Writers in the Making: For Older Confident Readers to Grow in Their Writing

Monday Mornings

**Writers in the Making is also offered online. Click to learn more.**

Monday Mornings 9:30-11am in central Alameda, CA

Writers in the Making is a joyful, skill-building writing class that helps students grow into thoughtful, confident communicators. Class runs best with a minimum of 5 students and a maximum of 8 students. Class is forming now. Please email your interest and questions.

In this once-a-week writing course, students build the foundations they’ll need for structured essay writing in middle school. Integrating art and vivid prompts, fairy tales, myths, and fables, and classic literature scaled to the level of the group, students practice crafting strong sentences, clear paragraphs, and thoughtful opinions—while developing their voice, stamina, and style.

A placement test will be emailed for your child to complete before registering.

Ideal for students ready to:

  • Move beyond paragraphs into multi-paragraph writing

  • Strengthen grammar and sentence variety

  • Explore creative, narrative, and opinion pieces

  • Practice revision and sharing work in a supportive group

Each unit combines grammar, structure, and creativity, guiding students through personal narratives, opinion writing, character sketches, how-to pieces, and poetry. Students draft, revise, and share their work in a warm, supportive environment designed to balance rigor and joy.

DETAILS

Meets: 90 minutes once per week, Mondays 9:30–11:00 a.m. Includes weekly homework.
Where: A location in Alameda, CA (details provided upon inquiry)

Enrolling now:
Jan 5, 12, 26
Feb 2, 9, 23
Mar 2, 9, 16, 30
Apr 6, 13, 20, 27
May 4
(No class Jan 19, Feb 16, Mar 25)

Tuition: $120 per month (rolling enrollment; your first month is pro-rated to your start date).
Hickman vendor funds, Venmo, and cash accepted.

Optional prepay: $330 for January–March (save $30).

Includes: Grammar & structure instruction, writing projects, reading tie-ins, and student portfolios
Cap: 5–8 students

Writers in the Making: For Younger Confident Readers to Grow in Their Writing

Monday Afternoons

**Writers in the Making is also offered online. Click to learn more.**

Monday Afternoons 2:30-3:45pm

Writers in the Making is a joyful, skill-building writing class that helps students grow into thoughtful, confident communicators. Class runs best with a minimum of 5 students and a maximum of 8 students. Class is forming now. Please email your interest and questions.

In this once-a-week writing course, students build foundational skills for structured writing in middle school. Using art, vivid prompts, fairy tales, myths, fables, and classic literature scaled to the group, students practice crafting strong sentences, clear paragraphs, and thoughtful opinions—while developing their voice, stamina, and style.

A placement test will be emailed for your child to complete before registering.

Ideal for students ready to:

  • Move beyond paragraphs into multi-paragraph writing

  • Strengthen grammar and sentence variety

  • Explore creative, narrative, and opinion pieces

  • Practice revision and sharing work in a supportive group

Each unit balances grammar, structure, and creativity, guiding students through narratives, opinions, character sketches, how-to pieces, and poetry.

DETAILS

Meets: 75 minutes once per week, Mondays 2:30–3:45 p.m. Includes weekly homework.
Where: A location in Alameda, CA (details provided upon inquiry)

Enrolling now:
Jan 6, 13, 27
Feb 3, 10, 24
Mar 3, 10, 17, 31
Apr 7
(No class Jan 20, Feb 17, Mar 24)

Tuition: $120 per month (rolling enrollment; your first month is pro-rated to your start date).
Hickman vendor funds, Venmo, and cash accepted.

Optional prepay: $330 for January–March (save $30).

Includes: Grammar & structure instruction, writing projects, reading tie-ins, student portfolios
Cap: 5–8 students

The Craft of Composition: For Middle Schoolers to Hone Nonfiction Essay Skills

Thursday Afternoons

Thursday Afternoons

Craft of Composition is a nonfiction essay-writing course for grades 7–8. Class runs best with a minimum of 5 students and a maximum of 8 students. Class is forming now. Please email your interest and questions.

In this once-a-week writing course, students learn the full process of crafting a strong essay—from idea generation to revision. Students will practice:

  • Generating and organizing ideas

  • Outlining

  • Crafting strong sentences and paragraphs

  • Revision and editing

Students read high-quality model essays for inspiration and structure. Grammar and mechanics are addressed as needed. Weekly homework included.

A placement test will be emailed prior to registration.

DETAILS

Meets: Thursdays, 4:15–5:45 p.m.
Where: A location in Alameda, CA

Tuition: $120 per month (rolling enrollment; your first month is pro-rated to your start date).
Hickman vendor funds and Venmo accepted.

Optional prepay: $330 for January–March (save $30).

Cap: 5–8 students

 

Private Study Skills Tutoring

K–12 One-on-One Support

Private coaching and tutoring is available for students K–12. Sessions may focus on study skills, executive function, language development, reading, writing, social skills, goal-setting, and general academic confidence—all in a warm, non-judgmental one-on-one atmosphere.

Meetings are available in person (park or café) or online via Zoom.

Tuition: $50 per 60-minute session
Venmo and cash accepted.