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

Class
Alaina Bell Gao
Star Educator
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(400)
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!

Class experience

US Grade 6 - 8
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.
Homework Offered
SPECIAL! Get $150 off my class with coupon code BELLGMYSTERY150 until Jan 31, 2023 ▶️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! This course is part two 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 with much 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. 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 ▶️Week 1: Mystery Traits, Setting, Atmosphere & Mood Nonfiction - The elements of mystery (Determine several central ideas and their development) Digital Literacy - "Three Skeleton Key" & "The Case of the Curious Etching" - Dramatized Recordings (Listen and answer the questions) https://oneact.bandcamp.com/album/three-skeleton-key https://oneact.bandcamp.com/album/the-gas-town-mysteries-in-color Focus - Listening for comprehension, details & elements of the mystery genre; List of independent study novel settings; Reader's Theatre collaboration ▶️Week 2: Types of Mysteries & Plots Nonfiction - Real life mysteries: Show & tell brainstorming Fiction - Introduction to the independent study novel plots & other mystery plots (Determine different types of mysteries) Focus - Brainstorming a plot and a perplexing mystery; Choose a novel for independent study ▶️Week 3: Round Characters Nonfiction - Descriptions of famous people: Characteristics, traits & flaws (Cite textural evidence) Essay #1 - Description of a Friend/Relative Fiction - Character analysis: Greenglass House (Chapters 1-3) Focus - Developing strong, round characters; Interviewing the suspects ▶️Week 4: Details of the Crime and Types of Locations (Everyday, Local, Exotic, Mysterious, etc.) Nonfiction: Types of clues, crime scenes, and locale vocabulary Essay #2 - Definition of a mystery Fiction - Independent novel presentations (how the authors introduce the mysteries and the details given) Focus - Choose your mystery and add tantalizing details that incriminate multiple characters ▶️Week 5: Characterization & Motive Nonfiction - Tone and diction in descriptions of smuggling and criminal activities (Word choice & analysis of how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text) Essay #3 - Write a narrative essay about a temptation or a challenging decision Fiction - Greenglass House (Chapters 4-6) Focus - Planning plausible motives and multiple suspects ▶️Week 6: Layers of Puzzles, Several Paths & Mapping Out the Plot Suggested supplies: Sticky notes Nonfiction: Research, dictionaries & thesauruses Fiction: Greenglass House (Chapters 7-8) Focus - Conflict & complications; Blind spots & flaws; Details that are clear and unclear to each character and reasons for their next actions; Mapping out the plot ▶️Week 7: Clues, Foreshadowing, Distraction, Misdirection & Red Herrings Nonfiction - Red Herrings (Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas) Fiction - Greenglass House (Chapters 9-11) Focus - Weaving in clues and red herrings ▶️Week 8: Pacing, Tension, Suspense, Syntax & Voice Nonfiction - The Elements of Pacing (Find supporting details and examples) Essay #4 - Analyze how the author is leaving a trail of clues for the readers and building suspense Fiction - Presentations about the independent novels Focus - Pacing, varied sentences, and voice ▶️Week 9: The Author's Experience, Thoughts & Opinions Nonfiction - Author's Note Fiction - Greenglass House (Chapters 12-15) Focus - Themes and details ▶️Week 10: Intriguing Introductions & Conclusions Nonfiction - Circular Narratives Fiction - Excerpts from mystery stories (Pivotal clues) Focus - Comparing introductions in a table to make conclusions about how to start and conclude a mystery story; Developing our introductions and conclusions ▶️Week 11: Perfecting Our Craft Nonfiction - Peer input, revisions & editing Essay #5 - Research an element of the novel (historical, geographic, scientific, etc.) and review the novel based on its accuracy Focus - Figurative language; Peer input, revisions & editing ▶️Week 12: The Grand Reveal! Essay #6 - Write a reflective essay about your growth as a mystery writer Focus - Present your mystery story in two formats: a traditional written short story + an illustrated version, dramatic audio reading, video, animation, text adventure game, board game, illustrated picture book, pop-up book, graphic novel, etc. 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!
4+ hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Grades Offered
 5 files available upon enrollment
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
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
This course is not intended for sensitive readers.

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.
We will use Google Docs for writing and Google for research.
Star Educator
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(400)
Profile
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... 
Group Class

$60

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

Completed by 9 learners
Live video meetings
Ages 11-15
2-6 learners per class

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