"Keep calm and…OOH! A new book!” This literature class will read various texts: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, plays, novels, short stories, fables, and folk tales. The class will focus on comprehension skills and literary analysis to include the following: character development, plot structure, setting, theme, literary devices, basic annotation, and the author’s and the book’s worldview. Comprehension worksheets and quizzes will be given regularly, along with class discussion of the literary elements. Students will also use movies and/or live plays to compare/contrast with the literature. They will use the analysis to write papers. Students will participate in informal writing by journaling as well as writing formal papers each quarter. Papers will include compare/contrast, persuasive, critique, character and setting analysis, theme development, and creative writing based on the novels we are reading. Another fun project students will participate in is writing their own short story, which will then be compiled and published in book form. An additional fee of $20, collected later in the year, will cover the student copy of the class book. Creative projects, review games, and motivational activities will be used as well. In addition, there will be a “mobile library” available to encourage students to find books they like and learn to love reading. They will keep a reading log each month, which can be turned in for extra credit. Students should have access to the internet and a word processing program. Rubrics will be used to grade writing assignments. Daily warm-ups will include grammar practice and vocabulary study to enhance students’ understanding of the literature and fine-tune writing skills.
The following novels and supplies are to be purchased by parents.
Under Class Details, see Class Attachment for pictures of the novels.
Novels:
A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck
Bruchko by Bruce Olson
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
The Hobbit (dramatized version) by Patricia Gray, Based on the Classic by JRR Tolkein
Short stories, poetry, and worksheets will be provided by the teacher.
Supplies:
3-ring Binder (minimum 2")
Dividers
Loose-leaf paper
Pencils and pens
Colored pencils
Highlighter set
Dry erase markers
Sticky notes
Successful completion of KEYS MS Writing or permission of the instructor. If students are NOT CURRENTLY ENROLLED in a KEYS Math or English class, we require Placement Evaluations to be sure they are placed at the best level to help them be successful in the coming year. Please contact the office to schedule an evaluation prior to class selection.
Parents are responsible for purchasing all textbooks and supplies before the first day of class.
KEYS will invoice supply fees at the time of registration and class selection. This fee covers materials, lab supplies, and other expenses incurred by the teacher. It is a one-time fee, transferable until August, but non-refundable.
Please note the grade level for this class. Students younger than the recommended grade levels need special permission before signing up for the class. Please contact the office for more information.
What happens if a class is full? You may email administration@keysofva.org to be waitlisted.
