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Genres #1: Sleuth's Hunch - Mystery ELA Semester Course (6th, 7th & 8th Grade)

This intensive middle school semester course is a deep dive into essay writing (various styles), creative writing, literary analysis, and research with Greenglass House (Edgar Award), independent novels (historical+), and more!
Alaina Bell Gao
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(425)
Star Educator
Class

What's included

36 live meetings
30 in-class hours
Homework
4+ hours per week. VISIT IT! (DAY 1) NOTE: Homework, including essay writing, should be completed PRIOR TO each class. These classes set the stage for the literature to be covered and for our weekly writing focus (as we develop our mystery short stories). This will be done by reading nonfiction articles, researching, introducing key concepts, discussing documentaries, or planning, crafting, revising, and editing essays. EXPLORE IT! (DAY 2) NOTE: Homework should be completed PRIOR TO each class. This will include completing a summarizing activity and posting it in our classroom. These classes will begin with storytelling and exploring the literature! The students will take turns retelling the story with a summarizing activity in the classroom (their homework). At the beginning of class, we will briefly respond to the contributions. These classes will be the time to focus on comprehension via exploration of the vocabulary, structure, figurative language, point of view, and themes in the selected reading
Assessment
I will orally assess each learner's comprehension each class and provide specific video feedback (via Loom) on their essays, as well as suggestions as they develop their short stories. There are rubrics for the assignments, which I encourage the learners to reference and use in my feedback. Ordinarily, there will be no grading in this course (A, B, C, etc. or percentages). Instead, I record feedback (video) with specific praise and suggestions for the future, believing that essay writing and English skills develop over time (for a lifetime) and at varying rates for all individuals. Individual growth and sustained/renewed interest is most important. Thus, this course will be a wonderful fit for any learner who has time for a full English course load, is able to read, write, and participate independently, and is ready for a thrilling deep dive into the genre! If you require grading, please reach out to me upon signing up.

Class Experience

US Grade 6 - 8
This course is the first in a series of intensive semester courses that are Common Core aligned to the grade 6 to 8 American English Language Arts standards, but these courses can be taken in any order. This course develops our exploration of overlapping themes and topics across various forms (short stories, novels, poems, audio readings, and films), styles (narrative, sonnet, free verse, etc.), and genres (fantasy, realistic fiction, Gothic, mystery, allegory, historical fiction, adventure, dystopian, etc.), with attention to historical accounts, points of view, figurative language, diction, syntax, structure, allusions, and the interaction of setting, character, and plot.

⭐This course is rich in content and is a good fit for advanced and gifted learners, but I maintain an encouraging, creative, low-stress environment for all learners to thrive in, while providing support so that everyone can make growth and stimulate each other. There is a full course load, but I am accommodating of various needs, levels, and schedules. I feel that all learners will do what they can do when treated with respect and encouraged to grow. Therefore, there will be no grading in this course (A, B, C, etc. or percentages). Instead, I record feedback (video) with specific praise and suggestions for the future, believing that essay writing and English skills develop over time (for a lifetime) and at varying rates for all individuals. Individual growth and sustained/renewed interest is most important. Thus, this course will be a wonderful fit for any learner who has time for a full English course load, is able to read, write, and participate independently, and is ready for a thrilling deep dive into the genre!

⭐Do reach out to me for accommodations and support! I do my best to connect with and support every learner.

⭐We will have a rotating schedule to build up the various reading (literature and informational text), writing, speaking, listening, and language skills. Therefore, each week day will have a particular focus, as follows:

VISIT IT! (DAY 1)
NOTE: Homework, including essay writing, should be completed PRIOR TO each class.

These classes set the stage for the literature to be covered and for our weekly writing focus (as we develop our mystery short stories). This will be done by reading nonfiction articles, researching, introducing key concepts, discussing documentaries, or planning, crafting, revising, and editing essays.

EXPLORE IT! (DAY 2)
NOTE: Homework should be completed PRIOR TO each class. This will include completing a summarizing activity and posting it in our classroom.

These classes will begin with storytelling and exploring the literature! The students will take turns retelling the story with a summarizing activity in the classroom (their homework). At the beginning of class, we will briefly respond to the contributions. These classes will be the time to focus on comprehension via exploration of the vocabulary, structure, figurative language, point of view, and themes in the selected reading for the week (fiction). There will be opportunities to listen to and read the literature aloud. 

