College-Bound Reader: Semester of Literature from Steinbeck, Brontë, & Hawthorne
𝘖𝘧 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘦 & 𝘔𝘦𝘯, 𝘞𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴, & 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘓𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 are essential novels students are expected to have read as university students. Discover each text in this memorable analytic course. #academic
Kendra Fletcher
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5.0
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What's included
13 live meetings
10 hrs 50 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Learners will be expected to read the week's chapters, do the correlating projects, and most of all, jump into the discussions we have each week. I give a lot of space for learning disabilities and non-neurotypical learners (I have a few in my own home!), so if you're hesitant about the class format, please reach out to me.Assessment
I am happy to provide letter grades when requested. Grades will be a combination of class participation, essays, and comments in the classroom for a general final grade. All essays are read and returned to learners with notes, helpful suggestions, and plenty of encouragement.Grading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Advanced Level
Are you a college-bound middle or high school student looking to read the best of literature that universities will have expected you to read before arriving on campus? If you're someone who loves to read, you probably can't wait to get started. But what if you are a reluctant reader who knows you'll have to read this stuff and try to at least make a stab at understanding it? Either way, we're going to bring these essential novels to life and enjoy the ride! 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝑳𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 Nathaniel Hawthorne is a quintessential 19th-century American author, most noted for his dark romantic novels that highlight the best and worst of humanity. Hawthorne is known for his novels 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝑳𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 and 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘎𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝑳𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 has deep themes that are relevant to our lives and culture today. Do we see ourselves in the judgment of a society that casts a woman out from among their tightly controlled circle? How do we recognize hypocrisy? Socratic discussion, engaging conversations, and hands-on projects that incorporate art, poetry, and a few other surprises will round out our five weeks as we discover Hawthorne's 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝑳𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝑶𝒇 𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒆𝒏 John Steinbeck wrote compelling mid-century literature from his Pacific Coast home in California. He lived and worked alongside migrant farmworkers up and down California's farming and coastal regions, and he drew many of his novels' themes from the human struggle he witnessed and experienced. The Nobel Prize in Literature (1962) was awarded to John Steinbeck "for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humour and keen social perception." 𝑶𝒇 𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒆𝒏 is not overwhelming in its scope but it has deep themes that are relevant to our lives and culture today. How do we treat the marginalized in our society? How do we provide equal opportunities to all? How do capitalism and The American Dream help or hold us back? Socratic discussion, engaging conversations, and hands-on projects that incorporate art, poetry, and a few other surprises will round out our three weeks as we discover Steinbeck's 𝑶𝒇 𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒆𝒏. 𝑾𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑯𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝑾𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑯𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 is hailed as one of the most important novels of the Western literary canon. When originally published in 1847, 𝑾𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑯𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 was controversial for its depictions of mental and physical cruelty, including domestic abuse, and for its challenges to Victorian morality and religious and societal values. Socratic discussion, engaging conversations, and hands-on projects that cover themes, an analytical essay, and character connections will round out our five weeks as we discover Brontë's 𝑾𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑯𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔. Our course will look like this: Week One: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘓𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳: Background Lecture and pre-reading discussion Week Two: Read and discuss chapters Week Three: Read and discuss chapters, essay assigned Week Four: Read and discuss chapters Week Five: Read and discuss chapters Week Six: 𝘖𝘧 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘦𝘯: Background Lecture and pre-reading discussion Week Seven: Read and discuss chapters 1-3, essay assigned Week Eight: Read and discuss chapters 4-6 Week Nine: 𝘞𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴: Background Lecture and pre-reading discussion Week Ten: Read and discuss chapters Week Eleven: Read and discuss chapters, essay assigned Week Twelve: Read and discuss chapters Week Thirteen: Read and discuss chapters and semester wrap-up Each College-Bound Reader course is designed to prepare you for college and university-level literature analysis. Please keep reading below if you have any concerns regarding each book's content. -To round out a high school semester, add either: Essentials for Reluctant Writers Semester I (academic essay writing) 𝘰𝘳 Essentials for Reluctant Writers Semester II (creative writing) 𝘢𝘯𝘥 High School English: Read Literature Like a Professor (literary analysis) Experience a treasure trove of literary brilliance with my When Women Write courses, highlighting extraordinary female authors. Immerse yourself in a world of captivating storytelling and powerful narratives. The curated selection includes: 𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘌𝘺𝘳𝘦, 𝘍𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘪𝘯, 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯, 𝘈 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘭𝘺𝘯, 𝘛𝘰 𝘒𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘔𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘥, 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 & 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘌𝘮𝘮𝘢, 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘪𝘭𝘦, 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘯𝘦, and 𝘔𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴. I also offer the three novels included in this semester-long course as individual classes. See you in class!
Learning Goals
Students will become familiar with three essential Western novels, learn to identify their themes and motifs, and be able to draw educated conclusions from our rhetorical discussions.
CCSS
RL.8.1
Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS
RL.8.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
CCSS
RL.9-10.1
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS
RL.9-10.10
By the end of grade 9, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 9-10 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of the grades 9-10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
CCSS
RL.11-12.1
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
CCSS
RL.11-12.10
By the end of grade 11, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 11-CCR text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of the grades 11-CCR text complexity band independently and proficiently.
