Our Philosophy
Strong writing is one of the most valuable lifelong skills a student can possess. Kingdom Builder's writing program is built on the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) and expanded through literature, both creative and analytical writing, and formal research. Throughout these writing classes, students will acquire a level of writing ability that will help them to excel in college and beyond.
Writing 1 - 4th - 6th
Textbook
No Textbook is Required
Format
Lecture, written assignments
Description
An introductory course for students in 4th-6th grade, or students who have had no previous experience with Excellence in Writing. Students will learn how to improve their sentence structure, how to outline writing assignments, and how to write creatively.
Writing 2 - 5th - 6th
Textbook
No Textbook is Required
Format
Lecture, written assignments
Description
A course for students in 5th-6th grade that builds on the concepts taught in Writing 1. Students will continue to practice structuring sentences and organizing assignments. Students will also be introduced to writing five paragraph essays.
Writing 3 with Literature - 6th - 8th
Books: Fall 2026-Spring 2027
- A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
- Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
- Dragon's Gate by Laurence Yep
- Eric Liddell by Catherine Swift
Format
Lecture, written assignments, group discussion, reading assignments
Description
Writing 3 continues to build on the foundation made by Writing 1 and 2, further expanding sentence structure and introducing new kinds of essays. Additionally, students will be assigned reading from classic novels and will be encouraged to discuss these books in a group setting.
Writing 4 with Literature - Jr. High / High School
Books: Fall 2026-Spring 2027
- A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
- Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
- Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
- Dragon's Gate by Laurence Yep
- Eric Liddell by Catherine Swift
- Call of the Wild by Jack London
Format
Lecture, written assignments, group discussion, reading assignments
Description
Writing 4, similar to Writing 3, introduces new kinds of writing assignments and reading discussions. Students are assigned reading and will be put into discussion groups to answer questions based on the reading.
Writing 5 with Literature - High School
Books: Fall 2026-Spring 2027
- Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
- Our Town by Thornton Wilder
Format
Lecture, written assignments, group discussion, reading assignments
Description
Writing 5 introduces assignments and readings at a more sophisticated level, encouraging students to think deeper and write with maturity. Discussion remains a critical part of the course, and students will be put into groups to work together to answer questions on the readings.
Literature - High School
Books: Fall 2026-Spring 2027
- The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
- Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
- Our Town by Thornton Wilder
- TBD
Format
Lecture, written assignments, group discussion, reading assignments
Description
This class introduces students to great literature in its historical, literary, and artistic context, while developing skills in writing and literary analysis. Study and writing is centered on a focus text chosen for its significance to the period of literature being studied. There is an emphasis on the analytical essay, which offers the students the opportunity to perfect the standard process of planning, drafting, and revising. Shorter assignments are included in various forms to round out each section. Students are also expected to participate in weekly class discussions that focus on comprehension and analysis.
Writing 6 - 10th - 12th
Textbook
No Textbook is Required
Format
Lecture, written assignments
Description
Writing 6 is geared for students in grades 10–12 with a focus on college readiness. It teaches more of the stylistic techniques and writing models, including writing from pictures, interviews, persuasion, and longer essays with research.