Cuéntame un cuento: literatura para adolescentes

Together the teacher and learners will explore three different literary forms: Short Stories, Narrative Poetry, and Essays. Literature can seem out of reach, out of touch, and out-right boring. But I have found that learners can love literature when they are supported with modeling and aid in analysis, lots of time for discovery and discussion, and a teacher who finds it all fascinating. I love talking to learners about the ways that their interests, experiences, and ideas intersect with literature. 

For each author we will read a short work, talk about their time and place in history, and discuss the genre and literary elements of the work we are reading.  Most classes will include a short video, reading the poem aloud or an in-depth story structure and analysis, and then discussion of the implications of the piece and connections/comparisons to other pieces of literature.

If a student would like a half-credit class, this can be accomplished by doing the optional assignments that will be posted in the classroom.  Parents will need to assess these assignments and assign any grades. 

Unit 1:  The Truth of a Story: Short Stories
 
Nathaniel Hawthorne-"Young Goodman Brown"
O'Henry-"The Caliph, Cupid, and The Clock"
Shirley Jackson-"The Possibility of Evil."
Gabriel Garcia Marquez-"An Old Man with Enormous Wings"
 
Unit 2: The Story in the Poem: Narrative Poetry
 
Lord Tennyson-"The Charge of the Light Brigade"
Samuel Taylor Coleridge-"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"
Lewis Carrol-"The Walrus and The Carpenter"
Christina Rossetti-"Goblin Market"

Unit 3: My Story: Personal Essays

Virginia Woolf-"The Death of the Moth"
E.B. White-"Once More to the Lake"
Tom Wolfe-"Pell-Mell"
Amy Tan-"Mother Tongue"


This is a discussion intensive course. All students are expected to interact with respect and civility.  I understand that the topics and themes can be controversial and invite disagreement. However, kindness facilitates productive and persuasive conversation. 

If a student needs accommodations, I am more than willing to help out. Learners will never be required to real aloud in class. Please contact me before the semester begins to discuss your learner’s needs.