Spring 2017 Course Catalog
Cultivating Intelligence and Character
Table of Contents About Us
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Kindergarten Program
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Primary Program
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Secondary Program
12
Private Coaching and Classes
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Admissions Support
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Special Workshops
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Teachers
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Referral Program
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Course Schedule
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About Us Baker and Bloom is an education center where young people are immersed in academic rigor, creative thinking, and intellectual curiosity. We are a community that recognizes that in order to grow and develop their potential, students need motivation, guidance, and thoughtful feedback. So here you’ll find supportive teachers and mentors, premium resources, and our unique Four-Leaf Approach to teaching and learning which nurture students to be the best they can be. The Four-Leaf Approach targets four key areas that power intellectual and socioemotional growth. These four fields of Language Arts & Communication, Learning to Learn, Creativity, and Leadership & Service prepare our children for fulfilling and productive lives.
Learning to Learn
Creativity
Language Arts and Communication
Leadership and Service
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Kindergarten Program
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K2–3 inspirED Reader and Writer This course introduces students to the wondrous and powerful world of stories. From reading classic picture books to watching Pixar’s magical short films, students will: • develop an appreciation and understanding of story structure. • learn early literacy skills. • relate to and reflect on stories and their characters. The goal of the course is to develop an appreciation for and habit of reading in your child. Through the learning of story elements, we also hope to inspire the storyteller in your child and allow him or her to participate in this age-old human tradition.
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Primary Program
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Through engaging, thought-provoking classes taught by highly qualified instructors, our Primary Program guides Baker and Bloom students to greater success in academics, boarding school applications, and future studies, whether they are coming from local or international schools. We have the best reading and writing courses in Hong Kong because: • our teachers are experienced, knowledgeable, and creative. • students learn to write and speak using their own voices; you won’t see your child simply copying templates. • students learn to read beyond what is in front of them in a text; they become stronger at making connections, making inferences, and explaining their thinking accurately. • specific, practical feedback is available to help you make the best decisions about your child’s needs.
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G1–2 inspirED Reader and Writer This course teaches students the foundational reading and writing skills that are important to early primary literacy. Students will read fiction and nonfiction texts from diverse sources to develop their appetite for learning. Students will: • be guided through reading of stories to deepen their engagement with texts. • complete exercises to develop their ability to write organized texts. • enjoy Helicopter Stories, a proven storytelling and story acting method, to improve their literacy and communication skills. These activities develop skills that will be immensely helpful as your child progresses through primary school.
G2–3 Creative Writing This course activates your child’s imagination and builds their English skills through writing exercises and projects. Students will: • • • •
develop a better understanding of story structures. create vivid characters and settings. expand the vocabulary they use to express ideas. use traditional pencil and paper, as well as digital tools, to publish work.
This course does not just enhance literacy skills, it also provides opportunities for students to think about themselves and to gain confidence by creating stories using their own voices that their peers will enjoy. Besides becoming avid writers, students who intend to apply to UK boarding schools will benefit from this course.
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G2–4 English Through Drama This course uses drama to provide students with meaningful reading practice that builds fluency, oral expression, and speaking skills. Students will: • • • •
read a variety of short plays. complete interactive vocabulary exercises. explore themes found in texts. read plays aloud.
Besides being fun, drama activities are an effective way to expand vocabulary, improve comprehension ability, and develop confidence in speaking up in class. Moreover, drama increases students’ motivation to read and develops their fluency through repeated use of and exposure to text.
G3–4 inspirED Reader and Writer This course develops your child’s literacy skills through stimulating reading, writing, and vocabulary activities. Students are given opportunities to reinforce grade-level skills as well as to stretch their abilities. Students will: • read and write a variety of genres, including speeches, narratives, and poetry. • learn new vocabulary they can apply in their school work. • improve their ability to analyze texts and make inferences. These are skills that will be immensely helpful as students progress through primary school and take on additional challenges in upper primary.
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G4–5 Creative Writing This course activates your child’s imagination and builds their English skills through writing exercises and projects. Students will: • • • •
develop a better understanding of story structures. create vivid characters and settings. expand the vocabulary they use to express ideas. use traditional pencil and paper, as well as digital tools, to publish work.
