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English 2 Literature & Composition Semester 1 (10th-11th High School Homeschool)
Valerie Stone, BA
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(98)
In this 15-week English class, your learner will develop critical thinking & writing skills while exploring literature that warns against the corruption of power, the dangers of increased knowledge, & the consequences of social inequality.
Class experience
US Grade 10 - 12
𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝟮 - 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 & 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: This is an early/intermediate level English course that covers a variety of literature. Students in 9th-12th grade have successfully completed this course, as each student's level of proficiency is different. This class will touch upon various popular pieces of literature. Information will build as we proceed, and the course will continue with a second semester. During the first semester, this course will reinforce critical analysis of text,...
3 units//15 lessons//15 Weeks
Unit 1𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 / 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂nication / Gothic𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 / 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂nication / Gothic4 lessons4 WeeksWeek 1Lesson 1Historical context, satire, fable, allegory, and topic sentences<<Anchor Text - Animal Farm>> -Discuss classroom, homework, sentence, & writing expectations -Review the historical context -Introduce satire as a literary exposé, and locate the satire in a practical example -Define allegories and find the underlying meaning of an allegorical fable -Connect fable, satire, and allegory to the text -Refresh the components of a topic sentence Homework: Research totalitarian governments that exist today / write a paragraph response regarding the defining featWeek 2Lesson 2Predictions, literary present tense, context clues, and evidence-Introduce George Orwell & discuss the author’s purpose -Complete a character preview that connects the characters to historical figures and ideas -Make predictions about 2 characters -Refresh literary present tense -Discover how to use context clues to understand words or concepts and complete a practical example -Refresh adding explanation, evidence, & citations -Identify stronger/weaker evidence Homework: Read Animal Farm chapters 1-6 / Complete question-answer comprehension assignmentWeek 3Lesson 3Irony, sentence framing, arguments, and parts of an essay-Review 3 types of irony and find practical examples in the text -Using sentence framing to assist with analysis, part of a citation, or add counterclaims -Discover how to build an argument (in writing) -Discuss the impact of The Battle of Cowshed -Review the main parts of an essay -Review the essay prep and brainstorming requirements Homework: Read Animal Farm chapters 7-10 / Complete question-comprehension assignmentWeek 4Lesson 4MLA, text discussion, pairing text, and essay edits-Review MLA format -Define propaganda and complete response writing -Discuss how language/communication is related to power and control in the text, and how the animals shift away from Animalism -Discuss the underlying meaning in several selections of text -Read a pairing text and complete a comparative response -Complete practical edits on sample essay excerpts -Review the essay prompt & rubric Homework: Complete a persuasive 5-paragraph essay regarding Animal FarmUnit 2𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 / 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 / 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄5 lessons5 WeeksWeek 5Lesson 5Historical context, Romantic period elements, and Romantic authors<<Anchor Text - Frankenstein>> -Discuss the historical context -Highlight elements of the Romantic period and respond to a prompt -Define the gothic fiction genre -Introduce author Mary Shelley -Discover what Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, and Mary Shelley have in common -Learn and discuss Mary Wollstonecraft's influence on Shelley -Complete a character preview Homework: Read Frankenstein letters 1-4 + chapters 1-5 / Complete question-answer comprehension assignmentWeek 6Lesson 6Gothic elements, context clues, parallel structure, and allusions-Locate elements of gothic literature in the previous reading -Use context clues to understand words/concepts -Identify sentences with parallel structure -Compare/contrast Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein -Identify the source of allusions in the text and discuss the connection -Complete response writing regarding the significance of an allusion Homework: Read Frankenstein chapters 6-12 / Complete question-answer comprehension assignment / Complete grammar activityWeek 7Lesson 7Prometheus, symbolism, characterization, foreshadowing, and relative clauses-Read the myth of Prometheus and discuss the significance of this allusion -Explore symbolism within the text -Analyze the author’s character development in terms of character traits and mood -Start a plot diagram -Review selections of foreshadowing and determine how they contribute to the mood Shelley is creating -Discuss how to combine sentences using relative clauses Homework: Read Frankenstein chapters 13-19 / Complete question-answer comprehension assignment / Complete sentence editsWeek 8Lesson 8Figurative language, sentence types, setting, mood, and the monster-Locate personification, similes, and metaphors -Continue analyzing character development -Refresh simple, complex, compound, and compound-complex sentences with practical examples -Determine how the setting influences the mood through a comparison of selected texts -Discuss good vs. evil from a Romantic period perspective and relate those notions to the creature’s actions Read Frankenstein chapters 20-24 / Complete question-answer comprehension / Identify sentence typesWeek 9Lesson 9Themes, Romantic elements, and essay preview-Complete character development and plot diagram -Discover themes and a theme’s effect on the reader -Discuss several themes presented in the novel -Discuss plot points that connect to Romanticism -Connect emotional needs to Romanticism -Review the essay prompt options Homework: Complete a 5-paragraph analytic essay regarding FrankensteinUnit 3𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 / 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 / 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲 & 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 / 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 / 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲 & 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵6 lessons6 WeeksWeek 10Lesson 10Historical context, Victorianism, rhetoric, and close reading<<Anchor Text - A Tale of Two Cities>> -Introduce Charles Dickens and historical context -Define the historical fiction genre -Highlight elements of the Victorian period -Discuss the rhetorical device in the novel’s famous opening -Read “The Period, The Mail, & The Night Shadows” -Discuss the close reading essay prep assignment Homework: Read A Tale of Two Cities