British Literature & Composition Semester 1 (High School Homeschool English)
In this 15-week English class, your learner will develop critical thinking & writing skills while exploring influential and imaginative British writers, from the heroic efforts of Beowulf to the knights of King Arthur.
Valerie Stone, BA
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(101)
What's included
15 live meetings
12 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Homework types include (but are not limited to) structured paragraphs, structured extended responses, active reading responses, creative writing, annotations, question/answer worksheets, character analysis worksheets, a storyboard, and a five-paragraph essay.Letter Grade
All students will receive a completion report detailing the content covered during the semester. The report will include a final grade for those students who are requesting one. Students may choose instead to audit the course or partially complete the assignments.Grading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 10 - 12
Intermediate Level
𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲: As a homeschool parent, I realize schedules change when the school year approaches. Therefore, students who need to withdraw up to TWO weeks prior to the first class date will received a full refund. Please contact me ASAP to arrange a refund. 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 & 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: This is an intermediate-level English course that covers a variety of British literature. Students in 9th-12th grade have successfully completed this course, as each student's level of proficiency is different. 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 & 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭: This class will touch upon various pieces of British literature from the Classical Period to the Renaissance. During 2nd semester, this class will continue the Renaissance to the Modern period. During this semester, this course will reinforce critical analysis of text, synthesize ideas, understand and utilize rhetorical appeals, reinforce literary devices, determine how time periods influence writers, complete active reading, use creative thinking and writing, develop supportive arguments, write structured extended responses (1 page minimum), write one 5 paragraph essay with two full proofs, and reinforce conventions of grammar and language usage. Classroom interaction is expected. Students may send responses through the classroom chat; however, cameras should be on (unless otherwise arranged). Homework times will vary. Students have reported 2-5 hours per week. Feel free to contact me to determine whether this class will meet your needs. What is coming next: British Semester 2 literature includes Macbeth, Pride & Prejudice, and short stories ------anchor texts are listed in the supply list section------ <<𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗦 (𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿)>> 1. “Button, Button” by Richard Matheson 2. “Race to Space” speech by John F. Kennedy 3. “The Allegory of the Cave” by Plato 4. “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. 5. Hadiza’s Journey 6. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer 7. “The Sword in the Stone” excerpt by Core Knowledge and Alice M. Hadfield 8. “Sunrise” by Unknown 9. The Prince excerpt by Niccolò Machiavelli 𝘗𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 1 - - - American Lit & Comp Semester 1 2 - - - American Lit & Comp Semester 2 3 - - - English 2 - Lit & Comp Semester 1 4 - - - English 2 - Lit & Comp Semester 2 5 - - - British Lit & Comp Semester 1 6 - - - British Lit & Comp Semester 2
Learning Goals
This course will reinforce critical analysis of text, synthesize ideas, understand and locate literary devices, use creative thinking and writing, develop supportive arguments, reinforce grammar and language usage, & complete response writing and essays.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)3 Units
15 Lessons
over 15 WeeksUnit 1: The Classical Period / Allegory / Rhetoric / Aristotelian Triad
Lesson 1:
The Classical Period, Socrates, and ethical appeals
<<Anchor Texts: N/A / Supplemental Texts: 1-4>>
-Discuss classroom, homework, & writing expectations
-Review the historical context of The Classical Period (1200 BC-455 AD) / -Greek Classical Period (800-200 BCE)
-Discover prominent features of Classical Greek
-Analyze Socrates & the ethical appeals
-Read “Button, Button” and complete response writing
Homework: Complete a one-page extended response based on a short video and prompt, and complete light research on allegories 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Rhetoric, Plato, ethos, and allegories
-Introduce rhetoric and connect to Plato
-Discuss Ethos and determine elements of Ethos in a speech
-Define an allegory; review and find hidden allegory meanings
-Read “Allegory of the Cave” and discuss Plato’s 7 symbols.
Homework: Create a modern version of the “Allegory of the Cave” 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Logos, pathos, Aristotle, rhetoric, and imagery
-Introduce Logos and Pathos
-Discuss Aristotle and the Aristotelian Triad
-Review elements and examples of logos
-Review elements and examples of pathos
-Determine elements of logos and pathos in JFK’s “Race to Space” speech
-Connect “Allegory of the Cave” to the 3 appeals
-Define and write 2 types of imagery
-Choose an image and use imagery to describe the scene
Homework: Read Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, answer 2 questions, and complete the rhetorical appeals chart 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Rhetorical appeals in writing, MLA format, and essay writing
-Show how the rhetorical appeals enhance writing with various activities
-Using a guided worksheet, connect the Triad to a time when you made an important decision
-Brainstorm elements of ethos, logos, and pathos in relation to a given prompt
-Review MLA format and elements of a 5 paragraph essay
Homework: Using the 3 appeals, write a 5 paragraph essay based on a choice of prompts 50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Please review the reading list to ensure suitability for your learner. Of note, there is violence, murder, and suicide in Macbeth.
All ages and abilities are welcome in this course. However, please be advised that some learners will need parental support.
Pre-Requisites
Learners should be comfortable writing a basic 5-paragraph essay.
Supply List
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight ~ ISBN 978-0345277602 Beowulf (AUDIO) Translated and Read by Seamus Heaney ~ ISBN 978-1665190183 (See below for free option) *Please note when purchasing on Amazon...When you click on various formats of the book, the ISBN number can change and you may get a slightly different copy than I have. Public Domain Literature Allegory of the Cave The Canterbury Tales The Prince Other Resources Used (Online) Socrates ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKhfFBbVtFg Beowulf Part 1 ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaB0trCztM0 Beowulf Part 2 ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsxxg5P-DnY Provided Resources “Button, Button” by Richard Matheson “Race to Space” speech by John F. Kennedy “The Allegory of the Cave” by Plato “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. "Hadiza’s Journey" 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘺 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 by Geoffrey Chaucer “The Sword in the Stone” excerpt by Core Knowledge and Alice M. Hadfield “Sunrise” by Unknown 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 excerpt by Niccolò Machiavelli
Joined September, 2018
4.9
101reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree from University of Cincinnati
𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
I am a home educator with 17 years of teaching experience (ages preschool to 12th grade). During the early years, I taught and tutored local homeschool students in various subject areas. Around 8 years ago, I concentrated on teaching middle school and high school English. Then, I expanded my circle to include virtual learners in early 2020.
Because I was a learner who found it difficult to understand the writing process, I am passionate about helping learners develop their writing skills. I have a proven track record of success in teaching writing to students of varying ages and abilities. I believe that even the most reluctant writers can learn to better express themselves with the right guidance and prompting.
My experiences with my own children have given me insight into the challenge of working with different learning styles, as I have a college junior on the autism spectrum, a college sophomore with ADHD, and a gifted 11th grader. Meeting the demands of each child required a deep understanding of their individual strengths and needs, along with an adaptable mindset regarding educational strategies.
𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
-Successfully developed and implemented my own writing curriculum for middle and high school students
-Instructed students regarding a variety of literary genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, and drama
-Helped students develop critical thinking and writing skills through close reading, analysis, and discussion
-Worked with students on a 1:1 basis, as well as in a classroom setting, to help them overcome specific writing challenges, such as grammar errors, punctuation issues, and difficulty organzing their thoughts
-Provided feedback on student work and offered guidance on how to improve writing & critical thinking skills
-Mentored other home educators implement strategies to help struggling writers, as well as provided them with resources and support
Reviews
Live Group Course
$270
for 15 classes1x per week, 15 weeks
50 min
Completed by 26 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
4-14 learners per class
Financial Assistance
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