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Get an $8 ($10 off) class with coupon code BELLGJANESSAY10 until Jan 31, 2023.
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Get an $8 ($10 off) class with coupon code BELLGMARESSAY10 in March 2023.

⭐All learners are welcome to join at any time! 
⭐Small class sizes! No more than three learners!
⭐These books are usually available at libraries and many of them are featured as read-a-louds on Youtube. Digital copies are also great!
⭐Each learner should have a copy of the book of the week to reference while writing their essay.
⭐No prior knowledge of essay writing is required!
⭐Join whenever you can! (Subscriptions renew on Sundays.)

Can essays be fun to read? Sure! They just need a passionate writer to breathe life into them! So, we are going to savour some short stories and bring all of that beauty and our informed thoughts to our essays to tug this genre away from the dust bunnies hiding in the corner. (That is to say that our essays should not be boring, rigid, or formulaic, although they will be logical!)

Each week, we will be gaining inspiration from a famous short story. These stories are a great source of inspiration for any aspiring writer. Each of these short stories is featured with illustrations. They are filled with vivid vocabulary, rich ideas, specific examples, strong sentences, meaningful paragraphs, and purposeful organization. Like any story, they also help us to think about the world in new ways. 

This class is also about organizing our ideas, because that will help others to understand our thoughts, but it is also about describing and being creative with language. Good essay writers play with words and choose powerful, rich diction that is expressive and appealing. 

Additionally, our classes are about encouraging each other and celebrating our growth as writers: choice by choice, essay by essay, and milestone by milestone.

CLASS PLAN:

1) Introductions
2) Essay type of the week & class focus
3) Choose details/sentences from the short story for the essay structure
4) Brainstorming and planning personal essays
5) Essay writing (This should be finished after class)
6) Sharing (in class if there is time or in our online Outschool classroom)
🥳 Each learner should share their essay in our classroom and post an encouraging comment for a classmate each week.

SCHEDULE:
⭐Each learner should have a copy of the book of the week to reference while writing their essay.
⭐ I have noted the authors' heritages/nationalities to reflect the diversity of the authors and because their heritage is often central to their stories.

📚The Week of February 26: Personal Narrative Essay (What I Saw On My Journey)
⭐Short Story: "Milo Imagines the World" by Matt de la Peña (Mexican-American) and a 
Focus: Perspective; Analysis/brainstorming week
Tool: Perspective/Characterization Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Setting, Character, Situation & Theme), Body (Observations/Conflict, Emotions, & Outcome), and Conclusion (Current Perspective and Take-Away/Message/Theme)

📚The Week of February 26: Personal Narrative Essay (What I Saw On My Journey)
⭐Short Story: "Milo Imagines the World" by Matt de la Peña (Mexican-American) and a 
Focus: Perspective; Writing/feedback week

👀The Week of March 5: Descriptive Essay (A Person I Know)
⭐Short Story: "Milo Imagines the World" by Matt de la Peña (Mexican-American)
Focus: Imagery/Description/Details
Tool: Top to Bottom Table Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce who you are describing, why you chose them, and a main conclusion), Body (Heartfelt description in a logical order that builds up to the main conclusion), and Conclusion (End with excitement about this person and your main conclusion)

👩‍🏫The Week of March 12: Expository Essay (Let Me Introduce You to Me)
⭐Short Story: "Milo Imagines the World" by Matt de la Peña (Mexican-American)
Focus: Theme of Identity
Tool: Example to Point Graphic Organizer (Appearance, Hobbies, Habits, and Preferences)
Essay Structure: Introduction (Begin with a friendly introduction and end with several main ideas about yourself), Body (Support each main idea with examples like hobbies, preferences, or habits), and Conclusion (End with a summary of what is important about you in a friendly voice)

🔍The Week of March 19: Analytical Essay (The Most Important Theme)
⭐Short Story: "My Name is Yoon" by Helen Recorvits (Polish-Russian-Ukrainian-American)
Focus: Weaving in Quotations
Tool: PEEL Organizer or Chronological Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and general details, as well as the big idea/theme), Body (Give several ways in which the theme is developed with examples OR show how the message develops from the beginning to the middle and the end), and Conclusion (Emphasize what the most important theme is, how the author developed it, and why it is relevant in the real world)

