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Middle School English Language Arts (Semester 1-Fantasy)

In this all-in-one fantasy-themed English Language Arts course for Middle School students, we will read, write, edit, and review grammar and conventions.
Tassie Bauman Smith
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(396)
Class
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What's included

12 live meetings
11 in-class hours
Homework
4+ hours per week. Since this is a flipped classroom setting (students do most of their learning at home through reading and assignments and meet with the teacher and classmates weekly for discussion and presentations) there is a lot of homework. Students will read at least three novels by the end of the semester. We will be doing at least one exercise a week to practice conventions. They will be responsible for writing, peer-editing, self-editing, and presentations. In total, I would expect students to work a minimum of 5 hours outside of class a week to keep up. Please understand this class is designed as a full semester of English Language Arts.
Assessment
If a parent desires a grade assigned, please contact me before the semester begins. I am willing to provide a homework grade, final project grade and overall grade for the class. All homework will be marked with feedback.
Grading
included

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner - Intermediate Level
This class is designed for middle school English with a fantasy theme.  Not only will we be reading fantasy novels, short stories, and poems, we’ll write fantasy pieces of our own, and many of our assignments will be fantasy-themed! 

Though the topic is fun, this course is designed to cover an entire semester of middle school English and as such requires significant work outside of class. We will review or learn conventions such as capitalization, subject/verb agreement, pronoun, punctuation, quotations, and antecedents; practice writing on a weekly basis; and read fairy tales, novels, short stories, and poetry.  We will discuss the historical and modern tropes and sub-genres of Fantasy and learn about the genre through a variety of mediums (including novels, short stories, poetry, art, music, and movies).

Outside of class, students will be responsible for reading or watching various materials. This varies from reading a piece of literature to watching a short biographical or historical video. Each week along with their reading/watching students will be responsible for writing a short piece (between 200-1000 words) and completing the assigned peer editing and/or doing an exercise. The final project requires the students to present material to the class. Throughout the semester, students will have the opportunity to tailor homework and reading to their individual interest. Students will receive feedback on each assignment.


This is a discussion-intensive course. All students are expected to interact with respect and civility.  I understand that the topics and themes can be controversial and invite disagreement. However, kindness facilitates productive and persuasive conversation. 

I will mark and return all homework or projects.  The act of editing and revising is what makes students better writers. Spelling, vocabulary development, grammar and writing conventions are important and will be practiced regularly  If a parent desires a grade assigned, please contact me before the semester begins. I am willing to provide a homework grade, final project grade, and overall grade for the class.  Students and parents should understand that the teacher considers plagiarism as well as the use of generative AI in composition to be unacceptable.  Parents will be contacted if such a problem is suspected and no grade or feedback will be given. 

If a student needs accommodations, I am eager to work with them.  For instance, they can access the material in audio format and/or submit their homework in video form. If students find class discussion difficult, they can interact with the material through increased writing and with the class through the chat function.  Please contact me before the semester begins to discuss your learner’s needs.
Learning Goals
Learning Goals: Students will read widely in the realm of fantasy, recognize classic tropes and character types, improve their skills at composition and literary analysis, and be better equipped for self-editing and peer-editing.
learning goal

Syllabus

4 Units
12 Lessons
over 12 Weeks
Unit 1: Where does Fantasy come from?
Lesson 1:
The Genre
 Defining fantasy as a genre. 
55 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 2:
The Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, and Myths
 Looking at the sources for our mythical creatures 
55 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 3:
The Poetry
 Exploring three poets who have contributed to fantasy (Millay, Tolkien, Carrol) 
55 mins online live lesson
2 assignments
Unit 2: The Hobbit
Lesson 4:
The Hobbit: Literary Terms
 Introducing literary terms and a review of Tolkien's biography 
55 mins online live lesson
1 assignment

Other Details

Learning Needs
A number of students with ADHD and Dyslexia have successfully completed this class. I am open to the use of audiobooks for the literature portions and offer feedback based on the student's current level.
Parental Guidance
We will be reading "The Hobbit" which does have some mild depictions of violence as well as myths and fairy tales which can be gruesome. Students will be choosing their own books for two different assignments. I trust parents to monitor the maturity of their reader and the appropriateness of their choices.
Supply List
Learners will need their own copy of "The Hobbit."  They will also need to have access to at least two other books from a wide selection of fantasy classics and at least one of the movies on the list of fantasy classics.
Joined September, 2019
5.0
396reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
I teach all kinds of English classes including writing, grammar, literature, and ESL.  I am an avid reader of fiction and non-fiction especially poetry, science fiction, and fantasy. 

I have been teaching for more than 10 years.  I taught English as Foreign Language in three different Chinese universities for a total of eight and a half years.  These classes included comprehensive English, listening and speaking, writing, and pronunciation.  I taught BA, MA, and Ph.D. students.  Since we have returned to the United States, I have taught childbirth classes, online ESL through VIPkid, and Sunday School.   

I am also a professional writer.  I have a traditionally published book, another at my publisher waiting to be edited, and a novel in its second draft.  I love giving students the chance to communicate, write, and learn in community with others. 

I balance all this with being a homeschool mom. I have homeschooled my two daughters a total of  fifteen years. My older daughter attended our local public high school, so I am familiar with public school needs and requirements as well. 
 
I love sharing the wonder of language with learners young and old--both those who are learning English for the first time and those who are diving into the joys of literature. 

Reviews

Live Group Course
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$25

weekly or $300 for 12 classes
1x per week, 12 weeks
55 min

Completed by 77 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
3-8 learners per class

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