8th Grade English: Classic Literature Semester
In this course, students will develop their skills through a non-fiction unit, two novel studies (choose from The Giver or The Outsiders and The Westing Game or Fahrenheit 451), a research unit, and a creative writing unit.
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 all of their reading outside of class. If some of our writing work is unfinished after class, students will be asked to complete that work outside of class as well. But the majority of work will be completed in class.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 6 - 8
In this semester-long course, students will participate in various reading, writing, and discussion activities through a short creative writing unit, two novel studies, and a research unit. As a group, we will work together to read a novel that the class chooses together. The outline below 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.
We will take typical holiday breaks according to the United States federal holidays. We will also be taking a full week's break during the week of Thanksgiving in November and a spring break in the spring semester so that students can spend time with their families.
Week 1: Introduction to Semester Course
- Introduction and Welcome
- Student "Interviews" - Goals, Experiences, and Interests
- Introduction to Basic English Skills
- Prompt Writing
- Introduction to Google Drive
Week 2:
- Introduction to Creative Writing
- Writing Styles
- Famous Authors and Unique Traits
- Introduction to Creative Writing Choices
- Planning the Creative Writing Project
Week 3: Creative Writing
- Writing Workshops on Creative Writing
- Elements of Story-Writing
Week 4: Non-Fiction and Research Unit
- Body Paragraph Writing: Elements of Paragraphs
- Introductions and Conclusions (Triangle Writing)
- Picking, Using, and Citing Quotes
Week 5: Non-Fiction and Research Unit
- Body Paragraph Writing: Elements of Paragraphs
- Introductions and Conclusions (Triangle Writing)
- Picking, Using, and Citing Quotes
- Presentations of Research
Week 6: Non-Fiction and Research Unit
- Writing the Research Paper
- Elements of Essay Writing
Week 7: Novel Study Choice (Two Options)
- Option 1: The Giver
- Introduction to the Dystopian Genre
- Controversial Topics Debate
- Discussion of Dystopian Styles and Purposes
- Option 2: The Outsiders
- Introduction to the Novel
- Controversial Topics Debate
- Introduction to Character
Week 8: Novel Study Choice (Two Options)
- Option 1: The Giver
- Dystopian Genre Elements
- Character Analysis
- Setting and Time Discussion
- Analytical Writing
- Option 2: The Outsiders
- Character Analysis
- Conflict Discussion
- Analytical Writing
Week 9: Novel Study Choice (Two Options)
- Option 1: The Giver
- Character Development
- Analytical Writing: Character and Conflict
- Option 2: The Outsiders
- Character Development
- Analytical Writing: Character and Conflict
Week 10: Novel Study Choice (Two Options)
- Option 1: The Giver
- Plot Development
- Genre Elements and Story Development
- Theme, Symbolism, and Historical Connections
- Essay Writing: Theme and Messages of The Giver
- Option 2: The Outsiders
- Plot Development
- Genre Elements and Story Development
- Theme, Symbolism, and Historical Connections
- Essay Writing: Theme and Messages of The Outsiders
Week 11: Novel Study Choice (Two Options)
- Option 1: The Westing Game
- Introduction to the Novel
- Genre Discussion
- Preparation for the Mystery
- Controversial Statements Debate
- Option 2: Fahrenheit 451
- Introduction to the Novel and Genre (If Necessary)
- Controversial Statements Debate
- Cover Art Analysis
Week 12: Novel Study Choice (Two Options)
- Option 1: The Westing Game
- Character Organization and Analysis
- Plotting the Novel and the Events of the Mystery
- Option 2: Fahrenheit 451
- Plotting the Novel
- Asking the Tough Questions
- Genre Elements
- Character Analysis
Week 13: Novel Study Choice (Two Options)
- Option 1: The Westing Game
- Sorting the Mystery
- Vocabulary and Literary Elements
- Analytical Writing: Literary Elements
- Option 2: Fahrenheit 451
- Controversial Statements and Character
- Vocabulary and Literary Elements
- Analytical Writing: Literary Elements
Week 14: Novel Study Choice (Two Options)
- Option 1: The Westing Game
- Final Writing Project
- Option 2: Fahrenheit 451
- Final Writing Project
*** Please note that while the course is designed with 6th and 8th-grade students in mind, I have a flexible age range. Students of varying ages are welcome if this class's curriculum, content, skills, teaching style, etc. fit their needs. I encourage all students and parents interested in my class to contact me with questions they might have! ***Learning Goals
Writing:
- Prompt Write using Different Styles
- Argument, Literary Analysis, Persuasive, and Creative (if Applicable)
- Write Creatively
- Participate in Writing Workshops
- Identify and Use Elements of Story-Writing.Writing Continued:
- Write Using Elements of Paragraphs
- Pick, Use, and Cite Quotes/Evidence.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)4 Units
28 Lessons
over 14 WeeksUnit 1: Creative Writing and Course Introduction
Lesson 1:
Introduction to Semester Course
- Introduction and Welcome
- Student "Interviews" - Goals, Experiences, and Interests
- Introduction to Basic English Skills
- Prompt Writing
- Introduction to Google Drive 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Creative Writing Introduction
- Introduction to Creative Writing
- Mini-Prompt Warm-Ups
- Writing Styles
- Famous Authors and Unique Traits
- Introduction to Creative Writing Choices
- Planning the Creative Writing Project 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Story Elements
- Introduction to Creative Writing
- Introduction to Creative Writing Choices
- Planning the Creative Writing Project
- Elements of Story-Writing 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Story Elements Continued
- Elements of Story-Writing
- Plotting Out a Story Together
- Planning Our Own Stories
- Writing Workshops on Creative Writing 45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Here are the parental guides from common sense media and a plot overview for our novel studies:
- The Giver: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-giver-book-1
- The Outsiders: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-outsiders
- The Westing Game: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-westing-game
- Fahrenheit 451: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/fahrenheit-451
Supply List
Students will need to purchase the novels and have access to the literature pieces with copyrights. Some of the work we will be working with will be creative commons work or will be out of copyright. These we can access without an issue. All work we complete (the curriculum itself) is developed by me so there is no need to purchase a copyrighted curriculum!
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined January, 2020
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968reviews
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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 in Colorado. I have been on Outschool since 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 for Middle School Students (A course where students choose the novels we read)
- In this course, I have taught all four of our novel options
- https://outschool.com/classes/classic-literature-a-novel-study-xkvxQwCz?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
Writing Historical Fiction (Employs the creative writing skills that we will be using in our course)
- https://outschool.com/classes/writing-short-stories-historical-fiction-xTk6Rddd?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_link
The Outsiders: A Novel Study (While I have taught all of the novel options, I have a specific class for The Outsiders)
- https://outschool.com/classes/the-outsiders-a-novel-study-with-annotations-iEkjO7lK?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 38 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-13
3-6 learners per class
