Come join us for a fun and highly educational class based on Scholastic Scope's literary magazine for grades 6-8!

Scope is Scholastic’s multigenre English Language Arts (ELA) magazine that inspires and empowers middle-school students through fascinating, authentic stories written just for them. We’ll transform our unique stories into unforgettable learning journeys that build reading, writing and thinking skills. Every issue of Scope opens the doors of curiosity and fosters a lifelong love of reading and learning.  (Information above from Scholastic Scope)

Your class tuition includes access to Scope Digital Magazine and all the resources that go along with it. There are no hidden fees or extra supplies to purchase! New Horizons Academy will purchase the digital licenses from Scholastic for each student from the listed class price. We have obtained express written permission from Scholastic to use their materials on Outschool. 

In this class, we’ll base all of our reading, writing, grammar, and speech lessons off of the Scope literary magazines, which includes nonfiction, fiction, plays, paired texts, grammar and writing practice, and debates. Each lesson is designed to help students grow their reading comprehension, vocabulary skills, writing abilities, and more in a fun, encouraging environment. 
Articles are to be read before class each week, with the exception of plays/drama lessons. These will be read aloud in class for two reasons: 1) drama/plays are written to be read aloud to be appreciated as intended, and 2) we use this opportunity to work on our speaking and dramatic reading skills.

Each month will have a brand new magazine issued to us digitally. We’ll take one article/text at a time, breaking it down to ensure comprehension. Supplemental activities, videos, and/or assignments will accompany each lesson to help students to retain the material and check their understanding. Mrs. Zerr is always just an Outschool message away if they happen to be working after class time has finished and are needing help!

As an added layer of assistance to learners, many articles include a lower-level, on-level, and higher-level version of the reading to meet them where they are at and/or challenge them to grow. Audio is also available for the entire magazine, helping students to understand by listening and following along. 

- AUGUST 2023 -
Class 1: Paired Texts
"The Vanishing Beasts"
Skills Focus: vocabulary, reading comprehension, critical thinking, using text evidence, creative choice board project

- SEPTEMBER 2023 -
Class 2: Fiction Lesson
"Back to Normal?"
Skills Focus: vocabulary, close reading, critical thinking

Class 3: Poetry Lesson
"Would I Still Be Me?"
Skills Focus: analyzing poetry and writing, poetic repetition and structure

Class 4: Short Read Lesson
"Her Designs Are Helping the Planet"
Skills Focus: vocabulary, constructing a written response

Class 5: Paired Texts Lesson
"The Dirty History of Soap"
Skills Focus: vocabulary, close reading, central ideas and details, essay writing

- OCTOBER 2023 -
Class 6: Drama Lesson
"The Mighty Baba Yaga"
Skills Focus: speaking skills, dramatic reading skills, genre similarities across cultures, theme

Class 7: Grammar Lesson
"Beware the Chupacabra" and "Grammar's Superhero Animals"
Skills Focus: whose vs. who's, imply vs. infer

Class 8: Flash Fiction Lesson
"The Nothing"
Skills Focus: podcast and listening skills, mood, plot structure, characterization, creative writing

Class 9: Debate Lesson
"Should Halloween Be on a Saturday?"
Skills Focus: identifying arguments, thesis statements, supporting evidence, persuasive essay writing

Class 10: Paired Texts Lesson
"Did You Use Your GPS on Your Phone Today?"
Skills Focus: vocabulary, background knowledge builder, reading comprehension, critical thinking, central ideas and details

- NOVEMBER 2023 - 
Class 11: Drama Lesson
"Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Red-Headed League"
Skills Focus: speaking skills, dramatic reading skills, vocabulary, close reading, critical thinking

Class 12: Paired Texts Lesson
"The Amazing History of Video Games"
Skills Focus: vocabulary, central ideas and details, exploring text features, reading comprehension, critical thinking

Class 13: Grammar Lesson
"ZAP!" and "Grammar Loves These Aliens"
Skills Focus: its vs. it's, there vs. their

Class 14: Debate Lesson
"Should School Start Later?"
Skills Focus: vocabulary, identifying arguments, class discussion, persuasive writing

- DECEMBER 2023 -
Class 15: Drama Lesson
"A Christmas Carol"
Skills Focus: speaking skills, dramatic reading skills, vocabulary, close reading, critical thinking, creative choice board

Class 16: Poetry Lesson
"Your World"
Skills Focus: poetry analysis, poetry project planner, metaphors

Class 17: Paired Texts Lesson
"Fastest Woman in the World" and "Climbing Toward a Better World" 
Skills Focus: vocabulary, reading comprehension, critical thinking, central ideas and details, podcast listening skills, creative choice board

From Scope Magazine:
“ Every issue of Scope is packed with skill-building resources!
- Thrilling articles, stories, plays, and other multigenre content inspire, challenge, and build knowledge.
- As You Read prompts set a purpose for reading.
- Writing contests help students practice a range of writing tasks — including explanatory-argument and narrative writing — and receive recognition for their work.
- Grammar and editing activities target the skills students need to be effective and confident writers and speakers.
- Vocabulary activities unlock challenging academic and domain-specific words.
- The Core Skills Workout helps your students "bulk up" in the skills they need to become strong, analytical readers. This popular series of skill-based activities will support your reading program no matter what your scope and sequence.
- Quizzes that mirror PARCC, Smarter Balanced, and other high-stakes assessments build test-taking stamina and confidence while reinforcing key ELA skills.
- And SO MUCH more!”

Breakout rooms may be utilized for partner work on answering close reading and critical thinking questions, as well as projects. I will be constantly going back and forth between the rooms, just as I would check on each "pod" of desks within my old physical classroom.