Online English (ELA) Courses2022-06-13T15:28:37-05:00

Online Enrichment for
English Language Arts (ELA)

Review course conceptsWork practice questionsTake practice testsGet better grades!

Reasonably priced from $89

Practice grade-specific reading passages for free;
no credit card required!

ELA 5, ELA 6, ELA 7, ELA 8
ELA 9, ELA 11

English Enrichment Enabled by Innovative Platform Features 

Piqosity’s Affordable Pricing For Reading and Writing Enrichment

The Piqosity Advantage

How to Use Piqosity’s ELA Courses

Our proven skills building methodology for the last 18+ years.

success cycle

For high achieving students, Piqosity’s English courses are an excellent supplement to in-school instruction; students can easily spend an hour or more reinforcing their skills and even getting ahead. Precocious students can select above grade-level courses. For example, a 4th grade student might select our ELA 5 course or a 7th grade student might select our high school ELA 9 course; there’s no limit to how quickly students can progress!

Piqosity’s English courses are excellent resources to help remediate less than stellar grades. Whether your student realizes they need extra help in the 1st quarter or the 4th quarter, Piqosity can help students catch up to their peers and even get ahead. Note that early intervention is especially important for reading as it’s a cumulative skill heavily influenced by continuous practice.

If your student is applying to a new private school or getting ready for college admissions, there’s a good chance they’ll have to take the ISEE for private school admissions or the ACT and SAT for college admissions. Piqosity’s English courses are an excellent supplement to ensure your student is proficient in the tested reading and writing concepts on these popular tests. We even offer test-specific bundles at significant savings.

Regardless of what your child’s specific goal is, the broader quest is always to ensure they simply have a strong command of grade-level reading and writing concepts. Piqosity’s Improvement Cycle for students applies:

  1. Take a practice test to understand current strengths and weaknesses
  2. Use the analysis from that test to develop an improvement roadmap
  3. Internalize that plan by discussing with a peer, parent, or tutor
  4. Practice, practice, practice until you can teach the concept yourself
  5. Repeat until you’ve achieved your desired score

ELA Curriculum

Aligned to Common Core and Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills

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Complementary Courses

Math

Bundle with our grade-specific English (ELA) course for practice with 100+ reading passages.

ISEE

Bundle your English course with test prep for the ISEE for unrivaled amounts of practice for the private school admissions test.

ACT

Bundle an English course for extra practice with test prep for the ACT college admissions test.

SAT

Bundle an English course for extra practice with test prep for the SAT college admissions test.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Piqosity’s Digital SAT Course Free?2024-03-09T12:03:38-06:00

Piqosity’s new Digital SAT course is currently free through May 31, 2024. We are confident in the quality of our content but not all of it is available. Therefore, access is free because this course is still in development:

  1. Not all 12 full-length tests are available. While we intend to offer 12 digital SAT practice tests plus 2 PSAT tests, we are rolling them out sequentially between February and March, 2024.
  2. Instructional lessons are not yet uploaded. Our content team is in the process of adapting paper SAT lessons plus writing entirely new lessons and videos. These how-to guides will be uploaded beginning in March.
  3. The questions are not normed. Piqosity is unique among e-learning platforms in that every question on our platform is continuously peer-normed for difficulty. However, given the newness of the DSAT content, we don’t yet have that data. For this reason, you’ll also notice that our full-length tests are not currently numbered 1-12. Instead they have unique names like “Baker” or “Sid Rich” so that we can shuffle the order around in order to encourage more usage of certain tests during the free, development period.
How do I use Piqosity to improve my child’s reading and writing skills?2022-09-19T16:17:15-05:00

We designed Piqosity’s English Language Arts (ELA) courses to be used in-school as part of the core curriculum or after-school for enrichment. Compared to a classroom or learning center environment, Piqosity essentially offers multiple books in a more personalized, digital format:

  1. Writing Handbook
  2. Reading Manual
  3. Anthology of Reading Passages
  4. Classic Novels

Piqosity’s ELA courses contain more than 40 hours of material for the average student. During a typical 1-hour study sessions, most students will read 2-3 reading passages from the Anthology or 1 chapter from a novel and work the accompany questions.

