8th - 9th Grade Literature; Transition to High School & Freshman English
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:(303)
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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. However, students will be encouraged to do some minor reading, writing, and research assignments beyond the scope of our class schedule. These external assignments will be geared to create interest and connections between literary themes.Assessment
Informal & Formative assessments are a natural part of my teaching style.Class Experience
US Grade 8 - 9
This class is best suited for 8th and 9th-grade students. Small-Group Instruction 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 a more manageable 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. ~ 12 months of rotating material ~ All of the related materials and optional homework lessons will be provided in a PDF at the END of each respective lesson (NOT before) What to expect for each 50-minute session: ~ I will screen share the reading material and annotate on the screen. ~ I briefly review important vocabulary from the text. ~ I will briefly review the reading comprehension questions before we read (reading & test-taking strategy). ~ I will identify any literary elements to be aware of as we read. ~ We will all take turns narrating the passage. I will encourage all of my learners to participate; however, I will accommodate the needs of anyone who does not wish to read aloud. ~ Any of the reading comprehension questions and writing prompts that were not completed during the session will become the responsibility of the learner. ***This is not a formal writing course with explicit writing and grammar instruction.*** ************************************ FALL TIMELINE 2024 My Fall classes begin on the week of Sept. 8th ************************************ Week of September 8th: Fiction/Short Story The Golden Touch by Nathaniel Hawthorne Literary Devices & Analysis; theme, imagery, text evidence, inference, and foreshadow Week of September 15th: Poetry IF by Rudyard Kipling Desiderata by unknown Literary Devices & Analysis; symbolism, theme, repetition, interpretation, tone, speaker's point of view/perspective Week of September 22nd: Fiction; Short Story The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant Literary Devices & Analysis; symbolism, theme, repetition, interpretation, tone, speaker's point of view/perspective Week of September 29th: Fiction; Short Story Story of an Hour Week of October 7th: PENDING ******************************** Mid-Fall Break No Classes the Week of October 13th ******************************** Week of October 20th: Civil War; Historical Fiction & Nonfiction Nonfiction: Understanding the Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil War Poetry: O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman Week of October 27th: Fiction; Horror & Suspense The Landlady by Roald Dahl The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe Week of November 3rd: Fiction; Horror & Suspense The Monkey's Paw Week of November 10th: Suspense On a Mountain Trail Week of November 17th: Fiction; Short Story ******************************** Holiday Break: Thanksgiving No Classes the Week of November 24th ******************************** Week of December 1st: Fiction; Short Story The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry Week of December 8th: Fiction; Novel Excerpt Excerpt from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens ~ from Chapter One; meet Ebenezer Scrooge Week of December 22nd: Fiction; Novel Excerpt Excerpt from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens ~ from Chapter Three, Scrooge meets the second of three spirits: The Ghost of Christmas Present. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ END OF FALL 2024: ~ Two week winter break SPRING TIMELINE 2025 ~ My Spring classes begin on the week of January 6th ~ Spring Break #1: No classes the week of February 17th ~ Spring Break #2: No classes the week of April 21st ~ The last week of Spring classes will be the week of May 11th - 17th ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Week of January 6th: Fiction; Short Story The Bet by Anton Chekhov Week of January 13th: Nonfiction; Historical Figures Martin Luther King Excerpts of the I Have a Dream Speech; Imagery and Metaphors Week of January 20th ~ Figurative Language and Imagery Week of January 27th ~ Plot and Author's Craft Week of February 3rd ~ Setting and Sensory Details Week of February 10th ~ Conflict and Conflict Resolution ~~~~~~~~~~ Spring Break #1 No classes the week of February 17th ~~~~~~~~~~ Week of February 24th The Last Leaf by O. Henry ~ Irony and Inferencing Week of March 3rd After Twenty Years by O. Henry ~ Character relationships and motivation Week of March 10th A Retrieved Reformation by O. Henry ~ Points of view and character perspective Week of March 17th ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Character relationships, motivation, and irony. Week of March 24th ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Irony and inferencing. Week of March 31st ~ ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Irony and inferencing. Week of April 7th ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of April 14th ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Spring Break #2 No classes the week of April 21st ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Week of April 28th ~ Nonfiction: WWII & Holocaust Week of May 5th; Nonfiction Introduction to D-Day (brief summary) Ronald Reagan's 40th Anniversary of D-Day speech (excerpt) Anne Frank's June 6, 1944 diary entry (excerpt) Week of May 12th - Fiction ************************************ END of Spring Semester: Two week break Summer 2025 Timeline ~ classes begin on the week of June 2nd ~ Summer Break: No classes the week of July 1st ~ classes resume on the week of July 7th ~ the last week of Summer classes will be Aug. 11th - 16th ************************************ Week of June 2: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of June 9: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of June 16: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of June 23: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. ************************************* Summer Break ~ No classes the week of June 30th ************************************* Week of July 7th: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of July 14th: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of July 21st: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of July 28th: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of August 4th: Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. Week of August 11th Short Story ~ Fiction: Theme, characterization, and conflict resolution. Figurative language, sensory details, and setting. End of Summer Classes ~ Tentative start date for Fall 2025 is the week of September 8th
Learning Goals
Improve reading analysis, develop critical thinking skills, and build confidence in the creation of literary responses. My goal is for my students to gain confidence in their interpretations and responses.
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
303reviews
Star Educator
Popular
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 423 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-16
2-8 learners per class
