Students will complete reading assignments outside of the class, though we will read segments together during our discussions.  In addition to reading assignments for home work, there are writing assignments, higher-level comprehension questions, and a creative final project. We will have lectures, group discussions, group work, Socratic seminars, Youtube videos, explicit grammar instruction, and vocabulary in context.  I incorporate plenty of time for students to talk and ask questions, as I believe this helps them learn and retain information. I differentiate my instruction based on the learning styles and needs of individual students, including social/emotional needs and challenges. I use graphic organizers to help students manage new information and discuss options for individualized note-taking strategies. 
The following is a list of texts we will read and analyze, followed by a rough breakdown of the sixteen week class schedule: 

Novels:

Julie of the Wolves by Craighead George
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Poets/Poetry:

Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot
Shel Silverstein
Maya Angelou
Marilyn Singer

Expository: Various non-fiction essays and articles related to the topics and themes of the literature we read 
______________________________________________________________________

There are two classes each week, Day A and Day B. Each class will have a homework assignment that will be reviewed at the beginning of the next class meeting. Every week there will be some sort of lecture, discussion of the current text, relevant vocabulary, an expository article/essay, and writing assignments. The plays and poetry book by Eliot will culminate with a Socratic Seminar as a venue for students to demonstrate their understanding of the text.

Week 1~Day A: Introductions/warm-ups/discuss class schedule and expectations/discuss final project/discuss homework
              Day B: Plot Lecture/Character Development/Conflict
Week 2~Day A: Julie of the Wolves
              Day B: Julie of the Wolves
Week 3~Day A: Julie of the Wolves
              Day B: Julie of the Wolves
Week 4~Day A: Julie of the Wolves
              Day B: Socratic Seminar: Julie of the Wolves
Week 5 ~Day A: Expository Article/s
               Day B: Poetry~Shel Silverstein
Week 6 ~Day A: Poetry~Cont.
               Day B: Catch up day
Week 7 ~Day A: Expository Article/s
               Day B:  Poetry-Maya Angelou
Week 8  ~Day A: Poetry~Cont.
                Day B: Expository Article/s
Week 9  ~Day A: A Wrinkle in Time
                Day B: A Wrinkle in Time
Week 10~Day A: A Wrinkle in Time
                 Day B: A Wrinkle in Time
Week 11~Day A: A Wrinkle in Time
                Day B: Socratic Seminar-A Wrinkle in Time
Week 12~Day A: Catch up day
                Day B: Expository Article/s
Week 13~Day A: Poetry:Singer
                Day B: Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats
Week 14~Day A: Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats
                Day B: Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats/expository article
Week 15~Day A: Socratic Seminar- Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats
                Day B: Non-fiction Reading
Week 16~Day A: Literary Terms/Vocabulary Review
                Day B: Final Project Share/Class wrap up