11th Grade English and Literature Semester 2 FLEX

Juniors in High School are either preparing for college or preparing for a career in the real world. In this class, we're going to cover grammar concurrent with reading literature and writing. This class will focus on reading and examining non-fiction texts alongside fictional stories. Content for the week will be posted on Mondays.

My teaching style is very conversational, but structured. My goal is to make the class as interactive as possible but cover the necessary topics. The discussion will be a big part of the class, and all students will be encouraged, but not required to participate.

Students will read “Hamlet”, by Shakespeare. They will also read the short story, "The Signal Man," by Charles Dickens, and the novella, “The Turn of the Screw”, by Henry James. Students will write an expository essay, argumentative essay, and literary analysis.

This class utilizes Google Docs to provide accountability, and also to encourage students to complete each step of the essay writing process. For each essay, students receive a Google Doc to complete class activities and essays. This allows for real-time updates on revisions, edits, and feedback. It also allows guardians to check on student progress in real-time. Students will receive in-depth feedback on all essays.

At the end of the semester, students will receive a portfolio of the exercises, rough drafts, feedback, and final drafts for their records. Formal grades will be given upon request.

Week 1:
Teacher video- Who was Shakespeare?
Introduce Hamlet
Class post discussion- What is stoicism?
HOMEWORK: Read Act I of Hamlet

Week 2:
Class post discussion on reading - Compare and contrast Hamlet and Laertes, find themes, etc...
Teacher video - What are the characteristics of a tragedy? 
Review the reading
HOMEWORK:  Read Act II

Week 3:
Class post discussion - Identify characteristics of the different characters and evidence that provides support
Class post activity - Shakespearean text message - Turn a portion of the play into a text conversation
Teacher video - Review of Act II and discussion of themes
HOMEWORK: Read Act III

Week 4:
Class post discussion - Discuss Act III
Class post activity - Character analysis of Ophelia
Is Hamlet mad or a great actor?
Teacher video - Review Act III and discuss important themes and questions
HOMEWORK: Read Act IV

Week 5:
Class post discussion - Discuss Act IV
Teacher video - What is the impact of culture on the events in the play?
Classroom post discussion - Discuss the changes in the characters 
Make predictions about the rest of the play
HOMEWORK: Read Act V

Week 6:
Class post discussion - Discuss Act III
Teacher video
What is an expository essay? 
Types of expository essays
Class post Activity - Brainstorm ideas for expository essays
HOMEWORK: Choose a topic and write the rough draft of an expository essay

Week 7:
Teacher video - What's the difference between revising and editing?
Class discussion - What things do you struggle with when it comes to essay writing?
Class post Activity - Work on revising and editing 
HOMEWORK: Write the final draft of your essay. Read "The Signal-Man," by Charles Dickens.

Week 8:
Class post discussion - Discuss the reading
How is this story different from Charles Dickens other books?
Teacher video -
Who is Charles Dickens?
Explore the historical connection of the book - Tragedy
HOMEWORK: Read the first half of "The Turn of the Screw," by Henry James. Turn in the final draft of the expository essay.

Week 9:
Class post discussion - Discuss the reading; discuss themes and literary devices from the story
Teacher video -
Who was Henry James?
Explore the historical connection of the book - America/England in 1885-1915
Discuss theme and literary devices
HOMEWORK: Finish reading "The Turn of the Screw."

Week 10:
Class post discussion - Discuss the reading
Teacher video - What is a literary analysis?
How  to find textual evidence to support the thesis
Classroom post - Example literary analysis 
HOMEWORK: Choose a literary analysis topic. Find evidence to support the claim.

Week 11:
Classroom discussion - What are you struggling with when it comes to literary analyses?
Teacher video-
How to write a summary
How to write an A+ introduction  
MLA format
HOMEWORK: Write the outline and rough draft of the literary analysis.

Week 12:
Class post activity - Practice exercises for MLA format
Teacher video -
Introduce the argumentative essay
What is the difference between primary and secondary sources?
How to find a good, unique topic
HOMEWORK: Choose a topic and do research

Week 13:
Class post discussion - What is your topic? Why did you choose that topic?
Teacher video-
How to do citations
How to develop both sides of the argument
Dissect a BAD argumentative essay (not a student essay)
Classroom post - Example argumentative essay
HOMEWORK: Write the rough draft of the argumentative essay

Week 14:
Classroom post discussion - What are you struggling with on your essay?
Teacher video - Review revising and editing
Revise and edit an argumentative essay in class
Classroom activity post - Practice revising and editing an essay
HOMEWORK: Finish your argumentative essay

Week 15:
Teacher video - 
Reading comprehension skills
Work through a text 
Classroom activity post - Read through a text and respond to questions
HOMEWORK: Read a text and answer questions