An ongoing class designed to teach students about reading and analyzing short stories. Literary devices will be covered (theme, setting, character traits, etc.), in addition to application of critical thinking skills. As this is a reading class, time will be given to read the stories and analyze topics contained within. Some pieces will be confusing and require a backstory on the history of the time period to figure out what is going on. I apply a more fluid teaching style coupled with good background knowledge to generate solid class discussions on the topics at hand. 

Week of 2/1/22: Introduction to the short story. Background knowledge check. What are some of your favorite previous reads? Do writers write from what they know? Why or why not?

Week of 2/8/22: Hemingway and the Iceberg Theory. Idioms and other figures of speech. What is buried in the text? 

Week 2/15/22: Delve into mythology. What does a creation story speak of a culture? Application of critical-thinking skills and proper use of annotations. What stands out to you and why? What does the story speak to you, the reader?

Week 2/22/22: Possibly examine Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" which is a collection of shorter stories. Also a possibility are the collection of stories found in 1001 Arabian Nights. What literary devices does the author make effective use of? How do they employ these? How does one read for meaning?

*Material can and will vary based on learner abilities*