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English 8: Language Arts Through Literature - The Book Thief Novel Study

Learners will read and analyze The Book Thief by Markus Zusak while exploring historical fiction, literary & descriptive devices, logical fallacies, and write an illustrated short story with the Moving Beyond the Page(MBTP) literature unit.
Angelia Derrick (she/her)
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5.0
Number of reviews:
(170)
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Class

What's included

9 pre-recorded lessons
5 weeks
of teacher support
1 year access
to the content
Homework
2-4 hours per week. This class is considered to be academically rigorous. Students will need to read and study the texts, do the weekly, activity pages, do short written responses outside of class, and research and write papers/essays. This class has a very heavy reading load as it is a long book.
Letter Grade
There is an end of the unit test which covers topics from The Book Thief as well as the ELA lessons included as a part of the curriculum. Your Final Grade will be determined from your homework grades, project grades, and test grades. A grading rubric will be provided with short story and final project assignments.
Grading
Students can opt out of receiving a grade from the teacher in the class (no grade option).

Class Experience

US Grade 8 - 9
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The Book Thief Unit - You will read The Book Thief, a historical novel by Markus Zusak. The novel follows Liesel, a young girl living in World War II Germany. You will learn about World War II and the influence of Nazi propaganda. This will help you better understand the character motivation of Liesel and her father. You will learn about literary devices and logical fallacies as you explore the relationship between the author, narrator, and reader. For your final project, you will write an illustrated short story and complete three mini projects as part of a Think-Tac-Toe board.

This class uses the Moving Beyond the Page Language Arts curriculum. As such learners will use literature to learn language arts, develop their critical thinking and creativity skills, and use the 6+1 traits of writing approach (Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Conventions, Presentations). A Summary of Skills will be provided when you enroll that tells you which state and national (US) standards that each unit covers for your own planning and any documentation requirements that you need to submit to your local authorities.  

There are NO live meetings for this course. Multiple posts will be made to the classroom each week which will include: video lessons on the text and language arts/grammar lessons, reading questions about The Book Thief, and homework assignments which will include the reading and worksheet/writing/creative project assignment.
Learning Goals
Learners will work on their reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing skills.
learning goal

Syllabus

Standards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
9 Lessons
over 5 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Introduction to The Book Thief
 Complete a note taking activity while learning about WW2, learn about Marcus Zusak, symbols, vocabulary, and start reading and analyzing The Book Thief. Video Lesson: 22 min 
3 assignments
Lesson 2:
Similes and Metaphors
 Analyze the narrator of The Book Thief, similes and metaphors, personification, tone, and read & analyze The Book Thief. Video Lesson: 13 min 
3 assignments
Lesson 3:
Propaganda
 Learn about historical fiction, propaganda, examine Nazi laws, and read & analyze The Book Thief. Video Lesson: 22 min 
3 assignments
Lesson 4:
Illustrated Short Story
 Descriptive writing examples, denotation and connotation, short story storytelling elements (conflict, character, setting, plot, theme), and read & analyze The Book Thief. Video Lesson: 20 min 
2 assignments

Other Details

Parental Guidance
The Book Thief takes place during World War II and the narrative includes many of the violent situations that occur during war including deaths of major characters, fights, beatings, whippings, and suicide. There is also foul language and antisemitic/racist language. Students will research some topics online, read articles on websites, and occasional watch an informational YouTube video to complete homework assignments. The following Moving Beyond the Page Resource List will be provided to learners to help them complete homework assignments and projects - https://www.movingbeyondthepage.com/online/content/resource-list.aspx Outside sources may be referenced/used in the class for homework. The unit test will be done using a Google Form. Students will be referred to the Google Suite when it comes to other assignments, but they are welcome to use any word processor, slideshow presentation software, etc. that they normally use.
Pre-Requisites
Learner should be at a 8th-9th grade reading level.
Supply List
Students will need a word processor to write paper assignments, a journal/notebook/google doc is recommended for journaling thoughts and extra/non-workbook assignments, a printer to print up the workbook pages or pdf editor to do them on their computer, and a cell phone with a camera or scanner to turn in workbook pages. 

Families will need to purchase the Moving Beyond the Page student activity pages to download. Direct links to purchase the student activity pages will be provided after enrollment. 
MBTP Activity Pages - The Book Thief - $4.99

The following text/book will be used throughout the class. Families may purchase (print, ebook, or audio) or borrow from their local library. Prices listed below were found on Amazon. 
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - $6.99

Rent/stream/borrow: The Book Thief (2013) PG-13.
 1 file available upon enrollment
Joined May, 2020
5.0
170reviews
Star Educator
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in Film/Cinema/Video Studies from California State University, Fullerton
Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Charter Oak State College
I studied literature throughout my bachelor's program as part of the creative writing emphasis. I have been teaching middle and high school level students for several years how to analyze texts (movies and books), write essays, and creative writing. 
Published writer in nonfiction (articles and books) and fiction (short stories, novellas, and novels).
Writing young adult fantasy and space opera under the pen name Angelia Almos. 
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting
Bachelor of Arts in Applied Arts: Creative Writing
Certificates from Institute of Children's Literature
Certificates from Institute for Writers

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Self-Paced Course
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$24

weekly or $120 for all content
9 pre-recorded lessons
5 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content

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Ages: 12-14

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