Summarizing Options: Pick an Activity!
Choose one summarizing activity per week. Just say the magic words, “I’m going to . . .” 

✔️Journal It – Imagine that you are the character writing in your diary about what you have experienced and how you feel about it.

✔️Draw It - Create a comic illustrating the main events.

✔️Map It – Map out the plot on the story mountain.

✔️Graph It – Draw a graph or a series of thermometers reflecting the rising and falling conflicts.

✔️Order It – Put the story in chronological order on a time line (or, another way like a chart) to show when things happened.

✔️Voice It - Have another character tell the story with their thoughts and opinions.

✔️Witness It – Imagine that you are an inanimate object that came alive and witnessed the story. Describe what you saw or heard!

✔️Quote It - Choose the most important three sentences of the passage. Then, record yourself reading them aloud together with voice and sound effects. You may choose to add props. Add the chapter and page numbers with your work.

✔️Re-set It: You are the set and stage manager, so change the setting of the story and reimagine it in another country or time period. Rewrite the story to reflect these changes! Then, present your story using sound effects, suitable backgrounds, etc. or create a model of the new setting.

✔️Live It: Imagine that you are transported into the story. Describe your experience in writing. Then, present your story using sound effects, suitable backgrounds, etc.

✔️Script It: Create a play script of a scene from the story and perform it. Consider adding music, sound effects, and props.

✔️Think It: Develop a scene where the character is alone but is talking out loud (so we can know their thoughts). Write out their monologue and then record it.

✔️Transport It: Transport a character into our world and describe their experiences living in your community.

✔️Transform It: Convert a poem to prose or the other way around without losing the core elements of the setting, characters, and plot.

✔️Freeze It: Write and role play a scene where the character must make a choice. Have everything freeze while they talk through their options and thoughts. Have everything unfreeze as they make their decision.

✔️Advertise It: Create a poster advertising a new version of the story and pitch your idea.

✔️Orchestrate It: Choose music for a production of the story with a focus on the audience's mood, the author's tone, and the story's themes. Then, describe your choices in writing.


IMAGINE IT! (DAY 3)

This is a day for creative writing! This is when you will work on crafting your own mystery short story!

Core Literature:
Greenglass House by Kate Milford
"Three Skeleton Key" - Beginning only

One of the Following (Learner's Choice):
The Detective's Assistant by Kate Hannigan (Mid-to-late 1800s)
The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow by Katherine Woodfine (1909)
Taylor & Rose Secret Agents: Peril in Paris by Katherine Woodfine (1911)
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson (1914, 1950s, 2007 & Present)
The Story Collector by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb (1920s)
The Story Seeker by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb (1920s)
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein (1936)
Goldie Vance: The Hotel Whodunit by Brittney Williams, Hope Larson, and Lilliam Rivera (1950s)
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg (Mid-1960s)
At the Bottom of the World: Jack and the Geniuses by Bill Nye and Gregory Mone
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair by Amy Makechnie
Sunnyside Plaza by Scott Simon
Yours Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick
Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick
The Mystery of the Moon Tower by Francesco Sedita and Prescott Seraydarian
The Pathfinders Society: The Mystery of the Moon Tower by Francesco Sedita & Prescott Seraydarian

▶️Due to rising costs and lower enrollment, I have had to increase my prices. However, I am dedicated to finding a solution for all families! Do reach out to me if your learner would like to take my class and you need a discount. In fact, I am offering at least one pay-what-you-can spot for each confirmed section (with other learners). Reach out to me for details!

▶️If you are able to pay the current fee, I thank you for your support since I work hard to provide creative, inspiring content while balancing the challenges of living with disability and chronic illness. Thank you!
Learning Goals
This course will introduce and build up informational reading, foundational reading skills, literary analysis, essay writing, creative writing, media literacy, and speaking and listening skills. Together with the other courses in this series, it will focus on the grade six, seven, and eight American common core standards.
learning goal

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Standards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
12 Units
36 Lessons
over 12 Weeks
Unit 1: Mystery Traits, Setting, Atmosphere & Mood
Lesson 1:
Visit It (Nonfiction)
 What are the elements of the mystery genre? 

Determine several central ideas and their development in an essay. 
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Explore It (Fiction)
 Listen to several audiobooks and answer the questions about atmosphere and mood.