CCSS
W.8.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS
W.8.5
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
CCSS
W.8.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
CCSS
W.8.10
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
CCSS
W.9-10.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS
W.9-10.5
Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
CCSS
W.9-10.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
CCSS
W.9-10.10
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
CCSS
W.11-12.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS
W.11-12.5
Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
CCSS
W.11-12.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
CCSS
W.11-12.10
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Syllabus
13 Lessons
over 13 WeeksLesson 1:
Introductory Lecture and Discussion: The Scarlet Letter
During the first live meeting, I will be introducing you to the author and the novel, focusing on cultural, historical, and social issues covered in the story. You don't need to have any of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘓𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 read yet, but feel free to start it if you like. 50 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 2:
Discussing The Scarlet Letter: The Custom House and Chapters 1-6
During the live meeting, we will discuss Chapters 1-6 by Socratic method. We will also discuss the week’s project and assignments. 50 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 3:
Discussing The Scarlet Letter Chapters 7-12
During the live meeting, we will discuss Chapters 7-12 by Socratic method. We will also share our projects and discuss the essay due at the end of the course. 50 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 4:
Discussing The Scarlet Letter Chapters 13-19
During the live meeting, we will discuss Chapters 13-19 and projects from the previous week. 50 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The story of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘓𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 centers around Hester Prynne, a married woman who becomes a social outcast when she conceives a child out of wedlock during her husband's long absence. Forced by the outraged Puritan townspeople to wear a red letter "A" for adultery on the breast of her gown, Hester refuses to name her daughter's father and accepts a life set apart from nearly everyone she knows. There is not any sexual content in the book, but of course, the subject of a child born out of wedlock will be discussed.
Common Sense Media's page will give you an accurate view of some strong language and references to racism/sexism in 𝑶𝒇 𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒆𝒏. Please read their page thoroughly if you have any concerns about your student reading this novel.
Emily Brontë's novel is not graphic in its depictions, but as mentioned above, there is psychological violence typical of Victorian gothic storytelling. A good resource for deciding if this novel is right for your learner is the Common Sense Media website.
Supply List
You will need copies of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘓𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘖𝘧 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘦𝘯, and 𝘞𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴. There are free sources available online. An audiobook version is a great idea if you are a reluctant reader, but you'll also want to underline and make notes in a copy of the book where you can.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2019
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from University of the Pacific
What happens when a learner is given the time and space to soak in a story and allow it to change their life? “Aha!” moments are my goal, and it’s why I adore leading worthwhile discussions about classic books. What good is it if we require a teen to read a book but our dry and uninteresting rendering makes them never want to pick up another book of note ever again?
Book classes for kids who want an adventure, middle and high school literature studies, introductory writing, and engaging story times for the youngest of readers and story lovers are my passion here on Outschool. We can give our kids so much more than our own experiences when we open a book and the world to them!
I have a BA in Music/Opera Studies and am currently studying for an MSt Literature and Arts at Oxford University. I homeschooled our 8 children for 25 years in which we studied, read, and learned through nearly 500 great books together. That experience and literary knowledge have spilled out into the literature studies I lead with adult learners and kids alike.
WHICH CLASSES SHOULD YOUR CHILD TAKE?
-High School or Secondary Students-
To plan a high school semester, add either:
Essentials for Reluctant Writers Semester I (academic essay writing) 𝘰𝘳
Essentials for Reluctant Writers Semester II (creative writing) 𝘰𝘳
Write a Children's Book: From Great Ideas to Publishing 𝘢𝘯𝘥
High School English: Read Literature Like a Professor (literary analysis) 𝘢𝘯𝘥
Writing the Literary Analysis Essay (literary analysis)
My College-Bound Reader courses include Of Mice and Men, The Scarlet Letter, and Wuthering Heights, and The Great Gatsby.
I offer other When Women Write courses featuring excellent female authors. When Women Write courses include 𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘌𝘺𝘳𝘦, 𝘍𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘪𝘯, 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯, 𝘈 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘭𝘺𝘯, 𝘛𝘰 𝘒𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘔𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘥, 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 & 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘌𝘮𝘮𝘢, 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 & 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘪𝘭𝘦, 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘯𝘦, and 𝘔𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴.
-Middle School Students-
To plan a middle school semester, add either:
Essentials for Reluctant Writers Semester I (academic essay writing) 𝘰𝘳
Essentials for Reluctant Writers Semester II (creative writing) 𝘰𝘳
Write a Children's Book: From Great Ideas to Publishing 𝘢𝘯𝘥
Middle School English: Read Literature Like a Professor (literary analysis) 𝘢𝘯𝘥
Writing the Literary Analysis Essay (literary analysis)
There is crossover for middle and high school students with the literature I teach. If your student is ready to read any of my When Women Write or College-Bound Reader titles, please don't hesitate to sign them up. Some middle schoolers also love my middle-reader titles, especially: Amal Unbound, The Shakespeare Stealer, and Hello, Universe
-Elementary Students-
All Books for Adventures Readers titles are appropriate for this age group:
Amal Unbound
Beezus and Ramona
Blue Willow
By the Great Horn Spoon
Georges Marvellous Medicine
Heidi
Hello, Universe
I, Juan de Pareja
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Matilda
Swallows and Amazons
The Adventures of Robin Hood
The Hundred Dresses
The Shakespeare Stealer
The Twenty-One Balloons
The Wheen on the School
Turtle in ParadiseReviews
Live Group Course
$230
for 13 classes1x per week, 13 weeks
50 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 15-18
2-6 learners per class
