Royal Fireworks Online Learning is excited to bring Michael Clay Thompson’s distinctive approach to language arts to young learners in a new eight-session course. Based on MCT’s Poodle Knows What?, the course introduces students ages 5–8 to grammar, vocabulary, reading, and the structure of language through an engaging story and guided conversation.

Our newest instructor, Joan Benham, is an experienced language educator, literacy instructor, and professional editor, with a career spanning education, publishing, and translation. She has taught English as a second language, provided reading instruction to children, and worked professionally as an editor of fiction and nonfiction and as a literary translator from Italian into English. Joan brings her extensive experience with language, literature, and the written word to her work with young learners.

Introductory Language Arts for Young Children
Instructor: Joan Benham
Student Ages: 5–8
Class Meetings: Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Dates: September 16 – November 4, 2026
Cost: $240

Course Highlights:
– Follow three animal friends through the whimsical narrative of Michael’s Poodle Knows What?.
– Learn the eight parts of speech, an essential foundation of the MCT language arts approach.
– Explore vocabulary, rhymes, letter shapes, and sounds.
– Talk about characters, plot, and the experience of reading.
– Practice identifying the parts of speech through guided exercises.
– Develop the habit of thinking and talking about how language works.

This course offers a playful but intellectually serious introduction to the MCT approach, giving young learners an early experience with the kind of thoughtful study that makes the MCT language arts curriculum extraordinary.

Enrollment for this course is limited, so register now to secure your child’s spot!

Installment Pay Option: We offer installment payment plans at no additional cost. For more information and to enroll, visit the Online Learning page.

As always, if you have questions or need assistance in selecting a course, feel free to call us at (845) 726-4444. We’re here to help! Our phone lines are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Happy learning!
The Royal Fireworks Team