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$14

weekly
or $196 for 14 classes
Class

Amazing Authors - A Literary and Biographical Review - With Reading

Completed by 12 learners
Ages 8-12
Live Group Course
In this 14 week class, we will learn about influential authors like Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Jane Austen, and Mark Twain, including their style of writing. This class is a great addition to homeschool or in-school curriculum.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(201 reviews)

Live video meetings
1x per week, 14 weeks
3-8 learners per class
55 min

What's included

14 live meetings
12 hrs 50 mins in-class hours
Homework
2-4 hours per week. Reading of the weekly book and book based project. I will also send links and printables to aid in the experience.
Assessment
Please notify me that you would like an assessment prior to class starting so I can better evaluate the situation
Certificate of Completion
1 after class completion

Class Experience

US Grade 3 - 6
This class will explore the lives of some of the most famous novelists, poets, playwriters, and storytellers.

During this 14-week class, we will be learning about the lives and work of some amazing authors. In class, we will use visual aids, discussion, and games to learn more about each writer, while out of class, students will learn even more through additional printable lessons, project-making, and reading. 


🔵What will be covered?
Beyond learning about authors, their lives, and how their lives impacted their work, we will be learning about various themes and styles of writing, including science-fiction, romance, comedy, tragedy, and more. We will discuss the differences in styles and see how many authors impacted and shaped their time. Learners will be introduced to writing from the Renaissance, Victorian England, Early America, and beyond.

🔵What is provided each week?
Before class begins, I will send learners an Author Journal to make. This will be theirs to use how they see fit during our class. Each week I will provide printables for this journal. During class, I provide slides, videos, and games to help aid in the learning process. I also allow for discussion and sharing time. After class, I provide a printable packet for each author with activities and materials to explore deeper. I also provide a list of ideas and material suggestions to parents each week, which allows them to go even deeper into each author and style of writing with their learners.

🔵What is expected each week?
Each week, starting after our first class, learners will be assigned a book to read about the author of the week, which we will discuss in the following class. Learners are expected to read that book. (For more on the book information, please see the Notes to Parents section)

Learners are also expected to create a project based on the author, their life, or their style of writing. Projects can be chosen by the learner and can range from writing, drawing, Lego building, etc. This is gone over more in our first class. 

Beyond academics, learners are expected to be respectful and participate in group discussions.

🔵Why take this class?
I like to approach learning from multiple perspectives. I want learners to enjoy learning and feel comfortable with their ideas. The use of reading, audio and visual aids, printables, discussion, and hands-on learning allows learners to experience what they are learning, not just remember what was put in front of them. My goal is for students to learn and have fun while doing it, in hopes that they simply fall in love with learning. I am also a relaxed educator who approaches each student where they are.

🔵Ages or grades of learners-
This class is designed to allow students of various ages to participate, however, I would suggest the average range is 8-12. I have had learners outside this range, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask. 

🔵Books required-
In this class, I use the "Who Was" book series. This series of books brings a lot of powerful information on people, places, and events to children in a straightforward way. These books appeal to both boys and girls and are designed for experienced readers and reluctant readers alike! I recommend these books as a great starting point or even as a quick refresher for older students. I also use them for ESL students. 

No books are required to be read before the first class. Learners begin reading AFTER the first class, meaning that signing up at the last minute is totally fine because books can be obtained as late as after the first class. The books below are the books students will read during the class and can be purchased, downloaded, or borrowed from the library. The list is in class order...

Who was William Shakespeare 
Who was Jane Austen
Who were the Brothers Grimm
Who was Edgar Allen Poe
Who was Charles Dickens
Who was Walt Whitman
Who was Jules Verne
Who was Lewis Carroll
Who was Mark Twain
Who was Beatrix Potter
Who was J.R.R Tolkien
Who was Ernest Hemingway
Who was Maya Angelou

🔵Why include the book reading?
People learn in different ways and I include the book reading to increase the methods of learning. This will aid those who learn best by reading topic material. On the other hand, many students find reading books difficult or find the reading of non-fiction or historical fiction boring. Including the books in this class gives purpose and focus to reading, which can assist those who don't normally enjoy reading. For more on the book information, please see the Notes to Parents section.

