Estudios de literatura de séptimo y octavo grado: Lengua y literatura de la escuela secundaria, semestre de otoño
Curso de literatura de un semestre completo para la escuela secundaria, con énfasis en los clásicos. Los alumnos exploran una variedad de géneros [novelas clásicas, ficción histórica, misterio, cuentos, poesía] mientras aprenden a analizar elementos y temas literarios.
Alison Stephens
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Qué está incluido
24 reuniones en vivo
18 horas presencialesTarea
4+ horas por semana. Students will read the assigned chapters outside of class. I will provide reading guides to help students notice the important details. These guides may have vocabulary activities, comprehension questions, or thinking questions to foster class discussion. Students will be given occasional short answer writing assignments to express their thoughts and opinions on the texts.Evaluación
I will offer detailed feedback for any writing that is submitted for the class. I will offer a completion grade for any worksheets/reading guides that are completed and submitted. There may be optional assignments. I will note the completion of these and include them in a verification letter of course completion at the end of the course.Certificado de finalización
I will offer a certificate letter of completion for any student who demonstrates their engagement and participation in class. Submitting approximately 75 to 80% of the homework, participating in class discussions, and being focused and engaged during class will all be considered as evidence of successful completion.Experiencia de clase
Nivel de inglés: desconocido
Grado de EE. UU. 6 - 9
Nivel Intermediate
This is a full semester of middle school literature studies. This 2024 Fall class will meet twice/week for 12 weeks (24 classes).
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TEACHER REFUND POLICY: Many families prefer to book far enough in advance to guarantee a spot in the class as they prepare for the coming academic year. I also realize that plans can shift and change.
In order to reasonably help families who like to plan ahead, but also allow me the time to fill a space left empty after an unenrollment, please note that if you need to withdraw your learner for any reason up to FIVE WEEKS before the start date of this class, you can contact me with the details and I will be happy to issue a full refund. After that point, the standard Outschool refund policy will apply.
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Middle school is a pivotal time for literature studies. As students begin to interact with some of the great literary classics, they gain exciting new skills. These skills of analysis and critical thinking develop and grow as students dissect texts, discern themes, and analyze characters' motivations. Classics can be challenging, but with guidance and encouragement, they can also be immensely enriching as students engage with important life themes and discuss them with peers in a teacher-guided setting.
WHAT WILL WE READ?
√ HISTORICAL FICTION
“A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park
[NOTE: This book deals with the 1980's conflict in Sudan and contains some brief scenes of danger and violence. Please see the parent guide section for more details and feel free to reach out if you have questions.]
√ CLASSIC DRAMA
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare
[NOTE: We will read an adapted version of the story before we read some extended excerpts from Shakespeare's original work. Teacher will provide all the materials.]
√ MYSTERY
“The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin
√ CLASSIC SHORT STORIES:
“The Adventure of the Dancing Men (Sherlock Holmes)” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
“A Retrieved Reformation” by O’Henry
"The Monkey's Paw" by WW Jacobs
√ POETRY DAY:
“Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare
“Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost
"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost
"I'm Nobody! Who are You?" by Emily Dickinson
and others
WHAT WILL CLASS TIME LOOK LIKE?
*The majority of class time will be spent in literary discussion. I will gently guide these discussion, but will encourage strong student participation.
*Students will receive reading guides and/or notes to aid in their reading and analysis.
*Students will be expected to read the assigned material before class in order to be ready for our discussion.
*I will occasionally present a lesson on a specific topic. This may be an introduction to a genre or a new text, lessons on various literary elements, historical background for a story, author information, or various methods of analysis and annotation. These lessons will be presented with engaging visuals and slides and plenty of space for questions.
*We will note any difficult vocabulary to aid in clear understanding of the text.
*Students will be encouraged to ask questions and to interact with the texts in a variety of ways.
*There will be occasional short answer essay assignments detailing a student's thoughts and analysis of a particular literary element or plot event.
CONTENT NOTES:
As we delve into the world of classic literature, it's essential to note that many literary classics, while valuable for their profound themes and insights, may touch upon mature topics such as death, murder, survival, war, injustice, and feelings of loneliness or isolation and guilt. Some stories may also have religious allusions, and I may point them out as they pertain to the author's purpose or intent.
Please know that I have selected texts that are generally accepted as appropriate and suitable for middle school ages. I firmly believe that parents ultimately know what is best for their child, and I welcome any questions or concerns about any content covered in this literature.
See the Parent Guide section for detailed summaries of the literature we will read in this course.
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PLANNED READING FOR SPRING SEMESTER [FOR REFERENCE]
√ HISTORICAL FICTION
“Inside Out and Back Again” by Thanhha Lai
√ NON-FICTION
"The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day
√ CLASSIC MYSTERY
“And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie
√ CLASSIC SHORT STORIES:
“The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe
“To Build a Fire” by Jack London
√ POETRY WEEK:
“Ozymandias” by Percy Shelley
“The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe
"Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes
and othersMetas de aprendizaje
Students will read, analyze, and interact with middle school classic literature, demonstrating understanding and mastery through literary response and class discussion.
