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8th Grade English: Classic Literature Semester
Kaitlyn Fischer: Close-Reading Specialist
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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.
Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 8
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
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...
4 units//28 lessons//14 Weeks
Unit 1Creative Writing and Course IntroductionCreative Writing and Course Introduction6 lessons3 WeeksWeek 1Lesson 1Introduction to Semester Course- Introduction and Welcome - Student "Interviews" - Goals, Experiences, and Interests - Introduction to Basic English Skills - Prompt Writing - Introduction to Google DriveLesson 2Creative 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 ProjectWeek 2Lesson 3Story Elements- Introduction to Creative Writing - Introduction to Creative Writing Choices - Planning the Creative Writing Project - Elements of Story-WritingLesson 4Story Elements Continued- Elements of Story-Writing - Plotting Out a Story Together - Planning Our Own Stories - Writing Workshops on Creative WritingWeek 3Lesson 5Creative Writing WorkshopsWorkshops will Include: - 1-1 Feedback and Revision - Story Element Identification and Tips and Tricks - Writing Dialogue WorkshopLesson 6Creative Writing WorkshopsWorkshops will Include: - 1-1 Feedback and Revision - Editing and Final Reviews - Share Alouds (If students would like) - No student will be forced to share their stories aloud!Unit 2Non-Fiction (Mini-Research and Writing)Non-Fiction (Mini-Research and Writing)6 lessons3 WeeksWeek 4Lesson 7Research Introduction- Introduction to Research and Planning Topic - Finding Evidence - Developing a Thesis Statement - Developing CERs (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning)Lesson 8Research Writing- Body Paragraph Writing: Elements of Paragraphs - Using CERs to Develop Our Writing - Introductions and Conclusions (Triangle Writing) - Picking, Using, and Citing QuotesWeek 5Lesson 9Research Writing Continued- Body Paragraph Writing: Elements of Paragraphs Continued - Introductions and Conclusions (Triangle Writing) - Picking, Using, and Citing Quotes - Presentations of Research - Informal, Short Presentations for Students to Share their Research Findings and Ideas with their PeersLesson 10Research Writing Continued- Presentations of Research - Informal, Short Presentations for Students to Share their Research Findings and Ideas with their PeersWeek 6Lesson 11Finalizing Research PapersContinued: - Writing the Research Paper - Elements of Essay WritingLesson 12Mini-PresentationsStudents will present short, 1 - 2 slide presentation on their topicsUnit 3The Giver OR The OutsidersThe Giver OR The Outsiders8 lessons4 WeeksWeek 7Lesson 13Choosing a Novel- Introduction to Classic Literature - What makes a good book a good book? - Introduction to Genres - Choosing a Novel - The Giver OR - The OutsidersLesson 14The Giver OR The Outsiders- 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 CharacterWeek 8Lesson 15The Giver OR The OutsidersDiscussion and Analysis Topics for BOTH Novels: - Dystopian/Realistic Fiction Genre Elements - Character Analysis - Setting and Time Discussion - Analytical WritingLesson 16The Giver OR The OutsidersWriting Prompts: Character Analysis and World AnalysisWeek 9Lesson 17The Giver OR The OutsidersDiscussion and Analysis Topics for BOTH Novels: - Character Development - Analytical Writing: Character and ConflictLesson 18The Giver OR The OutsidersWriting Prompts: Character Development, Conflict, and SymbolismWeek 10Lesson 19The Giver OR The OutsidersDiscussion and Analysis Topics for BOTH Novels: - Plot Development - Genre Elements and Story Development - Theme, Symbolism, and Historical Connections - Essay Writing: Theme and Messages of The GiverLesson 20The Giver OR The OutsidersEssay Writing: Theme and Messages of The Giver - Theme, Symbolism, and Historical ConnectionsUnit 4Fahrenheit 451 OR The Westing GameFahrenheit 451 OR The Westing Game8 lessons4 WeeksWeek 11Lesson 21Choosing a NovelChoosing a Novel: - Fahrenheit 451 OR - The Westing GameLesson 22Fahrenheit 451 OR The Westing Game- Option 1: Fahrenheit 451 - Introduction to the Novel and Genre (If Necessary) - Controversial Statements Debate - Cover Art Analysis - Option 2: The Westing Game - Introduction to the Novel - Genre Discussion - Preparation for the Mystery - Controversial Statements DebateWeek 12Lesson 23Fahrenheit 451 OR The Westing GameDiscussion and Analysis Topics for Fahrenheit 451 - Plotting the Novel - Asking the Tough Questions - Genre Elements - Character Analysis Discussion and Analysis Topics for The Westing Game - Character Organization and Analysis - Plotting the Novel and the Events of the MysteryLesson 24Fahrenheit 451 OR The Westing GameWriting Prompt: - Fahrenheit 451: Exploring the Dystopian Genre - The Westing Game: Examining Character and Plot DevelopmentWeek 13Lesson 25Fahrenheit 451 OR The Westing GameDiscussion and Analysis Topics for Fahrenheit 451 - Controversial Statements and Character - Vocabulary and Literary Elements - Analytical Writing: Literary Elements Discussion and Analysis Topics for The Westing Game - Sorting the Mystery - Vocabulary and Literary Elements - Analytical Writing: Literary ElementsLesson 26Fahrenheit 451 OR The Westing GameWriting Prompt: - Fahrenheit 451: Analyzing Mystery Literary Elements - The Westing Game: Analyzing Dystopian Literary ElementsWeek 14Lesson 27Fahrenheit 451 OR The Westing GameFinal Writing Prompt/Project: - Fahrenheit 451: Themes and Lessons within the Novel with Banned Book Discussion - The Westing Game: Solving the Mystery and Novel Classic Status DebateLesson 28Fahrenheit 451 OR The Westing GameFinal Writing Prompt/Project: - Fahrenheit 451: Themes and Lessons within the Novel with Banned Book Discussion - The Westing Game: Solving the Mystery and Novel Classic Status Debate
- 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.
- Reading: - Define Theme and Symbolism - Analyze and Discuss Cover Art - Ask Tough Questions - Collect and Define Vocabulary and Literary Elements - Actively Participate in a Socratic Seminar.
- Reading Continued: - Debate Controversial Topics - Discuss Genre Styles and Purposes - Analyze Character - Identify the Setting’s Place and Time - Differentiate Character Development. - Plot a Story's Development.
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_link1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Homework
Frequency: includedFeedback: includedDetails: 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
Frequency: includedDetails: 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
Frequency: includedDetails: 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.
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!
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-451Joined January, 2020
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934reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Colorado Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
My name is Kaitlyn Fischer and I have taught English to students as young as nine through eighteen in both Missouri and Colorado. I am a close-reading specialist and have a lot of experience teaching students close-reading strategies including...
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Group Class
$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
