High School English: Coming-Of-Age Novels
What's included
28 live meetings
21 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will be asked to complete all of their reading outside of class. If some of our writing work is unfinished after class, students will be asked to complete that work outside of class as well. But the majority of work will be completed in class!Assessment
Students will be given several formal writing assignments throughout the semester. While these are not tests, per se, they can be used as assessment pieces for homeschooling evidence, which many states and countries require. All formal writing in my class will be completed with multiple rounds of written and verbal feedback. Students will have the opportunity to work through their writing skills as a group and 1-1 with me in class!Grading
Grading - Students will have the opportunity to receive a grade in the form of their choosing.I am happy to provide a grade in the form of a percentage, letter, or both. I can also offer a formal letter for submission to state programs. I ask students throughout the semester about their needs for grading and am happy to work with parents to create a plan that meets their needs! Please note that Grading is NOT required.Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Intermediate - Advanced Level
In this semester-long course, students will participate in reading, writing, and discussion activities through a short story unit and two novel studies covering Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd & Enter Title Here by Naomi Kanakia. The outline below may shift as the semester goes on depending on student needs, but we will go through the units as prescribed. As a teacher and a parent, I feel it is important to make adjustments based on student needs so that students are getting the most out of their classes and so that they are developing the skills that they need to be successful. Close-Reading, Writing, and Socratic Seminar Discussions will be the focus of the course. All three of the skills are designed for a deeper understanding of the materials and for learning how to analyze and utilize them in our own writing. Students will learn how to perform a close reading of difficult material while being able to participate in collaborative discussions. We will write every single day but the length will vary. If you have questions about the work, please let me know as I am happy to answer any questions that you might have! Week 1: Introduction to Semester Course - Introduction and Welcome - Student "Interviews" - Goals, Experiences, and Interests - Writing Effective Analytical Paragraphs - Introduction to Google Drive - Introduction to Short Stories - Ethos, Pathos, and Logos - Identifying Rhetorical Appeals Week 2: Argument - Ethos, Pathos, Logos - Identifying Rhetorical Appeals - Rhetorical Appeals in Advertisements - Rhetorical Appeals in Still Images Week 3: Argument - Ethos, Pathos, Logos - Identifying Rhetorical Appeals - Rhetorical Appeals in Still Images - Rhetorical Appeals in Famous Speeches Week 4: Argument - Ethos, Pathos, Logos - Identifying Rhetorical Appeals - Rhetorical Appeals in Famous Speeches - Student Selection of Arguments - Analysis and Presentation - Still-Image, Advertisement, Speech Week 5: Argument - Ethos, Pathos, Logos - Identifying Rhetorical Appeals - Rhetorical Appeals in Famous Speeches - Student Selection of Arguments - Analysis and Presentation - Still-Image, Advertisement, Speech Week 6 - Indigo Girl Novel Study - Introduction to Indigo Girl and the Early 1700s - Introduction to the Author - Introduction to Quick, Focused Writing Excerpts - Introduction to Character and Characterization - Introduction to Indigo, Its Value, and The Process - Discussion about Slavery Conception to Late 1700s Week 7: Indigo Girl Novel Study - Character Development - Conflict and Plot Development - Conflict and Historical Connections - Mini-Writing Prompt Week 8: Indigo Girl Novel Study - Coming of Age in Historical Ages - The Role of the Woman in the 1700s - Mini-Writing Prompt Week 9: Indigo Girl Novel Study - Traditional and Family in the Novel - Symbolism and Theme of the Novel - Character Development - Final Essay Prompt: The Role of Family in Traditions Week 10: Enter Text Here Novel Study - Introduction to the Novel - Introduction to the Author - Introduction to Schooling Topics - Coming of Age in the Modern Age Week 11: Enter Text Here Novel Study - Introduction to the Novel - Introduction to the Author - Introduction to Schooling Topics - Coming of Age in the Modern Age Week 12: Enter Text Here Novel Study - Character Development - Conflict in High School and Family - The Role of Family in Big Decisions - The College Application Process - Mini-Writing Prompt Week 13: Enter Text Here Novel Study - Character Development - Conflict in High School and Family - The Role of Family in Big Decisions - The College Application Process - Mini-Writing Prompt Week 14: Enter Text Here Novel Study - Higher Education Plans Discussion - Climax and Plot Analysis - Themes and Messages of the Novel - Final Essay: Character Development in a Coming-to-Age Novel *** Thank you for your consideration of my class. Please note that the proficiency levels and grades that are listed in the course description are recommendations but all students are welcome! Through professional training, I have developed classes with writing, reading, and discussions that can be modified to meet each student’s individual needs. For students who are interested in Honors and Advanced Options for transcripts, please reach out as soon as possible so that we can arrange transcript details for you! ***
Learning Goals
Students will be able to...
