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Middle School English Full Semester Curriculum - Scholastic Scope Magazine

In this 17-week course, we cover all areas of middle school/junior high English, reading, writing, speech, and grammar through a highly engaging, high-interest digital literary magazine made just for middle schoolers!
New Horizons Academy - SAT & ACT Prep - ELA
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:
(306)
Class
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What's included

17 live meetings
15 hrs 35 mins in-class hours
Homework
1-2 hours per week. Students will have homework from time to time over the material covered in class. It is there to help them practice and solidify their learning.
Assessment
Grades will be provided upon request at the beginning of the semester to allow the teacher to track as the semester progresses.
Grading
included

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 8
Come join us for a fun and highly educational class based on Scholastic Scope's literary magazine for grades 6-8!

Scope is Scholastic’s multigenre English Language Arts (ELA) magazine that inspires and empowers middle-school students through fascinating, authentic stories written just for them. We’ll transform our unique stories into unforgettable learning journeys that build reading, writing and thinking skills. Every issue of Scope opens the doors of curiosity and fosters a lifelong love of reading and learning.  (Information above from Scholastic Scope)

Your class tuition includes access to Scope Digital Magazine and all the resources that go along with it. There are no hidden fees or extra supplies to purchase! New Horizons Academy will purchase the digital licenses from Scholastic for each student from the listed class price. We have obtained express written permission from Scholastic to use their materials on Outschool. 

In this class, we’ll base all of our reading, writing, grammar, and speech lessons off of the Scope literary magazines, which includes nonfiction, fiction, plays, paired texts, grammar and writing practice, and debates. Each lesson is designed to help students grow their reading comprehension, vocabulary skills, writing abilities, and more in a fun, encouraging environment. 
Articles are to be read before class each week, with the exception of plays/drama lessons. These will be read aloud in class for two reasons: 1) drama/plays are written to be read aloud to be appreciated as intended, and 2) we use this opportunity to work on our speaking and dramatic reading skills.

Each month will have a brand new magazine issued to us digitally. We’ll take one article/text at a time, breaking it down to ensure comprehension. Supplemental activities, videos, and/or assignments will accompany each lesson to help students to retain the material and check their understanding. Mrs. Zerr is always just an Outschool message away if they happen to be working after class time has finished and are needing help!

As an added layer of assistance to learners, many articles include a lower-level, on-level, and higher-level version of the reading to meet them where they are at and/or challenge them to grow. Audio is also available for the entire magazine, helping students to understand by listening and following along. 

- AUGUST 2023 -
Class 1: Paired Texts
"The Vanishing Beasts"
Skills Focus: vocabulary, reading comprehension, critical thinking, using text evidence, creative choice board project

- SEPTEMBER 2023 -
Class 2: Fiction Lesson
"Back to Normal?"
Skills Focus: vocabulary, close reading, critical thinking

Class 3: Poetry Lesson
"Would I Still Be Me?"
Skills Focus: analyzing poetry and writing, poetic repetition and structure

Class 4: Short Read Lesson
"Her Designs Are Helping the Planet"
Skills Focus: vocabulary, constructing a written response

Class 5: Paired Texts Lesson
"The Dirty History of Soap"
Skills Focus: vocabulary, close reading, central ideas and details, essay writing

- OCTOBER 2023 -
Class 6: Drama Lesson
"The Mighty Baba Yaga"
Skills Focus: speaking skills, dramatic reading skills, genre similarities across cultures, theme

Class 7: Grammar Lesson
"Beware the Chupacabra" and "Grammar's Superhero Animals"
Skills Focus: whose vs. who's, imply vs. infer

Class 8: Flash Fiction Lesson
"The Nothing"
Skills Focus: podcast and listening skills, mood, plot structure, characterization, creative writing

Class 9: Debate Lesson
"Should Halloween Be on a Saturday?"
Skills Focus: identifying arguments, thesis statements, supporting evidence, persuasive essay writing

Class 10: Paired Texts Lesson
"Did You Use Your GPS on Your Phone Today?"
Skills Focus: vocabulary, background knowledge builder, reading comprehension, critical thinking, central ideas and details

- NOVEMBER 2023 - 
Class 11: Drama Lesson
"Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Red-Headed League"
Skills Focus: speaking skills, dramatic reading skills, vocabulary, close reading, critical thinking

Class 12: Paired Texts Lesson
"The Amazing History of Video Games"
Skills Focus: vocabulary, central ideas and details, exploring text features, reading comprehension, critical thinking

Class 13: Grammar Lesson
"ZAP!" and "Grammar Loves These Aliens"
Skills Focus: its vs. it's, there vs. their

Class 14: Debate Lesson
"Should School Start Later?"
Skills Focus: vocabulary, identifying arguments, class discussion, persuasive writing

- DECEMBER 2023 -
Class 15: Drama Lesson
"A Christmas Carol"
Skills Focus: speaking skills, dramatic reading skills, vocabulary, close reading, critical thinking, creative choice board

Class 16: Poetry Lesson
"Your World"
Skills Focus: poetry analysis, poetry project planner, metaphors

