Ms. Allison
Ms.Allison specializes in English, writing, reading, vocabulary, and test prep (SAT, TOEFL). She also teaches elementary science, social studies, college counseling, and career development, with a strong background in Anthropology and Sociology.
With years of experience and a deep understanding of Common Core standards, she helps students build confidence, improve academic performance, and prepare for college success.
Supportive, versatile, and results-driven—she’s the teacher every learner needs.
About Me
About Ms. Allison, Ph.D. Candidate
Allison Berger is an experienced educator with a passion for supporting students of all
ages as they grow in confidence and skill. She is a certified teacher in both Florida and
Pennsylvania, with qualifications in K–6 elementary education, 5–9 social sciences, and
K–12 English Language Learner (ELL) instruction.
Allison holds a Bachelor degree in Anthropology and Sociology from Lafayette
College, a Master’s in Organization Development and Change from Penn State
University, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Higher Education at West Virginia
University. She has taught students from kindergarten through graduate school,
including elementary and middle school subjects, high school social sciences, and
writing and research at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
In addition to her K–12 teaching experience, Allison has worked extensively in higher
education advising, admissions, and student success. She brings years of experience
helping students craft strong college applications, personal statements, and
scholarship essays, and loves guiding them through the process with clarity and
encouragement.
Allison brings a warm, student-centered approach to every class and is particularly
skilled in making academic writing, literacy, and enrichment accessible, engaging, and
confidence-building for learners at every level.
K–12 Reading and Writing Curriculum
Our leveled Reading & Writing Curriculum offers students in grades K–12 a structured and engaging journey through classic literature and thoughtful writing. Each course is built around an award-winning, age-appropriate book and integrates both analytical and creative writing assignments to develop students' reading comprehension, expression, and critical thinking.
The program runs for 10 weeks per level, with weekly 1–1.5 hour live online sessions. From illustrated mini-books in early grades to analytical essays and historical reflections in high school, students produce meaningful final projects that reflect both their learning and imagination.
Whether you're seeking summer enrichment or long-term language growth, this curriculum offers a powerful foundation in English Language Arts—one story at a time.
FOUNDATIONS (Grades K–1)
Book: A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead – Caldecott Medal A gentle, character-driven story about kindness and friendship.
Writing Activities:
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Draw and label characters
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Dictate or write a thank-you card from an animal to Amos
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Create your own animal friend story
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Final: Make a mini-book with pictures and one sentence per page
ESSENTIALS (Grades 2–3)
Book: The Year of Billy Miller – Kevin Henkes (2013) – Newbery Honor
Follows Billy through a full school year as he learns valuable lessons about friendship,
family, and effort.
Writing Activities:
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Write a short summary of a chapter, identifying the main idea
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Compare two characters using evidence from the text
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Write a personal narrative inspired by a moment in the story
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Final: Develop a structured personal essay with an introduction, body, and
conclusion
PRINCIPLES
(Grades 4–5)
Book: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg –Newbery Medal Two kids run away to live in a museum and solve an art mystery.
Writing Activities:
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Persuasive note convincing a friend to run away
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Create a new museum exhibit
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Rewrite a chapter from another character's view
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Final: Write your own short mystery set in a public place
SCHOLARS (Grades 5–6)
Book: The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg – Newbery Medal
Four students connect in unexpected ways through teamwork and kindness.
Writing Activities:
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Write a biography of a character
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Describe a real act of kindness in your life
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Invent a trivia question game based on the book
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Final: Essay – "What does this story teach us about belonging?"
THINKERS
(Grades 7–8)
Book: Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray – Newbery Medal
A medieval boy searches for his father and dog across England.
Writing Activities:
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Journal entries from Adam’s travels
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Map his journey and describe each stop
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Write a medieval riddle or ballad
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Final: Write a short story with a quest-style plot
RESEARCHERS (Grades 8–9)
Book: The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle – Classic Mystery
Holmes investigates a mysterious death on the eerie English moors.
Writing Activities:
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Track clues and red herrings
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Create a suspect board
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Write a journal entry from Watson’s POV
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Final: Write your own Sherlock-style mystery
ACADEMICS
(Grades 9–10)
Book: Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith – Newbery Medal
A young Union soldier faces moral choices and spy missions during the Civil War.
Writing Activities:
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Letter from a soldier to family
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Compare real and fictional figures
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Research presentation on Civil War era
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Final: Argument essay – "What makes a good leader?
PRE-COLLEGIATES (Grades 11–12)
Option A: Mystery Track
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Ten strangers on an island must face justice for their pasts in this twisty classic mystery.
Option B: History Track Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham – Newbery Medal
The inspiring life of Nathaniel Bowditch, a self-taught navigator who changedseatravel.
Thematic Unit Classes
Our Thematic Unit Classes offer engaging, project-based learning experiences for students in grades K–8. Each 5–6 week session is built around a fun, meaningful theme—such as Dinosaur Explorers, Space Adventures, or Mystery Detectives—and integrates reading, writing, science, math, and cross-curricular skills.
Through hands-on projects and creative challenges, students build foundational academic skills while fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity. All content is values-aligned and developmentally appropriate.
Each course concludes with a final project that allows students to apply what they’ve learned and share their unique perspectives. These classes are designed to help students not only learn—but love learning.
Dinosaur Explorers (Grades K–2)
A fun, cross-curricular adventure featuring weekly lessons on reading, writing, math,
and science through the world of dinosaurs.
Final Project: “ Dino Explorer Journal”; with labeled drawings and fact writing
Space Adventures (Grades 1–3)
Explore the solar system while building early literacy and science skills. Includes
creative writing, planet facts, and space math.
Final Project: Create and present a travel guide to a planet
Weather Watchers (Grades 2–4)
Learn how weather works with reading, writing, science, and data collection. Track
forecasts, write weather reports, and create cloud charts.
Final Project: Personalized weather journal with predictions and reflections
Mystery Detectives (Grades 4–6)
A character-driven unit combining logic, reading comprehension, and storytelling.
Includes decoding clues, writing mysteries, and solving puzzles.
Final Project: Write and share your own mystery short story