What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
4+ hours per week. Students will do all of the reading outside of class. This will require 20-30 minutes of reading each day.Assessment
Upon request, I can provide you with an English / Literature grade based upon participation in the discussion and a written response to the literature in a paragraph answering the essential question. If you need a grade for more formal essay writing, I can provide that if students add on "Essay Writing 911." Just reach out with your request.Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Beginner - Advanced Level
An essential part of high school English is the study of notable novels. These works of literature may be notable for the longevity of their influence, exceptional quality, contribution to culture, or typical of an era, people, or movement. Learners explore the pages of literary masterpieces that have shaped cultures, stirred emotions, and inspired generations. In this ongoing class, we work through notable novels, and the teacher gives learners essential questions to answer as they read. In the live class, we come together for discussion. The idea is to read broadly, deeply, and regularly while thinking about deeper life questions that literature brings to bear. The live meetings provide accountability for students to read as well as the opportunity to intelligently discuss literature and how what they read has modern-day applications in understanding themselves or the world in which they live. Students are not expected to "learn a lesson" from each novel; rather, we want them to think about the issues presented by the author and determine whether or not they agree or disagree with the author's worldview. Students will analyze literary devices, figurative language, story elements, characterization, theme, the author's craft, etc., and attempt to answer the essential questions. **๐ผ๐ก๐ก ๐จ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐จ ๐ข๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฎ ๐ค๐ฉ๐๐๐ง ๐ฌ๐๐๐ . ๐๐ค๐ช ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฃ๐ค๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ค๐ฃ ๐ค๐๐-๐ฌ๐๐๐ ๐จ!** ๐ค HOMEWORK / READING EXPECTATIONS: Students will do all of the reading outside of class, and they will complete their book according to the reading schedule. ๐ ๐น๐ฌ๐จ๐ซ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ ๐บ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฌ๐ซ๐ผ๐ณ๐ฌ: If you think we're missing some obvious titles, they are likely in our other book club aimed at readers ages 12-15: ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ถ๐ค๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ต ๐๐ช๐ด๐ต ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฌ ๐๐ญ๐ถ๐ฃ: ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ฐ๐ฑ 100 ๐๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ๐ญ๐ด ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ญ๐ญ ๐๐ช๐ฎ๐ฆ. https://outschool.com/classes/the-bucket-list-book-club-the-top-100-novels-of-all-time-Txn3SbcZ?usid=0BAnv5zn&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link ๐งโโ๏ธ ๐โโ๐๐๐๐ผโ๐: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson NO CLASS Frankenstein by Mary Shelley NO CLASS Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier NO CLASS Deathwatch by Robb White NO CLASS The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Duman NO CLASS Dracula by Bram Stoker NO CLASS Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson NO CLASS Macbeth by William Shakespeare NO CLASS ๐ ๐ธ๐ป๐๐ผโ๐๐โ๐ผ๐: The Last of the Mohicans by James Fennimore Cooper NO CLASS The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Duman NO CLASS Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs NO CLASS The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket by Edgar Allan Poe NO CLASS The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle NO CLASS Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne NO CLASS Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes NO CLASS Ivanhoe by Walter Scott NO CLASS King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard NO CLASS ๐ฅ ๐ป๐๐๐๐โ๐๐ธโ: 1984 by George Orwell NO CLASS Animal Farm by George Orwell NO CLASS The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins NO CLASS The Maze Runner by James Dashner NO CLASS Divergent by Veronica Roth NO CLASS Brave New World by Aldous Huxley NO CLASS Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson NO CLASS ๐ โ๐๐ธ๐๐๐โ๐: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee NO CLASS Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare NO CLASS Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens NO CLASS Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery NO CLASS David Copperfield by Charles Dickens NO CLASS Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte NO CLASS The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne NO CLASS Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen NO CLASS Little Women by Louisa May Alcott NO CLASS ๐งฌ ๐โ๐๐ผโโ๐ผ ๐ฝ๐โ๐๐๐โ: Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift NO CLASS The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells NO CLASS HISTORIAL FICTION: MYSTERY: JOURNEY: COMEDY: AMERICAN HISTORY / FOUNDING DOCUMENTS:
Learning Goals
Read broadly and deeply.
Discuss novels with peers in a Socratic Seminar.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Many high school novels have mature themes, such as murder, violence, suicide, revenge, licentiousness, alcohol, death, prejudices, racism, guilt, betrayal, etc., and are intended for mature secondary students. The literature we do read is classic and is commonly read in high schools. The novels help students understand the world in which they live as they ponder deep questions that are as relevant now as they were then. Through experience, training, sensitivity, and compassion, I choose quality literature that helps students understand themselves and the world in which they live a little better as they consider various cultures, perspectives, and ideas. Sensitive material and themes are handled with respect for the humanity and dignity of all individuals. Historical context is important and the way ideas change over time can be considered. A particular religion or a belief system is neither favored nor advanced by me as I strive for neutrality; however, students are freely allowed to share their own opinions and worldviews. And they will be respected. It is my job to get students thinking, not to indoctrinate. Parents are welcome to listen in to class or to watch the recording, which I automatically post. I encourage students to talk to their parents about the literature and the issues we discuss. Novels are written with a Lexile score between 700-1400. Parents are welcome to listen in to class or to watch the recording, which I automatically post. I encourage students to talk to their parents about the novels and the issues we discuss.
Supply List
Please look at the schedule of novels in the listing. Students will need to borrow or buy each book.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
5 teachers have teaching certificates
New York Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Washington Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Washington Teaching Certificate in Foreign Language
Washington Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
Missouri Teaching Certificate
Tennessee Teaching Certificate in Science
2 teachers have a Graduate degree
Master's Degree in Education from Liberty University
Master's Degree in Education from Western Governors University
10 teachers have a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree from Purdue University
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Philadelphia College of Bible
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Millersville University
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Liberty University
Bachelor's Degree in English from Florida State University
Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Missouri State University
Bachelor's Degree in Music from Western Connecticut State University
Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Government from Patrick Henry College
Bachelor's Degree in Biology/Biological Sciences from Middle Tennessee State University
Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from University of Northwestern - St. Paul
Mrs. Lemons has a B.A. in English/Literature and an M.Ed in Education Administration. She has a teaching and principal's license and is endorsed to teach English and History. She has many years of experience teaching in public and private schools at every level, including undergraduate and graduate students at Colorado Christian University seeking their teaching licenses. She is a teacher of teachers.
As we approach sensitive topics and issues, I fall back on my English literature education degree, teacher training, and years of English teaching experience. We analyze the historical context in which novels were written, the author's background and worldview, and the story's time period. Discussion is focused on what the characters believe, what the author believed, and what beliefs were central to literary periods of time, such as the romantics or even the dark romantics. Students' various ideas and opinions are respected.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$19
weekly1x per week
45 min
Completed by 8 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
3-12 learners per class