6th to 7th Grade: Ongoing Reading Course; Literature for Middle School (10 - 13)
Weekly Short Stories for ELA & English Language Arts: Spring, Summer, and Fall Semesters; A supplemental #academic, reading comprehension, and analysis class that builds confidence; I'll present a valuable blend of genres, critical thinking skills, and short answer prompts.
Marisa Hammond Olivares; (GT, ELA, ESL, ELL, SPED)
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(307)
Star Educator
What's included
1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
As this is an ongoing class format, all work will be initiated and completed in class. Some writing may spill-over the designated class time. Students will be encouraged to complete any pending assignments and submit them through the Outschool Classroom.Assessment
Informal & Formative assessments are a natural part of my interactive teaching style.Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 7
This class is best suited for 6th and 7th-grade students. ~ SMALL GROUP ~ This allows me to work closely with each student to evaluate students' learning strengths, locate gaps in their reading development, and tailor lessons focused on specific learning objectives. Ongoing Format This is an ELA supplemental course in an Ongoing format. This provides an easier payment option through weekly installments. Plus, this format eliminates the fear of a long-term commitment for parents and students. You may drop in and out as needed. However, be aware that seats cannot be held and are on a first-come, first-serve basis. About me - ~ I have taught English Language Arts in middle school for 17 years. ~ I am ELA certified for grades 4th through 8th. ~ I am certified as a generalist in Early Childhood - 4th Grade. ~ I am certified in ESL for grades Early Childhood - 12th Grade. ~ I am certified in Special Education for grades Early Childhood - 12th Grade. LEARNING SESSIONS Students will experience a combination of direct instruction, note-taking, discussion, Socratic seminars, reading, writing, vocabulary, and the application of skills. Students can expect independent and group interactions with the teacher and classmates. Please note, that the writing in this course is in the form of guided literary responses (short answers/paragraphs). ***This is not a formal writing course with explicit writing and grammar instruction.*** INTERACTIVES Although everything is funneled through the Outschool Classroom, on occasion, I might use one of the following platforms for interactive activities and guidance: Google Slides, Kahoot! and Padlet. Week of September 6th: Perseverance ~ Literary Devices; Main idea and Theme ~ Introduction to the author and the passage; identify vocabulary, apply test-taking strategies, and begin reading. ~ Reading, annotation, and discussion; includes reading comprehension questions and literary response. Week of September 12th: Credibility ~ Fact, Opinion, and Hyperbole ~ Introduction to the author and the passage; identify vocabulary, apply test-taking strategies, and begin reading ~ Reading, annotation, and discussion; includes reading comprehension questions and literary response. Week of September 19th: ~ Plot, Conflict, and Conflict Resolution ~ Introduction to the author and the passage; identify vocabulary, apply test-taking strategies, and begin reading. ~ Reading, annotation, and discussion; includes reading comprehension questions and literary response. Week of September 26th: ~ Characterization and Motivation ~ Introduction to the author and the passage; identify vocabulary, apply test-taking strategies, and begin reading. ~ Reading, annotation, and discussion; includes reading comprehension questions and literary response. Week of October 3rd: ~ Imagery and Setting ~ Introduction to the author and the passage; identify vocabulary, apply test-taking strategies, and begin reading. ~ Reading, annotation, and discussion; includes reading comprehension questions and literary response. ******************************** Mid-Fall Break No Classes the Week of October 10th ******************************** Week of October 17th: ~ Inferences and Context Clues ~ Introduction to the author and the passage; identify vocabulary, apply test-taking strategies, and begin reading. ~ Reading, annotation, and discussion; includes reading comprehension questions and literary response. Week of October 24th: ~ Figurative Language; similes, metaphors, and imagery ~ Introduction to the author and the passage; identify vocabulary, apply test-taking strategies, and begin reading. ~ Reading, annotation, and discussion; includes reading comprehension questions and literary response. Week of October 31st: ~ Figurative Language; personification, symbolism, and motifs ~ Introduction to the author and the passage; identify vocabulary, apply test-taking strategies, and begin reading. ~ Reading, annotation, and discussion; includes reading comprehension questions and literary response. Week of November 7th ~ Introduction to the author and the passage; identify vocabulary, apply test-taking strategies, and begin reading. ~ Reading, annotation, and discussion; includes reading comprehension questions and literary response. Week of November 14th ~ Tone and Mood ~ Introduction to the author and the passage; identify vocabulary, apply test-taking strategies, and begin reading. ~ Reading, annotation, and discussion; includes reading comprehension questions and literary response. ******************************** Holiday Break: Thanksgiving No Classes the Week of November 21st ******************************** Week of November 28th ~ Poetic Forms ~ Introduction to the author and the passage; identify vocabulary, apply test-taking strategies, and begin reading. ~ Reading, annotation, and discussion; includes reading comprehension questions and literary response. Week of December 5th ~ Rhetoric; Ethos, Pathos, and Logos ~ Introduction to the author and the passage; identify vocabulary, apply test-taking strategies, and begin reading. ~ Reading, annotation, and discussion; includes reading comprehension questions and literary response. Week of December 12th ~ Topics, Claims, and Thesis Statements ~ Introduction to the author and the passage; identify vocabulary, apply test-taking strategies, and begin reading. ~ Reading, annotation, and discussion; includes reading comprehension questions and literary response. Week of December 19th ~ Argument and Persuasion ~ Introduction to the