$60

for 8 classes

Exploring English: Texts and Contexts

New class

Ages 14-17

Live Group Course

This dynamic freshman English course combines classic literature with modern storytelling techniques, helping students develop critical thinking and writing skills through hands-on analysis.

Cassandra Stieren M.Ed.

Average rating:

4.4

Number of reviews:

(27 reviews)

Live video meetings

1x per week, 8 weeks

2-8 learners per class

60 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

8 live meetings

8 in-class hours

Homework

1 hour per week. 1-2 per week

Assessment

1 after class completion

Class Experience

US Grade 8 - 11

Beginner Level

Class Experience

This 8-week live online course meets twice weekly for 60-minute sessions, offering an engaging blend of interactive learning and thoughtful discussion. Each class combines mini-lectures with hands-on activities, ensuring students stay motivated and involved throughout.

What We'll Cover:

Literary analysis fundamentals through short stories and poems
Creative writing techniques and storytelling skills
Critical reading strategies for fiction and non-fiction
Essay writing and analytical thinking
Public speaking and presentation skills through text discussions

Teaching Approach:
Students participate in lively discussions, collaborative analysis, and creative writing workshops. Each session includes:

15-20 minutes of guided instruction with visual slides
25-30 minutes of interactive activities (group discussions, writing exercises, text analysis)
10-15 minutes of sharing and feedback

Interactive Elements:

Real-time feedback on writing and analysis
Breakout room discussions with peers
Digital annotation tools for collaborative text analysis
Student-led presentations and discussions
Writing workshops with peer review opportunities

Homework and Support:

Weekly reading assignments (30-45 minutes)
One writing assignment per week (45-60 minutes)
Optional office hours available for additional support
Regular progress updates shared with parents

Technology Requirements:

Stable internet connection
Computer or tablet with webcam and microphone
Access to Google Docs for collaborative writing
Basic word processing software

Class Size:
Limited to 8 students to ensure personalized attention and meaningful participation from each learner.

Learning Goals

Apply critical reading strategies to understand complex texts

Craft well-structured analytical essays with clear thesis statements

Syllabus

Curriculum

Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum

Standards

Aligned with State-Specific Standards

8 Lessons

over 8 Weeks

Lesson 1:

Introduction to Literary Analysis

 Introduction to course objectives and syllabus.
Discussion on the purpose of studying literature.
Reading and analyzing a short story, focusing on plot, character, and setting.
Writing a short response paper on the story.

60 mins online live lesson

Lesson 2:

Poetry and Imagery

 Introduction to poetry and its elements.
Reading and analyzing classic and contemporary poems.
Group discussion on the use of imagery and symbolism.
Creative writing exercise: Students write their own poems using vivid imagery.

60 mins online live lesson

Lesson 3:

Drama and Dialogue

 Reading and discussing a one-act play. Analyzing dialogue and character development. Group performance of selected scenes. Reflective journal entry on the experience of performing drama.

60 mins online live lesson

Lesson 4:

Fiction and Narrative Techniques

 Reading a short novel or novella. Discussion on narrative voice, point of view, and structure. Writing an analytical essay on a specific narrative technique used in the text.

60 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Supply List

Materials:
All reading materials will be provided digitally. Students only need basic writing supplies and a notebook for class participation.

External Resources

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Sources

Course Reading Materials (Digital) All texts will be provided through our secure learning platform in PDF format. Core Texts: "The Giver" by Lois Lowry (public domain educational edition) Selected short stories from Project Gutenberg collection: "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe Poetry Selection: "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou (with permission from educational licensing) Selected poems from Poetry Foundation's public domain collection: "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost "Hope is the Thing with Feathers" by Emily Dickinson "Sonnet 18" by William Shakespeare Drama: "The Glass Menagerie" (first act, educational edition) by Tennessee Williams Non-Fiction: Selected essays from CommonLit's educational collection: "Mother Tongue" by Amy Tan "Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan Letters from Frederick Douglass (public domain) Note: All readings are either public domain works or provided through educational licensing agreements. Specific text selections may be adjusted based on class needs and interests.

Meet the teacher

Cassandra Stieren M.Ed.

Joined December, 2019

4.4

27reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Master's Degree in Education from Post University

Teaching Expertise

My journey in education spans two decades, blending academic expertise with hands-on classroom experience. After earning my Master's Degree in Education , I completed doctoral coursework specializing in literacy development and contemporary teaching methodologies. This academic foundation has continuously informed my teaching practice, helping me create engaging learning environments that spark students' curiosity and confidence.