Advanced Readers Article of the Week (Nonfiction Reading & Writing)
This course is for learners looking for challenging nonfiction articles (1100-1300 Lexile) on high-interest topics to critically read, analyze, & respond to. Students should come to class each week with the assigned article read.
Vanessa Roach
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(361)
Popular
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours per weekAssignments
1 hour per week. 1-2 per weekCertificate of Completion
1 after class completionClass Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
Intermediate - Advanced Level
Welcome! Thank you for checking out this class! Please note that all of my courses are on sale for a locked-in rate of $12 if you book by Jan 1st! ABOUT THE COURSE In this ongoing course, students will read non-fiction articles of the week focused on current high-interest topics. Before class, students will be asked to read the article posted in the classroom (2-6 pages in length) and come prepared to discuss the topics together in class. Topics are appropriate for ages 10+. In each session, all of the following topics are covered: -vocabulary (3-5 key words) -close reading strategies -analysis skills -nonfiction text structures -evidence/reasoning analysis -writing skill Along with each article, students are assigned a paragraph writing prompt as optional homework. Included in the course fee is my feedback within 48 hours. Please have your learner submit their paragraph on Google Docs so that I may provide the most thorough feedback. Class Schedule: 1. Welcome/Initial Thoughts 2. Quick comprehension question/prompt 3. Vocab 4. Reading strategies and skill 5. Intro to homework prompt Articles Schedule: Topic 1: The Power of Communication (articles, arguments, and op-ed) Week of 1/9: Excerpt from "Reality is Broken" by Jane McGonigal, PhD Week of 1/16: “The Flight from Conversation,” by Sherry Turkle, PhD Week of 1/23: from "We Need to Talk," by Celeste Headlee Topic 2: Taking a Stand (speeches, proclamations, and editorials) Week of 1/30: from On Civil Disobedience, by Mohandas K. Gandhi Week of 2/6: Speech: “On Surrender at Bear Paw Mountains,” by Chief Joseph “On Women’s Right to Vote,” by Susan B. Anthony Week of 2/13: Proclamation: “Declaration of the Rights of the Child,” by the United Nations Week of 2/20: Editorial: “The Summer Hunger Crisis,” by Billy Shore Week of 2/27: Nobel Lecture, by Kofi Annan Speech: from Hope, Despair, and Memory, by Elie Wiesel Week of 3/6: “Diners should pay attention to workers, not just the food,” by Kathleen Kingsbury Topic 3: Debates Week of 3/13: Article: “How video games affect the brain,” by Hannah Nichols Week of 3/20: Article: “Video Games Are Good for Your Brain,” by Kevin Anderton Week of 3/27: Article: “Brain training apps don’t seem to do much of anything,” by Claire Maldarelli Topic 4: Medicine and Science Week of 4/3: Opinion Piece: On Immunity: An Inoculation, by Eula Biss Week of 4/10: Infographic: by the National Institutes of Health Illustration: Smallpox—The Speckled Monster, by James Gillray Week of 4/17: Informational Text: “Vaccination,” by the Jenner Institute Week of 4/24: Letter: “Measles: A Dangerous Illness,” by Roald Dahl Week of 5/1: Editorial: “Mandatory Vaccination Is Not the Answer to Measles,” by Dr. Bob Sears Week of 5/8: “The Danger of Palm Oil Production,” by Natalie Hansford Week 5/13: from 'Hope for Animals and Their World" PARTICIPATION: Students may choose to keep cameras on or off as long as they briefly verify themselves with me at the beginning of the class (per Outschool policy). I do expect participation in this class. We cover quite a bit of material and it is essential that students discuss and understand the material. Being active participants helps them do so. MISSED CLASSES If your student misses a class, a recording will always be accessible on the classroom page. The PowerPoint lesson and notes are always available as well. Do note that learners that leave and then come back (i.e. pausing a subscription) may not be able to see my posts if I posted anything while they are away. Reach out to see if you missed anything. Recordings are unfortunately unavailable for weeks that your learner does not attend AND if they have not been present for a live class (Outschool Policy). REFUND POLICY If your student is not able to attend in person but stays enrolled, refunds will not be issued. This is because the student can still access the materials, recordings, and receive feedback for assignments. I do provide refunds for emergency situations. If you have a tech or Zoom issue, contact Support and mention the Happiness Guarantee.
Learning Goals
Close Reading is a skill that is required in order to discover more than an author’s message and what was said. In understanding a writer’s talent and craft, we improve our own ability to convey, persuade, and evoke.Finding patterns in a text through annotation
Other Details
Learning Needs
I have experience with learners with learning disabilities and neurodivergence. I do not "cold call" on students. Cameras must briefly be turned on for me to verify identity. Students may communicate via chat or by raising their hand.
Parental Guidance
Articles do not have any explicit content. They are appropriate for ages 10+ and are science/history/world events based. Articles are from reputable.
3rd Party Sites: Google Docs (writing assignments), Google Forms (quizzes). Students will not be providing emails. I will send students a Form link and they will take the quiz (no emails required).
Sensitive material and themes, such as racism, prejudices, tragedy, oppression, diverse cultures, etc., are handled with an unbiased approach.
Pre-Requisites
Students should have a minimum of an 8th grade reading level. Younger ages are accepted for gifted readers. Students should also be able to use Zoom functions (chat, mute/unmute)
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
All materials will be provided
Joined April, 2020
4.9
361reviews
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
Indiana Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Master's Degree in English from University of Southern Indiana
In my classes (brick and mortar and Outschool), I work with all levels of students (IEP students, general education, and high-ability students). My goal as a teacher is to foster critical thinking and communication skills in order to help your child achieve their goals and become more proficient readers, writers, and critical thinkers. More than that, I encourage students to fall in love with learning.
Experience/Education:
-Brick and Mortar Teacher for 7 years (current)
-Outschool Teacher for 3 years (current)
-BS in Education (Reading/English 3-12, Gifted Education 3-12, Special Education 5-12)
-Masters of Arts In English Teaching
-Certification in High Ability/Gifted Learning Strategies
-Certification in Teaching Students with Learning Exceptionalities
-SAT/PSAT Testing Administrator (5 years)
-Harkness Socratic Seminar Trained (Summer of 2023)
-National Writing Project Trained (Summer of 2023)
I am a secondary English teacher with certifications in gifted education and special education. I have been professionally teaching for 7 years and have a masters of arts in English education. I enjoy using socratic and discussion-based learning to help students think deeply about the texts that they read.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$12
weekly1x per week
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-15
4-6 learners per class
