High School English; Literature: Fiction & Nonfiction, Part One (9th - 12Th)
A supplementary one-day-a-week enrichment reading class, which provides a 12-month series of materials for the Fall, Spring & Summer semesters. Enjoy reading while developing critical thinking skills and building academic confidence.
Marisa Hammond Olivares; (GT, ELA, ESL, ELL, SPED)
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What's included
1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
Students may have some light reading and writing outside of the 50-minute class period. Any assignments would be suggested at the end of a class section and become the responsibility of the student. My students are welcome to submit any optional assignments for feedback.Assessment
My natural teaching style allows me to gauge my students' learning during each session. However, on occasion, I will give some formalized assessments through Google Forms and other platforms.Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Intermediate Level
Suggested course of study: ~ 9th & 10th Grade learners should consider beginning with "Part One" and then continue with "Part Two" the following year. Primary Focus: In-depth reading comprehension, analysis, and interpretation. This class is designed to supplement your current reading curriculum by cultivating opportunities to build literacy. ~ Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively. ~ You can expect to read classic literature and nonfiction articles. ~ Scroll down for the passage timeline. Ongoing Format: Each session is independent of any previously held classes. Students may drop in and out as their schedule and availability will permit. Refunds are not given for missed classes or anyone wishing to "hold" a seat. I will follow the standard refund policy set forth by Outschool. LEARNING SESSIONS You can expect to read one short passage per week. Students will experience a combination of direct instruction, note-taking, discussion, interactive reading, writing, vocabulary, and the application of skills. In addition, students can expect independent and group interactions with the teacher and classmates. ~ Please note that the writing is in the form of guided literary responses. Short answers, not essays. ~ There is a 2-day version of this class. The additional day allows more time for discussion, analysis, and writing. **************** Fall Semester **************** *** Mature and sensitive topics are identified in the Parent Guidance section. Week of September 12th: ~ A Dead Woman's Secret by Guy de Maupassant ~ Theme: People are not what they seem ~ Literary skills: plot, characterization, surprise, and perspective. ~ Extension activity; Motif in literature Week of September 19th: ~ Dr. Heidegger's Experiment by Nathaniel Hawthorne ~ Theme: Repeating mistakes, irony, and immortality. ~ Literary skills: Inferencing, interpretation, and analysis. ~ Extension activity; Nonfiction article about youth and never growing old Week of September 26th : ~ The Open Window by Saki ~ Theme: Persuasion and humor. ~ Literary skills: purpose, storytelling, suspense, and perspective. ~ Extension activity; How do authors create humor? Week of October 3rd: ~ The Fly by Katherine Mansfield ~ Themes: Grieving, power, and control. ~ Literary skills: Figurative language, diction, characterization, and sentence structure. ~ Extension activity; Home Burial by Robert Frost (Poem) ******************************** Mid-Fall Break No Classes the Week of October 10th ******************************** Week of October 17th: ~ The Story of the Bad Little Boy by Mark Twain ~ Theme: Irony, morals, and humor. ~ Literary skills: Summary, character analysis, irony, and context clues. ~ Extension activity; The Storyteller by Saki (Short Story: Fiction) Week of October 24th: ~ Excerpt From Frankenstein: The Creature's Request by Mary Shelley ~ Literary skills: tone, interactions, context clues, and interpretation. ~ Extension activity; At a Window by Carl Sanburg (Poem). Week of October 31st: ~ The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe (poem) ~ Showdown (alternate short story) ~ Loss and grief. ~ Literary skills: the relationship between the speaker and the character, text evidence, characterization of the raven, allusion (Athena & Hades), repetition, and internal rhyme. Week of November 7th ~ The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain ~ Theme: Deception. ~ Literary skills: Contrasting diction, perception, and multiple narrators. ~ Extension activity; Mark Twain and humor. Week of November 14th ~ Story of An Hour by Kate Chopin ~ Theme: Newfound independence and happiness. ~ Literary skills: characterization, character perspective, conclusion, and author's craft ******************************** Thanksgiving Holiday Break No Classes the Week of November 21st ******************************** Week of November 28th ~ Winged Blackmail by Jack London ~ Theme: Fear and Power ~ Literary skills: Plot, suspense, irony, characterization, and resolution. Week of December 5th ~ Because I could not stop for death by Emily Dickinson (poem) ~ Literary skills: Personification, tone, perspective, structure, and theme. Week of December 12th ~ Literary analysis: Plot, theme, conflict, and resolution. ~ Excerpts of A Christmas Carol Week of December 19th ~ Literary analysis: Plot, theme, conflict, and resolution. ~ Excerpts of A Christmas Carol WINTER BREAK Week of January 9th The Cone by H.G. Wells Week of January 16th The Interlopers by Saki Week of January 23rd Yesterday was Beautiful by Roald Dahl Week of January 30th The Cask of Amontillado Week of February 6th Federigo's Falcon Week of February 13th The Lady or the Tiger SPRING BREAK #1 Week of February 27th The Man in the Well Week of March 4th An Obstacle (Poetry) Week of March 11th A Jury of Her Peers (excerpt #1) Week of March 18th A Jury of Her Peers (excerpt #2) Week of March 25th The Pit and the Pendulum Week of April 1st Ovid: Echo and Narcissus Week of April 8th Ovid: Orpheus and Eurydice Week of April 15th Ovid: Pygmalion ~~~~~ No classes the week of April 22nd ~~~~~ Week of April 29th Nonfiction: Love Week of May 6th Memoir: War Week of May 13th Fiction: Short Story END OF THE SPRING SEMESTER Week of June 3rd Fiction: Short Story Week of June 10th Fiction: Short Story Week of June 17th Fiction: Short Story Week of June 24th Fiction: Short Story ~~~~~ Holiday ~ No classes the week of July 1st ~~~~~ Week of July 8th Fiction: Short Story Week of July 15th No classes Week of July 22nd Fiction: Short Story Week of July 29th Fiction: Short Story Week of August 5th Fiction: Short Story Week of August 12th Fiction: Short Story END OF THE SUMMER SEMESTER ~ My Fall semester will begin on the week of September 9th, 2024, and will follow the agenda listed above.