Reference our Quick Start guide for more tips and step-by-step directions

How do Piqosity’s math and ELA courses align with my child’s curriculum?2021-11-10T17:12:21-06:00

Our content is aligned to both Common Core and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Where applicable, we and our partners write content in accordance with our experience and the specifications set forth by the test makers (i.e. ACT, College Board, and ERB).

How do I know my child is making progress in Piqosity’s ELA and math courses?2021-11-10T17:12:13-06:00

The dashboard for each course puts your student’s progress front and center, with easy-to-read “donuts” displaying their current score (out of 100) across the course as well as within each unit or topic that the course covers. For a more granular look at your student’s accuracy, refer to the Course Outline on the dashboard or visit the Lessons page; these tools display your student’s accuracy when it comes to individual concepts. If your student completed one of Piqosity’s diagnostic assessments upon getting started with the course, you can also compare their diagnostic scores with their current performance to get a sense of how they are progressing.

Should I take an online class?2021-11-10T17:08:56-06:00

Piqosity’s online classes are suitable for many different types of self-directed learners. Whether you’re a student looking for additional \ enrichment and test prep outside of the classes or are simply looking for a little remediation, Piqosity’s courses provide you with the tools and resources you need to meet your goals.

However, online learning is not for everyone. Students who struggle to focus on the computer may find that classroom learning is better suited to their needs.

How do Piqosity’s online classes work?2021-11-10T17:08:49-06:00

As always, it’s free to sign up with Piqosity’s Community Plan, which provides you with limited access to premium content. The paid plan unlocks all of Piqosity’s key innovative platform features, including:

  • Instructional lessons with multiple variations including videos
  • Adaptive practice including the option for gamification
  • Student analytics and strengths and weakness diagnostics
  • Answer explanations from both the original author and third-party educators
  • Printable PDF practice tests and question sets
  • Timers with settings for time and a half and double time
  • Online test taking tools like whiteboard, question scratch throughs, and flagging

Register now to get started!

Do Piqosity’s classes come with tutoring hours?2021-11-10T17:07:58-06:00

Piqosity does not provide tutorial services. However, we do partner with independent, third-party educators across the world. Some of our course packages include a consultation or tutorial session with these tutors and teachers.

Can I use Piqosity’s courses to teach a class or tutor?2021-11-10T17:07:41-06:00

Yes! We built Piqosity not only to be user friendly for parents and students at home but also for the advanced needs of tutors and teachers. Key features for educators include:

  • Student management including the ability to see everything the student sees
  • Automatic scoring and analysis of all student work
  • Assignments with due dates
  • Custom Branding (tutoring companies and schools)

The biggest features for educators are still yet to come. Beginning this fall we will open up our platform to enable any qualified educator to upload their own instructional content to Piqosity. This means that educators will be able to create their own lessons and questions. They will be able to share this content with all users or just with their own students.We are actively looking for educators and publishers to contribute to our platform. Please contact us for more information.

Who creates Piqosity’s courses?2021-11-10T17:07:33-06:00

Our content is partly written in-house and partly by third party publishers including tutors and teachers. Our in-house team has more than 15 years of experience helping thousands of students achieve their potential at our home base in Houston and around the world.

Our content is aligned to both Common Core and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). We and our partners also write content in accordance with our experience and the specifications set forth by the test makers (i.e. ACT, College Board, and ERB).

Is there a time limit to complete my Piqosity online course?2021-11-10T17:06:58-06:00

All courses are available for a full 365 days after the date of purchase. 

Do I receive a certificate of completion or course credit for a Piqosity course?2021-11-10T17:06:50-06:00

Piqosity is not an accredited institution and does not offer course credit. We do not currently offer certificates of completion at this time, but are working towards doing so in the near future.

Can I print Piqosity’s course materials?2021-11-10T17:06:21-06:00

Yes! Every practice set on Piqosity, including adaptive questions and full-length tests, can be downloaded as a PDF file for easy printing.

Where do I go for technical assistance or customer support?2021-11-10T17:02:48-06:00

Piqosity works hard to make our platform as straightforward and easy-to-navigate as possible. If you are experiencing issues, please visit our support center for immediate answers to most questions, including how-to guides for students and educators, as well as a list of known technical issues. You can also contact us via support ticket any time or call us at +1 713-234-6098 within business hours.

