Week 1
Lesson 1
Introductions; Begin Vocabulary
In this lesson, we will introduce ourselves and get familiar with how the class will run, how to find and submit homework assignments, what books are required, etc. We will also start working on vocabulary.
Lesson 2
Summary Writing
Learn what makes an excellent summary, when and why you might need to write a summary, and how to approach the task. As you prepare to summarize, you will want to annotate your reading; learn how to annotate as you read a text.
 Week 2
Lesson 3
Masterminds chapters 1-4
We will be discussing chapters 1-4 of Masterminds. Please make sure you have read and annotated the chapters prior to class.
Lesson 4
How to Answer a Response to Literature Writing Prompt
Learners will have the opportunity to share their summaries if they would like to do so, and we will begin discussing what it means to respond to literature. Learners will be given a prompt about the setting of the book, and will need to write a one sentence response (i.e. thesis statement).
 Week 3
Lesson 5
Masterminds chapters 5-8
We will be discussing chapters 5-8 of Masterminds. Please make sure you have read and annotated the chapters prior to class.
Lesson 6
Planning Your Response to Literature Essay
Learn how to write a mini outline in preparation for your response to literature essay.  We will work through an example together, and then learners will have a chance to start working on their own outlines, which can be completed for homework. 
 Week 4
Lesson 7
Masterminds chapters 9-11
We will be discussing chapters 9-11 of Masterminds. Please make sure you have read and annotated the chapters prior to class.
Lesson 8
Scavenge for Evidence
In this lesson, learners will look for quotations that will support their essays. A good amount of class time will be devoted to finding and sharing quotes that can be used in the essay. Learners should continue adding to their quote stash as they continue reading Masterminds.
 Week 5
Lesson 9
Masterminds chapters 12-15
We will be discussing chapters 12-15 of Masterminds. Please make sure you have read and annotated the chapters prior to class.
Lesson 10
Writing the Introduction
The introduction of an essay typically includes a hook, some background information, and the thesis statement. In this lesson we will analyze an example introduction. Then, learners will start working on their own introductions in class, to be finished as homework.
 Week 6
Lesson 11
Masterminds chapters 16-19
We will be discussing chapters 16-19 of Masterminds. Please make sure you have read and annotated the chapters prior to class.
Lesson 12
Writing the Body of the Response to Literature Essay
Learners will see how to use their outlines and annotations to write body paragraphs to their response to literature essays. Each body paragraph will need a topic sentence and evidence, including quotations, from the book.  In class, we will practice the steps together and learners may have time to start their own. Homework will be to complete the body of their essay.
 Week 7
Lesson 13
Masterminds chapters 20-23
We will be discussing chapters 20-23 of Masterminds. Please make sure you have read and annotated the chapters prior to class.
Lesson 14
Conclusions
Learners will have time to share a body paragraph if they would like. We will then learn how to write a clincher conclusion and start working on conclusions during class; conclusions will be completed for homework.
 Week 8
Lesson 15
Masterminds chapters 24-27
We will be discussing chapters 24-27 of Masterminds. Please make sure you have read and annotated the chapters prior to class.
Lesson 16
Wrapping Up: What We Know So Far about Writing about Literature
We will review the major concepts we have learned so far about writing about literature. Then, learners will have the opportunity to share something they've written so far, such as their summary or their response to literature essay. If they prefer, they can share an excerpt rather than the entire project.
 Week 9
Lesson 17
Esperanza Rising: Aguascalientes Mexico, Las Uvas, & Las Papayas
We will be discussing chapters 1-3 of Esperanza Rising (Aguascalientes Mexico, Las Uvas, & Las Papayas). Please make sure you have read and annotated the chapters prior to class.
Lesson 18
Theme
Discuss possible themes in the story. Begin working on a graphic organizer that will help you keep your thoughts about possible themes as we read Esperanza Rising. This graphic organizer will have a place to add themes, thoughts, quotes, and ideas.  We will start this project in class, and learners will add to it throughout the rest of the semester.
 Week 10
Lesson 19
Esperanza Rising: Los Higos, Las Guayabas, Los Melones
We will be discussing chapters 4-6 of Esperanza Rising (Los Higos, Las Guayabas, Los Melones). Please make sure you have read and annotated the chapters prior to class.
Lesson 20
Outline
Write an outline for theme essay.
 Week 11
Lesson 21
Esperanza Rising: Las Cebollas, Las Almendras
We will be discussing chapters 7-8 of Esperanza Rising (Las Cebollas, Las Almendras). Please make sure you have read and annotated the chapters prior to class. Optional project: Make a yarn doll. Instructions will be posted in the classroom.
Lesson 22
Introduction
Write an introduction for theme essay.
 Week 12
Lesson 23
Esperanza Rising: Las Ciruelas, Las Papas
We will be discussing chapters 9-10 of Esperanza Rising (Las Ciruelas, & Las Papas ). Please make sure you have read and annotated the chapters prior to class.
Lesson 24
Body Paragraphs and Conclusion
Follow your outline to write the body paragraphs and conclusion for the essay on the theme in Esperanza Rising.
 Week 13
Lesson 25
Esperanza Rising: Las Aguacates, Los Esparragos
We will be discussing chapters 11-12 of Esperanza Rising (Las Aguacates, Los Esparragos). Please make sure you have read and annotated the chapters prior to class.
Optional project: If you have never tried Mexican food, I challenge you to try a Mexican restaurant or make some Mexican food yourself using a recipe you find online.
Lesson 26
Portfolio
Go over instructions and examples of portfolios, to be presented next week in class.
 Week 14
Lesson 27
Esperanza Rising: Los Duraznos, Las Uvas
We will be discussing chapters 13-14 (Los Duraznos, Las Uvas) plus the author's note of Esperanza Rising. Please make sure you have read and annotated the chapters prior to class.
Lesson 28
Presentations
Present portfolios.