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Outside the Box Summer School English for the Reluctant, Creative, & Terrified
Class experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Intermediate Level
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
*This course is designed as an intensive, full-semester, “Summer School” alternative to traditional high school English courses for reluctant and creative learners, aligned with core standards for grades 9-12, and is taught by an experienced and credentialed teacher. As a “summer school” style course, we will be fitting a lot of material and learning goals within a short period of time. As such, the independent work load for students will also be significant. Letter grades are available for...
8 lessons//4 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Course Introduction:poetry analysis, ISHAMPOO, SOAPSTones, and lit chart -The Princess Bride and Character Archetypes -HW: watch The Great Gatsby and “Fall Forward”Lesson 2the “American Dream”-The Great Gatsby and the “American Dream” -nonfiction analysis: “Fall Forward” -“Harrison Bergeron”Week 2Lesson 3. The Hero’s Journey, the Heroine’s Journey, and the decent into Madness.-The Shawshank Redemption, Batman Begins, and The Killing Joke -NF: Bill Gates Commencement speechLesson 4. The Hero’s Journey, the Heroine’s Journey, and the decent into Madness.2. –Casablanca -SS: “The Yellow Wallpaper” -WW: “The Forest”Week 3Lesson 5Shakespeare1. -MacBeth -NF: “A Modest Proposal”Lesson 6Shakespeare-SS: “The Tell-Tale Heart” -WW: “What’s in the Bag”Week 4Lesson 71. -The Victorian Era-Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and Sherlock -NF: student choiceLesson 8RevolutionV for Vendetta -SS: “Lamb to the Slaughter” -WW: Photo Story
In this course students will… -determine theme; -analyze plot and its various phases; -examine how literary elements affect plot progression, assist in character development, and convey meaning, including: motif, symbol, foreshadowing, echoing, flashback, opposition, metaphor, irony, foil, choice of language; -understand the mono-myth (Hero’s Journey), The Heroine’s Journey, The Villain’s Journey, and character archetypes; -develop an understanding of modern pop-culture. This course provides opportunities to for students to develop the following skills: 1.Explain the function of character. 2.Explain the function of setting. 3.Explain the function of plot and structure. 4.Explain the function of the narrator or speaker. 5.Explain the function of word choice, imagery, and symbolism. 6.Explain the function of comparison. 7.Develop textually substantiated arguments about interpretations of a portion or whole text.
Credentialed teacher with almost 20 years of experience in education. Certified AP English teacher, forensics coach(speech and debate), with an extensive background in drama. I have taught in multiple states in the U.S. and spent three years teaching in China. I am traveler, chef, poet, and storyteller, specializing in writing instruction, literary analysis, creative projects, and above all, building student teacher relationships.
Homework Offered
Homework Students will be expected to watch movies as assigned and complete the accompanying movie worksheet (typically 3 films each week). Students will be expected to complete a weekly reading assignment instead. Reading in this class is minimal, and will be either in the form of a graphic novel, short stories, or short nonfiction texts. Students may begin reading or watch films in advance if they wish. Standard weekly homework -Ongoing, multi-work literary analysis chart -watch 3-4 films -complete 1 film analysis worksheet -read one short story (audiobook allowed) and complete worksheet -read/watch one nonfiction text and complete SOAPStone worksheet (started in class) -Finish both poetry charts started in class (ISHAMPOO+)4+ hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Projects (40%) Students will complete two related projects, both due at the end of the course . Projects will have some simple guidelines and a general concept/suggested approach; however, students may also present alternative ideas. The Final Exam (20%) The final exam for this course is designed as a low stress, open-note, take home exam. It will ask them not only about what they have learned throughout the course, but also ask them to apply that knowledge and understanding to the final two films, Men in Black and 12 Angry Men.Grades Offered
Grading Students shall be evaluated overall by a combination of engagement, progression, and learning. Rather than waste time on trivial grading, much of the work in this course is designed as exercises in order to promote student development. Students that are actively engaged and put forth the effort will excel with the assessments. That being said, it is the finish product that is more important when it comes to student assessment. Students shall maintain all work as assigned in a digital folder or physical notebook. As most assignments are designed as practice exercises, these will typically be scored as credit/no credit based on effort and completion. Daily assignments and regular homework will be kept in this file and submitted for scoring at the end of each week. Students keeping a physical copy rather than a digital copy must submit their work in photograph form as a slideshow. All assignments will be graded based on the 5-point scale, then weighted appropriately. The 5-point scale: A=5 (4.5-5): Far surpasses all standards and expectations B=4 (3.5-4.4): above average, exceeds standard C=3 (2.5-3.4): Meets standard expectations and requirements D=2 (1.5-2.4): Needs improvement/meets some expectations but falls below standard F= 1 (0-1.4): Does not meet standard expectations 0=0: did not turn in or did not complete Weighting 20% Engagement and effort 20% Homework/daily assignments 40% Projects* 20% Final Exam* *students failing to complete and turn in the required projects and/or the final exam will result in them earning an “incomplete” and they will not receive a grade. (A note on grading: My classes are designed to be easy to pass provided students put forth the effort; however, I do not grade easily. I expect my students to always give me their best effort, but quality of a finished product and assessment of learning, knowledge, and understanding require more than just effort. In other words, I am an easy C, but a hard A.)
Students will need to get their own access to all films and short stories in this course.
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
This course is designed for mature students and some of the films do have an "R" rating. In most cases this is due to mature themes, strong language, and/or violence. Sexual content is minimal or nonexistent in most films, and usually in form of language or off-screen, rather than graphic imagery. Parents should preview films prior to student viewing. we will be approaching these films as works of literature, paying close attention to theme, plot, character development, and symbolism, so in most cases the "R" elements will not be discussed heavily, but at times it will be necessary. If parents object to any of the "R" rated films, students are then encouraged, under the guidance of parents, to research and read film summaries online so that they are at least somewhat familiar with the film's story structure and characters to help facilitate class discussion and analysis. "R" rated films are noted in the course description for the entire year, then noted again in the parental guidance section for each trimester. Films not noted as "R" hold a PG or PG-13 rating. Parents should review all course material prior to enrolling and are encouraged to ask any questions that they may have about the source material, as individual sensitivities are always liable to vary. "R" Rated Films: “The Shawshank Redemption” [R] "V for Vendetta" [R]
Major Works Readings (fiction) The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde The Killing Joke (motion comic available on Youtube) “Lamb to the Slaughter” “The Tale-tell Heart” “The Yellow Wallpaper” “Harrison Bergeron” Films Dead Poet’s Society The Princess Bride The Shawshank Redemption [R] The Great Gatsby (2013) MacBeth (version chosen by student from list provided) 10 Things I Hate About You The Reduced Shakespeare Company: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare 12 Angry Men Batman Begins Men In Black Casablanca The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen V for Vendetta [R] TV Various Sherlock Holmes options (student choice) Nonfiction texts “Fall Forward” Denzel Washington Commencement speech “A Modest Proposal” Jonathan Swift Steve Jobs commencement speech The fourth will be student choice from a list provided
"I am not the teacher that you are looking for," as I wave my hand ever so slightly. I will not fill your students with rainbows and sunshine. I am not super high tech in the computer age. I don't offer fluff and I have no gimmicks. No puppies,...
Group Class
$280
for 8 classes2x per week, 4 weeks
80 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 15-18
4-16 learners per class