⭐Each learner will get a certificate of completion of our class!

🔴NOTES TO PARENTS: 

◾ I do not currently have classes available to be auto-scheduled, however, please reach out to me if you would like to schedule a time for this class that is not listed. I am also available for 1 on 1 teaching, though please note that the costs are different for 1:1 versus group classes

◾ I do not have all of my classes scheduled for weekly payments, however, if this option is needed, please contact me. I can make adjustments. 

◾ When signing up for class, regardless if it is a weekly subscription or a paid-in-full option, please be mindful of early withdrawals from class. This cuts into any teacher's profits and often changes the dynamic of a class for the other learners. If there is an unexpected issue that arises, please contact me. I am willing to make adjustments. However, if you sign up for a 12-week class, knowing that your learner can only take 4 weeks of the class, please reconsider the timing or communicate with me about this.

◾ By signing your learner, you are committing to the class. Teachers work hard to prepare classes and curricula. They also work beyond the time in the classroom and they rely on parents to be partners in their learner's education and experience! 

◾ Books can be an added expense, which is why I have the list included in the description. This allows parents the opportunity to borrow the books from the library. As no books need to be read for the first class, those signing up last minute have opportunity to borrow the books from the library. However, I know that there will be times a book may already be lent and I know that there are students that live in locations that might not have access to these particular books. It is for these cases that I send information pages each week that can be read in lieu of the book. My class is designed to include the book discussion, however, no student will be hindered in class by not reading the books. 

◾ If you have questions, please ask!

Learning Goals

Learners will see different styles of literature
Learners will have opportunities to practice styles of writing

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
14 Lessons
over 14 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Introduction Week
 This week is a course introduction. Class requirements are explained and we discuss literatures' place in the Western world. 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Shakespeare Discussion
 This class discusses William Shakespeare and his contributions to the English language. 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Austen Discussion
 This class discusses Jane Austen, her ability to write timeless work, and her attempt at calling out societal norms. 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Brother Grimm Discussion
 This class discusses the Grimm Brothers and their quest to protect verbal stories. We will learn that some of these tales are 1000s of years old and were used as cautionary tales. Learners will also see how these stories have become blueprints for modern children's tales. Hans Christian Andersen is also mentioned during this class. 
55 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Learning Needs
While not designed for any needs, I do understand various types of learning and learning needs. This is why I include different ways to deliver materials and instructions.
Parental Guidance
History is full of things that can be unpleasant. During our reading we will learn things about the authors that we might not have known, for instance... depression, suicide, racial injustice, woman's rights issues, but we will also see how people can overcame much of this, and even how it was expressed through writing. This is a safe environment to learn in and a great place to express our feelings about events of the past. Kahoot is an online trivia style game. Should we use that in class, learners will be given a link to enter a private game. They will not need an account.
Supply List
Students will need a copy of the book though it doesn't have to be present during class... for those that might need to return library books before class, no worries. 

I would recommend using Post-it notes for learners to take down ideas while reading. This makes it easier to share thoughts in class. I would also recommend having a notebook and pencil handy for other note-taking during class. I do not focus on learners taking notes but if they would like to remember something, having those items makes it easier.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Meet the teacher

Joined February, 2020
4.9
201reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have been a teacher on Outschool since 2020 and I teach on 2 additional online platforms. I have a biology background, however, I studied US and World History for 3 years in college, as well as 2 years of Chinese. I have also trained in a non-credited format, for many years, with an author and speaker who specializes in teaching children character qualities. 

I have always enjoyed teaching. My first teaching position was in Moscow, Russia, teaching English as a second language. Since then, I’ve taught in various settings which include a cooperative, a preschool, and as a tutor in the areas of math, science, and English. I also am a homeschool mom!

I have taught this class to different groups at a cooperative, for both lower and upper elementary students. I enjoy teaching a subject or principle and including different areas of study along with the original idea. 

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