chapters 1:4-2:5 / Complete question-answer comprehension assignment / Begin close reading essay prepWeek 11Lesson 11Conjunctive adverbs, context clues, hyperbole, and French Revolution-Identify the connection between the messenger and the narrator -Review conjunctive adverbs as transitions -Use context clues to identify words/phrases -Discover how the author’s portrayal of Lucie reflects values & characteristics of the Victorian era -Define and locate the hyperbole -Examine elements of the French Revolution -Complete response writing Homework: Read A Tale of Two Cities chapters 2:6-2:14 / Complete question-answer assignment / Add to essay prep / Add conjunctive adverbsWeek 12Lesson 12Author's tone, symbolism, semicolons, literary techniques-Evaluate the difference between strong and weak claims -Evaluate a claim regarding the author’s tone in the portrayal of the French nobility / locate supportive evidence -Determine the symbolic meaning of several textual elements -Reinforce semicolon rules and complete practical examples -Discuss how Dickens unveils upcoming plot points Homework: Read A Tale of Two Cities chapters 2:15-2:23 / Complete question-answer assignment / Add to essay prep / Practice semicolonsWeek 13Lesson 13Thesaurus, evidence, logical fallacies, plagiarism, and building suspense-Complete symbolism response writing exploring elements of symbolism within the text -Practice using a thesaurus to rewrite keywords and phrases in a sentence -Choose the evidence that best supports a claim -Define and identify types of logical fallacies -Locate instances of plagiarism -Discover various methods Dickens used to build suspense in the novel Homework: Read A Tale of Two Cities chapters 2:24-3:8 / Complete question-answer assignment / Add to essay prep / Thesaurus practiceWeek 14Lesson 14Motifs, extended metaphor, antithesis, parallel, and Works Cited-Complete response writing exploring motifs present in the novel -Deconstruct an extender metaphor from the text -Explore the literary device antithesis and connect it to several texts -Complete response writing regarding a parallel in the text -Choose the analytical reasoning that best supports the claim/evidence -Review parts of a Works Cited entry -Review essay prompt & rubric Homework: Read A Tale of Two Cities chapters 3:9-3:15 / Complete question-answer assignment / Add to essay prepWeek 15Lesson 15Doppelganger, subplots, themes, character contrast, and brainstorming-Define doppelganger and complete response writing -Review how the smaller subplots connect to the overarching story -Explore themes within the novel and complete response writing -Discuss the contrast between Lucie Manette and Therese Defarge -Complete scaffolding brainstorming activity for the essay Homework: Complete a 5-paragraph literary analysis essay regarding A Tale of Two Cities
During this semester, this course will reinforce critical analysis of text, synthesize ideas, reinforce literary devices, determine how time periods influence writers, complete active reading, use creative thinking and writing, develop supportive arguments, write short in-class responses, write analytical style essays, and reinforce conventions of grammar and language usage.
𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 I am a home educator with over 16 years of teaching experience with ages preschool to 12th grade. I have a proven track record of success in teaching writing to students of all ages and abilities, and I am passionate about helping learners develop their writing skills because I was a learner who found it difficult to understand the writing process. Specifically, I have taught multiple years of Middle School and High School English, including composition, literature, and grammar. Currently, I teach an intermediate and an advanced high school level composition/literature course at our area homeschool cooperative. I believe that even the most reluctant writers can be unlocked with the right guidance and prompting. I have a college junior on the autism spectrum, a college sophomore with ADHD, and a gifted 10th grader. Teaching to varying learners has given me the unique insight of how to teach children, at various levels, to express themselves. 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
Homework Offered
Weekly reading and response writing is required. Homework types include (but are not limited to) question-answer comprehension questions, writing conventions and grammar activities, extended responses, and analytical essays. **Modified essay assignments are available upon request**2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Each learner will receive letter grades for assignments. All students who thoughtfully respond according to the question-answer and grammar activity assignments will obtain a high grade. Essays have higher expectation; however, I allow students the opportunity to correct homework or essays to achieve a higher score. Note: I prefer to challenge beyond each student's level; therefore, one student's "A" may not look the same as the next. The overall goal is for the student to show overall improvement as the year progresses. Modified assignments are available upon request.Grades Offered
Animal Farm by George Orwell ISBN-10: 9354993389 ISBN-13: 978-9354993381 *There are multiple versions of this book that are suitable ~ I have a version with a pig photo on the front, but I will also utilize an eBook version* Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley ISBN-10: 1613823487 ISBN-13: 978-1613823484 FREE Project Gutenberg Public Domain: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/84/84-h/84-h.htm FREE LibriVox Audio: https://librivox.org/frankenstein-edition-1831-by-mary-shelley-wollstonecraft/ *I have an eBook version that aligns with the Project Gutenberg E-Text* A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens ISBN-10: 1500713651 ISBN-13: 978-1500713652 FREE Project Gutenberg Public Domain: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/98/98-h/98-h.htm FREE LibriVox Audio: https://librivox.org/a-tale-of-two-cities-by-charles-dickens-2/ *There are multiple versions of this book that are suitable ~ I have the 2014 All Times Classic version, but I will also utilize the Project Gutenberg E-Text, as well as an eBook*
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Please review the reading list to ensure suitability for your learner. Of note, some animals are hurt or killed in Animal Farm, animals and people are hurt or killed in Frankenstein, people are hurt or killed in A Tale of Two Cities, and there is a reference made about a character that was raped and impregnated (no details) in A Tale of Two Cities. All ages and abilities are welcome in this course. However, please be advised that some learners will need parental support.
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(98)
About Me My husband and I live near Cincinnati, Ohio with our three children: a college junior son, a college sophomore son, and a ninth-grade daughter. I have been homeschooling our children for 16 years. We enjoy spending time together as a...
Group Class
$250
for 15 classes1x per week, 15 weeks
50 min
Completed by 14 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
4-14 learners per class
