Project-Based Middle School English - Creative Projects and Literary Analysis
A 15-week ELA course for upper middle school students. The focus of this course is on acclaimed literature and meaningful work.
Jill Harper
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(285)
What's included
15 live meetings
13 hrs 45 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Students will need to read 5 complete novels and several short stories during this course. Estimated reading time depends on the student, but the average will be 2 to 3 hours a week. If students do better with audiobooks, that is completely acceptable. In addition, students will have 3 reading responses due and will be completing two creative projects and one literary essay. Again time will vary on these, but expect an average of 2 to 3 hours a week.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
This course is divided into themes, with each theme lasting from 4 to 7 weeks. During each theme, students will read, write, and work on a creative project. For theme 1, students will create a fantasy world and write a short fantasy story. For theme 2, students will choose a short story and turn it into a graphic novel. And for our final theme, students will compose a literary analysis essay. This class aims to create a secure and engaging classroom where students feel safe to share their thoughts, writings, and projects with me and each other to help them grow in their analysis skills and their writing skills. This course is heavy on reading and is best suited for students who are passionate about ELA. Please note, that we will have one week off between themes 1 and 2 and 2 and 3 for students to catch up on any writing/reading. Theme 1: The Fantasy Novel - For weeks 1 to 7, students will read and analyze two fantasy books ( A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin and A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge). They will work on different fantasy elements and analyze literary terms. Week 1: Elements in every fantasy novel, discussion of the first fantasy book, weekly literary term, reading response due Week 2: Importance of worldbuilding in fantasy novels, discussion on worlds and settings in different fantasies, world-building assignment, weekly literary term Week 3: Characters in fantasy novels, including heroes, villains, and mentors, character assignment, weekly literary term Week 4: Review of character assignment, magic in the fantasy novel, magic assignment, weekly literary term Week 5: Discussion of the second fantasy book, fantasy reading response due, introduction to the hero's journey, weekly literary term Week 6: Creating a short fantasy story that follows the hero's journey, practical writing workshop, weekly literary term Week 7: Practical writing workshop, share and support of writing, conclusion of fantasy unit One-week break. Fantasy short story due at the end of the break. Theme 2: The Graphic Novel - For weeks 8 to 11, we will be reading Booked by Kwame Alexander and students will adapt a short story of their choice into their own graphic novel. Week 8: Discussion of Booked, reading response due, introduction to the graphic novel, short story assignment, weekly literary term Week 9: Elements of a graphic novel, how to tell a story through words and pictures, short story choice due, weekly literary term Week 10: Begin working on your graphic novel, practical writing workshop, weekly literary term Week 11: Share and support art and writing, individual writing support, weekly literary term One-week break. The graphic novel project is due at the end of the break. Theme 3: The Literary Analysis Essay - For weeks 12 to 15, we will be reading The Lord of the Flies by William Golding, The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Students will compose a literary essay. Week 12: Discussion of The Lord of the Flies, introduction to the literary analysis essay, analysis of thesis statements Week 13: Discussion of The Lottery and The Hunger Games, themes and symbols in literature, review of sample essays, brainstorming essay ideas Week 14: Analysis of all three novels together, thesis sentence due, intro to the body paragraphs, and the concluding paragraph Week 15: Practical writing workshop, sharing of ideas, discussion on the importance of evidence Literary essay due a week after our last meeting.
Learning Goals
Students will grow as readers and writers while learning to make connections with the books they read. Students will demonstrate their critical analysis skills through reading responses, class discussions, and essays. Students will also complete creative projects that showcase their understanding of the major themes in the course.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Learners will use Google Classroom as part of this course primarily to turn in assignments to me. Learners need a google account to join. The code for Google Classroom will be in the Outschool classroom. Please note that learners will not use Google Classroom to communicate and interact.
I sometimes share YouTube links for learners. These will only appear in the Outschool classroom for the student's safety.
All books are middle-grade or YA level. Please read reviews or pre-read if you have concerns. A Wizard of Earthsea and A Face Like Glass contain typical fantasy elements. The Lord of the Flies by William Golding, The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, and Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins all deal with violence directed at young people or adults. There is death in all three stories.
Supply List
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (https://amzn.to/3OJSXYJ) A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge (https://amzn.to/3oEx969) Booked by Kwame Alexander (https://amzn.to/3bn3POm) The Lord of the Flies by William Golding (https://amzn.to/3vpMtHu) The Lottery by Shirley Jackson (short story that will be provided to the student) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (https://amzn.to/3Q7YjxN)
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Jill Harper
4.9
285reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree from University of California Santa Barbara
Hello! My name is Jill and I am passionate about education and have extensive experience teaching in the online community. I love overseeing book clubs for tweens and teens, sharing my love of literature and writng, and offering classes that encourage and inspire students to share their thoughts and opinions with their peers.
My goal is to expose students to a wide range of books that they may not pick up on their own. For teens, I have also developed book clubs that focus on one specific area and curate book lists that add depth to the course descriptions for when it is time to apply to colleges.
Outside of Outschool, I am an educational consultant and homeschool expert at Simplify Homeschool. I run a group for homeschooled parents on Facebook called College Confident Homeschoolers and specialize in developing year long plans for teens and parents based on goals and interests. Additionaly, I support families with the college application process.
As for my own background, I began breaking away from the educational norm and deciding my own path when I took the California High School Proficiency Exam at age 16 and enrolled in community college. From there I went on to the University of California, Santa Barbara and graduated with honors with a B.A. in film studies. I completed the credentialing program from National University.
I am well-versed in all things related to homeschooling and education. I specialize in the area of homeschooling gifted tweens and teens, twice-exceptional students, and students with disabilities, including both learning and physical disabilities. This interest stems from raising three amazing children who are living with disabilities.
I welcome and support all learners in my classes and enjoy supporting every student no matter where they are at in their educational journey.Reviews
Live Group Class
$270
for 15 classes1x per week, 15 weeks
55 min
Completed by 6 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-13
5-10 learners per class
