Why the Whales Came by Michael Morpurgo is a moving historical novel set on the remote island of Bryher in the Isles of Scilly during the early twentieth century. The story follows two children, Gracie and Daniel, who become curious about a mysterious and lonely man known as the Birdman. Despite warnings from the islanders, the children gradually form a friendship with him and uncover the truth behind his past and the island’s long-held secrets. As the story unfolds, they discover how fear, prejudice, and old conflicts can shape a community, while learning about compassion, courage, and forgiveness.
In this course, students will explore themes such as friendship, trust, prejudice, forgiveness, courage, and the impact of war on individuals and communities. Through close reading, guided discussion, and literary analysis, students will examine character development, setting, foreshadowing, and the use of mystery to build suspense. Writing activities will include character reflections, theme-based responses, and creative writing inspired by the story. The course strengthens reading comprehension, inferential thinking, empathy, and expressive writing while encouraging students to reflect on the importance of understanding others.
英语
ISEE英文专项辅导
This course provides a personalized approach to ISEE Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension preparation, helping each student strengthen their English language skills and build confidence. Students will focus on vocabulary development, synonyms, sentence completion, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills, with the focus and pace adjusted based on individual skill levels and goals. Through targeted practice, ISEE-style questions, and customized test-taking strategies, students learn to expand their vocabulary, improve reading accuracy, and develop effective approaches to different question types to maximize their performance on the exam.
This course is designed for high school students preparing for the AP Precalculus exam. It offers personalized instruction that focuses on key concepts, problem-solving techniques, and exam strategies. Whether you’re working with polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometry, or the fundamentals of calculus, our experienced tutors will help you build a strong mathematical foundation and gain confidence in applying these concepts.
英语
经典英文阅读《The Phantom Tollbooth》
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster is a humorous and imaginative fantasy novel that follows Milo, a bored young boy who discovers a mysterious tollbooth in his bedroom. After traveling through it, he enters the Kingdom of Wisdom, where words, numbers, and ideas come to life. Along the way, Milo meets unforgettable characters and embarks on a journey to rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason. Through his adventures, he learns that curiosity, learning, and imagination can transform the way we see the world.
In this course, students will explore themes such as curiosity, education, friendship, problem-solving, and the importance of perspective. Through close reading, guided discussion, and literary analysis, students will examine wordplay, symbolism, satire, and the imaginative use of language. Writing activities will include character analysis, reflective responses, creative wordplay, and imaginative extensions of the story. The course strengthens reading comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking, and expressive writing while encouraging students to discover the joy of learning.
英语
经典英文阅读《The Trumpet of the Swan》
The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White is a charming children’s novel that combines adventure, humor, and heartfelt lessons about courage and determination. The story follows Louis, a trumpeter swan who is born without the ability to trumpet like the other swans. Determined to help his son find his voice, Louis’s father obtains a trumpet for him. Louis then travels from the Canadian wilderness to different parts of the United States, using his musical talent to earn money, make friends, and prove that being different does not have to limit what he can accomplish.
In this course, students will explore themes such as perseverance, individuality, family, friendship, responsibility, and finding one’s voice. Through close reading, guided discussion, and literary analysis, students will examine character development, symbolism, setting, humor, and the ways animals are used to explore human experiences. Writing activities will include reflective responses, character analysis, creative storytelling, and evidence-based literary responses. The course strengthens reading comprehension, critical thinking, and expressive writing while encouraging students to appreciate individuality, overcome challenges, and develop confidence in expressing themselves.
英语
经典英文阅读《Tuck Everlasting》
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt is a thought-provoking fantasy novel that explores the meaning of life, death, and the passage of time. The story follows ten-year-old Winnie Foster, who discovers the Tuck family and learns that they have become immortal after drinking from a mysterious spring. When Winnie is faced with the opportunity to live forever, she must consider whether eternal life is truly a gift and what it means to live a meaningful life.
In this course, students will explore themes such as mortality, immortality, freedom, choice, family, and the natural cycle of life. Through close reading, guided discussion, and literary analysis, students will examine symbolism, characterization, setting, and the author’s use of fantasy to explore philosophical questions. Writing activities will include reflective responses, character analysis, theme-based writing, and creative extensions. The course strengthens reading comprehension, critical thinking, and expressive writing while encouraging students to reflect on the value of life and the consequences of our choices.
英语
经典英文阅读《A Christmas Carol》
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a beloved classic that tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy but miserly man who has little sympathy for others and dislikes Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, followed by three spirits who show him scenes from the past, present, and possible future. Through these encounters, Scrooge begins to recognize the consequences of his choices and discovers the importance of generosity, compassion, and human connection.
