NEXT BOOK STARTS WEEK OF JANUARY 13TH! 

Join my engaging Year 1 High School Classics Book Club, designed for students who want to deepen their love of reading and enhance their critical thinking skills!

🌟Overview🌟

This ongoing course offers a relaxed yet rigorous environment where learners can explore classic literature, participate in meaningful discussions, and prepare for college-level reading and writing.

Some of the book we read are quite challenging, but in my experience, teenager learners can absolutely understand and enjoy them with a little bit of encouragement and help along the way. My passion is providing that support!

🌟Course Benefits🌟

This course is perfect for learners who want to: 

✅ Cultivate a passion for reading classic literature

✅ Strengthen their speaking skills through peer discussions

✅ Enhance their analytic writing skills with literary analysis

✅ Prepare for AP Literature & Composition and future college courses

🌟Who Should Enroll🌟

This class is ideal for students who: 

✅ Love reading and discussing literature

✅ Are looking for a full-year language arts homeschool curriculum

✅ Want to prepare for the AP Literature exam

✅ Are considering English majors in college

✅ Seek a welcoming, inclusive learning environment

✅ Are ESL/ELL learners needing advanced reading classes

✅ Are neurodivergent learners looking for supportive peer interactions

🌟Course Structure🌟

Each week, students will engage in discussions that cover essential literary elements, including:

	•	Themes, motifs, and symbols
	•	Structure and style
	•	Character development
	•	Literary devices
	•	Cultural relevance

While primarily discussion-based, the course includes direct instruction when introducing challenging novels, ensuring every student can enjoy and understand the material.

🌟Curriculum Overview🌟

The curriculum is divided into four thematic units, with each unit featuring two novels. Students will read and discuss one novel over four weeks, with each unit spanning eight weeks. They will also complete extension essays or projects for personalized feedback.
Class Format:

	•	Warm-Up Discussion (~10 min): Introductions and first impressions of weekly readings
	•	Analytic Writing (~10 min): Critical analysis and/or creative mind-mapping activities to fostering deeper understanding
	•	In-Depth Discussion (~25-30 min): Explore themes and questions raised by the readings
	•	Closing Activity (~3 min): Summarize key observations and predictions about the text

🌟Materials & Assignments🌟

Students will receive weekly reading support materials, and optional assignments for each unit. Assignments must be submitted using Google Docs/Google Slides. Unit assignments will be graded with a rubric, a letter grade, and extensive in-essay feedback.

🌟Weekly Breakdown🌟

Fall Semester:
🍁 Fall Semester 

UNIT 1: OUTCASTS IN AMERICAN LITERATURE
Book 1: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 

1. October 21 - October 27: Chapters 1 through 3
2. October 28 - November 3: Chapters 4 through 6
3. November 4 - November 10: 7 through 9 (END)

Book 2: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
4. November 11 - November 17: Chapter 1 (The Scarlett Letter) through Chapter 6 (Pearl)
5. November 18 - November 24: Chapter 7 (The Governor’s Hall) through Chapter 12 (The Minister’s Vigil)

🦃 (Thanksgiving) *NO CLASSES*: November 25 - December 8   (two weeks)

6. December 9 - December 15: Chapter 13 (Another View of Hester)  through Chapter 19 (The Child at the Brookside)
7. December 16 - December 22: Chapter 20 (The Minister in the Maze) through Chapter 24 (Conclusion) (END)

☃️ Winter Break *NO CLASSES: December 23 - January 12 (three weeks)

🌸 Spring Semester 2024

UNIT 2: THE DEATH OF FREEDOM: DYSTOPIAN CLASSICS 

Book 3: 1984 by George Orwell 
9. January 13 - January 19: Part 1, Chapter 1 through Part 1, Chapter 6
10. January 20 - January 26: Part 1, Chapter 7 through Part 2, Chapter 4
11. January 27 - February 2: Part 2, Chapter 5 through Part 2 Chapter 10
12. February 3 - February 9: Part 3, Chapter 1 - Part 3, Chapter 6 (END)

Book 4: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
13. February 10 - February 16: Chapters 1 through 5
14. February 17 - February 23: Chapters 6 through 9
15. February 24 - March 2: Chapters 10 through 13
16. March 3 - March 9: Chapters 14 through 18 (END)

UNIT 3: COMMUNITY & IDENTITY: AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE 

Book 5: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
17. March 10 - March 16: Chapter 1 through Chapter 5
18. March 17 - March 23: Chapter 6 through Chapter 11
19. March 24 - March 30: Chapter 12 through Chapter 16
20. March 31 - April 6: Chapter 17 through Chapter 20 (END)

Book 6: Songs of Solomon by Toni Morrison
21. April 7 - April 13: Chapter 1 through Chapter 3

🌿 Spring Break *NO CLASSES*: April 14 - April 20

22. April 21 - April 27: Chapter 4 through  Chapter 7
23. April 28 - May 4: Chapter 5 through Chapter 10
24. May 5 - May 11: Chapter 10 to END

UNIT 8: GOTHIC HORRORS: BRITISH LITERATURE

Book 7: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
25. May 12 - May 18: TBD
26. May 19 - May 25: TBD
27. May 26 - June 1: TBD
28. June 2 - June 8: TBD

Book 8: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
** Your book might start the numbering over at the beginning of each part. If so, just read 6 chapters per week. I’ve also included first lines of the stopping chapter for each week below.

29.  June 9 - June 15: Chapters 1(may be called “Letters")  through 6 (until “We passed a few sad hours...”) 
30.  June 16 - June 22: Chapters 7 through 12 (Until “Some time elapsed…”)

June 23 - June 29: NO CLASS

31.  June 30 - July 6: Chapters 13 through 19 (Until “I was soon introduced to…)
32.  July 7 - July 13: Chapters 20 through 26/letters

Schedule subject to change based on student interest

🌟Teaching Approach🌟

Using Socratic questioning and light direct instruction, I foster critical engagement in a supportive environment. Learners will gain insights into analyzing literature while developing their communication skills.

While there are no black and white answers when it comes to analyzing literature, there are pathways that lead to rigorous critical engagement with the text. My aim is to set students on these pathways.

🌟Inclusivity & Content Note🌟

This course addresses sensitive topics present in classic literature. Please research each book and decide if it is ultimately appropriate for your learner. 

I am committed to creating a fully inclusive classroom for today's teenagers. To that end, I also welcome neurodiverse learners and all students who have unique learning and/or social needs.

Also please note that whenever new learners join, I invite students to introduce themselves. As part of introductions, I give students the option to share their preferred pronouns (not required). 

🌟Meet the Teacher🌟

Meg Connolly is a certified educator with 11 years of experience teaching literature. With dual certifications in ELA and special education, she is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where all students can thrive.

Enroll now to embark on a literary journey that prepares your learner for the future while nurturing a love for reading!