Class 17: Paired Texts Lesson
"Fastest Woman in the World" and "Climbing Toward a Better World" 
Skills Focus: vocabulary, reading comprehension, critical thinking, central ideas and details, podcast listening skills, creative choice board

From Scope Magazine:
“ Every issue of Scope is packed with skill-building resources!
- Thrilling articles, stories, plays, and other multigenre content inspire, challenge, and build knowledge.
- As You Read prompts set a purpose for reading.
- Writing contests help students practice a range of writing tasks — including explanatory-argument and narrative writing — and receive recognition for their work.
- Grammar and editing activities target the skills students need to be effective and confident writers and speakers.
- Vocabulary activities unlock challenging academic and domain-specific words.
- The Core Skills Workout helps your students "bulk up" in the skills they need to become strong, analytical readers. This popular series of skill-based activities will support your reading program no matter what your scope and sequence.
- Quizzes that mirror PARCC, Smarter Balanced, and other high-stakes assessments build test-taking stamina and confidence while reinforcing key ELA skills.
- And SO MUCH more!”

Breakout rooms may be utilized for partner work on answering close reading and critical thinking questions, as well as projects. I will be constantly going back and forth between the rooms, just as I would check on each "pod" of desks within my old physical classroom.
Learning Goals
Students will improve their reading comprehension, knowledge of literary genres, grammar, writing, speaking and listening skills, ability to read textual features, persuasive techniques, poetry analysis, writing, central ideas and details, text features, and more. If desired, complete Common Core standards and goals can be provided for each lesson as the monthly magazines are received.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
At New Horizons Academy, we understand how difficult setting your family's schedule can be, juggling everyone's activities and classes. To honor that time commitment, we are proud to be able to offer another of our organization's Outschool-approved and trained teachers (Mrs. Becky, Ms. Brittney, Teacher Rebecca, and Ms. Lida) in the rare occurrence of teacher illnesses or urgent personal events. This will allow you to keep your schedule intact as much as possible and keep the learning going! External Resources: Scholastic Scope Digital Literary Magazine: This website resource will be utilized for reading the weekly articles and watching related videos such as short interviews, grammar hack video, etc. Login is required, but the class-wide password will be provided each week. No account setup is required. Kahoot: This resource will be used on occasion to practice concepts learned in class in an exciting way. No login is required. Google Slides: Lessons will be available as Google Slides for students who miss class or want a quick and easy review afterwards. No login is required. Lumio by SMART: Lumio is an interactive lesson platform similar to Nearpod or Pear Deck, only with more interactivity. Students can join the lesson via a link sent in Zoom chat, and can either join as a guest by typing in their name or join using their Google or Microsoft login. A Google or Microsoft login will be required to access the lesson in student-paced mode. This login information is not accessible to New Horizons Academy.
Supply List
Students will be provided a digital magazine, worksheets, and videos in class.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
4.8
306reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in English from Emporia State University
Brittney Shaw
𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐫
Teaching--especially in English, writing, and language arts--is a true passion of mine. I graduated Cum Laude from Kansas State University in 2010 with a Secondary Education degree in English and Journalism, and then went on to teach in the public schools before setting off on my own as an online teacher and tutor.

My philosophy of education is to make it as fun, personalized, and as interactive as possible for the kids. I always try to even out my direct instruction/lecture time with plenty of opportunities for students to practice these new skills, take polls, play review games, and collaborate with peers.

I am happily married to my husband Brad, and we have two beautiful daughters, Sophia and Elise. We currently reside in Kansas in a small town, and we love the small town life.

Oh, and Zerr is pronounced "Zarr," so it rhymes with "car." 😉

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐰

Hi! My name is Brittney. I received my Associates Degree in Elementary Education and my Bachelors Degree in English. I love working with kids and have experience with all ages. 

I am a wife and mother of four, ages 9, 6, 4, and 1, and the oldest of eight. I have been both a nanny and babysitter as well. Through my past employment and own kids, have gained experience with children with speech delays, autism, and ADHD. I have also worked as a classroom volunteer and ESL instructor. 

I love reading and writing and am a total bookworm. I also love dogs and cooking. My kitchen and my reading chair are my happy places! 

My teaching philosophy is that every child is different and my job is to make sure to embrace those differences to make the education experience the best for all the children. I also want to make sure I do my best to foster a love of reading in my students because, "if you can read, you can do anything!"

Qualifications:
-Associates in Elementary Education
-Bachelors in English
-Former ESL instructor
-Experience with all ages

**ABOUT MS. LIDA**
Hi! My name is Lida. I received my Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and my Bachelor’s Degree in English. I love teaching students of all ages, especially middle and high school students.

I am a wife and mother of one son who loves taking classes through Outschool. I served as a teacher and administrator in a public high school for many years before entering the world of educational publishing. I have experience teaching all levels of English. When I am not teaching or writing about English, I enjoy reading, cooking with my husband, and performing science experiments with my son.

Qualifications: 
-Bachelor’s in English
-Master’s in Secondary Education
-Master’s in Educational Leadership
-17 years of classroom teaching experience
-3 years of curriculum development experience

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Live Group Class
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$15

weekly or $255 for 17 classes
1x per week, 17 weeks
55 min

Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
3-10 learners per class

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