This course does not just enhance literacy skills, it also provides opportunities for students to think about themselves and to gain confidence by creating stories using their own voices that their peers will enjoy. Besides becoming avid writers, students who intend to apply to UK boarding schools will benefit from this course.
G5–6 inspirED Reader and Writer This course develops your child’s literacy skills through stimulating reading, writing, and vocabulary activities. Students are given opportunities to reinforce grade-level skills as well as to stretch their abilities. Students will: • read and write a variety of genres, including speeches, narratives, and poetry. • learn new vocabulary they can apply in their school work. • improve their ability to analyze texts and make inferences. These are skills that will be immensely helpful as students progress through primary school and take on additional challenges in upper primary.
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G5–6 Public Speaking Speech is a powerful tool for persuading, managing, and engaging people. Throughout history, leaders have used it to communicate their ideas and motivate people to action. This course builds confidence and communication skills in students, helping them give presentations at school. Activities will include: • writing and crafting effective speeches • exercises to develop delivery skills • developing their own unique speaking style In this course, we will explore how to write and deliver narrative, informative, group, persuasive, and academic speeches.
G5–6 English Through Drama This course uses drama to provide students with meaningful reading practice that builds fluency, oral expression, and speaking skills. Students will: • • • •
read a variety of short plays. complete interactive vocabulary exercises. explore themes found in texts. read plays aloud.
Besides being fun, drama activities are an effective way to expand vocabulary, improve comprehension ability, and develop confidence in speaking up in class. Moreover, drama increases students’ motivation to read and develops their fluency through repeated use of and exposure to text.
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Secondary Program
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As students transition to a higher level of learning in secondary school, we add rigor and scope to build skills and confidence in self-expression, communication, and learning through courses that support the IB Diploma Program. Our secondary program has proven results because: • our teachers have decades of experience with the IB curriculum • we select written and visual texts that inspire and deepen students’ intellectual, aesthetic and character growth • students are exposed to important issues and ideas relevant to the future in which they will continue to be learners • students develop more sophisticated reading and writing strategies, a larger academic vocabulary, as well as critical and creative thinking skills
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G7–8 inspirED Reader and Writer This course takes a thematic approach to advancing students’ reading and writing skills. Your child will develop an understanding of the importance of communication and build inference skills that will be vital as they progress through middle school. Activities will include: • participation in an experiential learning journey supported by Harvard's Project Zero platform • guided reading of fiction and non-fiction texts to improve comprehension skills • writing exercises with real-world applications to develop the ability to write clear, grammatically correct, and organized texts Our goal is for students to learn ways to deepen their engagement with the written word. For those looking for an extra challenge, vocabulary and grammar homework are offered that teachers will review.
G7–8 Creative Writing Creative writing expands and frees the mind while focusing it on the craft of language. This course provides opportunities for students to think about themselves and to gain confidence by creating stories using their own voices. Students will: • develop a better understanding of story structures. • create vivid characters and settings. • expand the vocabulary they use to express ideas. We offer prompts and models of high-quality writing to kindle the imagination and give a structured way to have fun with words and sentences. By applying the fundamental elements of literature to their writing, students will develop the skills required for literary analysis in high school.
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G7–8 US Boarding School Prep This course is designed for students who are either applying to US boarding schools or may be considering applying. It is an opportunity for students to experience how English is typically taught in selective US boarding schools. Activities will include: • • • • •
harkness table discussions debate literary analysis extended written responses SSAT preparation
The course uses literary and non-literary text excerpts, including from the New York Times, as well as authors including Poe, Dickinson, Steinbeck, and Walker.
G7–8 Public Speaking Speech is a powerful tool for persuading, managing, and engaging people. Throughout history, leaders have used it to communicate their ideas and motivate people to action. This course builds confidence and communication skills in students, helping them give presentations at school. Activities will include: • writing and crafting effective speeches • exercises to develop delivery skills • developing their own unique speaking style In this course, we will explore how to write and deliver narrative, informative, group, persuasive, and academic speeches.
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G9–10 inspirED Reader and Writer This course offers targeted instruction to improve students’ ability to understand, analyze, and critique literary texts. Students will learn to: • engage in close, detailed analysis of individual texts and make relevant connections. • appreciate the form, style, and aesthetic qualities of a text. • form and support their own opinions and judgments of a text. Course materials are drawn from a variety of literary texts in order to develop transferable skills that can be applied more specifically to texts studied at school. The course is suited to those taking IGCSE/GCSE English, while also preparing students for IBDP-level academic work.