Audiobooks:
Digital Literacy - "Three Skeleton Key" & "The Case of the Curious Etching" - Dramatized Recordings 
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Imagine It (Creative Writing)
 Consider which type of mystery you want to write using Monday's essay and the independent novel setting list. 

Decide on a setting for your story. Consider how you could build up a mysterious mood. Describe your setting with powerful diction and literary techniques like imagery and onomatopoeia.

Consider how it would sound when read aloud. (If there is time, you may read your description as a Reader's Theatre collaboration.) 
50 mins online live lesson
Unit 2: Types of Mysteries & Plots
Lesson 4:
Visit It (Nonfiction)
 Read five nonfiction mysteries, and match the mysteries with the sources on the Sources Cited page. 
50 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Learning Needs
I'm gentle and adapt to the learners. I am neurodivergent and my courses are very creative. I have much experience working with neurodivergent, gifted, and 2E learners and accommodating unique learning needs. How can I support your learner?
Parental Guidance
Like in many children's novels, the child characters set out to solve the mystery independently. The readers must be able to analyze the characters' choices to understand healthy life choices in the real world and imaged adventurous (but potentially dangerous) choices in a fictional world. The main character of our focus novel reflects on his place in his adopted family (positive family dynamics) while he also wonders about his birth family and how his life could have been different. The author researched adoption extensively for a personal international adoption. The setting of Greenglass House is a town and inn where smuggling is a way of life and is embraced as a response to an economy with stipulations and laws that do not always serve the people. Thus, there is frequent mention of smuggling, theft, and other illegal activities. There is also a gun and a shot fired, as well as a suspenseful chase scene, which turns out well. The characters are complex and flawed, but likable. Thus, there will be discussions of ethics and choices, what pushes someone to take these actions, and who could/would take these routes. There are also magical and supernatural elements to this novel, including a ritual for saving a town (in a story) and [spoiler alert!!!] . . . a ghost. Some adult characters also smoke cigars and drink alcohol. Additionally, each learner will be reading one novel from the following list independently. I will provide content details and guidance in selecting an appropriate novel. The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg At the Bottom of the World: Jack and the Geniuses by Bill Nye and Gregory Mone The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart The Detective's Assistant by Kate Hannigan The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair by Amy Makechnie Taylor & Rose Secret Agents: Peril in Paris by Katherine Woodfine The Pathfinders Society: The Mystery of the Moon Tower by Francesco Sedita & Prescott Seraydarian The Story Seeker by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb Sunnyside Plaza by Scott Simon Yours Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick The Mystery of the Moon Tower by Francesco Sedita and Prescott Seraydarian Goldie Vance: The Hotel Whodunit by Brittney Williams, Hope Larson, and Lilliam Rivera Finally, I will record my feedback on your learner's essays and send a link to the Loom videos. No account or login will be required.
Supply List
Each learner must have their own copy of Greenglass House by Kate Milford and one of the following novels for independent study.

Required:
Greenglass House by Kate Milford

Choose One:
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
At the Bottom of the World: Jack and the Geniuses by Bill Nye and Gregory Mone
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Detective's Assistant by Kate Hannigan
The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair by Amy Makechnie
Taylor & Rose Secret Agents: Peril in Paris by Katherine Woodfine
The Pathfinders Society: The Mystery of the Moon Tower by Francesco Sedita & Prescott Seraydarian
The Story Seeker by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
Sunnyside Plaza by Scott Simon
Yours Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick
Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick
 5 files available upon enrollment
Joined January, 2020
4.9
425reviews
Star Educator
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in English from University of Windsor
Associate's Degree in English from Canadian College of Educators
Hi! My name is Alaina Bell Gao, and I am an experienced Canadian English teacher with 15+ years of professional teaching experience. As a dedicated, creative, gentle, and patient neurodivergent teacher, many neurodiverse learners thrive in my classes, including those with ADHD, OCD, Autism, anxiety, and dyslexia. Additionally, I have experience working with gifted and 2E learners, many of whom have thrived in my classes. Finally, I am trained and experienced in teaching English as a second and foreign language and welcome international learners!

