Homeschool English Language Arts, Contemporary Classics Section 2

Please note that although this is section two (of four), this class can be taken alone; section one is not a required prerequisite.  This class can be taken as a stand-alone class, or combined with the other sections for a full year of ELA for grades 7, 8, or 9. These classes will be rigorous enough for high school credit for English 9 (or English 1) in most locations.  Links to the other sections in this series can be found at the end of this course description. 

This language arts class is a great companion to your homeschooling experience for grades 7-9.  Students are provided with opportunities to engage in deep discussion about what they read, learn key elements of literature, and complete creative projects, all while growing their abilities to think critically.  The literary focus of this class is "Contemporary Classics." Classic literature is generally thought of as works that have a universal appeal and transcend time and culture, remaining relevant through time. They are recognized for their artistic merit, quality and often for their groundbreaking nature. In this class we will be reading books, poems, and stories that have these qualities, but have not had the opportunity to transcend time because they have been created in our modern age.  Part of our discussions will center around this issue: what (if anything) in these works might make them be considered "classics" fifty or a hundred years from now?

Each week during class students will discuss the reading assignments from the past week using Bloom's Taxonomy question starters, with student-created questions.  As a teacher, I am always amazed at the depth of questions student ask and engage in!  During this section, the rest of class will allow learners to examine the HOW and WHY literary elements are used (not simply what elements are used by an author). There will also be some direct instruction to equip learners to complete the week's assignment. 

Because this is a homeschool class, much of the work is done outside of class.  Students will be given weekly assignments that cover reading, writing, and reinforcement of literary concepts.  Assignments are not broken down by day so they can be adapted to each family's learning style and schedule.  Assignments have a checklist for learners to grow in their ability to track their own progress and be responsible for their academic work.  Work is clearly marked so students and parents know what is required to be able to fully participate in the next class, and what is up to the parent's discretion. Parents of younger students may wish to simplify assignments, while parents of older students will be given many opportunities for enrichment each week.  This is truly a homeschool language arts class that you can customize to your family's needs. 

Topics below are the main reading selections that will be discussed during each week's class. 

Week 1: Poetry Discussion, "The Drone" by Clint Smith

Week 2: The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera (winner of the 2022 Newberry Award)

Week 3:The Last Cuentista

Week 4:The Last Cuentista (project: Body Biography Character Analysis)

Week 5: project presentations and short story discussion: "How to Transform an Everyday, Ordinary Hoop Court into a Place of Higher Learning and You at the Podium" by Matt de la Pena (from the anthology "Flying Lessons and Other Stories")

Week 6: Bomb by Steve Sheinkin (finalist for the National Book Award, 2012)

Week 7:Bomb

Week 8:Bomb (project: hexagonal thinking)

Literary concepts and skills that will be covered include (but are not limited to): using text evidence, analyzing how characters change and develop, allusions, theme, plot elements (rising action, falling action, climax, etc), types of conflict, symbolism, figurative language (including connotation and denotation), setting, genre, and characterization.

Who would do well in this class?  Because this course is aimed at students in grades 7-9, students should have completed grade 6 Language Arts (any curriculum or course of study, homeschool, public, or private school).  If your family does not use a traditional curriculum, feel free to send me a message if you aren't sure if your learner would be successful in this class. Students reading and writing at or above grade level should be able to work on this class independently.  Students reading and writing below grade level can be successful in this class if they have support at home to be able to help with weekly assignments.  Reading and writing levels should not affect student's abilities to participate during weekly class meetings.  Completing all four sections of this class meets most state / provincial standards for English 1 high school credit (grades 8 or 9). If you need to keep a portfolio, these classes will have ample assignments / projects / writing to include. I also offer (optional) grades for projects and the class as a whole. If you are using these classes for formal credits and are unsure if they will meet requirements of your area, please reach out. I am happy to help you figure out if this class will work for your needs. 

REFUND POLICY: I understand that booking in advance is appealing to guarantee a spot in the class, but I also realize that plans can change. Please know that if you need to withdraw your learner for any reason up to ten days before the start date of this class, I will be happy to issue a full refund. Please contact me if this is the case. 


Additional sections in this series are linked below:

Homeschool ELA Contemporary Classics 1: Poetry and Literary Analysis Essay
https://outschool.com/classes/homeschool-ela-contemporary-classics-1-poetry-and-literary-analysis-ocyxKtrQ

Homeschool ELA Contemporary Classics 3 (8 weeks, literature focus)
https://outschool.com/classes/homeschool-english-language-arts-contemporary-classics-section-3-0eNYu1z9

Homeschool ELA Contemporary Classics 4 (8 weeks, literature focus)
https://outschool.com/classes/homeschool-english-language-arts-contemporary-classics-section-4-08ZxEdz9