The Reader’s Workshop
$112.00
Claim One of 4 Seats in This High School Literary Analysis Workshop
Where high school reading comprehension meets real-world digital literacy for teens.
Wednesdays
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7:30 pm-9:00pm ET
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6:30 pm-8:00pm CT
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4:30 pm-6:00pm PT
- Critical Thinking for Teens
- How It Works
- Month Schedule
- Why This Works
- Who This Is For
- Why Google Docs + Canva
- Expectations
- FAQ & Tech Requirements
The Reader’s Workshop: Critical Thinking for Teens (Grades 9-12)
Stop the Guessing. Start the Thinking.
Most students don’t struggle with reading; they struggle with processing. They over-highlight, mimic the teacher’s “right answer,” and repeat the same three ideas in an essay because they lack the vocabulary and structure to move forward.
Most students don’t struggle with reading; they struggle with processing. They over-highlight, mimic the teacher’s “right answer,” and repeat the same three ideas in an essay because they lack the vocabulary and structure to move forward.
The Reader’s Workshop is a year-long, flex-schedule series that transforms passive reading into active, original thought.
- Small Groups: Strictly capped at 4 seats per session.
- Modern Tools: Students build analysis using Google Docs and Canva.
- Direct Application: No “fluff” essays. Just real-world communication.
A Repeatable System for Academic Confidence
Every 90-minute workshop follows a professional workflow designed to eliminate academic anxiety.
Every 90-minute workshop follows a professional workflow designed to eliminate academic anxiety.
- Guided Prep: Before class, students use my annotation framework to identify themes, symbols, and tone.
- Live Analysis: During the session, we don’t just talk. We build. We use “Controlled Collisions” (rapid-fire debates) to test their evidence.
- Vocabulary Expansion through Context: Instead of memorizing lists, students encounter and apply mature vocabulary in the context of the story. By using the right word once instead of three words repeatedly, they learn to write with precision, and less “drama.”
- The Result: Digital Literacy Artifacts
Every session results in a tangible project, a social media profile for a character, a podcast script, or a docudrama pitch. I call these Digital Literacy Artifacts. - For Parents: This is proof of your teen’s ability to synthesize complex data and present it using professional digital tools (Google Docs/Canva). It’s the kind of work required in high school, college and modern careers.
| Month | Book & Theme | Key Skills |
|---|---|---|
| May 6 |
(Mystery) |
Deductive reasoning & plot analysis |
| June 3 |
(Revolution) |
Theme ID & character arcs |
| July 8 |
(Perspective) |
Cause/effect & cultural analysis |
| Aug 19 |
(Mood) |
Symbolism & narrative voice |
| Oct 7 |
(Existentialism) |
Character study & alienation |
| Dec 2 |
(Redemption) |
Comparative analysis & prediction |
| Feb 3 |
(Suspense) |
Plot mapping & tension analysis |
| Apr 7 |
(Power/Morality) |
Analytical reasoning & persuasion |
Schools often ask students to: Analyze, compare, and write but they rarely teach how to do it step-by-step. This workshop fills that gap.
Your teen learns: how to decide what matters in a text, how to form their own interpretation, and how to communicate it clearly.
That’s what transfers into essays, discussions, and real academic confidence.
Program Structure
- Live 90-minute workshops
- Twice per month (summer)
- Once per month (school year)
- Small group (4 students max)
No hiding. No coasting. Everyone participates
This is for teens who:
- struggle to organize their thoughts
- rely on guessing instead of understanding
- need structure to improve writing
- are capable but not being shown how to think
Who This Is NOT For:
- students who won’t read before class
- students looking for easy answers
- families expecting instant grade changes without effort
The Result: If your teen shows up and does the work, they will leave with:
- a clear system for breaking down any text
- the ability to form independent ideas
- a structured approach to writing
- experience expressing ideas across multiple formats
Grades will improve as these skills are applied in school.
But this program focuses on something deeper:
- a clear system for breaking down any text
- the ability to form independent ideas
- a structured approach to writing
- experience expressing ideas across multiple formats
Limited Enrollment
Only 4 seats per session.
Why We Use Technology (And Why It Matters)
Students today are expected to:
- write digitally
- present ideas visually
- collaborate online
But most are never actually taught how.
What Your Teen Will Learn: Through guided use of Google Docs and Canva, students will:
- organize and structure written ideas clearly
- design visual representations of their thinking
- communicate ideas beyond basic essays
- build confidence using tools required in school
The Reality: Schools assign:
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- presentations
- infographics
- digital projects
But rarely teach:
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- layout
- clarity
- design thinking
So students guess… again. This workshop removes that gap.
The Outcome: Your teen won’t just “use tools.” They will learn how to: think → organize → present
That’s a skill that carries through high school, college, and beyond.
Expectations (Read This Carefully)
This is not passive. Students are expected to:
- complete all reading before class
- submit annotations and written response on time
- participate actively during sessions
If they don’t do the prep, they don’t attend that session.
- Who is this for? High schoolers (9th-12th grade) who are capable but need a better system for organizing their thoughts.
- What if my teen is shy? With only 4 students, there is nowhere to hide, but the environment is structured and supportive. Everyone participates.
- Tech Needs: A computer with a webcam, a free Canva account, and a Google account. I’ll provide all activity templates, no “Pro” accounts required.
- The “No Prep, No Entry” Rule: To keep the workshop high-level, students must submit their pre-class annotations. If they aren’t prepared, they won’t attend and will receive a credit to reschedule. This ensures every student in the room is ready to work.
- Bundles & Discounts: Use code SUMMERPLANNER at checkout when booking 4 or more sessions for a 15% discount.
- What happens if my teen misses a session?: 24+ hour notice for a credit to another session. Less than 24 hours the session is forfeited. No refunds.
- Are sessions recorded?: No. This is a live, interactive workshop. Participation is essential.
- What technology is required?: Students need: a reliable internet connection (able to stream video), an updated browser (Chrome recommended), access to Google Docs (parent account if needed), a Canva account (free version is fine)
