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Multiskills ELA for Advanced Middle Schoolers

This advanced English class for middle schoolers aged 11-13 delves deeply into literature, encompassing play readings, poetry analysis, grammar refinement, and critical thinking exercises in verbal reasoning.
Ms. Tracey, BA, PG Dip (Hum)
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:
(241)
Class

What's included

39 live meetings
19 hrs 30 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

US Grade 6 - 7
This advanced English class caters to middle schoolers aged 11-13, offering an in-depth journey through literature with play readings, poetry analysis, grammar refinement, and critical thinking exercises in verbal reasoning, tailored to foster advanced language skills and comprehension.

This class meets 3 times per week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Week 1: Feb 13th - Feb 15th

Tuesday (Feb 13th):
Class Activity: Introduction to Verbal Reasoning
Explanation of verbal reasoning concepts and sample questions.
Practice exercises to develop critical thinking skills.

Wednesday (Feb 14th):
Class Activity: Reading Comprehension - Shakespearean Extract
Introduction to Shakespeare and his works.
Reading and analysis of a one-page extract from "Romeo and Juliet"
Discussion on themes, characters, and language techniques.

Thursday (Feb 15th):
Class Activity: Poetry Analysis
Introduction to poetry analysis techniques.
Reading and analysis of a poem :"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost
Discussion on imagery, figurative language, and deeper meanings in the poem.

Week 2: Feb 20th - Feb 22nd
Tuesday (Feb 20th):
Class Activity: Grammar and Language Arts Skills
Review of grammar concepts such as parts of speech, sentence structure, and punctuation.
Practice exercises focusing on sentence construction and editing.

Wednesday (Feb 21st):
Class Activity: Verbal Reasoning Practice
Continued practice with verbal reasoning exercises.
Emphasis on logic, deduction, and problem-solving skills.

Thursday (Feb 22nd):
Class Activity: Reading Comprehension - Shakespearean Extract
Overview of the play Macbeth
Reading and analysis of a scene from "Macbeth".
Comparing and contrasting themes and literary devices with previous extracts.

Week 3: Feb 27th - Feb 29th
Tuesday (Feb 27th):
Class Activity: Poetry Analysis
Continued exploration of poetry analysis techniques.
Reading and analysis of "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman
Discussion on symbolism, structure, and the poet's message.

Wednesday (Feb 28th):
Class Activity: Grammar and Language Arts Skills
Focus on more advanced grammar concepts such as subject-verb agreement, parallel structure, and complex sentence construction.
Practice exercises to reinforce understanding.

Thursday (Feb 29th):
Class Activity: Verbal Reasoning Practice
Further practice with verbal reasoning exercises, including analogies, verbal classification, and logical deductions.

Week 4: Mar 5th - Mar 7th
Tuesday (Mar 5th):
Class Activity: Reading Comprehension - Shakespearean Extract
Overview of Hamlet
Reading and analysis of a scene from "Hamlet".
Discussion on character development, dramatic tension, and Shakespearean language.

Wednesday (Mar 6th):
Class Activity: Poetry Analysis
Reading and analysis of  Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare.
Discussion on rhyme scheme, meter, and poetic devices.

Thursday (Mar 7th):
Class Activity: Grammar and Language Arts Skills
Review and reinforcement of previous grammar concepts.
Introduction to literary devices such as simile, metaphor, and personification.

Week 9: March 12th - March 14th
Tuesday (Mar 12th):
Class Activity: Reading Comprehension - Shakespearean Extract
Reading and analysis of a scene from "A Midsummer Night's Dream".
Discussion on humor, character interactions, and Shakespearean language.

Wednesday (Mar 13th):
Class Activity: Poetry Analysis
Further exploration of poetry analysis with a focus on Haikus.
Reading and analysis of Haiku examples 
Discussion on structure, rhythm, and thematic elements.

Thursday (Mar 14th):
Class Activity: Grammar and Language Arts Skills
Review and reinforcement of literary devices.
Practice exercises incorporating literary analysis into writing, crafting descriptive paragraphs using similes and metaphors).

SPRING BREAK - No classes March 19th - 21st

Week 10: Mar 26th - Mar 28th 
Tuesday (Mar 26th):
Class Activity: Verbal Reasoning Practice
Review and practice of various verbal reasoning question types.
Emphasis on strategies for approaching different types of questions effectively.

Wednesday (Mar 27th):
Class Activity: Reading Comprehension - Shakespearean Extract
Reading and analysis of a scene from "Twelfth Night".
Discussion on themes of identity, disguise, and mistaken identity in the play.

Thursday (Mar 28th):
Class Activity: Poetry Analysis
Analysis of a longer poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe.
Discussion on narrative structure, symbolism, and mood in poetry.

Week 11: April 2nd - April 4th
Tuesday (April 2nd):
Class Activity: Grammar and Language Arts Skills
Focus on advanced language arts skills such as rhetorical devices, sentence variety, and tone.
Practice exercises to enhance writing fluency and style.


Wednesday (April 3rd):
Class Activity: Verbal Reasoning Practice
Continued practice with verbal reasoning exercises, focusing on inference, deduction, and critical thinking.
Review of strategies for tackling challenging verbal reasoning questions.

Thursday (April 4th):
Class Activity: Reading Comprehension - Shakespearean Extract
Overview, reading and analysis of a scene from "Othello".
Discussion on themes of jealousy, manipulation, and tragedy in the play.