Do Piqosity’s math and ELA courses last a full school year?2021-11-10T17:01:35-06:00

Currently, all of our Math and ELA courses are estimated to take around 40 hours to complete. School is in session for roughly 35 weeks out of the year; assuming a student works roughly 1 hour per week, your Piqosity math course will take the average student a full academic year to complete. Students using Piqosity to remediate or prepare for a standardized test such as the ISEE Lower Level, will likely have to compress this timeline.

Will Piqosity’s courses help my child if they are falling behind in school?2021-11-10T17:00:25-06:00

Yes! Piqosity’s courses are designed to meet your student where they are, and they can be used for both enrichment and remediation. Your child can use Piqosity’s lessons and practice materials to review and reinforce the concepts they are struggling with in class. If they aren’t sure where to start, they can take a diagnostic test to help them understand where their weaknesses lie, or they can use the Piqosity Virtual Tutor to progress through the Course Outline from start to finish.

At what age can my child take Piqosity’s 8th grade ELA course?2021-11-10T16:14:30-06:00

Children entering the 8th grade are typically around 13 or 14 years old, and our course is ideal for students at that age. However, Piqosity’s courses can be used in a variety of ways. If you have a younger child looking for a challenge, an 11 or 12-year-old could take our course of enrichment purposes. Meanwhile, an older 14-year-old or a 15-year-old who needs to review previously learned concepts could use our course for remediation purposes.

You can learn more about how to effectively use our ELA courses for a variety of scenarios in our helpful user guide.

What should my 8th grader be reading?2021-11-10T16:13:01-06:00

At this point, the world of literature has really opened up for your child. Depending on their skill level, your 8th grader may be comfortable reading everything from more advanced books in the “middle grades” section, to Young Adult novels, to certain classics (Frankenstein, The Count of Monte Cristo, the Lord of the Ring trilogy, etc.). There are endless numbers of book lists online, but for parents, the important thing to keep in mind is to let their children pursue the type of literature that most engages and intrigues them; that’s the best way to encourage a life-long love of reading.

How can I help my 8th grader with ELA?2021-11-10T16:12:02-06:00

Parents of 8th graders may struggle to know exactly how to help their child improve their ELA skills. We are frequently asked questions such as “How do I improve my 8th grader’s reading and writing skills?” or “How do I improve my 8th grader’s vocabulary?” 

Now that your child is older, it is best to encourage the development of your child’s ELA skills via more independent means. For example, if your child likes to write, encourage them to keep a diary (with a promise that you won’t read it) or pursue their own writing projects. To develop their critical thinking skills, try to maintain an open dialogue about your teens opinions regarding what their reading, watching, or seeing in the news. Check in with your child to see if they need help maintaining a healthy homework schedule. And finally, continue to maintain a culture of reading within your home; take visits to the library or bookstore and encourage reading together as a family activity. 

If you desire more structured ELA practice, consider using Piqosity’s 8th grade ELA course. 

What is the curriculum for 8th grade ELA?2021-11-10T16:10:53-06:00

ELA teachers expect 8th graders to be able to perform a variety of more advanced tasks related to reading, writing, grammar, and speaking. Among other things, your 8th grader should be able to: 

  • Read full-length texts, including complex novels and nonfiction texts. 
  • Efficiently find main ideas, summarize a text, synthesize information from more than one source, and compare and contrast more than one text. 
  • Be able to identify and discuss tone, mood, point of view, symbolism, figurative language, and other narrative elements. 
  • Maintain consistent subject-verb agreement and use complex punctuation correctly, including quotation marks, commas, ellipses, and dashes. 
  • Use both context and Greek and Latin roots to identify unfamiliar words.
  • Research, draft, write, edit, and provide sources for a variety of writing projects, including narratives, essays, presentations and reports, poems, cover letters, emails. and more. 
  • Show proficiency in typing and using online collaborative software, including the Microsoft and Google suite of tools. 
At what age can my child take Piqosity’s 5th grade ELA course?2021-11-10T16:09:51-06:00

Children entering the 5th grade are typically around 10 or 11 years old, and our course is ideal for students at that age. However, Piqosity’s courses can be used in a variety of ways. If you have a younger child looking for a challenge, an 8 or 9-year-old could take our course of enrichment purposes. Meanwhile, an older 11-year old or a 12-year-old who needs to review previously learned concepts could use our ELA course for remediation purposes.

