In this semester-long course, students will participate in various reading, writing, and discussion activities through a science fiction unit of short stories and Robert Louis Stevenson's The Curious Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card accompanied by a fantasy unit of short stories and The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. The outline below may shift as the semester goes on depending on student needs, but we will go through the units as prescribed. As a teacher and a parent, I feel it is important to make adjustments based on student needs so that students are getting the most out of their classes and so that they are developing the skills that they need to be successful.

*** Please note that the September 2024 session will be covering Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. ***

We will take typical holiday breaks according to the United States federal holidays. We will also be taking a full week's break during the week of Thanksgiving in November and a spring break in the spring semester so that students can spend time with their families.

Week 1: Introduction to Semester Course
     - Welcome! and Student Introductions
     - Introduction to the Semester
     - Introduction to Google Drive and Docs
     - Introduction to Science Fiction and Fantasy
     - Sci-Fi Element Discussion and Debate

Week 2: Science Fiction Short Stories
     - Short Stories:
          - "A Sound of Thunder" by Ray Bradbury
          - Excerpt from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams
     - Discussion and Debate
     - Analysis and Writing Prompt

Week 3: Science Fiction Short Stories
     - Short Stories:
          - "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes
          - "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut
     - Discussion and Debate
     - Analysis and Writing Prompt

Week 4: Science Fiction Novel
     - Introduction to the Novel
          - The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
               - Controversial Topics Debate
               - Literary Techniques Journal
               - Similes, Metaphors, and Allusions
               - Plot Development and Character Analysis
          - Ender's Game

Week 5: Science Fiction Novel
          - The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
               - Similes, Metaphors, and Allusions
               - Plot Development and Character Development
               - Personification and Hyperbole
               - Plot Development and Character
          - Ender's Game
               - Character and Plot Development in a New World
               - Alternative World Conflicts
               - Coming-of-Age
               - The Role of Children in Government Conflict

Week 6 Science Fiction Novel
          - The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
               - Imagery and Symbolism
               - Theme and Character Development
               - Imagery and Symbolism
               - Theme and Character Development
          - Ender's Game
               - Coming-of-Age
               - The Role of Children in Government Conflict

Week 7: Transition to Fantasy
BOTH Novels
     - Finish Discussion of Science Fiction
     - Comparing Sci-Fi to Fantasy
     - Fantasy Discussion and Debate
     - Elements of Fantasy Literature
     - Writing: Comparing Sci-Fi to Fantasy

Week 8: Fantasy Short Stories
     - Short Stories:
          - Excerpt from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"
          - "She Unnames Them" by Ursula K. Le Guin
     - Discussion and Debate
     - Analysis and Writing Prompt

Week 9: Fantasy Short Story and Novel
     - Short Story:
          - "The Strange High House in the Mist" by H.P. Lovecraft
     - Discussion and Debate
     - Analysis and Writing Prompt
     - Introduction to the Novel
          - The Golden Compass 
     - Introduction to the Author

 Week 10: Fantasy Novel
     - Character Relationship Analysis
     - Element of Fantasy and Sci-Fi within the Novel
          - Which wins out more? Discussion
     - Dæmons (Definition and Examples)
          - Connections to History
     - Plot Development
     - Analysis and Writing Prompt

Week 11: Fantasy Novel 
     - Character Relationship Analysis
     - Element of Fantasy and Sci-Fi within the Novel
          - Which wins out more? Discussion
     - Plot Development
     - Technology of the World (The Golden Compass and More)

Week 12: Fantasy Novel
     - Element of Fantasy and Sci-Fi within the Novel
          - Which wins out more? Discussion
     - Plot Development
     - Technology of the World (The Golden Compass and More)
     - Analysis and Writing Prompt

Week 13: Fantasy Novel
     - The Conflict, Climax, and Resolution?
     - Character Development
     - Fantasy Cross-Curricular Connections
          - Modern and Ancient Connections Discussion
     - The End? What More is to Come?
     - Introduction to the Essay and Presentation

Week 14: Final Semester Wrap-Up
     - Developing a Full-Length Essay
     - Comparative Essay: Science Fiction vs. Fantasy
     - Presentation: Which is better? Science Fiction or Fantasy?

*** Please note that while the course is designed with 7th and 8th-grade students in mind, I have a flexible age range. Students of varying ages are welcome if this class's curriculum, content, skills, teaching style, etc. fit their needs. I encourage all students and parents interested in my class to contact me with questions they might have! ***