SPECIAL NOTE: I am not offering this class live this year, but you can take it in the flexible schedule format (asynchronous). Here is the link to the flex version of the class - https://outschool.com/classes/10th-grade-english-language-arts-world-literature-and-composition-semester-a-flex-SA6Aynyd

In this 16-week class, students will do the first half of World Literature and Composition where we will analyze mythology, novels, short stories, and nonfiction, and write short stories and essays on related topics. This class can be used as a core English/Literature/Language Arts/ELA course for 10th or 11th grade (US standards). For non US-students, please contact me and I can send you the standards to see if it will suit your high school/secondary school year 10, 11, or 12 student's needs.  

Students will read two novels, short stories, mythology, and a nonfiction texts as we work through various themes and topics throughout the semester. Grammar, vocabulary, and writing will be a part of each unit and students will learn and reinforce MLA format for their essays. 

Unit 1 - Mythology - approx. 3 weeks
In this unit, students will stories from Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton. Students will learn about the origins of myths, study classic Greek and Roman mythology, Norse mythology, the types of heroes and villains found in myths, the types of quests depicted in myths, and they will learn about MLA format for essays. Final project will be to research a particular Greek god to create a flip book and a Works Cited page. Various lessons on writing techniques, grammar, and vocabulary will be including in the unit. By the end of this Unit, students will be able to: 
• recount various theories for the origins of myths. 
• follow the creation of man, his fall, and the introduction of death into the world, as seen in Greek culture. 
• identify and discuss the lesser Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. 
• comment on two great gods of Earth: Dionysus and Demeter. 
• discuss explanatory myths, such as the tales of Demeter and Persephone. 
• continue this discussion with myths dealing with animals and flowers. 
• recount and comment on the ancient world’s most famous pair of lovers, Cupid and Psyche.

Unit 2 - Frankenstein - approx. 3-4 weeks.
In this unit, students will read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a critically acclaimed novel that is believed to be the first science fiction and horror novel. Students will learn about theme, the use of foreshadowing, the use of narration, author style, characterization, Gothic novels, the early Romantic period of literature, and universal experiences. Various lessons on writing techniques, grammar, and vocabulary will be including in the unit. By the end of this Unit, the student will be able to: 
• correctly identify the literal incidents and their proper sequence in the plot. 
• comment on examples of universal experiences found in the novel. 
• discuss the following eight themes as they appear in this novel, and refer to events and incidents in the novel to demonstrate their importance: 1) rejection/alienation of individuals, 2) importance of friendship in one’s life, 3) taking responsibility for one’s actions and for the actions of others in the world, 4) seeking knowledge for glory’s sake, 5) obsession/revenge, 6) nature, 7) depression, 8) positive and negative consequences of actions.
• be able to discuss the author’s style, the use of foreshadowing, the use of narration, and the characterization process. 
• discuss the extent to which this novel is an example of a Gothic novel. 
• discuss the extent to which this novel is an example of the early Romantic period of literature. 
• discuss the significance of Mary Shelley’s title Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus.

Unit 3 - Short Stories - approx. 3 weeks
In this unit, students will read several short stories from Six Great Sherlock Holmes Stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Dover Edition). Sherlock Holmes is considered to be the most well-known fictional detective in literature who used his remarkable powers of observation and deduction to solve crimes. Students will learn about some of the conventions of detective fiction and how Sherlock Holmes has influenced contemporary media. Final project will be to write their own detective story. Various lessons on writing techniques, grammar, and vocabulary will be including in the unit. By the end of this Unit, the student will be able to:
• differentiate between the author and the narrator. 
• use textual clues to anticipate action and deductions. 
• discuss the relationship between Holmes and Watson, noting the use of Watson as a foil, as an instrument of public relations, and as an informed observer. 
• discuss how these early examples of detective fiction have influenced modern detective fiction, TV shows, and/or movies featuring crime and detection. 
• cite conventions that have come to be associated with detective fiction, including the less-than-brilliant assistant, the bumbling detective, the use of “red herrings,” and the use of stereotypes to convey information.

Unit 4 - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - approx. 3-4 weeks.
In this unit, students will read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. A contemporary mystery novel about a non-typical hero who is the right person to solve the crime. Students will learn about character types, the importance of representation, coming-of-age stories, literary devices, analyzing quotes, and analyzing character growth. Various lessons on writing techniques, grammar, and vocabulary will be including in the unit. By the end of this Unit, the student will be able to: 
• discuss the characteristics of autism, including how being autistic equips Christopher to solve the mystery.
• discuss Christopher’s expanding understanding of honesty, including examples of how he learns to deal with the gray areas of relative honesty and partial truth that can be described by the phrase, situational ethics. 
• understand the importance of mathematics in Christopher’s life, both during the story as a coping mechanism and in the long term as a potential career. 
• analyze the various characters of the text and identify their strengths and weaknesses. 
• evaluate the curious incident of the dog in the night-time as an example of coming-of-age fiction.
• identify the main characters who interact with Christopher and summarize their relationships with him. 
• point out examples of humor in the story, and discuss what makes these examples funny. 
• identify the literary devices used in the novel.

Unit 5 - Informational Texts - approx. 2-3 weeks
In this unit, students will read and analyze letters, speeches, articles, and other informational texts by individuals from around the world. As the students examine each text, they will identify the rhetorical techniques used, clarify the logical arguments, and learn about the historical context of each writing. Students will pick a historical/contemporary figure whose words are still read and studied to research and write an essay about for the final project. 
Some of the historical figures and writers that will be studied are: Sun Tzu, Plato, Mahatma Gandhi, G.K. Chesterton, Mary Wollstonecraft, Ellie Wiesel, Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, Anne Frank, Emma Watson, Malala Yousafzai.


***SPECIAL NOTE: You may have noticed that the start date and end date add up to more than 16 weeks; this is because, there are several weeks and/or days we will not meet for school holidays. Before enrolling, if you click the "Show all 32 Meetings" above the Enroll Now button, you will see the dates scheduled to meet and can see what dates are not in the schedule. After enrolling, your welcome email should have the dates we won't be meeting, but if it doesn't, please reach out.

***This class is also offered in the flexible schedule format if the currently listed section doesn't work for your schedule or if your teen prefers Flex classes - https://outschool.com/classes/10th-grade-english-language-arts-world-literature-and-composition-semester-a-flex-SA6Aynyd?sectionUid=a972d570-5ef7-4ffd-9a1f-7286e90b5a5d&usid=k5hGyGpE&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link ***