🎤The Week of March 26: Persuasive Opinion Essay (What Would a Bat Do in a Library?)
⭐Short Story: "Bats at the Library" by Brian Lies [Lees] (American)
Focus: Supporting an Opinion with Reasons
Tool: Note Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce that bats will be in a library, whether your suggestion is realistic or imaginative, and share an opinion of what they will be doing), Body (Give reasons why they would be doing that activity with support), and Conclusion (Remind the reader of what the bats will be doing and why in a memorable and fun way)

📚The Week of April 2: Personal Narrative Essay (What I Didn't Expect)
⭐Short Story: "Southwest Sunrise" by Nikki Grimes (Black American)
Focus: Showing Emotions
Tool: Emotion Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Setting, Character, Situation & Theme), Body (Surprise/Conflict, Emotions, & Outcome), and Conclusion (Current Perspective and Take-Away/Message/Theme)

❓ The Week of April 9: Definition Essay (What does home mean?)
⭐Short Story: "Southwest Sunrise" by Nikki Grimes (Black American)
Focus: Finding Clues in a Story
Tool: Evidence Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book and author and raise the mystery of what home means with your final conclusion), Body (Give several reasons for your conclusion with evidence from the story and/or other sources), and Conclusion (Explain how you came to the conclusion about what home means with a warm voice)

🔍The Week of April 16: Analytical Essay (The Most Important Theme)
⭐Short Story: "What Joe Saw" by Anna Grossnickle Hines (American)
Focus: Weaving in Quotations and Details
Tool: PEEL Organizer or Chronological Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and general details, as well as the big idea/theme), Body (Give several ways in which the theme is developed with examples OR show how the message develops from the beginning to the middle and the end), and Conclusion (Emphasize what the most important theme is, how the author developed it, and why it is relevant in the real world)

👩‍🏫The Week of April 23: Expository Essay (Who Was Araminta Tubman?)
⭐Short Story: "Before She Was Harriot" by Lesa Cline-Ransome (Black American)
Focus: Finding Support
Tool: PEEL Paragraph Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Begin by introducing the name of the book, the author, and Harriet/Araminta with your main conclusions about her), Body (Support each conclusions with examples and quotations), and Conclusion (End with a summary of who she was and how you feel about her)

📚The Week of April 30: Personal Narrative Essay (Making Peace With My Fear)
⭐Short Story: "The Dark" by Lemony Snicket/Daniel Handler (Jewish-American) 
Focus: Character Goals & Conflicts
Tool: Story Map Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Setting, Character, Problem & Theme), Body (Conflict, Emotions, Choice & Solution), and Conclusion (Current Perspective and Take-Away/Message/Theme)

👀The Week of May 7: Descriptive Essay (My Favourite Colour)
⭐Poems: "Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration" by Samara Cole Doyon (Haitian-American)
Focus: Simile & Metaphor
Tool: Word bursts
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the colour you are describing, what you have/see that is that colour, and why you like it), Body (Passionate description in a logical order with similes and metaphors), and Conclusion (End with excitement about this colour with your main conclusion)

➊➋➌The Week of May 14: Process Essay (How to Build ________)
⭐ Short Story: "The Nest that Wren Built" by Randi Sonenshine (American)
Focus: Vivid Vocabulary & Details
Tool: Process organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce what can be built and your experience making it with an encouragement to the reader that they can make it), Body (Passionate description in a logical order with similes and metaphors), and Conclusion (End with excitement about this colour with your main conclusion)

🔍The Week of May 21: Analytical Essay (The Most Important Theme)
⭐Short Story: "Last Stop on Market Street" by Matt de la Peña (Mexican-American)
Focus: Weaving in Quotations
Tool: PEEL Organizer or Chronological Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and general details, as well as the big idea/theme), Body (Give several ways in which the theme is developed with examples OR show how the message develops from the beginning to the middle and the end), and Conclusion (Emphasize what the most important theme is, how the author developed it, and why it is relevant in the real world)