Teaching Style:
● Share the joy of learning
● Learn with my learners
● Welcoming class culture
● Patient and cheerful nurturer/encourager
● Passionate, fun, creative, and imaginative
● Interactive and engaging (with flexible requirements and accommodations)
● Inquiry and experiential teaching
● Creative projects and enrichment activities
● Academic deep dives with critical thinking
● Multidisciplinary real-world and culture-centred lessons
● Social-emotional connections
● Literature and writing specialty
● Unique content (self-designed)
● Passionate discussion, storytelling, games, projects, and activities

In the words of Antoine de Saint-Exupery, I teach students “to long for the endless immensity of the sea" to stimulate a desire for learning in an encouraging and fun environment. To this end, I consciously model a lifestyle of endless learning.

Professional Highlights:
● Teaching English literature and history at a top-ranking national exemplary Sino-American high school in China 
● Tutoring gifted students in critical thinking, close reading, literary analysis, and essay writing
● Teaching college English and launching their social and cultural anthropology course
● Teaching English language learners (English as a second/foreign language; TESL/TEFL certified)
● Guiding AP English Language and Literature, IELTS, and TOEFL learners to success
● Teaching Chinese history and culture for a Chinese cultural association and in schools
● Developing specialized programs for student needs so struggling learners could thrive
● Developing curriculum for private use and for organizations
● Writing children's historical and cultural books
● Authoring a textbook on project-based learning (Teacher's Discovery)
● Authoring a high school English textbook (Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press)
● Performing as a Department of Tourism Management voice actor and for the exam board
● Teaching beginner readers with games and activities
● Transforming reluctant readers and writers into confident ones
● Leading book clubs and literature circles
● Transforming learner perceptions of poetry and close reading
● Facilitating the yearbook and drama clubs
● Connecting with learners from around the world

As you can see, I work with learners of all ages and abilities. I have much experience supporting learners in achieving academic and personal success, whether that is entering an Ivy League university, a gifted education program, passing an IB or AP English course/exam, reading branches and early chapter books with excitement, reading a novel with comprehension, learning to love reading for the first time, gaining the confidence to express themselves, overcoming personal barriers to success, picking up a pencil to write and to write with passion, voicing their emotions and experiences powerfully, or completing a large project for the first time. I celebrate every success! 

My classes are very creative and interactive, with an encouraging, caring, stimulating, and inspiring environment, which is full of thought-provoking questions, deep discussions, meaningful connections, social-emotional reflections, interdisciplinary learning, and an international worldview. For most of my classes, we take time to savour the literature and I host plenty of engaging literature circles and book clubs, with an increasing range of multicultural novel options, in addition to the classics and Newberry award winners.

My classes are an enthusiastic deep dive into literary appreciation, close reading, and literary analysis without overwhelming the learners with heavy terminology. (I still incorporate references to figurative language, as well as the reader's response, formalist, historical, socio-cultural, and archetypal lens into my lessons, but this is done in a way that the learners can grasp, even without prior training.) Annotation and research skills are a focus in many classes, too. Additionally, I often talk about the power of a learner's choices and the impact those choices will have on their audience. This is to encourage an awareness of the creative process and of themselves as writers, poets, artists, and creators.

As for social studies, I am fascinated by people and cultures, as I am by stories and histories. Although I am Canadian, I lived in China for ten years, integrated into the culture, studied the history extensively, learned Mandarin, and started an educational not-for-profit organization with my Chinese husband. I am an experienced educator and am trusted by Chinese parents, the Chinese Association of Mississauga, and local teachers to teach Chinese history and culture. I also have friends and connections within many other cultures, so building up global awareness, cultural competence, and empathy is important to me!

Additionally, I care about each learner's well-being, so learners are welcome to bring a snack, drink, or fidget spinner to class if that will help and won't be a distraction to others. Learners are also welcome to take stretching breaks. Please reach out to me for any concerns or accommodations. Also, I have recently raised my prices at Outschool's recommendation (smaller class sizes and inflation), but I want to make this work for you! Do reach out to me if you are interested in one of my classes and are in need of a coupon.

Finally, I am an experienced and passionate educator, but I also live with chronic illness and a disability, which means that I greatly appreciate your support. This is my main job and I can only do it thanks to fabulous parents like you! Thank you! So, what are you looking for? Let me know! I would be happy to accommodate you, if possible! I look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Live Group Course
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$60

weekly or $720 for 36 classes
3x per week, 12 weeks
50 min

Completed by 9 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-15
1-4 learners per class

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