In this year-long course, students will delve into various young adult books, each offering a unique cultural and literary exploration. Each book will be paired with engaging activities, including recipes, STEAM projects, and cultural studies, ensuring a holistic learning experience. The course is structured to cover one book per month, providing ample time for thorough exploration and understanding.

This course is structured around a year-long curriculum that explores a series of engaging books, each integrated with cultural exploration, literary analysis, culinary activities, STEAM projects, and grammatical skill development. Each book is covered over a period of 3-4 weeks with a weekly breakdown as follows:

Week 1: Cultural Exploration and Introduction and Literary Elements

Study of the culture, religion, or traditions relevant to the book.
Introduction to the book and its themes. Analysis of literary elements such as themes, character development, and plot structure.

Week 2: Region/Setting and Recipe

Cooking a recipe related to the book's culture, and mapping and exploring the geographical setting of the book.

Week 3: Recipe and STEAM Project

Engaging in a STEAM project with specific constraints.

Week 4: Grammar Focus and Review

Focus on specific grammatical skills relevant to the book's language and style.
Review and discussion of the book and activities.

Teaching Style:
My teaching style is interactive, engaging, and multidisciplinary, combining various teaching methods to cater to different learning styles. This approach ensures that students remain interested and motivated throughout the course. 

I incorporate:
Lectures: Brief and engaging lectures to introduce new concepts and provide background information.
Discussions: Open discussions to encourage critical thinking and allow students to share their insights.
Games: Interactive games to reinforce learning in a fun and engaging way.
Slides and Video Clips: Visual aids to support understanding and retention of information.
Hands-On Projects: Practical activities like cooking and STEAM projects to apply learning in real-world contexts.

Learner Interaction:
Learners will have ample opportunities to interact with me and their peers through various activities. 

Specific interaction points include:
Weekly Discussions: Students will participate in group discussions to analyze the book and share their perspectives.
Interactive Games: Fun games will be used to reinforce key concepts and make learning enjoyable.
Collaborative Projects: Students will work together on STEAM projects, fostering teamwork and collaboration.
Q&A Sessions: Regular question and answer sessions will be held to address any queries and provide additional support.

Feedback and Assessments: Informal assessments through class discussions, project presentations, and written assignments will provide continuous feedback and ensure understanding.

By combining these elements, I aim to create a dynamic and supportive learning environment where students feel encouraged to explore, ask questions, and develop a deep understanding of the course material.

Books and Topics:

Month 1:

The Bookwanderers by Anna James
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.2: Determine a theme of a story.
NGSS.3-5-ETS1-1: Define a simple design problem.

Month 2:
The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.3: Describe how a story’s plot unfolds.
NGSS.4-PS3-4: Apply scientific ideas to design a device.

Month 3:
The Hotel Between by Sean Easley
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.3: Compare and contrast characters.
NGSS.3-5-ETS1-2: Generate multiple possible solutions.

Month 4:
The Dragon Defenders by James Russell
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.1: Cite textual evidence.
NGSS.3-5-ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests.

Month 5:
The Night Parade by Kathryn Tanquary
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.2: Determine a theme of a story.
NGSS.4-PS4-3: Generate and compare multiple solutions.

Month 6:
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.5: Explain how chapters fit together.
NGSS.4-PS3-2: Make observations to provide evidence.

Month 7:
When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.6: Explain how an author develops the point of view.
NGSS.3-5-ETS1-1: Define a simple design problem.

Month 8:
Amira and Hamza: The War to Save the Worlds by Samira Ahmed
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases.
NGSS.4-PS4-4: Use evidence to construct an explanation.

Month 9:
Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.6: Describe how a narrator’s point of view influences events.
NGSS.3-5-ETS1-2: Generate and compare multiple solutions.

Month 10:
Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.3: Describe how a story’s plot unfolds.
NGSS.3-5-ETS1-1: Define a simple design problem.

**This curriculum is the intellectual property of The Joie Lab.**