English
Log In
High School English - Science Fiction Semester
Kaitlyn Fischer: Close-Reading Specialist
Star Educator
Popular
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(911)
In this 14-week course, students will read Dune by Frank Herbert and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley while studying the science fiction and dystopian genres and exploring nonfiction articles through discussions, essay writing, and more!
Class experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Intermediate - Advanced Level
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Aligned with Advanced Placement (AP) Standards
In this semester-long course, students will participate in reading, writing, and discussion activities through a science fiction and dystopian society course study! The goal of the course is to spend time examining the relationship between science fiction and dystopian elements and how they often lend a direct hand to one another. Throughout the class, students will participate in discussions and debates while practicing different writing styles - argumentative, analytical, and creative....
3 units//28 lessons//14 Weeks
Unit 1Short Stories: Science Fiction and DystopianShort Stories: Science Fiction and Dystopian5 lessons3 WeeksWeek 1Lesson 1Welcome and IntroductionDiscussion Topic: Introduction and Welcome - Student "Interviews" - Goals, Experiences, and Interests - Writing Effective Analytical Paragraphs - Introduction to Google Drive - Introduction Debate TopicsLesson 2"The Machine Stops" by E.M. ForesterDiscussion Topic: Introduction to Science Diction and Dystopian Stories - Introduction to Science Fiction and Fantasy - Sci-Fi Element Discussion and Debate Writing Topic: - Discussion and Mini-Writing Prompts (Practicing Analytical Paragraph Elements)Week 2Lesson 3"The Lottery" by Shirley JacksonDiscussion Topic: Discussion Topic: Introduction to Science Diction and Dystopian Stories - Sci-Fi Element Discussion and Debate - Discussion and Mini-Writing Prompts - Short Story Discussion and Debate Writing Topic: - Discussion and Mini-Writing Prompts (Practicing Analytical Paragraph Elements)Lesson 4"The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursula K. Le GuinDiscussion Topic: Introduction to Science Diction and Dystopian Stories - Sci-Fi Element Discussion and Debate - Discussion and Mini-Writing Prompts - Short Story Discussion and Debate Writing Topic: - Discussion and Mini-Writing Prompts (Practicing Analytical Paragraph Elements)Week 3Lesson 5“2 B R 0 2 B” by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.Discussion Topic: Introduction to Science Diction and Dystopian Stories - Sci-Fi Element Discussion and Debate - Discussion and Mini-Writing Prompts - Short Story Discussion and Debate Writing Topic: - Final Short Story Analysis: Student-Choice PromptsUnit 2Dune by Frank HerbertDune by Frank Herbert15 lessons8 WeeksWeek 3Lesson 6Introduction to DuneDiscussion Topic: - Introduction to the Novel and the Author - The World of Dune - Important Words and Phrases to Know - Debate - Non-Fiction ArticleWeek 4Lesson 7Dune Reading, Part One: Dune #1Discussion Topic: - The World of Caladin and Arrakis - Characters of Dune (Who's Who) - Atreides, Harkonnen, The Empire, Freman Writing Topic: - Character AnalysisLesson 8Dune Reading, Part One: Dune #2Discussion Topic: - Analyzing the Politics and Political Powers of Dune - Morals and Human Nature - The Relationships Between Human Behavior and the Natural Environment Writing Topic: - Analyzing Human BehaviorWeek 5Lesson 9Dune Reading, Part One: Dune #3Discussion Topic: - Arrakis - Climate, Environment, Peoples, Creatures, and Symbols - Structure of Competing Elements on Arrakis - Spice, Power, and Money Writing Topic: - Nonfiction Article Analysis with DuneLesson 10Dune Reading, Part One: Dune #4Discussion Topic: Continued - Arrakis - Climate, Environment, Peoples, Creatures, and Symbols - Structure of Competing Elements on Arrakis - Spice, Power, and Money Writing Topic: Continued - Nonfiction Article Analysis with DuneWeek 6Lesson 11Dune Reading, Part Two: Maud'Dib #5Discussion Topic: - Religion's Role on Arrakis - Religion's Role in Imperial Politics Writing Topic: - To be Determined (Based on Student Needs)Lesson 12Dune Reading, Part Two: Maud'Dib #6Discussion Topic: - Religion's Role on Arrakis - Religion's Role in Imperial Politics Writing Topic: - To be Determined (Based on Student Needs)Week 7Lesson 13Dune Reading, Part Two: Maud'Dib #7Discussion Topic: - Religion's Role on Arrakis - Religion's Role in Imperial Politics Writing Topic: - To be Determined (Based on Student Needs)Lesson 14Dune Reading, Part Two: Maud'Dib #8Discussion Topic: - Religion's Role on Arrakis - Religion's Role in Imperial Politics Writing Topic: - To be Determined (Based on Student Needs)Week 8Lesson 15Dune Reading, Part Three: The Prophet #9Discussion Topic: - Freman Introduction Continued - Culture of Freman - Writing Topic: - To be Determined (Based on Student Needs)Lesson 16Dune Reading, Part Three: The Prophet #10Discussion Topic: Writing Topic: - Discussion and Mini-Writing Prompts (Preparing for the Project)Week 9Lesson 17Dune Reading, Part Three: The Prophet #11Discussion Topic: Writing Topic: - Discussion and Mini-Writing Prompts (Preparing for the Project)Lesson 18Dune Reading, Part Three: The Prophet #12Discussion Topic: Writing Topic: - Discussion and Mini-Writing Prompts (Preparing for the Project)Week 10Lesson 19Dune Reading, Part Three: The Prophet #13 and ProjectDiscussion