Week 12: April 9th - April 11th
Tuesday (April 9th):
Class Activity: Poetry Analysis
Analysis of a contemporary poem from a diverse poet Harlem" (also known as "Dream Deferred") by Langston Hughes.
Discussion on the poet's voice, social commentary, and the power of resilience.

Wednesday (April 10th):
Class Activity: Grammar and Language Arts Skills
Review and reinforcement of grammar rules related to sentence structure and punctuation.
Practice exercises to improve editing and proofreading skills.

Thursday (April 11th):
Class Activity: Verbal Reasoning Practice
Further practice with verbal reasoning exercises, including advanced analogies and logical deductions.
Application of problem-solving strategies to real-life scenarios.

Week 13: April 16th - April 18th
Tuesday (April 16th):
Class Activity: Reading Comprehension - Shakespearean Extract
Overview, reading and analysis of a scene from "King Lear".
Discussion on themes of power, madness, and familial relationships.

Wednesday (April 17th):
Class Activity: Poetry Analysis
Analysis of a classic poem from a different literary era "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot.
Discussion on modernist themes, imagery, and symbolism.

Thursday (April 18th):
Class Activity: Grammar and Language Arts Skills
Introduction to advanced writing techniques such as irony, satire, and allegory.
Practice exercises incorporating these techniques into creative writing.

Week 14: April 23rd - April 25th
Tuesday (April 23rd):
Class Activity: Verbal Reasoning Practice
Review and practice of various verbal reasoning question types.

Wednesday (April 24th):
Class Activity: Reading Comprehension - Shakespearean Extract
Overview, reading and analysis of a scene from "As You Like It".
Discussion on themes of love, identity, and pastoral life in the play.

Thursday (April 25th):
Class Activity: Poetry Analysis
Emily Dickinson's "Hope is the Thing with Feathers."
Discuss cultural context, identity, and themes.

Week 15: April 30th - May 2nd
Tuesday (April 30th):
Class Activity: Grammar and Language Arts Skills
Focus on advanced language arts skills such as parallelism, diction, and syntax.
Practice exercises to enhance precision and clarity in writing.

Wednesday (May 1st):
Class Activity: Verbal Reasoning Practice
Continued practice with verbal reasoning exercises, focusing on inference, deduction, and critical thinking.
Review of strategies for tackling challenging verbal reasoning questions.

Thursday (May 2nd):
Class Activity: Reading Comprehension - Shakespearean Extract
Overview, reading and analysis of a scene from "The Tempest".
Discussion on themes of power, colonization, and forgiveness in the play.

Week 16: May 7th - May 9th
Tuesday (May 7th):
Class Activity: Poetry Analysis
Analysis of a contemporary poem from a diverse poet  "Fire and Ice" by Robert Frost.
Discussion on the poet's perspective, symbolism, and the human condition.

Wednesday (May 8th):
Class Activity: Grammar and Language Arts Skills
Review and reinforcement of grammar rules related to sentence structure and punctuation.
Practice exercises to improve editing and proofreading skills.

Thursday (May 9th):
Class Activity: Verbal Reasoning Practice
Further practice with verbal reasoning exercises focused on word problems.

Week 17: May 14th - May 16th
Tuesday (May 14th):
Class Activity: Poetry Analysis
Analysis of a contemporary poem from a diverse poet “The Tyger" by William Blake 
Discussion on the analysis of symbolism, imagery, and philosophical themes.

Wednesday (May 15th):
Class Activity: Grammar Review
Focus on punctuation rules, specifically commas and semicolons.
Explanation of when to use commas to separate items in a series, set off introductory phrases, and separate independent clauses in compound sentences.
Practice exercises to reinforce comma usage.

Thursday (May 16th):
Class Activity: Comprehensive Skills Review
Comprehensive review of all skills learned throughout the semester, including verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, poetry analysis, and grammar/language arts.
Learning Goals
Reading Standards for Literature (RL)
RL.6.1: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly.
RL.6.2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development.
RL.6.5: Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text.
RL.7.1: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly.
RL.7.2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development.
RL.7.5: Analyze how a drama's or poem's form or structure contributes to its meaning.

Language Standards (L)
L.6.1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar.
L.6.2: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
L.6.5: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.7.1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar.
L.7.2: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
L.7.5: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

Speaking and Listening Standards (SL)
SL.6.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.
SL.7.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.
learning goal

Other Details

Supply List
Learners will not need any supplies for this class
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Sources used are in the public domain : "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare "Sonnet 18" by William Shakespeare "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare Haiku examples (various sources) "Twelfth Night" by William Shakespeare "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe "Othello" by William Shakespeare "Harlem" (also known as "Dream Deferred") by Langston Hughes "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot "As You Like It" by William Shakespeare "The Tempest" by William Shakespeare "Fire and Ice" by Robert Frost "The Tyger" by William Blake "Hope is the Thing with Feathers" by Emily Dickinson
Joined December, 2020
4.8
241reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in English to Speakers of Other Languages
Bachelor's Degree in English from University of Northampton
With a passion for teaching and expertise in literacy education, I'm excited to lead our advanced middle school class. My aim is to foster an enriching and tailored learning experience, guiding students through the complexities of literature with captivating plays, insightful poetry, and critical thinking activities. Together, we'll embark on an engaging journey to expand language skills and deepen comprehension.

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Live Group Class
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<$1

weekly or $10 for 39 classes
3x per week, 13 weeks
30 min

Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-13
1-10 learners per class

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