In this course, students will explore themes such as kindness, generosity, redemption, social responsibility, family, and the importance of compassion. Through close reading, guided discussion, and literary analysis, students will examine characterization, symbolism, setting, narrative structure, and Dickens’s use of the supernatural to communicate social and moral ideas. Writing activities will include reflective responses, character analysis, theme-based writing, and evidence-based literary essays. The course strengthens reading comprehension, critical thinking, and expressive writing while helping students appreciate how classic literature can address both personal growth and broader social issues.
英语
经典英文阅读《The Underground Railroad》
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead is a powerful historical novel that reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual underground railway system. The story follows Cora, an enslaved young woman who escapes from a plantation in Georgia with Caesar and begins a dangerous journey toward freedom. As Cora travels through different states, she encounters people and communities shaped by slavery, racism, violence, and resistance, forcing her to confront both the cruelty of the past and the difficult meaning of freedom.
In this course, students will explore themes such as freedom, courage, identity, racism, injustice, and resistance. Through close reading, guided discussion, and literary analysis, students will examine historical context, symbolism, characterization, narrative structure, and the ways fiction can reinterpret real historical events. Writing activities will include reflective responses, historical connections, character analysis, and evidence-based literary essays. The course strengthens reading comprehension, critical thinking, and analytical writing while encouraging students to engage thoughtfully with American history and complex questions of justice and human rights
英语
经典英文阅读《The Graveyard Book》
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is a captivating fantasy novel that blends mystery, adventure, and coming-of-age themes. The story follows Nobody “Bod” Owens, a young boy who is adopted and raised by the ghosts and supernatural beings living in a graveyard after his family is tragically killed. As Bod grows up, he learns about the strange world around him while gradually discovering the dangers that still threaten him beyond the graveyard.
In this course, students will explore themes such as identity, family, courage, friendship, growing up, and the meaning of belonging. Through close reading, guided discussion, and literary analysis, students will examine characterization, symbolism, setting, narrative structure, and the ways fantasy can explore real-life experiences and emotions. Writing activities will include reflective responses, character analysis, thematic writing, and creative extensions. The course strengthens reading comprehension, critical thinking, and expressive writing while encouraging students to explore how stories can use imaginative worlds to examine universal questions about life, death, and growing up.
英语
经典英文阅读《The Old Man and the Sea》
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway is a timeless literary classic that tells the story of Santiago, an aging Cuban fisherman who sets out alone on a remarkable journey to catch a giant marlin after enduring a long streak of bad luck. As he struggles against the sea, the fish, and his own physical limits, Santiago demonstrates extraordinary perseverance, dignity, and courage, revealing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
In this course, students will explore themes such as perseverance, courage, dignity, hope, and humanity’s relationship with nature. Through close reading, guided discussion, and literary analysis, students will examine symbolism, characterization, Hemingway’s concise writing style, and the novella’s deeper philosophical meanings. Writing activities will include reflective responses, literary analysis, thematic essays, and evidence-based writing. The course strengthens reading comprehension, analytical thinking, and academic writing while introducing students to one of the most influential works of twentieth-century American literature.
英语
经典英文阅读《A Midsummer Night’s Dream》
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, blending romance, magic, and humor in a whimsical forest where the worlds of humans and fairies collide. The play follows four young lovers, a mischievous fairy named Puck, and a group of amateur actors whose lives become hilariously entangled through magical misunderstandings. As the characters navigate love, jealousy, and illusion, they ultimately discover forgiveness, reconciliation, and the unpredictable nature of the human heart.
In this course, students will explore themes such as love, identity, imagination, appearance versus reality, and the power of transformation. Through close reading, guided discussion, and literary analysis, students will examine Shakespeare’s language, dramatic structure, characterization, symbolism, and comedic techniques. Writing activities will include scene analysis, character reflections, literary interpretation, and creative adaptations of key scenes. The course strengthens reading comprehension, analytical thinking, and academic writing while helping students develop confidence in reading Shakespeare through engaging and accessible instruction.
英语
经典英文阅读《The Grapes of Wrath》
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is a landmark American novel that portrays the struggles of the Joad family during the Great Depression. Forced to leave their home in Oklahoma because of economic hardship and environmental disaster, the family travels west to California in search of work and a better future. Along the journey, they encounter poverty, injustice, exploitation, and the challenges of maintaining hope and dignity in difficult circumstances.
In this course, students will explore themes such as resilience, social injustice, family, migration, poverty, and the American Dream. Through close reading, guided discussion, and literary analysis, students will examine symbolism, historical context, characterization, and Steinbeck’s use of realistic storytelling. Writing activities will include analytical essays, thematic reflections, historical connections, and evidence-based discussion responses. The course strengthens critical reading, analytical writing, and interpretive thinking while helping students engage deeply with an important work of American literature.