Programa de estudios
Plan de estudios
Sigue en plan de estudios Teacher-Created6 Unidades
24 Lecciones
más de 12 semanasUnidad 1: Introduction
Lección 1:
Introduction, Literary Elements and Annotation
This lesson will provide time to introduce ourselves and will include an overview of the books we will read and information about various expectations and class procedures
We will review basic literary elements and introduce various methods of text annotation and notetaking. 45 minutos de lección en vivo en línea
Unidad 2: A Long Walk to Water
Lección 2:
Introduction to Historical Fiction, Ch 1-3
Historical Fiction genre study, overview of the book and author
Discussion of Chapters 1-3 (setting, characters) 45 minutos de lección en vivo en línea
Lección 3:
Chapters 4-8
Discussion (plot elements) 45 minutos de lección en vivo en línea
Lección 4:
Chapters 9-13
Discussion (conflict, figurative language) 45 minutos de lección en vivo en línea
Otros detalles
Orientación para padres
Here are summaries of the literature students will read for this course. [These excerpts are copied from various publisher, reader, or Common Sense Media summaries.] Please feel free to reach out with any questions!
1. "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park is a poignant novel that tells the parallel stories of two Sudanese children. Nya spends her days trekking to fetch water for her family, facing the daily struggle of survival in the war-torn region of South Sudan. Meanwhile, Salva is forced to flee his village during a violent conflict and embarks on a perilous journey across the African desert to seek safety in refugee camps. As their paths unfold, both demonstrate remarkable resilience in the face of adversity, drawing strength from their determination to survive and hope for a better future.
NOTE: Readers should be aware that the book contains scenes referencing war, a lion attack, a shooting, and a swim across a river amid flying bullets and crocodiles. Despite these harrowing moments, "A Long Walk to Water" ultimately delivers a powerful message of hope, perseverance, survival, kindness, and sacrifice.
2. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare is a delightful comedy that intertwines the stories of four young lovers, a group of amateur actors, and the fairies who inhabit a magical forest. Meanwhile, a group of bumbling tradesmen use the forest to rehearse a play to perform at a Duke's wedding. As the characters' paths intersect in the enchanted forest, chaos ensues, fueled by mistaken identities, love potions, and comical misunderstandings. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is a timeless and enchanting tale for readers of all ages.
NOTE: There is a plot point that includes a father's determination that his daughter marry the man that he chooses or face death. The play contains themes of romance, including unrequited love, infatuation, and misunderstandings among characters. The play contains humorous elements of magic and fantasy, including the use of spells and potions. There are moments of mild physical comedy and slapstick violence, but nothing graphic or intense. This is an overall comedic and light-hearted story.
3. "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin is a classic mystery novel that follows the story of sixteen people who are summoned to live in a luxurious apartment building owned by the enigmatic Samuel W. Westing. They are informed that they are all potential heirs to Westing's vast fortune, but to inherit, they must solve the mystery of his death. The heirs are paired up and given clues, leading them on a wild and unpredictable journey filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations. As they race to uncover the truth, they discover secrets about each other and about themselves.
NOTE: The novel contains elements of mystery and suspense, including references to death and murder. The violence is not graphic, but themes of death and mortality are present throughout the story, as the characters grapple with the legacy of Samuel Westing's death and the implications for their own lives. Some characters exhibit unethical behavior, including lying, deception, and manipulation, as they compete to solve the mystery and claim the inheritance. Overall, "The Westing Game" is a thought-provoking and engaging mystery that encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
4. "The Adventure of the Dancing Men" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a classic Sherlock Holmes mystery. Holmes is called on to help in decipher a series of strange stick-figure drawings. As he investigates, he discovers a dark secret from the past and Holmes and Watson find themselves embroiled in a dangerous game of deception and intrigue. With Holmes' keen powers of deduction and Watson's steadfast support, they unravel the mystery behind the dancing men and ultimately uncover a tragic tale of love, betrayal, and revenge. "The Adventure of the Dancing Men" is a gripping tale that showcases Holmes' brilliant mind and his ability to solve even the most perplexing of cases.
NOTE: As with most Sherlock Holmes stories, murder, death, and suspense are major plot points.
5. "A Retrieved Reformation" by O'Henry follows a skilled safecracker who, after falling in love, decides to leave his criminal past behind and start a new life under a different identity. As he builds a respectable future, a crisis forces him to confront his past and make a difficult choice. We will delve into themes of personal redemption, transformation, and the moral complexities of second chances, analyzing character development, plot structure, and the O'Henry's iconic twist endings.
6. "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs is a thought-provoking short story that explores the themes of fate, the consequences of desires, and the dangers of tampering with the natural order. It follows the White family, who come into possession of a magical monkey's paw that grants three wishes. Tempted by the potential for fortune, Mr. White makes a wish, only to discover that the paw's powers come with unforeseen and tragic consequences. As the family grapples with the results of their wishes, they must confront the dark side of tampering with fate and the heavy price of getting what they wished for.
NOTE: The story deals with themes including death and loss. A family's mourning process is a significant part of the narrative, and while the details of death are not graphically described, the implications are impactful. Elements of the story may feel eerie and ominous powers, heightened by the tension and fear experienced by the characters.
Lista de útiles escolares
Learners will need a copy of the following books: "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin The short stories and the Shakespeare materials are all in public domain and will either be provided by the teacher or links will be given to find the material online.
Recursos externos
Los estudiantes no necesitarán utilizar ninguna aplicación o sitio web más allá de las herramientas estándar de Outschool.
Se unió el July, 2020
5.0
344reseñas
Popular
Experiencia y certificaciones del docente
Licenciatura en Educación desde Bob Jones University
BS Degree in English Education
30+ years teaching experience for all ages from preschool to adult
Former homeschool mom (all four kids are now amazing, kind, successful adults)
Current loving Nana to the best grandkids ever! Reseñas
Curso grupal en vivo
360 US$
por 24 clases2 x por semana, 12 semanas
45 min
Videoconferencias en vivo
Edades: 12-15
2-14 alumnos por clase
