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"Great Balls of Fire" HS English Honors Section: The Great American Novel
"Mr. J." (Jeremy Ballard)
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Average rating:4.8Number of reviews:(85)
What is the greatest American novel of all time? How do we even define it? In this Honors section, we will read six of the contenders, reading one novel a month, and meeting once a month as we attempt to answer those questions.
Class experience
US Grade 10 - 12
Intermediate - Advanced Level
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
*This course was created as an optional honors section (or extra credit section) for my American Literature and Pop Culture course, "Great Balls of Fire. While it is recommended that students be enrolled in that course concurrently, they are not required to be; however, students not enrolled will not receive a grade, but may receive a certificate of completion at the discretion of the instructor. **This course has a unique meeting schedule, meeting once a month from September-May (January...
8 lessons//8 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Course IntroductionWeek 2Lesson 2Uncle Tom's CabinNovel discussionWeek 3Lesson 3The Adventures of Huckleberry FinnNovel discussionWeek 4Lesson 4Moby DickNovel discussionWeek 5Lesson 5Invisible ManNovel discussionWeek 6Lesson 6LolitaNovel discussionWeek 7Lesson 7Student ChoiceNovel discussionWeek 8Lesson 8Course wrap-upfinal discussion.
In this course students will… -determine theme; -analyze plot and its various phases; -examine how literary elements affect plot progression, assist in character development, and convey meaning, including: motif, symbol, foreshadowing, echoing, flashback, opposition, metaphor, irony, foil, choice of language; This course provides opportunities to for students to develop the following skills: 1.Explain the function of character. 2.Explain the function of setting. 3.Explain the function of plot and structure. 4.Explain the function of the narrator or speaker. 5.Explain the function of word choice, imagery, and symbolism.
Credentialed teacher with almost 20 years of experience in education. Certified AP English teacher, forensics coach (speech and debate), with an extensive background in drama. I have taught in multiple states in the U.S. and spent three years teaching in China. I am traveler, chef, poet, and storyteller, specializing in writing instruction, literary analysis, creative projects, and above all, building student teacher relationships.
Homework Offered
Students will read one novel each month (typically around 6 hours of reading) and submit one essay for each novel (approximately 500 words).2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Assessments for this course will be essays written on each of the novels read. Essay topic will come from a list of previous AP English Literature and Composition prompts.Grades Offered
As a supplemental honors (or extra credit) course, students enrolled in the full year course will work towards and be graded on an accumulation of points. Students not enrolled in the full year course may receive a certificate of completion upon request. Under the point accumulation system, students and parents may choose to have points applied to a student's semester grade or receive an honors certificate. Please note, students must earn a minimum of 18 points to qualify for an honors certificate. Semester Grading Engagement 8 points Essay One 9 points Essay Two 9 points Essay Three 9 points Total possible 34 points Engagement: students are expected to attend class on time, leave their cameras on at all times, and actively participate in class discussions each day. Students doing that shall earn two points for each class. Students that do not attend, have their camera closed, or fail to participate will not earn points for the day. Essays: Essays will be graded using the former AP 9-point rubric. Based on this rubric, a C essay is worth 5-6 points, with a B worth 7, and an A 8-9 points. The standards for these essays are high, and typically most students score 4-6 points per essay. Students that are able to accumulate 20 points prior to the third essay may be excused from the third essay.
This class is designed as a supplement to my full year English course, "Great Balls of Fire" American Literature and Pop Culture. While students are not required to be enrolled in that course to join this section, it is recommended.
Students are responsible for acquiring their own copies of all novels
Please be advised that many of these books have been controversial and/or contain mature subject matter. Parents should review all novels before students read. Content may include mature language, violence, sexual content, racial slurs, alcohol, smoking, and drug use. Students may replace novels with alternative selection under consent of the instructor and at parent's discretion. Note, that replacing these alternatives may present complications, as students will be limited in their classroom discussions and alternative novels will not be discussed, often making the essays more difficult. Notes from "Commonsensemedia.org" The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Parents need to know that Mark Twain's classic, humorous novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, set in the pre-Civil War South in the mid-19th century, tells the story of a runaway White boy and a Black man who's a fugitive from slavery, and the adventures they have on the run. Main character Huck Finn first appeared in Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and Tom appears in this book, too. The story includes abuse of whiskey, as well as child beating and other real and threatened violence (though little of it is graphic). Originally published in the United Kingdom in December 1884 and in the United States in February 1885, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn includes constant use of the "N" word, and it is frequently banned by libraries and school districts for its racist language and attitudes. However, Huck and Jim's humanity, and Huck's inner moral struggles as he questions what he's been taught about slavery actually expose the irrationality of racism. Lolita Parents need to know that Lolita is director Stanley Kubrick's dark "comedy" based on Vladimir Nabokov's novel about a man who fantasizes about and sexually abuses a teenage girl. While most of the sexual content is heavily veiled and implied, the plot makes light of Humbert Humbert (James Mason)'s obsession with 14-year-old Dolores (Sue Lyon, who was also 14 at the time of filming) and frames her flirtation as consent. Two women are central characters, but Dolores is inappropriately portrayed as being sexually savvy and in control of her abusive situation. Two people die off-screen. There's virtually no racial diversity, and outdated terms "colored" and "oriental" are used by White characters. Other language includes "damn," "hell," "shut up," "God," "jerk," "brat," and "creep." Casual drinking and smoking and two characters are shown in a drunken stupor. *The other novels were not listed on the website.
Uncle Tom's Cabin The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Moby Dick Invisible Man Lolita *a sixth novel, student choice from list provided
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Average rating:4.8Number of reviews:(85)
"I am not the teacher that you are looking for," as I wave my hand ever so slightly. I will not fill your students with rainbows and sunshine. I am not super high tech in the computer age. I don't offer fluff and I have no gimmicks. No puppies,...
Group Class
$25
weekly or $200 for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
60 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 15-18
3-9 learners per class