👩‍🏫The Week of May 28: Expository Essay (Introduce What Is Important In Your Community)
*Avoid giving identifying details that will give away your location. Instead, stick to more general descriptors like ravine, shopping mall, mural, or park.
⭐Short Story: "Last Stop on Market Street" by Matt de la Peña (Mexican-American)
Focus: Organizing Ideas
Tool: Example to Point Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Without saying exactly where you live, paint a picture of your community leading up to a conclusion), Body (Support your points with examples arranged in paragraphs), and Conclusion (Summarize your ideas about your community with a praising voice)

📚The Week of June 4: Personal Narrative Essay (Misplaced)
⭐Short Story: "The Day the Crayons Came Home" by Drew Daywalt (American)
Focus: Fun details
Tool: Story Map Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Setting, Character, Situation & Theme), Body (Conflict, Emotions, & Outcome), and Conclusion (Current Perspective and Take-Away/Message/Theme)

🎤The Week of June 11: Persuasive Opinion Essay (The Best Colour Choice)
⭐Short Story: "The Day the Crayons Came Home" by Drew Daywalt (American)
Focus: Diction & Connotation
Tool: Connotation Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce why you are writing and who you want to persuade, as well as your colour choice, the specific name, and why it is the best choice), Body (Give reasons why this is the best choice with support), and Conclusion (Remind them of what this decision would mean and how everyone would feel about it)

📀💿The Week of June 18: Compare and Contrast Essay (The Uses of Fire)
⭐"The Firekeeper's Son" by Linda Sue Park (Korean-American)
Focus: Organizing Points
Tool: PEEL paragraph organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the title of the book and the author, the topic of fire and its main uses, as well as your conclusions from comparing and contrasting them), Body (Organize your conclusions and points into paragraphs with a logical connections and explain your thoughts with examples), and Conclusion (Elaborate on your conclusions about the uses of fire and come to a memorable conclusion)

🔍The Week of June 25: Analytical Essay (Auggie's Truth)
⭐Short Story: "We're All Wonders" by R.J. Palacio (American)
Focus: Weaving in Quotations
Tool: PEEL Organizer or Chronological Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and Auggie, as well as your main conclusions about Auggie's point of view and actions), Body (Support your conclusions with quotations from the book, although you may add some examples from the movie or book "Wonder"), and Conclusion (Emphasize what Auggie experienced, feels, and who he is, and how that influences his actions)

📚The Week of July 2: Personal Narrative Essay (An Adventure)
⭐Short Story: "Fatima's Great Outdoors" by Ambreen Tariq (Indian-American) 
Focus: Character Goals & Conflicts
Tool: Story Map Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Setting, Character, Problem & Theme), Body (Conflict, Emotions, Choice & Solution), and Conclusion (Current Perspective and Take-Away/Message/Theme)

🎤The Week of July 9: Persuasive Opinion Essay (Alemayu's Actions)
⭐Short Story: "Fire on the Mountain" by Jane Kurtz (Ethiopian-American)
Focus: Supporting an Opinion with Reasons
Tool: Note Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the title and author and introduce Alemayu and his choices. Then give your opinion), Body (Give reasons why you have this opinion with support, trying to convince others to agree with you), and Conclusion (Remind the reader of what you feel and why in a friendly, convincing way)

➊➋➌The Week of July 16: Process Essay (How to Have the Perfect Day/Night/Holiday)
⭐ Short Story: "Sky Sisters" by Jan Bourdeau Waboose (First Nation Canadian; Nishnawbe Ojibway)
Focus: Voice
Tool: Process organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce your experience with this experience/holiday with an encouragement to the reader that they can make have a great time like you), Body (Enthusiastic description in a logical order of the steps, organized into only a few paragraphs), and Conclusion (End with excitement about this experience, encouraging the reader to follow the steps)

🔍The Week of July 23: Analytical Essay (What It Means to Them)
⭐Short Story: "Rondo in C" by Paul Fleischman (American)
Focus: PEEL Paragraphs
Tool: PEEL Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and plot, as well as the big idea that each person has a personal response), Body (Write several PEEL paragraphs about the responses to the song with your inferences about why), and Conclusion (Summarize the listeners' responses and tie your thoughts together about why they had different reactions)