G9–10 Essay Writing This course teaches students the basics of essay writing and gives them the skills needed to handle the rigors of academic essay writing. Activities will include: • learning the types of essays that they will need to write for school and the best ways to tackle them • discussions of ideas and current events with their peers to develop critical thinking • writing, revising, and editing their own essays • reflecting and sharing their work with peers and parents In this semester, we will cover descriptive, definition, and cause-and-effect essays. Students will read from sources including the Internet, newspapers, and magazines for models of these different types of essays.
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G11 IB English Language and Literature This course is designed for students studying the first year of the International Baccalaureate English Language & Literature Course, accommodating both HL and SL students. The course focuses on skills development benefiting specific course assessments, including: • • • •
FOA planning and feedback Written Task drafting and feedback Paper 1 preparation IOC practice opportunities
Since each school specifies its own texts, materials are developed to address those specific texts and genres studied by individual students. By exposing students to additional texts studied by their classmates, the transferability of analytical and writing skills is emphasized.
G11 IB English Literature This course is designed for students studying the first year of the International Baccalaureate English Literature Course, accommodating both HL and SL students. The course focuses on skills development benefiting specific course assessments, including: • • • •
IOC practice opportunities IOP planning and feedback Written Assignment drafting and feedback Paper 1 and Paper 2 preparation
Since each school specifies its own texts, materials are developed to address those specific texts studied by individual students. By exposing students to additional texts studied by their classmates, the transferability of analytical and writing skills is emphasized.
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G12 IB English Language and Literature This course is designed for students studying the second year of the International Baccalaureate English Language & Literature Course, accommodating both HL and SL students. The course focuses on skills development benefiting specific course assessments, including: • • • •
IOC practice opportunities FOA planning and feedback Written Task drafting and feedback Paper 1 and Paper 2 preparation
Since each school specifies its own texts, materials are developed to address those specific texts and genres studied by individual students. By exposing students to additional texts studied by their classmates, the transferability of analytical and writing skills is emphasized.
G12 IB English Literature This course is designed for students studying the second year of the International Baccalaureate English Literature Course, accommodating both HL and SL students. The course focuses on skills development benefiting specific course assessments, including: • • • •
IOC practice opportunities IOP planning and feedback Written Assignment drafting and feedback Paper 1 and Paper 2 preparation
Since each school specifies its own texts, materials are developed to address those specific texts studied by individual students. By exposing students to additional texts studied by their classmates, the transferability of analytical and writing skills is emphasized.
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Private Coaching and Classes Baker and Bloom offers special, flexible arrangements for students who wish to work independently on academic work or personal projects or those who pursue learning goals not covered by our core course offerings.
One-on-One Academic Support
IB
GCSE
• Subjects include English Language and Literature, History, Geography, Latin, Physics, Economics, Maths, and Humanities • IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Extended Essay (EE) • Academic development areas include research, study skills, essay writing, oral presentations, vocabulary, and test-taking
Personal Projects and Interests • Independent mentors and coaches are available for projects in specific areas including engineering, science, economics, business, international relations, law, and physics • Guidance in developing standout IB Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) Projects and IB Middle Year Program (MYP) Personal Projects • Community service and entrepreneurship projects and creative portfolios • Guidance in participating in local and international competitions
Private Classes Form your own group of 3-6 students for a tailor-made course or short workshop to suit your interests, schedule, and learning needs. Private classes can cover any of the academic subjects listed above or topics derived from our popular holiday workshops such as Super Learner, Minecraft Writing, Think Like a Football Manager, Mystery Story Writing, Physics and Engineering of Model Aircrafts, and more. Contact us for more information or to schedule your private class.
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Admissions Support At Baker and Bloom, we aim to make admissions support a holistic learning experience. While admissions can be demanding and test-driven, we believe it is also an opportunity to build a strong academic foundation, to enhance time management and self-reflection skills, and to learn to read and write well. Whether it is through a class or coaching, our coaches are dedicated to teaching, motivating, and nurturing each student.
