Virtual Institute

Want to connect with spellers and typers from around the globe and learn something new? We're continuing our wildly popular weekly zoom classes every Monday through Thursday throughout the summer. Each week will explore a different theme. Sign up for all or choose the ones that interest you most!

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We are grateful to the Autism and Communication Center for helping us make these classes affordable! Each week is only $50 - that's $12.50 per class!

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Session themes will include:

• Unusual Musical Instruments

• Roman History

• Space!

• Ancient Chinese History

• Philosophy Exploration

• Student Requests

Dates:

Monday - Thursday

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June 22 - August 13

Time:

2:00 - 3:00 PM Eastern

Fees:

$50 / week

Academic Writing - Tuesday Cohort

This six-session summer course is designed to teach the fundamentals of academic writing. Students will meet on Tuesdays with Lisa Mihalich Quinn, a Maryland state-certified teacher with degrees in English and experience teaching writing to students of varied ages and abilities. By the end of the six week course, students will work toward developing a five-paragraph essay that presents a thesis / claim and supports it with evidence. 

While this class can be modified for individuals who are still making choices, it is best suited for individuals who have open-ended communication skills.

This class has a limit of 6 students. Work will be assigned outside of classes.

Session topics will include:

• Evaluating qualities of good academic essays 

• Writing a strong thesis / claim

• Using an outline format to structure a five-paragraph essay

• Note-taking and evidence/quote gathering for students who spell/point/type

• Developing a strong introduction and conclusion

• Revising and editing for a polished finished product

Dates:

June 23

June 30

July 7

July 14

July 21

July 28

Time:

12:30 - 1:30 Eastern

Fees:

$400

Academic Writing - Thursday Cohort

This six-session summer course is designed to teach the fundamentals of academic writing. Students will meet on Thursdays with Corie Stewart, a Maryland state-certified English teacher with experience teaching writing to students of varied ages and abilities. By the end of the six week course, students will work toward developing a five-paragraph essay that presents a thesis / claim and supports it with evidence. 

While this class can be modified for individuals who are still making choices, it is best suited for individuals who have open-ended communication skills.

This class has a limit of 6 students. Work will be assigned outside of classes.

Session topics will include:

• Evaluating qualities of good academic essays 

• Writing a strong thesis / claim

• Using an outline format to structure a five-paragraph essay

• Note-taking and evidence/quote gathering for students who spell/point/type

• Developing a strong introduction and conclusion

• Revising and editing for a polished finished product

Dates:

June 25

July 2

July 9

July 16

July 23

July 30

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Time:

3:30 - 4:30 PM Eastern

Fees:

$400

Fundamentals of Algebra / Pre-Algebra

Join us on Wednesdays for a six session course designed to teach the fundamentals of pre-algebra / algebra. Students will meet weekly with Lisa Mihalich Quinn, a Maryland state-certified teacher with experience teaching math to students of varied ages and abilities. By the end of the six week course, students will have reviewed the concepts necessary to begin an algebra class. 

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Practice activities will be offered to reinforce skills taught in class.

Session topics will include:

• Properties of Arithmetic & Factors/Multiples (order of operations, distributive property, rational/irrational numbers, GCF/LCM)

• Fractions & Decimals (representing fractions/decimals & operations with fractions/decimals)

• Negative Numbers & Coordinate Grids (ordering negative numbers, absolute value, plotting points on a grid)

• Ratios, Rates, Proportions 

• Equations, Expressions, Inequalities (intro to variables, constructing and solving simple single-variable expressions)

• Exponents & Radicals (exponents, square roots, properties of exponents)

Dates:

June 24

July 1

July 8

July 15

July 22

July 29

Time:

12:30 - 1:30 PM Eastern

Fees:

$300

A Study in Multicultural Short Stories

This six session course meets on Mondays to explore six short texts, which students will read prior to class. Students will also receive guiding questions to prepare for the weekly online class discussion with Corie Stewart, a Maryland state-certified English teacher.  Class discussions may include supplemental poems or videos that provide further context for the assigned text within the framework of the week's theme.

Each week will center on a different theme including: 

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• Families: Comfort & Conflict

• Traditions & Customs

• Becoming Me / Identity

• Between Two Worlds

• Defining Moments

• Outside Influences

Dates:

June 22

June 29

July 6

July 13

July 20

July 27

Time:

3:30 - 4:30 PM Eastern

Fees:

$120

Biography In Depth - Notables & Innovators

Join Maryland state-certified teacher Miranda Specht on Tuesdays for a six session course that explores stand-out historical figures and innovators. Join Miranda for games, fun facts, and video clips that put the figures in context and keep learning fun! Each session will include recommendations for further learning outside of class.

This class will spotlight: 

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• Walt Disney

• Mark Cuban

• Abraham Lincoln

• Elon Musk

• Rosa Parks

• Bill Gates

Dates:

June 23

June 30

July 7

July 14

July 21

July 28

Time:

3:30 - 4:30 PM Eastern

Fees:

$120

Biography In Depth - Pop Culture Stars & Athletes

Join Maryland state-certified teacher Miranda Specht on Wednesdays for a six session course that explores some of the biggest pop culture influencers and greatest athletes.  Join Miranda for games, fun facts, and video clips that put the figures in context and keep learning fun! Each session will include recommendations for further learning outside of class.

This class will spotlight: 

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• Kobe Bryant

• Lady Gaga

• Simone Biles

• Jimmy Fallon

• Sam Smith

• Chip & Joanna Gaines

Dates:

June 24

July 1

July 8

July 15

July 22

July 29

Time:

3:30 - 4:30 PM Eastern

Fees:

$120

Social Hour!

Join Corie Stewart each Thursday for an hour of fun, conversation, and games! This structured social hour will include brainteasers, conversation starters about hot topics and quotes, fun quizzes, and other low-risk opportunities to build communication practice. Come socialize with other typers and spellers from around the globe!

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Dates:

June 25

July 2

July 9

July 16

July 23

July 30

Time:

5:00 - 6:00 PM Eastern

Fees:

$75