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7th Grade English: Personal Narrative & Classic Lit
Kaitlyn Fischer: Close-Reading Specialist
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In this 14 week course, students will develop their English skills through two novel studies (students will be able to choose their novels together) where they will write one personal narrative and one literary analysis essay!
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. 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 that students are getting the most out of their classes and so that they are...
28 lessons//14 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Introduction to Semester Course- Introduction and Welcome - Student "Interviews" - Goals, Experiences, and Interests - Introduction to Basic English SkillsLesson 2Introduction to Semester Course- Prompt Writing - Introduction to Google DriveWeek 2Lesson 3Personal Narrative Writing- Introduction to Personal Narrative - Elements of Narrative WritingLesson 4Personal Narrative Writing- Planning the Personal Narrative Writing Project - Examples of Personal NarrativesWeek 3Lesson 5Personal Narrative (Three Choices)- Elements of Story-Writing - Option 1: I am Malala - Introduction to Memoir, Vignette, and Personal Narrative - Option 2: Brown Girl Dreaming - Introduction to the Novel - Introduction to Poetry - Option 3: The Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank) - Introduction and Welcome! - Introduction to the Diary and Anne FrankLesson 6Personal Narrative (Three Choices)- Option 1: I am Malala - Introduction to Memoir, Vignette, and Personal Narrative - Option 2: Brown Girl Dreaming - History Introduction - 1960's in the U.S. - Option 3: The Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank) - The Who's Who of the Annex - Amsterdam, Netherlands - World War II and the HolocaustWeek 4Lesson 7Personal Narrative (Three Choices)- Option 1: I am Malala - Socratic Discussion of the Novel - Development of Characters - Option 2: Brown Girl Dreaming - Socratic Discussion of the Novel - Development of Characters - Option 3: The Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank) - "Dear Kitty" - Who's Who of the Annex - Significant Quotes from Anne FrankLesson 8Personal Narrative (Three Choices)- Option 1: I am Malala - Development of Characters - Theme and Message - Option 2: Brown Girl Dreaming - Development of Characters - Option 3: The Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank) - Characterization of Anne and the Franks - Laws and Escape - Significant Quotes from Anne FrankWeek 5Lesson 9Personal Narrative (Three Choices)- Option 1: I am Malala - Socratic Discussion of the Novel - Option 2: Brown Girl Dreaming - Socratic Discussion of the Novel - Option 3: The Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank) - The Everyday Life in the Annex - Conflict in the AnnexLesson 10Personal Narrative (Three Choices)- Option 1: I am Malala - Modeling a Personal Narrative - Developing Our Own Narratives - Option 2: Brown Girl Dreaming - Modeling a Personal Narrative - Developing Our Own Narratives - Option 3: The Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank) - Truth, Lies, and Delusion - Coming-of-Age and Young LoveWeek 6Lesson 11Personal Narrative (Three Choices)- Option 1: I am Malala - Socratic Discussion of the Novel - Writing, Editing, and Reviewing Our Personal Narratives - Option 2: Brown Girl Dreaming - Socratic Discussion of the Novel - Writing, Editing, and Reviewing Our Personal Narratives - Option 3: The Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank) - Belief in the Good of Humans - Theme and Symbolism - Final EventsLesson 12Personal Narrative (Three Choices)- Option 1: I am Malala - Socratic Discussion of the Novel - Writing, Editing, and Reviewing Our Personal Narratives - Option 2: Brown Girl Dreaming - Socratic Discussion of the Novel - Writing, Editing, and Reviewing Our Personal Narratives - Option 3: The Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank) - Belief in the Good of Humans - Theme and Symbolism - Final EventsWeek 7Lesson 13Novel Study Choice (Student Choice)- Introduction to Classic Literature - What is Classic Literature? - What Makes Classic Literature Classic? - Student Choice of Novel Study - Students will CHOOSE a Classic Novel to Read Together - See the Parental Guidance Section for More Information!Lesson 14Novel Study Choice (Student Choice)- Introduction to the Novel - Introduction to the History of the Novel - Developing a Reading Schedule (Together)Week 8Lesson 15Novel Study Choice (Student Choice)- Socratic Seminar Discussions - Pop Culture Investigations - Scheduling and Interest BuildingLesson 16Novel Study Choice (Student Choice)- Debates - Wondering/QuestioningWeek 9Lesson 17Novel Study Choice (Student Choice)- Debates - Wondering/Questioning - What is a classic literature novel?Lesson 18Novel Study Choice (Student Choice)- Socratic Seminar Discussions - Debates - Wondering/Questioning - Mini-Writing PromptsWeek 10Lesson 19Novel Study Choice (Student Choice)- Socratic Seminar Discussions - Debates - Wondering/Questioning - Mini-Writing PromptsLesson 20Novel Study Choice (Student Choice)- Socratic Seminar Discussions - Debates - Wondering/Questioning - Mini-Writing PromptsWeek 11Lesson 21Novel Study Choice (Student Choice)- Socratic Seminar Discussions - DebatesLesson 22Novel Study Choice (Student Choice)- Introduction to Literary Analysis - Elements of Literary Analysis Writing - Literary Analysis Prompt WritingWeek 12Lesson 23Novel Choice with Literary Analysis Writing- Introduction to Literary Analysis - Elements of Literary Analysis Writing - Literary Analysis Prompt WritingLesson 24Novel Choice with Literary Analysis Writing- Introduction to Literary Analysis - Elements of Literary Analysis Writing - Literary Analysis Prompt WritingWeek 13Lesson 25Novel Study Choice (Student Choice)- Socratic Seminar Discussions - Debates - Selecting a Writing Prompt for the Essay - Selecting, Editing, and Formatting Quotes and Evidence - Elements of Literary Analysis Writing - Literary Analysis Prompt WritingLesson 26Novel Study Choice (Student Choice)- Selecting, Editing, and Formatting Quotes and Evidence - Elements of Literary Analysis Writing - Literary Analysis Prompt WritingWeek 14Lesson 27Literary Analysis Exploration- Selecting, Editing, and Formatting Quotes and Evidence - Elements of Literary Analysis Writing - Literary Analysis Prompt WritingLesson 28Literary Analysis Exploration- Selecting, Editing, and Formatting Quotes and Evidence - Elements of Literary Analysis Writing - Literary Analysis Prompt Writing
- - Students will be able to identify the following literary elements: character and character development, genre, plot development and major plot points, symbolism, themes, and more!
- - Students will engage in discussions and debates with one another as we explore more than just reading comprehension but also the complex decisions the author makes and its cultural and historical connections to the time period.
- Reading: - 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
- Reading Continued: - 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
- 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
I have been teaching professionally for over 5 years in both Missouri and in Colorado. I have been on Outschool for two years (at the time this class will start) 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_link1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Homework
Frequency: 1-2 per weekFeedback: as neededDetails: 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 House on Mango Street: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-house-on-mango-street
- Brown Girl Dreaming: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/brown-girl-dreamingJoined 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 21 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-13
3-6 learners per class
