"Keep calm and OOH! A new book!" This literature class will read a variety of texts, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, plays, novels, short stories, fables, and folk tales. The class will focus on comprehension skills and literary analysis, including character development, plot structure, setting, theme, literary devices, basic annotation, and the authors' and the book's worldview. Comprehension worksheets and quizzes will be given regularly, along with in-class discussion of the literary elements. Students will also use movies and/or live plays to compare and contrast with the literature, and then use the analysis to write papers. Students will participate in informal writing by journaling and writing formal papers each quarter. Papers could include compare/contrast, persuasive, critique, character and setting analysis, theme development, and creative writing based on the novels we are reading. Rubrics will be used to grade writing assignments. Daily warm-ups will include grammar practice and vocabulary study to help students deepen their understanding of the literature and refine their writing skills. Creative projects, review games, and motivational activities will also be used. In addition, a mobile library will be available to encourage students to discover 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.
The following novels and supplies are to be purchased by parents.
Under Class Details, see Class Attachment for pictures of the novels.
Textbooks and Novels:
Windows To the World
An Introduction to Literary Analysis Student Book
IEW
ISBN-10 : 0980100518
ISBN-13 : 978-0980100518
Lines of Courage
by Jennifer Nielsen
Scholastic Press
ISBN-10 : 1338620959
ISBN-13 : 978-1338620955
The Boys in the Boat Young Readers Adaptation
by Daniel James Brown
Puffin Books
ISBN-10 : 0147516854
ISBN-13 : 9780147516855
Fish in a Tree
by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Nancy Paulsen Books
ISBN-10 : 0142426423
ISBN-13 : 978-0142426425
Around the World in Eighty Days
by Jules Verne
Independently published
ISBN-13 : 979-8741663370
Tuck Everlasting
by Natalie Babbitt
(Literature Circle Edition)
Square Fish
ISBN-10 : 9780312369811
ISBN-13 : 978-0312369811
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.
