8th/9th Literature & Writing Composition English Language Arts (2nd Sem. Year 3)
During this 16-week semester-long course, learners will continue their study of the basics of literary analysis through pre-selected, age-appropriate literature while building upon the writing methods of IEW's "Structure and Style".
Melissa L. - Registered IEW Instructor
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5.0
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What's included
32 live meetings
26 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Because this is a semester-long course, students will have homework every week. This could include reading and/or writing practice. Worksheets, handouts, and links to outside programs (such as Kahoots or Quizlet) for homework will be posted on the classroom page.Assessment
*Assessments will be given in the form of feedback, review games, and comprehension checks throughout the semester. *Writing will be assessed throughout the course through submitted homework. *Reading comprehension will be assessed weekly based on the student's participation and comprehension of the week's literary analysis topics. There may also be homework assigned for our literature study (varies depending on the reading for the week).Grading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 8 - 9
Welcome to the second semester! 🎉 Who's ready to jump into the next part of our learning journey together? Each week, twice a week, we will split the class into two parts. In the first half of each class, we will focus on the literary element that we are learning for that day. This may include a Socratic discussion, breakout rooms for teamwork, or even games to expand our knowledge of the reading. During the second half of each class, we will work on the day's writing work following IEW's "Structure and Style". At the end of each class, learners will be given follow-up homework to reinforce new ideas and work toward mastery. This is not a lecture-based course! While there are times when lecturing is appropriate, the success of this course depends on class participation. Yes, even in writing. *Please note this is the second semester (part II) of the full-year 8th/9th Literature & Writing Composition English Language Arts (Year 3) class. If you did not take the first semester PLEASE reach out to me before registering for the second semester. Thank you! Spring 2024 Class Schedule & Topics *Please note that the first semester covered IEW Units 1-6. Units 7-9 will be continued this semester (2nd semester). *There is one week when we will not be attending class: April 1st - 5th. Week 1 - First Week of Class Week 1/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: Refresher Unit 1 - 3 + (Literature) Review the first four literary periods Week 1/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Refresher Unit 4 + (Literature) Introduction to the Romantic Period Week 2 Week 2/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: Refresher Unit 5 + (Literature) Romantic poetry Week 2/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Refresher Unit 6 + (Literature) Transcendental poetry Week 3 Week 3/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: Unit 7: Intro. to Inventive Writing + (Literature) Introduction to gothic romanticism short stories Week 3/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Unit 7: Intro. to Inventive Writing + (Literature) "The Tell-Tale Heart" Week 4 Week 4/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: Unit 7: Inventive Writing: Descriptive Essay + (Literature) "The Tell-Tale Heart" Week 4/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Unit 7: Inventive Writing: Descriptive Essay + (Literature) "The Tell-Tale Heart" & Romantic Period Review Week 5 Week 5/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: Unit 7: Inventive Writing: Descriptive Essay + (Literature) Introduction to the Victorian Period Week 5/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Unit 7: Inventive Writing: Descriptive Essay + (Literature) Great Expectations - Author & Context Week 6 Week 6/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: Unit 7: Inventive Writing: Cause & Effect Essay + (Literature) Great Expectations - Conflict Week 6/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Unit 7: Inventive Writing: Cause & Effect Essay + (Literature) Great Expectations - Plot Week 7 Week 7/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: Unit 7: Inventive Writing: Cause & Effect Essay + (Literature) Great Expectations - Setting Week 7/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Unit 7: Inventive Writing: Cause & Effect Essay + (Literature) Great Expectations - Characters Week 8 Week 8/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: Unit 8: Persuasive Essay + (Literature) Great Expectations - Theme Week 8/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Unit 8: Persuasive Essay + (Literature) Victorian Period Review Week 9 Week 9/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: Unit 8: Persuasive Essay + (Literature) Introduction to the Modern Period Week 9/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Unit 8: Persuasive Essay + (Literature) "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - Author & Context Week 10 Week 10/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: Unit 8: Compare & Contrast Essay + (Literature) "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - Conflict & Plot Week 10/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Unit 8: Compare & Contrast Essay + (Literature) "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - Setting & Characters Week 11 Week 11/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: Unit 8: Compare & Contrast Essay + (Literature) "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - Theme & Review Week 11/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Unit 8: Compare & Contrast Essay + (Literature) Modern Period poetry Week of 4/03/2024 - Spring Break Week 12 Week 12/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: The One-Paragraph Essay (TRIAC) + (Literature) Modern Period poetry Week 12/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Unit 8: The One-Paragraph Essay (TRIAC) + (Literature) Modern Period review Week 13 Week 13/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: Unit 8: Formal Essay Writing - Research Essay + (Literature) Introduction to the Postmodern Period and To Kill a Mockingbird - Author & Context Week 13/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Unit 8: Formal Essay Writing - Research Essay + (Literature) To Kill a Mockingbird - Conflict Week 14 Week 14/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: Unit 8: Formal Essay Writing - Research Essay + (Literature) To Kill a Mockingbird - Plot Week 14/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Unit 8: Formal Essay Writing - Research Essay + (Literature) To Kill a Mockingbird - Setting Week 15 Week 15/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: Unit 9: Critiques + (Literature) To Kill a Mockingbird - Characters Week 15/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Unit 9: Critiques + (Literature) To Kill a Mockingbird - Theme Week 16 - Last week of class Week 16/Day 1: (Writing) IEW: Unit 9: Critiques + (Literature) Modern Period Review Week 16/Day 2: (Writing) IEW: Unit 9: Critiques + (Literature) End-of-Semester Review Booklist for 2nd Semester Book 1: "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe (Handout provided in class.) Book 2: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Book 3: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" by F. Scott Fitzgerald Book 4: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Plays and short stories will be provided to students in advance. *Students are expected to come to class prepared with the reading completed before the discussion. *Writing methodology taught using the Institute for Excellence in Writing’s Style and Structure Writing Method. I am a registered instructor with IEW. (Link for verification: https://iew.com/events-classes/instructors/find-accredited-instructor/330449) *Please note that there are 32 classes in total (16 weeks, 2 classes per week). Each class = $15 per meeting. *This course is not graded unless specifically requested by a parent/guardian. Weekly assignments are designated as either completion assignments or using the IEW rubric. Please note that assignments are reviewed and graded in the order they are submitted.