author and the passage; identify vocabulary, apply test-taking strategies, and begin reading. ~ Reading, annotation, and discussion; includes reading comprehension questions and literary response. ~ End of Fall semester; my last Fall class will be on Friday, December 23rd Week of January 10th ~ The Jacket by Gary Soto (memoir) Week of January 17th ~ Down The Rabbit Hole by Lewis Carroll (fiction - fantasy) ~ Alternate: Inside Out Week of January 24th ~ Thank You, M'am by Langston Hughes ~ Alternate: Mother to Son by Langston Hughes (poem) Week of January 31st ~ Dreams and Harlem by Langston Hughes (poem) Week of February 7th - ~ Saturday at the Canal by Gary Soto (poem) Week of February 14th ~ The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Shakur (poem) ~ Identity by Julio Noboa (poem) ~~~~~~~~~~ Spring Break #1 No classes the week of February 21st ~~~~~~~~~~ Week of February 28th ~ Master Jacob by Howard Pyle (fiction - short story) Week of March 7th ~ Rikki Tikki Tavi (fiction - short story) (alternate: The Griffin and the Minor Canon) Week of March 14th ~ Thumbelina (fiction - fable) Week of March 21st ~ The Blind Men and the Elephant (poem) Week of March 28th ~ Gren's Ghost (fiction - short story) Week of April 4th ~ A Man Who Had No Eyes (fiction - short story) Week of April 11th ~ Home (fiction - short story) ~~~~~~~~~~ Spring Break #2 No classes the week of April 18th ~~~~~~~~~~ Week of April 25th ~ Women Pilots; WASP and WWII (Nonfiction) Week of May 2nd ~ Fiction: Short Story Week of May 9th ~ Fiction: Short Story Week of May 16th ~ Fiction: Short Story Week of May 23rd ~ Fiction: Short Story ************************************ SUMMER TIMELINE ************************************ Week of June 5: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of June 12: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of June 18: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of June 26: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. ************************************* Important dates for July: ~ No classes in July 4th, 5th, and 6th ~ No classes the week of July 17th ************************************* Week of July 3rd (classes on the 3rd & 7th) Week of July 10th: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of July 17th: NO CLASSES THIS WEEK Week of July 24th: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of July 31st: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of August 7th: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of August 14th Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. End of Summer: ************************************ FALL TIMELINE 2023 Classes begin on Sept. 11th ************************************
Learning Goals
Improve reading analysis, develop critical thinking skills, and build confidence in responding to literary questions.
Other Details
Supply List
~ pen/pencil/paper ~ students may take notes on their own digital device
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2020
4.9
307reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
Texas Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Bachelor's Degree from Texas Woman's University
My English courses are centered around thought-provoking critical reading skills, effective writing, and verbalizing one's interpretation of a literary text. I believe in living, laughing, and learning. My learning goals are for my students to gain a greater depth of understanding far beyond the text.
My professional background:
~ I have taught English Language Arts (ELA) in the middle school setting for 16 years (Texas public schools).
~ I understand the Common Core Standards for my content area.
~ I have been an ELA Curriculum Writer in my district for over ten years.
~ I am ELA certified in the State of Texas for grades 4th through 8th.
~ I am certified as a generalist in Early Childhood - 4th Grade.
~ I am certified in ESL for grades Early Childhood - 12th Grade.
~ I am certified in Special Education for grades Early Childhood - 12th Grade.
~ In addition to education, I am an online writer for various websites. I have a background in Corporate Management, International Sales, Grant Writing, and I have worked as a Project Director for a non-profit organization.
~ I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance with a minor in English from Texas Woman's University.
My philosophy of teaching:
I believe strongly in developing independent thought, voice, and empathy. I enjoy enlightening students in the skills necessary for analyzing multiple viewpoints, building evidence-based opinions, and creating awareness toward opposing arguments. Civility and kindness are essential to me, and I encourage my students to be respectful as they develop their own opinions and counterarguments. Importantly, promoting metacognition in my students is a common approach in my teaching style. Yes, I LOVE teaching!
My family:
My daughter, Briana Olivares, is a teacher here at Outschool. She has had the gift of music since her earliest years, and she enjoys sharing this beautiful art form with her students. My son keeps us entertained and laughing. He is heartwarming, sweet, and has autism; he has taught me so much as a teacher and mother. My rock and supportive husband has been in Corporate Restaurant Management for over 32 years. Yum!
Requests for courses are welcomed!
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Communication:
Outschool is my primary occupation, and I prioritize live classes during teaching days (Monday through Saturday). While I may not respond promptly during these days, I aim to reply within 24 hours (usually sooner).
Offline Hours:
I am offline on Saturday afternoon and Sunday, although I do periodically check messages and aim to respond promptly.
Materials:
In alignment with my teaching approach, all of the related materials and optional homework lessons will be provided in a PDF at the END of each respective lesson (NOT before). My lessons are interactive, guided experiences where all necessary materials are presented and annotated during class. Additionally, all classes are recorded for students' reference.
Assignments & Feedback:
Students are responsible for completing any unfinished assignments from class. I encourage all students to send their responses for feedback through private message.Reviews
Live Group Class
$16
weekly1x per week
50 min
Completed by 185 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-13
3-6 learners per class
