In this 16-week class, students will do the second half of English Language Arts Through Literature where we will analyze novels, poetry, and nonfiction, and write papers/essays on related topics. This class can be used as a core English/Literature/Language Arts/ELA course for 8th or 9th grade (US standards). For non US-students, please contact me and I can send you the standards to see if it will suit your high school/secondary school year 8, 9, or 10 student's needs.  

Learners do NOT need to have taken Semester A to take Semester B. 

This class uses the Moving Beyond the Page Language Arts curriculum. As such learners will use literature to learn language arts, develop their critical thinking and creativity skills, and use the 6+1 traits of writing approach (Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Conventions, Presentations). A Summary of Skills will be provided when you enroll that tells you which state and national (US) standards that each unit covers for your own planning and any documentation requirements that you need to submit to your local authorities.  

Students will read a novels, poetry, and nonfiction as we work through various themes and topics throughout the semester. 

Unit 1 - The House of the Scorpion (MBTP Unit) - approx. 4 weeks
In a dystopian world where humans are cloned for the benefit of others with no rights of their own, one boy is destined to make a difference. With the help of a bodyguard and a maid, Matt changes his destiny. Write a persuasive essay in support of or in opposition to human cloning. Research and understand rhetorical and logical fallacies, and develop persuasive techniques.

Unit 2 - Watership Down (MBTP Unit) - approx. 4/12 weeks
In a world where rabbits take center stage, members of one warren must flee their home in search of a new life. Follow their adventures as they cross paths with other rabbit groups, memorable animals, and humans. Explore the fantasy genre. Analyze foreshadowing, irony, and character conflict. Then try your own hand at developing a fantasy story.

Unit 3 - The Book Thief (MBTP Unit) - approx. 4 1/2 weeks
In this unit, you will read "The Book Thief," a historical novel by Markus Zusak. The novel follows Liesel, a young girl living in World War II Germany. You will learn basic facts about World War II and the influence of Nazi propaganda. This will help you better understand the character motivation of Liesel and her father. You will learn about literary devices and logical fallacies as you explore the relationship between the author, narrator, and reader. For your final project, you will complete three mini projects as part of a Think-Tac-Toe board.

Unit 4 - Great American Poets (MBTP Unit) - approx. 3 weeks
In this unit, you will learn about the world of poetry. You will learn the basic structure of various poems and how figurative language contributes to a poem's meaning. You will also learn about the different ways to interpret and analyze a poem. While learning about poetry, you will discuss the works of famous poets Edgar Allen Poe, Robert Frost, and poets of the Harlem Renaissance. Your final project will be a poetry journal complete with poems of your own.

*Some of the book units included in this course are also taught in separate 6 week classes.*

***SPECIAL NOTE: You may have noticed that the start date and end date add up to more than 16 weeks; this is because, there are several weeks and/or days we will not meet for school holidays. Before enrolling, if you click the "Show all 32 Meetings" above the Enroll Now button, you will see the dates scheduled to meet and can see what dates are not in the schedule. After enrolling, your welcome email should have the dates we won't be meeting, but if it doesn't, please reach out.