High School English - Science Fiction Semester
In this 14-week course, students will read three traditional and nontraditional science fiction novels while exploring the dark side of humanity in both dystopian and modern societies.
Kaitlyn Fischer: Close-Reading Specialist
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What's included
28 live meetings
21 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. 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.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 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.
Our reading material will cover two major novels and several nonfiction articles.
- Dune by Frank Herbert
- The Time Machine by HG Wells
- Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
The outline provided in the syllabus 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.Learning Goals
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.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Advanced Placement (AP) Standards4 Units
28 Lessons
over 14 WeeksUnit 1: Short Stories: Science Fiction and Dystopian
Lesson 1:
Welcome and Introduction
Discussion Topic: Introduction and Welcome
- Student "Interviews"
- Goals, Experiences, and Interests
- Writing Effective Analytical Paragraphs
- Introduction to Google Drive
- Introduction Debate Topics 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
"The Machine Stops" by E.M. Forester
Discussion 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) 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
Discussion 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) 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
"The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursula K. Le Guin
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) 45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Each 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
Something Wicked This Way Comes:
- https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/something-wicked-this-way-comes
Supply List
Students will be asked to purchase the novels for class. I have provided the suggested copies below!
Dune:
- https://a.co/d/3jV9FPg
The Time Machine:
- https://a.co/d/j5YevgJ
Something Wicked This Way Comes:
- https://a.co/d/hRrhE7bExternal Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined January, 2020
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967reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Colorado Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
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_linkReviews
Live Group Course
$29
weekly or $400 for 28 classes2x per week, 14 weeks
45 min
Completed by 4 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
3-6 learners per class
Financial Assistance
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