📚The Week of July 30: Personal Narrative Essay (A Precious Memory)
⭐Short Story: "In a Jar" by Deborah Marcero (American)
Focus: Fun details
Tool: Story Map Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Setting, Character, Situation & Theme), Body (Conflict, Emotions, & Outcome), and Conclusion (Current Perspective and Take-Away/Message/Theme)

❓ The Week of August 6: Definition Essay (What is the meaning of dust?)
⭐Short Story: "Stars Beneath Your Bed: The Surprising Story of Dust" by April Pulley Sayre (American)
Focus: Finding Clues in a Story
Tool: Evidence Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Begin with an impression of dust, and then introduce the book and author and raise the mystery of what dust means with your final conclusion), Body (Give several reasons for your conclusion with evidence from the story), and Conclusion (Explain how you came to the conclusion about what dust means with an enthused voice)

👩‍🏫The Week of August 13: Expository Essay (Who is Horace Pippin?)
⭐Short Story: "A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin" by Jen Bryant (American)
Focus: Classifying Information
Tool: PEEL Paragraph Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Begin with an introduction to the book, author, and Horace Pippin with several main conclusions), Body (Support each main idea with examples from the book), and Conclusion (End with a summary of what is important about Horace Pippin in an admiring voice)

🔍The Week of August 20: Analytical Essay (The Most Important Theme)
*Trigger Warning: Adoption
⭐Short Story: "An Mei's Strange and Wondrous Journey" by Stephan Molnar-Fenton (American)
Focus: Weaving in Quotations
Tool: PEEL Organizer or Chronological Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and general details, as well as the big idea/theme), Body (Give several ways in which the theme is developed with examples OR show how the message develops from the beginning to the middle and the end), and Conclusion (Emphasize what the most important theme is, how the author developed it, and why it is relevant in the real world)

📚The Week of August 27: Personal Narrative Essay (An Unusual Experience)
⭐Short Story: "Bats at the Beach" by Brian Lies (American)
Focus: Showing Emotions
Tool: Emotion Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Setting, Character, Situation & Theme), Body (Surprise/Conflict, Emotions, & Outcome), and Conclusion (Current Perspective and Take-Away/Message/Theme)

🎤The Week of September 3: Persuasive Opinion Essay (Responsible Tourism)
⭐Short Story: "Gifts" by Jo Ellen Bogart (American-Canadian)
Focus: PEEL Paragraphs
Tool: PEEL Paragraph Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the topic of tourism, some common souvenirs, and your opinion), Body (Give reasons why people should follow your advice with examples), and Conclusion (Remind your reader of your opinion and how things would change if they followed your advice)

👩‍🏫The Week of September 10: Expository Essay (Introduce a Holocaust Hero)
⭐Short Story: "The Grand Mosque of Paris: A Story of How Muslims Rescued Jews During the Holocaust" by Karen Gray Ruelle (American; Lived in England) and Deborah Durland Desaix (American)
Focus: Classifying Information
Tool: PEEL Paragraph Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Begin with an introduction to heroes, the holocaust, and your chosen hero), Body (Add a main point about the hero in each paragraph with examples), and Conclusion (End with a summary of what is important about the hero in an admiring voice)

📀💿The Week of September 17: Compare and Contrast Essay (Red Riding Hood)
⭐"Lon Po Po" by Ed Tse-chun Young (Chinese-American)
Focus: Organizing Points
Tool: PEEL paragraph organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the title of the book and the author as you introduce the story of red riding hood, as well as your conclusions from comparing and contrasting the versions), Body (Organize your conclusions and points into paragraphs with logical connections and explain your thoughts with examples), and Conclusion (Elaborate on your conclusions about the stories and come to a memorable conclusion)

📚The Week of September 24: Descriptive Essay (September-November)
⭐Short Story: "Hello, Harvest Moon" by Ralph Fletcher
Focus: Figurative Language
Tool: Description Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce what you are describing, why you chose it, and a main conclusion), Body (Heartfelt description in a logical order that builds up to the main conclusion), and Conclusion (End with excitement and your main conclusion)

❓ The Week of October 1: Definition Essay (What is the meaning of "gross" in the short story?)
⭐Short Story: "Nana's Getting Married" by Heather Hartt-Sussman (Canadian)
Focus: Finding Clues in a Story
Tool: Evidence Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book and author and raise the mystery of what gross means with your final conclusion), Body (Give several reasons for your conclusion with evidence from the story), and Conclusion (Explain how you came to the conclusion about what gross means with a kind voice)

