A Self Paced Year of 6th Grade Language Arts: Semester 1
In this 14 week course, each learner will read two novels and complete novel studies for each, write a research report and a book report from start to finish, and explore sentence structures as well as tools to understand literature.
Amal J.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(75)
What's included
14 pre-recorded lessons
14 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
2-4 hours per week. Homework will include weekly reading, novel study pages, and essay work.Grading
If students would like a grade, please let me know at the time of enrollment and all work can be turned it to be graded and a grade will be issued at the end of the course. (Upon request)Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 7
Note: This is a self paced course and there will be no live meetings. Lessons will be provided through recorded visual lectures, Novel Studies, and Nearpod Activities. During this semester, students will read two novels and complete two essays. The novels we will enjoy include: Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King Song For A Whale by Lynne Kelly. Each week, a selected number of chapters will be assigned to be read and a novel study will be provided in the form of a Google Doc that learners can type directly into or print. The novel study will include weekly comprehension questions, critical thinking questions, and an open ended deep thinking question journal entry. Most weeks, a Nearpod activity will also be provided to introduce and review important topics such as summarizing texts, finding themes, and analyzing characters. Essays will include: A research report on a favorite animal A book report based on Me and Marvin Gardens Essay writing will be a scaffolded, step by step process so that even the most anxious writers can feel relaxed and guided. The essay structure as a whole will be introduced, outlines will be provided and video lessons will take students through outlining each paragraph, and students will be guided as to how create an essay from an outline. In addition, through the video lectures, students will learn how to use transition words, different sentence structures, and how to create bibliographies. Nearpod activities will be included and will focus on literary topics such as theme, character development, and story structure as well as topics related to writing to further practice incorporating transitional words and other essay writing skills. I am happy to engage with students as much as they wish during their time with this course. The course is a 14 week course, but the class will be available to them for 25 weeks to allow time for sick days, vacations, and other engagements. Students can message me with questions and expect a reply within 24 hours. If your student would like feedback on work, I recommend turning all work in through Google Docs (the provided links) so that I can correct them and give feedback directly on the doc. Feedback can be expected on full assignments within 4 days.
Learning Goals
Students will:
Learn to write a report from start to finish including selecting subjects, topics, finding resources, outlining, writing, and revising.
Learn to think deeply and critically about their reading
Become fluent with written reading responses and critical thinking open ended writing prompts regarding their reading
Be able to identify themes in their readings, more closely analyze characters, and write a summary
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)14 Lessons
over 14 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to our Novel and Overview of a Research Report
Students will get an introduction the the novel through a Before We Read activity at the beginning of the Novel study. In addition, we will go over the entire structure of a research report and the first steps of selecting a subject, finding resources, and using an outline.
Nearpod: Setting and Genre 34 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
Outlining the Body Paragraphs First for a Research Paper & Novel Study
Students will learn why, with research reports, it is a good idea to begin with the body paragraphs. They will select their three topics to focus on, learn how to take notes and use an outline, and they will learn about the structure of a body paragraph. In addition, students will work on their reading and novels study pages.
Nearpod: Character Analysis Lesson 3:
Understanding the Introduction & Novel Study
Students will learn about the purpose and structure of the Introduction and each part of the introduction and then will be guided in outlining their introductions. Students will also learn how to write an effective thesis statement. In addition, students will work on their reading and novels study pages.
Nearpod: How to Summarize (Needed skill for the Upcoming Book Report) Lesson 4:
Understanding the Conclusion & Novel Study
Students will learn about the purpose and structure of the conclusion and each part of the conclusion and then will be guided in outlining their conclusions. In addition, students will work on their reading and novels study pages.
Nearpod: Finding a Theme Other Details
Learning Needs
My classes always include visuals that make the course easier to understand, follow, and comprehend. I have found that this not only helps students with attention issues, and auditory processing disorder, but also all visual learners.
Supply List
The two novels are needed
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
The two novels:
Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King
Song For A Whale by Lynne Kelley
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have been teaching language arts courses to homeschoolers both online and locally for eight years as well as tutoring high school students in writing and essay organization. I have a deep passion for the written word and have been a voracious reader of literature my entire life. I love breaking down the process of writing into manageable steps and witnessing anxious and hesitant writers bloom into confident writers who love to write. I have led book clubs to middle school aged youth for years and have a particular enthusiasm for books that build understanding and empathy as well as appreciation for other cultures. I have had a wonderful time teaching creative writing courses, taking learners from the very beginning of character and world building, through plot planning, all the way to completing the writing of a full story. Some of my students have won first place awards for their stories in county fairs and local contests.Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$18
weekly14 pre-recorded lessons
14 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Ages: 11-14