US Boarding School Admissions • One-on-one or semi-private coaching through the complete admissions process • Preparatory course for students in grades 7 and 8 (see page 15) • Personal statement writing workshops during holidays and school breaks
UK Boarding School Admissions • One-on-one or semi-private coaching for 11+ and 13+ Common Entrance Test
International School Admissions • ISEE, SSAT and school entrance exam preparation • Interview preparation • Application support
US College Admissions Through our partnership with college counseling service, we offer: • Complete Admissions Program (CAP) • College Essay Package • Private Consultations
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Through our partnership with , a top-tier test prep service with worldclass tutors, we offer SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Test preparation programs.
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Special Workshops For Parents We regularly run workshops and seminars in an effort to educate and connect with parents in our community. Topics include Visible Thinking, literacy development, boarding school and college admissions, and more. Sign up for our mailing list at www.bakerandbloom.com to be notified whenever we offer parent workshops.
For Students inspirED Super Learner (age 8+) Excessive screen time, social media, school pressure and workload can easily become enemies of concentration, deep learning, and well-being. These Super Learner workshops focus on ways to thrive despite these obstacles; by learning memoryenhancing techniques that save time and effort, by adopting a “growth mindset” when facing failure and opportunities, and by learning mindfulness – a focused and relaxed attention – that strengthens executive functioning skills. There are no quick fixes, but early exposure to these techniques offers students the advantage of being aware that there are ways to enhance their own learning that are within their control.
inspirED Social Entrepreneurship (age 13+) During the summer, we invite guest speakers who are leaders and changemakers in various fields to inspire students. Whether you wish to enter medicine or marketing, finance or fine arts, being innovative, empathetic, design-savvy and a persistent problem-solver will determine whether you will be a follower or a pioneer, a consumer or a creator. Through case studies, simulations, games, and hands-on activities, these workshops expose students to models of successful social entrepreneurship and inspire them to take action to make a difference in their own communities.
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Teachers
RenĂŠe Boey
Carlos Soto
Chris Coetzee
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Jay Poon
Celene Chang
Mei Chen
Renée Boey Founder and Educational Director Renée’s mission at Baker & Bloom was shaped by her educational journey. She attended local and international schools in Hong Kong before completing her secondary education at St. Paul’s School in Concord, N.H. The school’s diversity and emphasis on arts, humanities, and service allowed Renée to pursue her interests and instilled in her an appreciation for creativity, thinking from multiple perspectives, and a desire to lead a meaningful life. After secondary studies, she graduated from Harvard College as an English major, obtained an MPhil in Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, and returned to Hong Kong. She completed a teaching internship at St. Paul’s CoEducational College, and received her Postgraduate Diploma in Education at the University of Hong Kong. Committed to education, she served as a creative writing teacher, an educational consultant for schools such as St. Stephen’s College, as a board member of the HKMA David Li Kwok Po College, and most rewardingly, as an IB English and Humanities teacher at The ISF Academy.
Carlos Soto
Primary Program Head and Teacher Carlos’s intellectual curiosity was first sparked at Cleveland Humanities Magnet, a California school specializing in humanities-based education. After earning an undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at UC Berkeley, Carlos worked in schools with students with special learning needs and then spent eight years in the non-profit educational sector, serving students from low-income families. Before moving to Hong Kong, he earned a Master’s in Education at San Francisco State University. Most recently, he completed his doctoral studies in Education at the University of Hong Kong, where his research, publications, and activities in the community brought him an award for Outstanding Postgraduate Student.
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Chris Coetzee Teacher Chris completed two undergraduate degrees at Stellenbosch University; one in Music and a second in Languages and Culture, majoring in Latin, literature, and ancient cultures. He later completed postgraduate degrees in classical literature and teaching, qualifying as a certified high school teacher for Latin, English, Music, and History before embarking upon an international teaching career in South Africa, Germany, South Korea, and Hong Kong. Apart from teaching, he has also worked as department head, head of senior academics, pedagogy workshop leader, and educational inspector. He has worked with a wide variety of national and international curricula and most recently taught IB Latin, English and Humanities at the ISF Academy. Not only an experienced educator, he also plays the organ surreptitiously and enjoys Shakespeare’s sense of humor.
