Compare Fiction & Nonfiction Texts: Analyze the Past to Learn Today
In this 7 week course, learners will be assigned a fiction novel to read. Learners will also be given nonfiction articles to explore social and political concepts that have shaped American/World policies today.
Striving Students Towards Success, LLC.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(245)
What's included
7 live meetings
5 hrs 50 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Students will be provided with weekly study guides for the chapters assigned. Students will work regularly on a literary analysis essay that will be due at the final class but revisions should be handed in weekly starting at week 5 of the course.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 6
January/February/March Text Selection will be 'I Am Malala (Young Reader's Edition)'. We will read articles on the history of the Afghan and Pakistani people, the Taliban, Islam, US involvement in Afghanistan/Pakistan, current events on the Taliban, and Malala's life after writing her autobiograpy. Example of text with Pairings: Lord of the Flies by William Golding Paired Texts- 'Online Identity' after reading chapter 4 of the novel learners will discuss how the characters in the book used masks to change their identity. Learners will make comparisons to the nonfiction article about students hiding their true selves on social media. 'The Man in the Well' by Ira Sher: after reading chapter 7 of the novel when the boys treat Robert like a pig, students will read and discuss this short story to explore what motivates people to be cruel 'The Stanford Prison Experiment' by Saul McLeod: Learners will examine social roles in the text as well as concepts surrounding leaders versus followers. After reading chapter 11 of the text, learners will discuss how Jack's treatment of the boys after becoming leader is similar to those of the 'guards' in the nonfiction article. Goals for the course: Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details Provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text- learners will choose either the novel or a provided short story to write a literary analysis essay with a unique thesis Develop the topic for a literary analysis essay with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples. 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. My style of teaching involves providing learners with a weekly study guide with questions that gear a learner's thinking to identifying the central idea of a text by explaining other literary elements such as setting, conflict, characterization, symbolism, motif, and foreshadowing. During the live meetings, students who completed the study guides will be prepared to engage in discussions regarding the author's use of literary elements to build the plot of the novel. If the novel or one of the short stories we analyze has a film adaptation, I provide learners with segments (or entire video if available) in order to discuss how our opinions of the characters changed or stayed the same after watching. Text Selections: I Am Malala (Young Reader's Edition) by Malala Yousef Revolution is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton Lord of the Flies by William Golding The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah The Boy who Harnessed the Wind by Kamkwamba
Learning Goals
Students will be able to identify a central idea that the novel shares with the nonfiction and fiction material provided by the teacher.
Learners will write a literary analysis essay with a unique thesis and at least 1 outside source cited correctly in MLA format.
Students will be able to explain how the novel connects to the paired articles and fictional short stories.
Learners will be able to discuss 5 facts on the novel's author in order to form an opinion on what life experiences the author held that inspired their work.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Common sense media is a good place to check if the novel being read has any potential content that you wouldn't wish your learner to be exposed to. 'Lord of the Flies' has some violent scenes and two of the characters have very brutal deaths. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' also discusses some graphic violence. This novel uses incredibly offensive racist language and involves an instance of sexual violence being described.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined May, 2020
4.9
245reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
1 teacher has a teaching certificate
New York Teaching Certificate in Special Education
New York Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
1 teacher has a Graduate degree
Master's Degree in Special Education from Grand Canyon University
1 teacher has a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from State University of New York at Oswego
I am certified in both English Language Arts and Special Education- Generalist for grades 7-12. I have over ten years experience teaching these texts to high school students and assisting learners with their core Social Studies lessons. I have taught for over ten years in an urban environment so I have extensive experience teaching texts that touch on racial issues when teaching to students of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. If an issue should arise in the class I will privately reach out to parents to discuss their learner's feelings on sensitive racial issues.
In college, I took several classes on African American literature as well as courses that focused on literature with the subject of race relations in America. I also took courses on criticisms of African colonialism and the effects imperialistic ideas still have on many African countries today. I've also taken courses on world religions, Latin American pre and post colonial society, and the history of the Asiatic region both pre and post colonial.
I continue to stay up to date on geopolitical issues to have a better understanding of the present day settings of the novels in my text rotations.
I personally have two mixed race children, so discussions of race and ethnicity in American society today is something that I speak on in my home regularly. Reviews
Live Group Class
$70
for 7 classes1x per week, 7 weeks
50 min
Completed by 10 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-12
5-11 learners per class
