This class will be highly dependent on discussion.  I will guide the discussions, and supply questions to help focus the reading. I will supply any background information that will help students understand the text. The style of writing is unusual and sometimes confusing.  I will lead them through the best way to understand the text.  I will focus on essential vocabulary, and lead them to make connections to the text. 
 
Each week, we will go over the main events of the plot, discuss the characters, define vocabulary, look for themes. and motifs. We will talk about the questions that the students have brought, and I will ask additional questions about the sections. I will give students questions to focus their reading for the next assigned section.  

WEEK ONE:  background information on Ray Bradbury, censorship, the 1950's, The Cold War and the threat of nuclear war, the symbols of fire, phoenix, mirrors, blood, salamanders. Background information about the elements of dystopian fiction.  We will review the elements of literature: Character, Plot, Setting, and Theme. We will do a Pre-Reading activity that ties to the themes of the book.  Students will need to write down their opinions and keep track of this paper to revisit at the end of the book.  We will start close reading of the book.
WEEK TWO:  discuss the first half of The Hearth and the Salamander. 
WEEK THREE:  discuss the second half of The Hearth and the Salamander
WEEK FOUR:  discuss the first half of The Sieve and the Sand
WEEK FIVE:  discuss the second half of The Sieve and the Sand
WEEK SIX:  discuss the first half of Burning Bright
WEEK SEVEN:  discuss the second half of Burning Bright
WEEK EIGHT: final discussion, share the final  assignment