Celene Chang Teacher
Celene received a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and Applied Sciences from Caltech and earned an MBA and MS in Engineering from Stanford. Additionally, she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education at the University of Hong Kong. She has taught English, Humanities, Math and Physics, and has run drama and debate workshops in schools including St. Paul’s Co-educational College, St. Mark’s School, and Ho Lap College. At Elsa High School, she pioneered the school’s IB Diploma-level Physics program, and all of her students achieved the top grade (7) in their exams. In recent years, she trained in Shakespearean acting in London at the Globe Theatre, summited the highest peaks in Africa, Europe and Australia, and often treks in the Himalayas in Nepal, her favorite country in the world.
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Jay Poon Teacher An avid reader, writer and moviegoer, Jay looks to ignite passion and creativity in students through the use of media and the practice of self-reflection. Jay studied at Diocesan Boys' School before pursuing the IB Diploma at Shatin College. Fascinated by the different modes of teaching and learning in those two institutions, he realized teachers should help students discover their learning paths. Since completing his undergraduate degree in History at University College London (UCL), he has tutored students across Hong Kong in IGCSE and IB English, History and Film. His efforts to foster individuality have helped students between the ages 5 and 15 reach important milestones, from discovering their first favorite author to gaining admission to top boarding schools in the UK and the US.
Mei Chen Teacher
Not only a teacher, Mei is an accomplished scientist and engineer who has worked in both private and public sectors. With over a decade of experience working for Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, Accenture Consulting, and Lockheed Martin, Mei understands real-world applications of science, math, and technology, and makes them exciting to students. Mei first discovered the joy of teaching at the Los Angeles Children's Museum before completing her BS degree in Computer Science at UCLA. She continued her education at Carnegie Mellon University, graduating with a 4.0 GPA in Software Engineering & Management. Then, she taught K-12 Discover-Engineering classes in San Jose, California. In 2009, she moved to Hong Kong and contributed to NPOs, such as U-Hearts and Society for Community Organization. Mei joined Baker & Bloom in 2014 and has coached IB science as well as 3D modeling, robotics, and design projects.
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Grade
Course Schedule Course Title
K2-3
inspirED Reader & Writer
G1-2
inspirED Reader & Writer
G2-3
Creative Writing
G2-4
English through Drama
G3-4
inspirED Reader & Writer
G4-5
Creative Writing Public Speaking English through Drama
G5-6 inspirED Reader & Writer Creative Writing
inspirED Reader & Writer G7-8 Public Speaking
US Boarding School Essay Writing G9-10 inspirED Reader & Writer G11 G12
IB English Language & Literature IB English Literature IB English Language & Literature IB English Literature
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Day Monday Friday Monday Friday Saturday Tuesday Friday Saturday Thursday Tuesday Wednesday Saturday Saturday Tuesday Thursday Saturday Monday Monday Thursday Friday Saturday Thursday Saturday Tuesday Wednesday Saturday Saturday Thursday Saturday Thursday Saturday Saturday Thursday Friday Wednesday Saturday Monday Tuesday Saturday Saturday
Time 3:00 - 4:00pm 3:00 - 4:00pm 4:10 - 5:40pm 4:10 - 5:40pm 9:00 - 10:00am 5:45 - 7:15pm 4:10 - 5:40pm 11:00am - 12:30pm 4:10 - 5:40pm 5:45 - 7:15pm 4:10 - 5:40pm 2:00 - 3:30pm 3:30 - 5:00pm 4:10 - 5:40pm 5:45 - 7:15pm 2:00 - 3:30pm 5:45 - 7:15pm 5:45 - 7:15pm 4:10 - 5:40pm 5:45 - 7:15pm 9:00 - 10:30am 4:10 - 5:40pm 10:00 - 11:30am 5:45 - 7:15pm 4:10 - 5:40pm 9:00 - 10:30am 11:30am - 1:00pm 4:10 - 5:40pm 2:00 - 3:30pm 5:45 - 7:15pm 2:00 - 3:30pm 3:30 - 5:00pm 5:45 - 7:15pm 5:45 - 7:15pm 4:10 - 5:40pm 11:00am - 12:30pm 5:45 - 7:15pm 5:45 - 7:15pm 10:00 - 11:30am 11:30am - 1:00pm
Baker and Bloom Education Center Tel. 2110 4788 info@bakerandbloom.com www.bakerandbloom.com