MS English Semester: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Class experience
US Grade 7 - 8
In this semester-long course, students will participate in various reading, writing, and discussion activities through a science fiction unit of short stories and Robert Louis Stevenson's The Curious Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card accompanied by a fantasy unit of short stories and The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. 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...
This class is taught in English.
Students will be able to... - Participate in Various Reading, Writing, and Discussions - Introduce Themselves to the Class - Use Google Drive and Docs - Introduction to Science Fiction and Fantasy - Identify Sci-Fi Element Discussion and Debate - Set Goals - Read, discuss, and analyze "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" - Participate in Socratic Seminar Discussions - Work together to Develop a Collaborative Literary Device Journal. - Gain a Deeper Understanding of the Text - Introduce the Novel - Play a Literary Techniques Quizzizz Game - Debate Controversial Topics - Develop a Literary Techniques Journal - Define the Differences between Similes and Metaphors - Define Allusion - Examine Plot Development - Perform a Character Analysis - Define Personification - Define Hyperbole - Define Imagery - Identify Symbolism - Define and Identify Theme - Compare Sci-Fi to Fantasy - Analyze Character Relationships - Differentiate between Science Fiction and Fantasy in a Novel or Short Story - Identify and Explain Connections to History in Books - Explain Plot Development - Define and Identify the Conflict, Climax, and Resolution (if there is one) - Map Character Development - Find Cross-Curricular Connections in Literature - Develop a Full-Length Essay - Present Arguments and Opinions in a Formal Presentation
I teach several semester classes for both middle school and high school. Below are the links to the middle school semester courses that you are welcome to look at! Classic Literature Course: - https://outschool.com/classes/middle-school-english-a-semester-course-7nCZhtYz?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link Anne of Green Gables and Sherlock Holmes: - https://outschool.com/classes/middle-school-english-a-semester-F5FMvb3V?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link Personal Narrative Writing and Classic Literature: - https://outschool.com/classes/middle-school-english-a-semester-JDnTCdCb?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
Homework Offered
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.1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
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!Grades Offered
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 for our course. The Curious Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson is out of copyright and can be found in multiple locations for free! Here are purchase guides for the novels! Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Case-Dr-Jekyll-Hyde/dp/1713326477/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3BWHSC24NSOJT&dchild=1&keywords=dr.+jekyll+and+mr.+hyde+book&qid=1605235942&sprefix=dr.+je%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-3 Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-strange-case-of-dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde-and-other-stories-stevenson-robert-louis/1126932192?ean=9781435163096 Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Strange-Case-of-Dr-Jekyll-and-Mr-Hyde-Audiobook/B076FF3QGP Sparknotes Free Online PDF: https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/jekyll/full-text/ The Golden Compass: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Compass-His-Dark-Materials/dp/0440238137 Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/golden-compass-philip-pullman/1100010621?ean=9780440418320 Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Golden-Compass-Audiobook/B002V1NG16
Here are the parental guides from common sense media and a plot overview for our novel studies: - https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-golden-compass-his-dark-materials-book-1 - https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/jekyll/summary/ When looking through the parental guides and summaries, please note that fantasy and science fiction novels have levels of violence in them that are common elements of the genre. We will work through these elements together but please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!
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...
Group Class
$400
for 28 classes2x per week, 14 weeks
45 min
Completed by 13 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
3-6 learners per class