Topic: - Clashing Cultures, Reconciling Clashes - Established Religions and New Pieces - Politics, Money, and Religion Come To a Head Writing Topic: - Developing the Project (Student Choice)Lesson 20Dune Reading, Part Three: The Prophet #14 and ProjectDiscussion Topic: Continued - Clashing Cultures, Reconciling Clashes - Established Religions and New Pieces - Politics, Money, and Religion Come To a Head Writing Topic: Continued - Developing the Project (Student Choice)Unit 3Brave New World by Aldous HuxleyBrave New World by Aldous Huxley8 lessons4 WeeksWeek 11Lesson 21Brave New World IntroductionDiscussion Topic: - Introduction to the Novel and the Author - The World of World State - Important Words and Phrases to Know - Debate - Nonfiction ArticleLesson 22Brave New World #1Discussion Topic: - Introduction to World State Continued - Dystopian Elements - Utopian Dystopian Concepts Writing Topic: - Nonfiction ArticleWeek 12Lesson 23Brave New World #2Discussion Topic: - Designing the Perfect Society - Politics and Government Elements Writing Topic: - Dystopian ElementsLesson 24Brave New World #3Discussion Topic: - Comparing Utopian to Dystonian Elements - Locations in the Novel - Characters - What They Know So Far Writing Topic: - Dystopian ElementsWeek 13Lesson 25Brave New World #4Discussion Topic: - Comparing Utopian to Dystonian Elements - Locations in the Novel - Characters - What They Know So Far Writing Topic: - To be Determined!Lesson 26Brave New World #5Discussion Topic: - Characters - What They Learn - Characters - How They Develop and Change Writing Topic: - Nonfiction ArticleWeek 14Lesson 27Brave New World ProjectDiscussion Topic: - Dystopian and Science Fiction Worlds Writing Topic: - Developing the Project (Dystopian, Science Fiction World Creative Writing)Lesson 28Brave New World ProjectDiscussion Topic: - Dystopian and Science Fiction Worlds - Sharing Our Dystopian Societies Writing Topic: - Developing the Project (Dystopian, Science Fiction World Creative Writing)
This class meets state standards for high school English at multiple grade levels and qualifies as an Honors/Advanced course with Advanced Placement (AP) standards.
I have been teaching professionally for over 5 years in both Missouri and Colorado. I have been on Outschool since early January 2020 and can provide links to classes where I teach the concepts of this semester-long class so you can look through them and look at the reviews to see how other parents and students have reacted to my courses. I am happy to answer any questions that you have!
Classic Literature - A Novel Study (A course where students choose the novels we read)
- https://outschool.com/classes/classic-literature-novel-study-V9NC71b3?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
Writing a Novel (Employs the creative writing skills that we will be using in our course)
- https://outschool.com/classes/writing-a-novel-or-short-story-on-going-workshops-YTo8o2q7?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
High School Research Skills: Level I
- https://outschool.com/classes/high-school-research-developing-skills-CnfSxLHD?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
High School Research Skills: Level 2
- https://outschool.com/classes/high-school-research-ii-perfecting-skills-SrlmIdgF?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
Annotations: The Key to Close Reading (Non-Fiction Unit skills)
- https://outschool.com/classes/annotations-the-key-to-close-reading-uaev8ybk?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_linkHomework Offered
Students will be asked to complete reading outside of class time. During our classes, students will work through writing activities, including our projects. The purpose of this is to challenge students to develop their writing ability and to continue to understand how to develop their writing and arguments on their own through multiple rounds of feedback and editing, both as a group and 1-1 with the teacher. If writing assignments are not finished in class, students will be asked to finish them as part of their homework.Assessments Offered
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!Grades Offered
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.
Students will be asked to purchase the novels for class. I have provided the suggested copies below!
Dune:
- https://a.co/d/3jV9FPg
A Brave New World:
- https://a.co/d/9VhAy36Each novel has a CommonSenseMedia review provided below. We will be discussing all of the topics in the novels, so students and parents are encouraged to read the reviews and to reach out with any questions or problems that they might have with the novels, curriculum, and topics of the course.
Dune: (Please note that these are for the movies, but the movies represent the same images and concepts presented in the novel.
- https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/dune-part-two
- https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/dune
A Brave New World:
- https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/brave-new-worldStar Educator
Popular
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(911)
My name is Kaitlyn Fischer and I have taught English to students as young as nine through eighteen in both Missouri and Colorado. I am a close-reading specialist and have a lot of experience teaching students close-reading strategies including...
Group Class
$29
weekly or $400 for 28 classes2x per week, 14 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
2-6 learners per class