- Participate in Reading, Writing, and Discussion Activities
- Develop Skills that They Need to be Successful
- Close-Read
- Discuss Stories in a Socratic Seminar Discussion
- Develop a Deeper Understanding of the Materials
- Learn how to Analyze Skills
- Utilize the Skills in Our Own Writing
- Collaborate in Discussions
- Read and Write Every Single Day
- Ask Questions
- Write Effective Analytical Paragraphs
- Identify Elements of Plot and Plot Development
- Annotate Text
- Analyze Symbolism in Short Stories and Novels
- Develop Plots for a Short Story
- Analyze Character
- Write a Character Analysis Paragraph
- Examine Historical Context
- Identify and Analyze Conflict
- Define Coming of Age
- The Role of the Woman in the 1700s
- Examine the College Application Process
- Participate in a Higher Education Plans Discussion
- Identify Themes and Messages of the Novel
Other Details
Parental Guidance
We will be discussing topics of coming of age including language, personal struggles, conflict, and more. We will be having open discussions about the works that we are reading and students and parents are welcome to reach out to me for help or with questions about the text!
Supply List
Students will need to purchase the novels and have access to the literature pieces with copyrights. Some of the work we will be working with will be creative commons work or will be out of copyright. These we can access without an issue. All work we complete (the curriculum itself) is developed by me so there is no need to purchase a copyrighted curriculum! Enter Title Here: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Enter-Title-Here-Rahul-Kanakia/dp/1484734068 Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/enter-title-here-rahul-kanakia/1123127732?ean=9781484734063 Indigo Girl: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Indigo-Girl-Novel-Natasha-Boyd/dp/1538552922/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+indigo+girl&qid=1662030534&sprefix=the+indigo%2Caps%2C116&sr=8-1 Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-indigo-girl-natasha-boyd/1125830693?ean=9781538552926 Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Indigo-Girl-Audiobook/B075VCXPR2?qid=1662030562&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=70GMSEQHHCZ16B0VCWS0
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Colorado Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
This will be the sixth semester class for high school students that I run on Outschool. Below are links to the other semester classes. I have been teaching here for multiple years and have taught thousands of students in public schools, private tutoring, and Outschool classes. Shakespeare has a special place in my heart when working with students and research is an excellent way to learn how to write and develop paragraphs. Please feel free to check out these classes to gain a better understanding and feeling of my expertise.
Semester Classes:
- Frankenstein and Oedipus Rex: https://outschool.com/classes/high-school-english-a-semester-long-course-v8hZFmgO#usl0R3fRwf
- Persepolis and As I Lay Dying: https://outschool.com/classes/high-school-english-a-semester-long-course-gU17NRCz?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
- Shakespeare and Research: https://outschool.com/classes/high-school-english-a-semester-aSOujVyl?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
- Life of Pi and And Then There Were None: https://outschool.com/classes/high-school-english-life-of-pi-and-and-then-there-were-none-full-semester-E4qhysWt?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
- Junior and Senior Year Skills: https://outschool.com/classes/high-school-english-fall-semester-zEpcFCvp?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
Reviews
Live Group Class
$400
for 28 classes2x per week, 14 weeks
45 min
Completed by 4 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
3-6 learners per class