Learning Goals
Writing Goals:
Reading Goals:
*Create a love, or at least an appreciation, for reading literature.
*Students should be able to recognize, analyze, and understand the five basic elements of a story: conflict, plot, setting, character, and theme.
*Students will be able to present and communicate their ideas regarding the books they've read and share their opinions in a Socratic seminar.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
At this age, it is common for students to still need help and direction at home for writing. That's okay! In this class, I encourage parental guidance when students are working at home. Some students may struggle at the beginning with balancing the concepts of class and the physical act of writing. Please know that it is perfectly fine if your child wants to dictate to you as they learn. The goal at this age is to understand the concepts. Mastery comes with continuous practice and patience as each child moves at his/her own pace. If at any point during the class, you feel that your child is falling behind or needs additional help, please feel free to reach out to me directly so we can work out a plan.
Reading should be done regularly so that your child does not feel overwhelmed with having to read large amounts during one or two sittings. I will post the chapters to read in the classroom based on what I feel is a manageable amount for this age group. If your child struggles reading on his/her own or needs extra encouragement when reading, I suggest reading the books together or listening to an audiobook while following along.
Please note that this class does incorporate games (Kahoot, Gimkit, Blooket) on external links as well as documents sent via Google Docs/Slides. Learners do not need accounts to access these items. Also, slides for this course will be shown on the screen in presentation mode.
Book Reviews:
1. "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/899492.The_Tell_Tale_Heart
2. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens- https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/great-expectations
3. Short Story - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/747746.The_Curious_Case_of_Benjamin_Button?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_23
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/to-kill-a-mockingbird
Supply List
Paper, writing utensils, and access at least one form of a writing application (Google Docs or MS Word). All worksheets, handouts, short stories, poems, and/or links for this semester will be sent via the classroom page as needed. Now about the books... As a homeschooling mom myself, I understand the importance of finding books that won't break the bank. That's why I made it a priority to choose books that have multiple options or discounted versions (usually e-reader). Some books may even be downloaded for free online via Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org/) or via the Internet Archive, a non-profit online library (https://archive.org/). Most of the books can be found at your local library. You can also reach out to your local librarian about setting up Libby or Overdrive to read free digital books on your e-reader. Please make sure that you choose the version that is best for you and your child. With many versions and translations being made from the older works we will be covering there may be slight differences in the text but not in the overall theme or discussion. The goal isn't to create a library full of books that your child only reads once. Instead, it's more important that your child is able to ask questions, ponder new ideas, and form their own intelligent theories about the works that they read. With that said, if they do fall in love with a book be sure to get them a copy that they can read again and again.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined January, 2020
5.0
330reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in English from University of Tennessee - Knoxville
As a lifelong learner, I too am always striving for growth. After years of using the IEW curriculum, I decided I wanted to share what I had learned with others and became a registered instructor with IEW. (Link for verification: https://iew.com/events-classes/instructors/find-accredited-instructor/330449) I have also been a tutor (teacher) for a local classical co-op, studied through literature seminars, and attended practicums to enhance my own reading and writing knowledge.
I am also a certified TESOL/TEFL/EYL teacher, professional writer, beta reader, proofreader, editor, and homeschool mom. I have a love for the English language (I have a BA in English to prove it), the smell of new books, and transferring ideas from mind to paper. My goal is to promote a love of learning while offering a safe and fun environment. I truly have a passion for reading and writing and would love to share my knowledge and experience with your children. Reviews
Live Group Course
$480
for 32 classes2x per week, 16 weeks
50 min
Completed by 15 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-16
3-16 learners per class
