In this class, learners will read and analyze poetry, short stories, and a classic novel that share the common theme "coming of age".

A coming of age story is defined as one that "relates an adolescent’s movement toward adulthood and the corresponding awakening to a new understanding of his or herself and the world around him or her."  Also known as "loss of innocence," this genre's protagonist, usually an adolescent, experiences a significant event that brings an adult understanding of the world. The incident causes a loss of innocence, and the protagonist can no longer live completely sheltered as a child.  

The class is divided into three units.  In each unit, we will analyze the narrators' coming of age experiences, as well as the authors' use of poetic and/or literary elements. The syllabus is as follows:

Unit 1: Poetry (we will read each poem together in class)
Day 1: "Nothing Gold Can Stay," by Robert Frost -- personification, metaphors, allusion
Day 2: "Oranges," by Gary Soto -- enjambment, imagery, tone
Day 3: "Annabel Lee," by Edgar Allan Poe -- rhyme scheme, allusion, irony
Day 4: "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night," by Dylan Thomas -- villanelle, refrains
Optional Assessment: Students will write an original poem.

Unit 2: Short Stories (we will read in class together)
Day 5: "An Hour With Abuelo," by Judith Ortiz Cofer -- dynamic vs. static characters
Day 6: "Thank You M’am," by Langston Hughes -- characterization (STEAL)
Day 7: "The Medicine Bag," by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve -- plot (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution)
Day 8: "Marigolds," by Eugenia W. Collier -- setting and symbolism
Optional Assessment: Write a short story that includes a well-developed plot, and both dynamic and static characters.

Unit 3: Novel Study -- The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton (students will read and annotate assigned chapters before each class)
Day 9: Chapters 1-3 
Day 10: Chapters 4-6  
Day 11: Chapters 7-9 
Day 12: Chapters 10-12 
Optional Assessment:  Students will write a literary analysis essay (directions will be given in class).

By the end of this course, learners will have mastered the coming-of-age genre as well as poetic and literary elements, preparing them for their high-school English courses.