Not Stuffy, Stale or Stodgy: Literature for Middle School
Tassie Bauman Smith
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(388)
In this discussion based semester-long middle school literature course, learners will be introduced to a number of classic poets and short story authors from around the world.
Class experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner - Intermediate Level
Together the teacher and learners will explore important authors from around the world such as Pablo Neruda, Shakespeare, E.E. Cummings, Robert Burns, Du Fu, J.R.R. Tolkien, and more. I know that at this age literature can sometimes seem out of reach, out of touch, and out-right boring. But I have found that learners can love poetry and short stories when they are supported with new vocabulary, lots of time for discovery and discussion, and a teacher who finds it all fascinating. I love...
Students will be introduced to, discuss, and enjoy poets and classic short story writers from America and beyond.
Homework Offered
Students will need to read/watch outside of class. This will be especially important in the short story section but they may also be required to watch a short video on the topics of the poetry lessons before class begins. I do not anticipate this taking more than one hour for most weeks and most students. But students who read slower or weeks with particularly long short stories may need a little more.1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Grades can be offered upon parents request based on a student's participation in classroom discussion.Grades Offered
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Parents are the best judge of their learners' sensitivities and maturity. Some of the short stories are intense, but none of them are explicit. There is character death in "The Veldt" and "To Build a Fire." Furthermore, the history of the construction of the Great Wall is sad and disturbing. I would be happy to provide links for parents to preview any of the literature they are concerned about, and I welcome conversation about any of the literature choices here. Please feel free to reach out.
Students will access the short stories via YouTube audio books we may also use Youtube to watch background material on authors, genres, or history.
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(388)
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...
Group Class
$280
for 12 classes1x per week, 12 weeks
55 min
Completed by 98 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
2-8 learners per class
