Middle School English Language Arts (ELA): Ongoing Vistas (Advanced Writing)

This 34-week course is a space to demonstrate and practice ELA (English Language Arts) thinking skills that include: reading higher-level fiction, literature excerpts, and nonfiction, analyzing texts with ELA terminology for greater comprehension and standardized test practice, PSAT-SAT vocabulary expansion, and grammar rules with application. We will also practice verbal and written expression through class discussion and weekly writing prompts with individualized coaching.

This course is designed with a flexible, less-is-more format for learners on the move; you are welcome to join and leave the class as needed. Additionally, learners can use this weekly class as the basis of a full curriculum (please ask me for workbook recommendations to use as extension exercises for non-class school days; all workbook pages that are turned in through the classroom will receive teacher feedback).

Knowing that each student has a different schedule and comes from a unique background -- that includes schooling history, regional standards, personality, online engagement, individual talents, (among other things) -- this class integrates a variety of language arts skills and exercises to provide a comprehensive, well-rounded exercise of reading, writing and language usage. 

Since each learner connects differently with the various exercises and weekly topics, the class is designed to help each person enhance language strengths while filling in ELA gaps. Thus, learners who participate in multiple meetings will find some things easy and other things challenging, but will ultimately be able to gain confidence and competence in English as a whole subject while practicing thinking skills needed for standardized tests. 

This class is an advanced version of my "English Language Arts (ELA): Ongoing Style" course for those learners who are ready for a faster pace, including less lecture, more practice, and a greater focus on writing skills. The two courses can be taken in tandem for those looking for more class meetings or guided practice. 

Each class will cover the following:
-- Vocabulary (10 min.): We will practice six vocabulary words according to standardized test lists to broaden the word toolkit.
-- Reading (15 min.): Each week will feature a short fiction or nonfiction passage to read in class. Learners will answer questions to practice reading comprehension skills. Learners will have the opportunity to practice focused group discussion and verbal reasoning as we talk about the answers.
-- Grammar, Punctuation, Word Usage (10 min.): Each week will have a standardized test style editorial exercise in which learners will work together to find and correct English rules errors. We will discuss the answers and relevant rules.
-- Writing (15 min.): Learners will write a paragraph in every class to answer a literary analysis question about the reading passage or to practice similar creative writing techniques. Learners will receive individualized coaching upon request, and will be encouraged to submit the writing assignment before leaving class. 

Please note that this writing portion can vary greatly depending on the individual capabilities (or just the mood of that day!) of your learner; some will finish quickly and will be allowed to leave early, while others will need more time, and may stay in the classroom longer than the scheduled period to complete their assignment. I will accompany learners as needed and stay after class if necessary to help coach them through this assignment and meet them where there are at to grow their individual writing skills. Please let me know if your family has scheduling or writing expectations or needs that you want me to keep in mind.

Class topics by week:

~~ WINTER/SPRING TERM ~~
Week of Jan. 5-11: Vocabulary list 9.1; Reading Passage: "The Prime Suspect" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph.
Week of Jan. 12-18: Vocabulary list 10.1; Reading Passage: "Goalsetting" Genre: nonfiction article; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: short personal narrative. 
Week of Jan. 19-25: Vocabulary list 10.11; Reading Passage: "The Trolley to Yesterday (Excerpt)" Genre: literature excerpt; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph. 
Week of Jan. 26-Feb. 1: Vocabulary list 11.1; Reading Passage: "Old Woman of the Oak" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: creative writing: setting.
Week of Feb. 2-8: Vocabulary list 12; Reading Passage: "Gimme Some Latitude! (and a little longitude wouldn’t hurt)" Genre: nonfiction article; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph.
Week of Feb. 9-15: Vocabulary list 12.13; Reading Passage: "Finding the Career for You" Genre: nonfiction article; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: short narrative.
Week of Feb. 16-22: Vocabulary list 13; Reading Passage: "A Dramatic Plea" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph.
Week of Feb. 23-Mar. 1: Vocabulary list 14; Reading Passage: "ElectroMagic" Genre: nonfiction article; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: short narrative.
Week of Mar. 2-8: Vocabulary list 14.15; Reading Passage: “How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin”
From Just So Stories (Excerpt); Genre: literature excerpt; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph.
Week of Mar. 9-15: Vocabulary list 15; Reading Passage: "The Game Winner" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: short narrative.
Week of Mar. 16-22: Vocabulary list 16; Reading Passage: "From Superman to X-Men" Genre: nonfiction article; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: opinion paragraph.
Week of Mar. 23-29: Vocabulary list 16.17; Reading Passage: "Face to Face (Excerpt)" Genre: literature excerpt; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: short narrative.
Week of Mar. 30-Apr. 5: Vocabulary list 17; Reading Passage: "The Way of the Wild" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph.
Week of Apr. 6-12: Vocabulary list 18; Reading Passage: "Under the Blood-Red Sun (Excerpt)" Genre: literature excerpt; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: short narrative.
Week of Apr. 13-19: Vocabulary list 18.19; Reading Passage: "Amazon Adventure" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph or creative writing.
Week of Apr. 20-26: Vocabulary list 19; Reading Passage: "Diving In" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: reading analysis paragraph.
Week of Apr. 27-May 3: Vocabulary list 20.1; Reading Passage: "Secret Codes" Genre: nonfiction article; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: explanatory paragraph.
Week of May 4-10: Vocabulary list 20.2; Reading Passage: "A Week in Ancient Greece" Genre: fictional short story; Rules Exercise: Mixed Skills; Writing: informative summary.
Week of May 11-17: Vocabulary Review; Reading Posttest Passage: "How Money Has Changed" Genre: nonfiction article; Writing With Grammar Review: opinion paragraph.
Week of May 18-24: Vocabulary Review; Reading Posttest Passage: "Treasure Island (Excerpt)" Genre: literature excerpt; Writing With Grammar Review: short narrative. 
**END OF WINTER/SPRING TERM**