Learning Goals
In addition to college readiness, my goal is to create a connection between prior knowledge, new knowledge, literary text, and the real world. Aside from improving reading comprehension, developing analytical skills, and encouraging higher-order thinking, I want my students to be confident with their interpretations and responses.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
*** High School literature can have direct and indirect themes that may be mature and sensitive for some learners. Note, some literature may contain biblical references and allusions. My goal here will be to describe the reference and how it is used in literature.
Classroom discussions are vital and will be facilitated with great care, maturity, and professionalism. Any sensitive issues that may arise through inferencing, personal connections, interpretation, and writing must be relevant to the text. The students will be redirected as needed.
I have identified any potential concerns below. Feel free to message me with any questions.
~ Winged Blackmail; There is one line that states, "go to hell"
~ Echo and Narcissus by Ovid (Myth)
This myth is traditionally taught in 9th and 10th grade. Nymphs are in the vocabulary section, and there is a character that is a nymph; nymphs populate the world of mythology. This passage creates inferences of seduction and desire through the use of figurative language.
~ Excerpt from The Odyssey: The Sirens by Homer (Poem)
This poem is traditionally taught in 9th grade. I am using this poem to connect the nymphs in the previous passage and the sirens in the poem. The word RAPTURE is in the vocabulary section and is about the siren's song. Rapture is defined as a feeling of intense pleasure or joy.
~ A Dead Woman's Secret by Guy de Maupassant (Short Story)
Reference to God, Christ, crucifix, and religion. The dead woman's daughter, Sister Eulalie, is a nun. The passage contains the following quotes; "She, the daughter, quite penetrated with virtue that had bathed her in this austere family had become the spouse of God through disgust with men." and "The nun passionately kissed one hand of her dead mother, which hung down, a hand of ivory-like that of Christ in the large crucifix which lay on the bed." In addition, the ending does contain an ironic twist; it alludes to infidelity.
~ Excerpt From Frankenstein: The Creature's Request (novel excerpt) Mary Shelley, Author
Includes biblical references; devil, Adam, and the fallen angel. Contains references to scourge, blood, and murder.
~ The Open Window by Saki
Contains references to a rectory, a residence of priests.
~ The Fly by Katherine Mansfield
References the death of a child and a gravesite. Contains the drinking of whiskey and a descriptive killing of a fly.
~ Home Burial by Robert Frost (Poem)
References the death of a young child and the in-depth analysis of how both parents grieve.
~ The Story of the Bad Little Boy by Mark Twain
References sin, prayers, and a "Sunday-school book."
~ The Storyteller by Saki (Short Story: Fiction)
References the catching and eating of a fat little pig for supper. A character tells the story of a wolf eating a "horribly good girl."
~ Dr. Heidegger's Experiment by Nathaniel Hawthorne
References the Church of England, Puritans, and the Fountain of Youth. Includes the mention of young, burning passion and coquetry.
Supply List
Keep handy for any occasional notes. ~ Pencil and paper. ~ A traditional composition book. ~ Digital docs are fine too. *Gel pens, skinny markers, highlighters, and sticky notes are a great option for the more creative note taker.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined July, 2020
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Texas Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Bachelor's Degree from Texas Woman's University
About me -
~ I'm certified to teach from Pre-K - 12th Grade
~ I have taught Literature and English Language Arts for 16 years.
~ I am certified in ESL for grades Early Childhood - 12th Grade.
~ I am certified in Special Education for grades Early Childhood - 12th Grade.Reviews
Live Group Class
$16
weekly1x per week
50 min
Completed by 112 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-17
3-10 learners per class