📚The Week of October 8: Personal Narrative Essay (It Took a Long Time, But . . .)
⭐Short Story: "A Chair For My Mother" by Vera B. Williams (American) 
Focus: Character Goals & Conflicts
Tool: Story Map Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Setting, Character, Problem & Theme), Body (Conflict, Emotions, Choice & Solution), and Conclusion (Current Perspective and Take-Away/Message/Theme)

🔍The Week of October 15: Analytical Essay (The Most Important Theme)
⭐Short Story: "Luck" by Jean Craighead George (American)
Focus: Weaving in Quotations
Tool: PEEL Organizer or Chronological Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and general details, as well as the big idea/theme), Body (Give several ways in which the theme is developed with examples OR show how the message develops from the beginning to the middle and the end), and Conclusion (Emphasize what the most important theme is, how the author developed it, and why it is relevant in the real world)

🎤The Week of October 22: Persuasive Opinion Essay (Choices)
⭐Short Story: "Driftwood Cove" by Sandra & Ron Lightburn (Canadian)
Focus: Supporting an Opinion with Reasons
Tool: Note Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce a confusing or controversial situation that is presented in the short story while you introduce the title and author, and then give your opinion), Body (Give reasons why you have this opinion with support, trying to convince others to agree with you), and Conclusion (Remind the reader of what you feel is the best choice and why in a powerful, convincing way)

⬇️ The Week of October 29: Cause and Effect Essay (All Because of An Insect)
⭐Short Story: "The Very Quiet Cricket" by Eric Carle (American)
Focus: Researching
Tool: Note Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Begin with an introducing the star, your insect, with an excited voice, including what it does and what happens because of that), Body (Give more details in each paragraph, first about what the insect does and then its impact on the world), and Conclusion (End with a summary of why this insect is important with an excited voice)

📀💿The Week of November 5: Compare and Contrast Essay (Mei Mei and Daisy)
⭐"Daisy Comes Home" by Jan Brett (American)
Focus: Organizing Points
Tool: PEEL paragraph organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the title of the book and the author, the two characters, as well as your conclusions from comparing and contrasting them), Body (Organize your conclusions and points into paragraphs with a logical connections and explain your thoughts with examples), and Conclusion (Elaborate on your conclusions about the characters and come to a memorable conclusion)

🔍The Week of November 12: Analytical Essay (The Most Important Theme)
⭐Short Story: "The Adventures of Abdi" by Madonna (American)
Focus: Weaving in Quotations
Tool: PEEL Organizer or Chronological Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and general details, as well as the big idea/theme), Body (Give several ways in which the theme is developed with examples OR show how the message develops from the beginning to the middle and the end), and Conclusion (Emphasize what the most important theme is, how the author developed it, and why it is relevant in the real world)

⬇️ The Week of November 19: Cause and Effect Essay (Because of Mark)
⭐Short Story: "The Quiet World" by Raewyn Caisley (New Zealander-Australian)
Focus: Organizing Thoughts
Tool: Note Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Begin with an introduction to the book, author, and story, and lead up to your conclusion about what happened after Mark was born and the narrator went on his walk), Body (Give more details in each paragraph, first about what the narrator felt at first about deafness, what he did, and then how that changed), and Conclusion (End with a summary of the narrator's emotional journey and your own thoughts on it)

➊➋➌The Week of November 26: Process Essay (Dealing with Loneliness)
⭐ Short Story: "Little Beaver and the Echo" by Amy MacDonald (American)
Focus: Inference and Voice
Tool: Process organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce loneliness, why it is a problem, and give some clues about what can be done), Body (In a kind voice, share what steps someone can take when they are lonely), and Conclusion (End with a gentle, kind summary of the problem and steps, encouraging the reader to follow the steps)

