Middle School English: A Full Semester for 5th and 6th Graders
In this virtual semester students will get the same experiences with me as they would in a brick-and-mortar classroom. Activities will include reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and so much more.
David Ginsberg
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(161)
What's included
80 live meetings
80 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Homework will be assigned each week. Most homework assignments will be to watch video resources and to read chapters of the assigned books.Assessment
I will provide grades as needed to satisfy homeschool requirements. Any grades provided will be formal letter grades such as A,B,C,D or F. Just as in public school an A is the highest passing grade, and an F is the lowest failing grade. Final evaluations of learning units will be project based rather than depending on written tests, this allows more creative freedom for learners to demonstrate skill mastery using a hands-on approach. All learners are required to participate in classroom discussions and activities. All learners must be respectful to each other and the teacher.Grading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 6
This semester long classroom experience is ideal for 5th and 6th grade students who are home schooling but all learners who would benefit from this class and my instruction are certainly welcome to attend. Throughout the semester we will be reading multiple books which I have personally selected for middle school learners. These books will include The Chronicles of Narnia: The lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS. Lewis, Skeleton man by Joseph Bruchac, Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, and Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Each of these books have been used as teaching tools in public schools across America. In my opinion they are all exceptional for helping middle school students to further develop their critical thinking skills. In October we will cover a unit on horror stories, we will participate in creative writing activities by writing our own scary stories to get into the Halloween spirit. I will offer school vacations just like we would have in a public school. We will have one week off in November for Thanksgiving and two weeks off in December for Christmas and New Year’s. The semester will come back for the conclusion in January after the holiday break. Learning packets will be sent via Outschool message to all learners who enroll. Each week questions from the packet should be answered for the assigned chapters. Certain questions will ask for specific answers such as what did one character say to another? Other questions will ask for your opinion. Grades will be provided as needed to satisfy home schooling requirements. The first day of class will serve as an introduction. I will go over expectations and procedures. We will get to know each other, and I will also offer students an outline of what the semester will look like. We will meet every week live on Zoom. Class will be held on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesday will serve as a catch-up day for any missing homework assignments and for watching videos assigned as homework. On Thursdays we will discuss the video assignments from Wednesday's homework. I will find as many free videos on YouTube as possible to offer students additional resources. YouTube has a seemingly limitless virtual library of free documentaries. An example schedule is listed below. The schedule has been broken down into month long units. Month 1 August: The Chronicles of Narnia: The lion the Witch and the Wardrobe unit and activities. Week 1: The Chronicles of Narnia: The lion the Witch and the Wardrobe packet questions and video assignment. Week 2: The Chronicles of Narnia: The lion the Witch and the Wardrobe packet questions and video assignment. Week 3: The Chronicles of Narnia: The lion the Witch and the Wardrobe packet questions and video assignment. Week 4: The Chronicles of Narnia: The lion the Witch and the Wardrobe packet questions and video assignment. Month 2 September: Skeleton man unit and activities. Week 1: Skeleton man packet questions and video assignment. Week 2: Skeleton man packet questions and video assignment. Week 3: Skeleton man packet questions and video assignment. Week 4: Skeleton man packet questions and video assignment. Month 3 October: Writing scary stories unit and activities. Week 1: Writing scary stories unit and activities. Week 2: Writing scary stories unit and activities. Week 3: Writing scary stories unit and activities. Week 4: Writing scary stories unit and activities. Month 4 November: Hatchet unit and activities. Week 1: Hatchet packet questions and video assignment. Week 2: Hatchet packet questions and video assignment. Week 3: Hatchet packet questions and video assignment. Week 4: Hatchet packet questions and video assignment. November Break Month 5 December: Bridge to Terabithia unit and activities. Week 1: Bridge to Terabithia packet questions and video assignment. Week 2: Bridge to Terabithia packet questions and video assignment. December Break Month 6 January: Coming back from break and finishing Bridge to Terabithia. Week 3: Bridge to Terabithia packet questions and video assignment. Week 4: Bridge to Terabithia packet questions and video assignment.
Learning Goals
Our learning goal should be to create classroom culture and community. We should be developing our critical thinking skills while honing our reading and writing abilities. These skills will be essential for all learners to one day go on to college, the military, and or the work force.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Each book and story I have selected for our semester of learning has been used in public middle schools across America. Some are also included in the common core. These stories do include some mature themes that not all parents are comfortable with their children being exposed to. If you are not comfortable with these themes this might not be the right class for your children. If you are comfortable with your children learning about these themes, then it will be my pleasure to work with them in furthering their education.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The lion the Witch and the Wardrobe contains violent sequences with battles including sword fighting. There are also references to World War II dogfights and bombs being dropped on buildings. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe demonstrate a Christian allegory. We should not focus on any religious aspects of the book rather we should focus on the literary elements such as the heroes journey. The journey these characters travel on brings them to a new world where they rise to overcome their hardships and bring peace to the land of Narnia.
Skeleton man includes references to cannibalism.
Hatched is about a boy who is injured during a plane crash and must survive alone in the wilderness with his only tool being a hatchet. His struggles to survive test him mentally and physically.
Bridge to Terabithia includes a character death at the end of the story. Character death might be disturbing to some sensitive readers.
Supply List
All learners should also bring a paper and pencil to class. All learners should have access to the required books prior to class. The books can be purchased on the internet. All learners should also bring a paper and pencil to class. All Learners should have internet access. Some video watching assignments will take place on YouTube, Disney Plus, or Hulu.
Language of Instruction
English
Joined May, 2020
4.9
161reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have 5 + years teaching experience. I have a lifelong membership with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. At the associate’s level at Southern Maine Community College, I studied Criminal Justice and Psychology, this included learning to professionally diagnose a patient with a mental disorder. I have a bachelor's degree in Educational Studies from Grand Canyon University, and a masters degree in history also from Grand Canyon University. I also have more than 20 credits in English.Reviews
Live Group Class
$640
for 80 classes4x per week, 20 weeks
60 min
Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-12
2-18 learners per class