You can learn more about how to effectively use our ELA courses for a variety of scenarios in our helpful user guide.

What should my 5th grader be reading?2021-11-10T16:06:18-06:00

The answer to this question is highly dependent on your child’s reading level, habits, and interests. In general, your child should be comfortable reading a variety of text types, including more complex chapter books. However, we strongly recommend encouraging your child to pursue their own reading subject material. Visit your local library or bookstore and let them pick out age-appropriate books in the “middle grades” section. Don’t forget that your child may also be interested in graphic novels and poetry.

How can I help my 5th grader with ELA?2021-11-10T16:00:36-06:00

Parents of 5th graders may struggle to know exactly how to help their child improve their ELA skills. We are frequently asked questions such as “How do I improve my 5th grader’s reading and writing skills?” or “How do I improve my 5th grader’s vocabulary?” 

One of the best things you can do for your 5th grader’s reading, writing, and vocabulary skills is to encourage them to read outside of the classroom. To do this, we recommend helping them to find books related to their interests and involving your child in your local literary community (think bookstores, libraries, book clubs, and theatres). Try to establish a culture of reading within your home by reading together.

If you desire more structured ELA practice, consider using Piqosity’s 5th grade ELA course.

What is the curriculum for 5th grade ELA?2021-11-10T15:43:29-06:00

ELA teachers expect 5th graders to be able to perform a variety of tasks related to reading, writing, grammar, and speaking. Among other things, your 5th grader should be able to:

  • Read and understand a variety of text types, including longer chapter books and non-fiction materials.
  • Find main ideas, summarize a text, synthesize information from more than one source, and compare and contrast more than one text.
  • Write basic structured paragraphs and sentences for a variety of purposes, including simple reports, persuasive essays, and narratives, etc.
  • Use basic punctuation and capitalization correctly.
  • Understand and be able to identify a variety of grammar elements, including synonyms, antonyms, and conjunctions, as well as use different verb tenses correctly.
  • Use context clues to identify unfamiliar words.
  • Research information using the internet and books.
What is Piqosity?2021-10-08T13:46:32-05:00

Piqosity means to pique curiosity. We are a Houston-based education technology startup on a mission to rethink education. One product launch at a time, we are on a journey to democratize education publishing, personalize student learning, and empower future generations to tackle the greatest challenges. Our team has more than 18 years of tutoring and test prep experience since we first helped our first student out of a Rice University dorm room in 2003. Click here to learn more about our company.

Does Piqosity offer tutoring?2021-10-08T13:43:30-05:00

No, as an education-technology company, Piqosity does not directly provide tutorial services. However, we do partner with independent, third-party educators across the world. Some of our course packages include a consultation or tutorial session with these tutors and teachers.

Can I cancel at anytime?2021-09-08T10:32:40-05:00

If you upgrade from the free Community plan, your credit card will only be charged the one time with no recurring fees. All paid plans are currently valid for 365 days from the date of activation. No credit card is required to initially register for Piqosity’s free Community plan.

Can I try before I buy?2021-09-08T10:29:52-05:00

Yes! All of our courses include a free “Community” plan with limited access to premium content like mini diagnostic tests. No credit card is required to register. If you decide that you want access to more premium content, simply upgrade your plan. Upgraded course plans are single-pay, non-recurring, and provide access for 365-days from the date of purchase.

Who writes your content?2018-12-20T11:14:05-06:00

Our content is partly written in-house and partly by third party publishers including tutors and teachers. Our in-house team has more than 15 years of experience helping thousands of students achieve their potential in Houston (where we’re based) and around the world.

We and our partners write content in accordance with our experience and the specifications set forth by the test makers (i.e. ACT, College Board, and ERB). To avoid mismanaging expectations, our material is meant to be challenging while still matching the tested topics and question types.

What if I need paper tests?2018-07-24T10:50:17-05:00

Every practice set on Piqosity, including adaptive questions and full-length mock tests, can be downloaded as a PDF file for easy printing.

I’m an educator or publisher; can I publish with Piqosity?2017-03-09T14:13:20-06:00

Yes! We are actively looking for educators and publishers to contribute to our platform. Please contact us for more information.

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