📀💿The Week of December 3: Compare and Contrast Essay (The Boy and the Bird)
⭐"Fly Away Home" by Eve Bunting (Irish-American)
*This book includes homelessness.
Focus: Organizing Points
Tool: PEEL paragraph organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the title of the book and the author, summarize the story, and add your conclusions from comparing and contrasting the boy and the bird), Body (Organize your conclusions and points into paragraphs with logical connections and explain your thoughts with examples), and Conclusion (Elaborate on your conclusions about the boy and the bird and come to a memorable conclusion) 

🎤The Week of December 10: Persuasive Opinion Essay (Is it Possible?)
⭐Short Story: "Shira's Hanukkah Gift" by Joan Betty Stuchner (Jewish-Canadian)
Focus: Analyzing Shira's learning process
Tool: Process Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the title, author, and story, as well as your opinion), Body (Give reasons why this is the most logical opinion with support), and Conclusion (Remind the readers of your opinion with your summarized points, and end with a final thought about how someone can learn to play like that)

📚The Week of December 17: Personal Narrative Essay (A Holiday Tradition)
⭐Short Story: "Too Many Tamales" by Gary Soto (Mexican-American)
Focus: Details
Tool: Note Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Setting, Character, Problem & Theme), Body (Conflict, Emotions, Choice & Solution), and Conclusion (Current Perspective and Take-Away/Message/Theme)

🔍The Week of January 7: Analytical Essay (Describe the Family)
⭐Short Story: "Animally" by Lynn Parrish Sutton (American)
Focus: Inferences
Tool: PEEL Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and general details, as well as your conclusion about the family), Body (Focus on one point in each paragraph about the family with quotations and your explanations), and Conclusion (Summarize your conclusions about the family and add your feeling about this family)

📚The Week of January 14: Personal Narrative Essay (Determination)
⭐Short Story: "My Rows and Piles of Coins" by Tololwa M. Mollel (Tanzanian-American) 
Focus: Character Goals & Conflicts
Tool: Story Map Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Setting, Character, Problem & Theme), Body (Conflict, Emotions, Choice & Solution), and Conclusion (Current Perspective and Take-Away/Message/Theme)

🔍The Week of January 21: Analytical Essay (The Most Important Theme)
⭐Short Story: "Tomatoes for Neela" by Padma Lakshmi ()
Focus: Weaving in Quotations
Tool: PEEL Organizer or Chronological Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and general details, as well as the big idea/theme), Body (Give several ways in which the theme is developed with examples OR show how the message develops from the beginning to the middle and the end), and Conclusion (Emphasize what the most important theme is, how the author developed it, and why it is relevant in the real world)

📚The Week of January 28: Personal Narrative Essay (Fooled)
⭐Short Story: "The Donkey Egg" by Janet Stevens (Sister; American; lived in Lebanon) and Susan Stevens Crummel (Sister; American; world traveller) 
Focus: Conflicts (Character vs Self; Character vs Character; Character vs Society; Character vs Nature; Character vs Technology)
Tool: Story Map Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Setting, Character, Problem & Theme), Body (Conflict, Emotions, Choice & Solution), and Conclusion (Current Perspective and Take-Away/Message/Theme)

🎤The Week of February 4: Persuasive Opinion Essay (A Necessary Action)
⭐Short Story: "Wangari's Trees of Peace" by Jeanette Winter (American)
Focus: Supporting an Opinion with Reasons
Tool: Note Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the problem, build up to your solution, and introduce briefly what people should do), Body (Give reasons why they would be doing that activity with support), and Conclusion (Remind the reader of the problem and how their actions can make an important change)

📚The Week of February 11: Personal Narrative Essay (I Wouldn't Take 'No' For an Answer)
⭐Short Story: "Galimoto" by Karen Lynn Williams (American; Muscogee Creek Nation) 
Focus: Conflicts (Character vs Self; Character vs Character; Character vs Society; Character vs Nature; Character vs Technology)
Tool: Story Map Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Setting, Character, Problem & Theme), Body (Conflict, Emotions, Choice & Solution), and Conclusion (Current Perspective and Take-Away/Message/Theme)

🔍The Week of February 18: Analytical Essay (The Most Important Theme)
⭐Short Story: "Ignis" by P.J. Lynch (Irish)
Focus: Weaving in Quotations
Tool: PEEL Organizer or Chronological Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and general details, as well as the big idea/theme), Body (Give several ways in which the theme is developed with examples OR show how the message develops from the beginning to the middle and the end), and Conclusion (Emphasize what the most important theme is, how the author developed it, and why it is relevant in the real world)

