity to share even more wonderful literature with each of them on a daily basis.
ADDMISSION
Attending Summer Camp
Lifelong Learning
Education is not a destination, but a lifelong journey. We want our children to be lifelong learners. We want them to see the beauty in learning that goes beyond a test score or an arbitrary grade. That is the aim of these online summer camps.
1-2 Week Options
Whether you have a busy summer schedule, vacation plans, or none of the above, choose the option that works best for your needs, wants, and schedule. Two week options may study an additional text. You will receive more information for your child’s specific course upon registration.
Affordable Classes
Each course is designed with quality and affordability in mind. But if your current financial situation prohibits you from considering this opportunity for your child, there may be a scholarship available. Please reach out. Scholarship recipients remain confidential.
FAQ
Frequently Asked
Do I need special software or equipment for my child to participate?
Each class will be held via Zoom’s webconference software. You can install the free app on your smartphone or tablet or simply click on the link provided to access the live course on a computer. Your child will need to have access to a headset (headphones and microphone) to prevent echoes and feedback.
What texts will you use in the classes?
Each class will have its own lists of texts that we will use during the course. Upon registration, you can choose to have the books shipped to you for an additional charge or you can choose to purchase the books yourself or borrow them from a local library. Book lists can be found on the courses page. Click on the “Accompanying Texts” button under the corresponding course.
What other supplies will my child need?
A pen, pencil, and some paper will do the trick. We will actively read and write every day of class, so please be sure your child is ready with all books, writing utensils, and paper before class begins. Barring unexpected circumstances, we will begin promptly at our scheduled time each day.
Can I contribute to scholarship funds for other students?
Yes! You can click the “Donate a Scholarship” link below to be directed straight to Paypal. You can also include a scholarship donation in your transaction if you are registering a child for a class: before you complete your registration, you will have the option to contribute additional funds to scholarships. Not only do scholarships bless the recipients, but they also bless the other children in the class who benefit from a different perspective and varied life experiences.
Register Today!
Registration for 2023 camps is now open.
You can also contribute to the success of a student who may not have an opportunity otherwise. Each year, Alissa McClure reaches out to teachers in low-income areas throughout the United States and with scholarship donations, she provides books for students recommended by their teachers. Alissa waives the class fees for these students and scholarship funds help provide the books.
Please consider making a difference in another student’s life.