Literacy development is a lifelong journey that is composed of many complex concepts and understandings that are not limited to the written Western page. In 2021, reading and writing has taken on new lengths. Importantly, we are now exposed to a much wider variety of literature in the form of film, documentary, theatre, podcast, blogs, songs, webpages, magazine articles, and so much more. Literacy includes the capacity to learn to communicate, read, write, think, explore, and solve problems. Literacy skills are used in paper, digital, and live interactions where people: 

    * analyze critically and solve problems 

    * understand and communicate meaning 

    * create a variety of creative and analytic content

    * read, view, and listen for fun

    * make connections both personally and intertextually 
    * engage in personal summaries and analyses

    * and more!
   
With examples, support, and practice, students will have the opportunity to deepen their critical skills as they work with fun, poignant, age-appropriate, and engaging content… all the while participating in focused conversations and completing core standards.



Because I encounter students with all reading and comprehension levels, I provide a diverse instruction to meet their needs. For example, larger print texts will also be presented in audio form (mp3 file) that the students may download at their leisure. Physical movement will be introduced at the beginning of each class to assist in concepts’ retention, and graphic/illustrated PDF and PNG files will be provided to assist those who grasp concepts more visually.


In this ongoing class, learners will have the opportunity to continue from week to week in order benefit from a full ELA curriculum or jump in for topics in which they require extra help or enrichment.

If desired, learners will have the opportunity to submit a written assignment for feedback for each week that they are enrolled. These written assignments are a great way to practice skills and have feedback from myself as a way of progressing in communication skills.

Topics:

Week of August 22: Stories Podcast: The Tale of the Beauty Who Chose to Sleep & Prepositions 
Week of August 29: Songs: Queen of Mean - The Descendants & Yesterday - The Beatles & Verb Functions
Week of September 5: Poetry: Be Glad Your Nose Is on Your Face - Jack Prelutsky, Jabberwocky - Lewis Carroll & Adjectives
Week of September 19: Short Story: The Medicine Bag Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve & Correct Punctuation 
Week of September 26: Stories Podcast: The Spellbinders & Run-On Sentences

Lesson Structure: Exposure and instruction of the assigned literature and in-class grammar and writing assignments that will fine-tune their writing skills. Making grammatical mistakes when we speak or write is a natural part of language learning. As we seek to communicate effectively and tighten our production skills, good grammar is an essential toolbox to allow us to communicate more effectively. Optional literary assignment will be given at the end of class for learners seeking to solidify their new skills.

Please note that upon registration for this class, you agree that I do not share recordings of group classes for the privacy and safety of all learners.