👩‍🏫The Week of February 25: Expository Essay (Introduce the Moon)
⭐Short Story: "Daring Dozen: The Twelve Who Walked on the Moon" by Suzanne Slade (American)
Focus: Classifying Information
Tool: PEEL Paragraph Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Begin with an introduction to the moon and your main points), Body (Add a main point about the moon in each paragraph with examples), and Conclusion (End with a summary of what is important about the moon in an admiring voice)

❓ The Week of March 3: Definition Essay (My Home)
⭐Short Story: "If You're Not From the Prairie . . . " by David Bouchard (Métis and Anishinaabeg/Ojibway Canadian)
Focus: Finding Clues in a Story
Tool: Evidence Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book and author and raise the mystery of what a haenyeo is with your final conclusion), Body (Give several reasons for your conclusion with evidence from the story), and Conclusion (Explain why the author used this Korean word and how she helped us understand it)

➊➋➌The Week of March 10: Process Essay (How to Have the Perfect Day on the Beach)
⭐ Short Story: "A Beach Tail" by Karen Lynn Williams (American; Has lived in Malawi and Haiti)
Focus: Stretching Out a Moment With Details
Tool: Process organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce your relationship/opinion/experience with the beach with an encouragement to the reader that they can make have a great time like you), Body (Enthusiastic description in a logical order of the steps, organized into only a few paragraphs), and Conclusion (End with excitement about this experience, encouraging the reader to follow the steps)

🔍The Week of March 17: Analytical Essay (The Most Important Theme)
⭐Short Story: "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" by William Joyce (American)
Focus: Weaving in Quotations
Tool: PEEL Organizer or Chronological Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and general details, as well as the big idea/theme), Body (Give several ways in which the theme is developed with examples OR show how the message develops from the beginning to the middle and the end), and Conclusion (Emphasize what the most important theme is, how the author developed it, and why it is relevant in the real world)

🔍The Week of March 24: Analytical Essay (The Most Important Theme)
⭐Short Story: "The Day of Ahmed's Secret" by Florence Parry Heide (Mother; American) and Judith Heide Gilliland (Daughter; American; Lived in Beirut)
Focus: Weaving in Quotations
Tool: PEEL Organizer or Chronological Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and general details, as well as the big idea/theme), Body (Give several ways in which the theme is developed with examples OR show how the message develops from the beginning to the middle and the end), and Conclusion (Emphasize what the most important theme is, how the author developed it, and why it is relevant in the real world)

▶️Due to rising costs and lower enrollment, I have had to increase my prices. This is consistent with Outschool's current recommendations. However, I am dedicated to finding a solution for all families! Do reach out to me if your learner would like to take my class and you need a discount. I can set up pay-what-you-can plans.

▶️The weekly price will not change for those who enrolled before the price change.

▶️If you are able to pay the current fee, I thank you for your support since I work hard to provide creative, inspiring content while balancing the challenges of living with disability and chronic illness. Thank you!

Past:
🔍The Week of January 1: Analytical Essay (The Most Important Theme)
⭐Short Story: "Hoot and Peep" by Lita Judge (American)
Focus: Weaving in Quotations
Tool: PEEL Organizer or Chronological Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and general details, as well as the big idea/theme), Body (Give several ways in which the theme is developed with examples OR show how the message develops from the beginning to the middle and the end), and Conclusion (Emphasize what the most important theme is, how the author developed it, and why it is relevant in the real world)

👀The Week of January 8: Descriptive Essay (Shopping)
⭐Short Story: "A Gift for Amma: Market Day in India" by Meera Sriram (Indian-American)
Focus: Descriptive details
Tool: Story Map Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the Place and How You Feel About It), Body (Emotional Description in a Logical Order), and Conclusion (End with Feeling About the Place and a Memorable Feeling/Memory)

📚The Week of January 15: Personal Narrative Essay (One More Time)
⭐Short Story: "Chin Chiang and the Dragon's Dance" by Ian Wallace (Canadian-American)
Focus: Fun details
Tool: Story Map Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Setting, Character, Situation & Theme), Body (Conflict, Emotions, & Outcome), and Conclusion (Current Perspective and Take-Away/Message/Theme)

