Middle School English: A Second Full Semester for 5th and 6th Graders
In this full curriculum 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
48 live meetings
48 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 A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli, and Among The Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix. 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. I will offer school vacations just like we would have in a public school. We will have one week off in February for Winter break and one week off in April for Spring break. The semester will come back for the conclusion at the end of April. 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, Wednesday, and Thursday. Weekends will serve as catch-up days for any missing homework assignments and for watching videos assigned as homework. On Mondays we will discuss the video assignments from the weekend'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 January: A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park unit and activities. Week 1: A Long Walk to Water packet questions and video assignment. Week 2: A Long Walk to Water packet questions and video assignment. Week 3: A Long Walk to Water packet questions and video assignment. Week 4: A Long Walk to Water packet questions and video assignment. Month 2 February: Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli unit and activities. Week 1: Maniac Magee questions and video assignment. Week 2: Maniac Magee questions and video assignment. Week 3: Maniac Magee packet questions and video assignment. Week 4: Maniac Magee packet questions and video assignment. February Break Month 3 March: Writing unit and activities. Week 1: Writing unit and activities. Week 2: Writing unit and activities. Week 3: Writing unit and activities. Week 4: Writing unit and activities. Month 4 April: Among The Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix unit and activities. Week 1: Among The Hidden packet questions and video assignment. Week 2: Among The Hidden packet questions and video assignment. April Break Week 3: Among The Hidden packet questions and video assignment. Week 4: Among The Hidden 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.
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park is rated 11+ by Common Sense Media for excessive violence with depictions of a war in Sudan. This book is based on a true story. Real events demonstrated in this book are not intended to be presented in an offensive or controversial way. It is important to look at historical events from multiple perspectives which we will do while reading this book. With respect to Outschool’s global community we will not express any of the political viewpoints or opinions on the way presented in this book.
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli includes depictions of racism, racial segregation, and juvenile consumption of drugs and alcohol. We will not endorse any of these viewpoints or actions in this class.
Among The Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix includes disturbing moments involving children being murdered. Any depictions involving the death of a child may be disturbing to some 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.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
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 48 classes4x per week, 12 weeks
60 min
Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-12
2-18 learners per class
