We discuss the books at length so make sure your child has read and has copies of the books so we don't give away any plot lines or spoilers.

This will be a repeating literature class where we will discuss a new book every two to three weeks.  I will gently guide the discussion on different book topics such as: plot, character attributes and development, themes, symbolism, genre types, literary devices, and others. 

We will leave most time open for discussion and learn different book elements around that discussion. I mainly use Socratic discussion when discussing the books and themes of the novels.  I try to get students to think about what they are reading. Both students that love to read and those that are more hesitant will enjoy reading classical literature of different periods, places, and writers.  I will also use google slides in my classroom presentations. Some weeks we may have handouts related to the different literary elements we will be discussing. This class can also be used as a literature credit for the semester.  

The week before we study each novel I will send out discussion questions from each novel.  I will also send out a reference sheet that will give examples and definitions of any literary elements we will be learning in class. 

Each class will begin with a 5 minute welcome and introduction. At the beginning of each new author/novel/poem, I will give a brief outline of the life and works of the author.  We will then have 5-10 minute reflection on a quote from the novel.  We will end the class with Socratic discussion of the work of literature following study questions that I send out to students the week before we begin the study.   

Please make sure that students have copies of the books in their possession as we read and discuss each book.  I don't require that students turn on their cameras but I prefer that students have their cameras on during my class.  

This class will rely heavily on student discussion.  We will need to cancel class if there are not at least 5 learners. 

Weeks of September 1st and 15th-- Two short stories by Edgar Allen Poe.  We will study the Tell-Tale Heart and the Cask of Amontillado.  In these short stories we will study the modern detective story, characters, themes, rhythm of the language, setting, and the gothic genre. 

***I am sorry to have to teach one week and then take a week off.  One of my children is getting married the week of September 8th.***

Weeks of September 22nd, 29th, and October 13th-- Lord of the Flies by William Golding.  In this classic novel of boys stranded on a tropical island we will study foreshadowing, setting, plot, antagonist versus protagonist, and symbolism.  (Please be aware that this book may be disturbing for younger audiences.) 

Weeks of October 20th and 27th-- Anthem by Ayn Rand.  In this dystopian novel we will study symbolism, dynamic versus static characters, macro versus microcosm, and some of the political structures discussed in the books. 

Weeks of November 3rd and 10th-- These will be our poetry selections: Still I Rise by Maya Angelou, O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman, Annabel Lee by Edgar Allen Poe, and Ode to a Large Tuna in the Market by Pablo Neruda.   We will discuss rhyme, meter, rhythm, stanzas, how translation affects a poem, and more depending on time.  We may not be able to discuss all poems in-depth due to time constraints.  

Weeks of November 17th, December 1st, and 8th-- Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.  We will discuss the writing of Shakespeare and the language he introduced into English.   We also will discuss plot, themes, foreshadowing, protagonist versus antagonist, character development, sonnets, tragedies versus comedies, writing style, and other literary devices that Shakespeare used in his writing.   

Weeks of January 5th, 12th, and 19th-- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  In this classic American novel we will discuss themes, character development, plot, and setting. We will talk about how dialogue and setting are a very important aspects of this novel.   

Weeks of January 26th, February 2nd, and February 9th-- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  In this novel we will discuss the American Dream and wealth along with other themes of the novel.  We will also talk about Fitzgerald's unique literary style, character development, setting, irony, allusion, symbolism, and foreshadowing. 

Weeks of February 23rd and March 2nd-- The Old Man and the Sea by Earnest Hemingway. In this novella we will discuss the theme of success and failure among other themes, antagonist versus protagonist, point of view, allegory, and setting.  

Weeks of March 9th and 16th-- This will be our week of poetry study.  Our poetry selections will be I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman, A bird came down the walk by Emily Dickinson, The Lake Isle of Innisfree by William Butler Yeats, Of the Lady Pietra Degli Scrovigni by Dante Alighieri, and Bury Me in a Free Land by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.  We will discuss rhyme, meter, rhythm, stanzas, and more depending on time.  We may not be able to discuss all poems in-depth due to time constraints.  

March 23rd and 30th-- Red Scarf Girl by Ji-Li Jiang.  In this book we will study setting, character development,  foreshadowing, mood, and point of view.  

March April 6th, 13th, and 27th-- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.  We will study themes of the novel, setting, personification, symbolism, and characterization.  (Please be aware that this book takes place in World War II and some students my find the images of war difficult.  There is also some mild language in this book.) 

Week of April 20th-- Spring Break

April May 4th and 11th-- Rip Van Wrinkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.  In these classic short stories we will discuss tradition, myth, legend, character development, setting, narrator, irony, symbolism, and the beginning of the Americana genre.  

Please note that the date for Fall Break may change according to my daughter's Fall Break and I may have to take 2 weeks off in the spring for my other job.