❓ The Week of January 22: Definition Essay (What is a haenyeo?)
⭐Short Story: "The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story" by Tina Cho (Korean-American)
Focus: Finding Clues in a Story
Tool: Evidence Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book and author and raise the mystery of what a haenyeo is with your final conclusion), Body (Give several reasons for your conclusion with evidence from the story), and Conclusion (Explain why the author used this Korean word and how she helped us understand it)

🔍The Week of January 29: Analytical Essay (The Most Important Theme)
⭐Short Story: "The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story" by Tina Cho (Korean-American)
Focus: Weaving in Quotations
Tool: PEEL Organizer or Chronological Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and general details, as well as the big idea/theme), Body (Give several ways in which the theme is developed with examples OR show how the message develops from the beginning to the middle and the end), and Conclusion (Emphasize what the most important theme is, how the author developed it, and why it is relevant in the real world)

🔍The Week of February 5: Analytical Essay (The Most Important Theme)
⭐Short Story: "Turtle Island" by Kevin Sherry (American)
Focus: Weaving in Quotations
Tool: PEEL Organizer or Chronological Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce the book, author, and general details, as well as the big idea/theme), Body (Give several ways in which the theme is developed with examples OR show how the message develops from the beginning to the middle and the end), and Conclusion (Emphasize what the most important theme is, how the author developed it, and why it is relevant in the real world)

📚The Week of February 12: Personal Narrative Essay (A Problem I Solved)
⭐Short Story: "Jingle Dancer" by Cynthia Leitich Smith (American; Muscogee Creek Nation) 
Focus: Conflicts (Character vs Self; Character vs Character; Character vs Society; Character vs Nature; Character vs Technology)
Tool: Story Map Graphic Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Setting, Character, Problem & Theme), Body (Conflict, Emotions, Choice & Solution), and Conclusion (Current Perspective and Take-Away/Message/Theme)

👀The Week of February 19: Descriptive Essay (A Favourite Piece of Clothing--Every Day or Festive)
⭐Short Story: "Jingle Dancer" by Cynthia Leitich Smith (American; Muscogee Creek Nation) 
Focus: Imagery/Description/Details
Tool: Top to Bottom Table Organizer
Essay Structure: Introduction (Introduce Which One and Why it is Special), Body (Emotional Description in a Logical Order), and Conclusion (End with Excitement About This Piece of Clothing and a Memorable Feeling/Memory)

Future:
"Tap-Tap" by Karen Lynn Williams
"Crickwing" by Janell Cannon
"My Little Island" by Frane Lessac
"Fireflies!" by Julie Brickloe
"La Mariposa" by Francisco Jimenez
"Night of the Gargoyles" by Eve Bunting
"Gleam and Glow" by Eve Bunting
"These Hands" by Margaret H. Mason
"Black Cowboy, Wild Horses" by Julius Lester
"John Henry" by Julius Lester
"From Slave Ship to Freedom Road" by Julius Lester
"To Be a Slave" by Julius Lester
"The Lighthouse Keeper's Breakfast" by Ronda Armitage
"Puma Dreams" by Tony Johnson
"In the Canyon" by Liz Garton Scanlon
"The Bell Rang" by James E. Ransome
"After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again" by Dan Santat
"The Poet's Dog" by Patricia MacLachlan
"Remembering Vera" by Patricia Polacco
"The Mermaid's Purse" by Patricia Polacco
"The Junkyard Wonders" by Patricia Polacco
"Quick as a Cricket" by Audrey Wood
"Trees" by Tony Johnson
"Tops and Bottoms" by Janet Stevens
"The Little Mermaid" by Jerry Pinkney
Owl Moon by Jane Yolan
The King of Bees by Lester L. Laminack
School's First Day of School by Adam Rex
Through Grandpa's Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan
The Cat Man of Aleppo by Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha
When I Was Young in the Mountains by Cynthia Rylant
Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen
Meet Danitra Brown by Nikki Grimes
Gifts by Jo Ellen Bogart
NOTE: I have noted many of the authors' ethnicities to reflect the diversity of the authors and because their heritage is often central to the stories.