16 Across 5 Aprils // Due the week of Jan. 7, 2014

Hi Everyone!

Over the week, go ahead and read chapters 1-6 of Across 5 Aprils and write 5 discussion questions.

Thanks!

15 Miracle Worker 2 // Due the week of Dec. 16, 2014

Hi Everyone!

This week, finish the play and write 5 questions. Also bring your books to class next week—important!

Thanks!

14 Miracle Worker 1 // Due the week of Dec. 8, 2014

Hi Everyone!

This week, read Act 1 of The Miracle Worker and write 5 discussion questions :)

13 Mrs. Mike 3 // Due the week of Dec. 2, 2014

Hi Everyone!

This week, finish the book and write 5 discussion questions!

Thanks!

12 Mrs. Mike 3 // Due the week of Nov. 17

Hi everyone!

This week read chapters 13-20 and write 5 discussion questions!

11 Mrs. Mike 2 // Due the week of Nov. 12, 2014

Hi Everyone!

This week, read chapters 5-12 of Mrs. Mike and write 5 discussion questions (they're smaller chapters than the first ones from last week).

10 Mrs. Mike // Due the week of Nov. 3, 2014

Hi Everyone!

This week, start reading Mrs. Mike—chapters 1-4 and write 5 discussion questions.

09 Moccasin Trail 2 // Due the week of Oct. 28, 2014

Hi Everyone!

MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY CLASS:
This week, just finish the book and write 5 discussion questions :)

Thanks!

08 Moccasin Trail 1 // Due the week of Oct. 22, 2014

Hi Everyone!

This week, read chapters 1-9 (I-IX) of Moccasin Trail and write 5 discussion questions. Let me know if you have any questions!

07 Sign of the Beaver 2 // Due the week of Oct. 14, 2014

Hi Everyone!

This week, finish the book and write five discussion questions!

06 Sign of the Beaver // Due the week of Oct. 7, 2014

Hi Everyone!

Go ahead and read chapters 1-12 of the new book this week and write 5 discussion questions!

05 Johnny Tremain 4 // Due the week of Sept. 30, 2014

Hi Everyone!

BRIGHTON KIDS:

• Read the rest of the book, Johnny Tremain, and write your final 5 discussion questions!

SUMMIT KIDS:

• This week, your homework will be to write a 1-2 page book review of Johnny Tremain!
• In this book review, you will:
• Say whether you liked or did not like the book.
• Explain why you liked or did not like the book using several specific reasons like:
• Were the characters flat? Round? Static? Dynamic? Likable?
• Was the plot interesting? Realistic?
• Was the theme (message/moral) legitimate?
• Was there a lot of good detail in the writing? Was there too much?
• Was it historically educational?
• Etc
• Follow this general outline:
• Introduction
• Attention Grabber
• Statement of your opinion on the book
• Several reasons that support your opinion (multiple paragraphs)
• Conclusion

04 Johnny Tremain 3 // Due the week of Sept. 23, 2014

Hi Everyone!

BRIGHTON SCHOOL

• Read chapters 4-8 of Johnny Tremain and write 5 discussion questions!

SUMMIT SCHOOL

• Finish Johnny Tremain and write 5 discussion questions!

03 Johnny Tremain: Due the week of Sept. 16, 2014

Hi Everyone!

Once again—I have two schools so be sure to check for your school:

BRIGHTON:
This week, you will be reading chapters 1-4 of Johnny Tremain! Keep in mind, these chapters are broken into numbered sections, so don't get tricked into thinking those numbered sections are chapters. If you haven't read around 80 pages, keep reading. Based on the audiobook, this should be around 3 hours of reading, which may feel like a lot, but if you were in a regular school, you'd be having 5 hours a week of literature class! :)

Then, write at least 5 discussion questions having to do with the book. Remember that discussion questions should be questions that create discussion—that could have multiple different answers to them.

I don't want to see comprehension questions like: What does Johnny talk to Jenny about in the 3rd chapter? or How old is Johnny? or What type of car does Johnny have?

Instead, I want to see deeper questions that question the motivation of the characters or of the author, or questions about the quality of the writing. If you're struggling with ideas, think of asking questions related to your pre-test that we took in class. For example, Do you think Johnny is a round or flat character? Why do you say so? or What do you think the theme is so far?

You don't have to answer your questions on paper, just ask them :)

Keep in mind, you have to get the book yourself, so check out book-selling websites like Amazon.com (you can find books there for a dollar or two—but you may want to go there for other books, as you'll need this one soon and shipping can take a while), bookstores, or sometimes you can find the book free online.

One last thing: be sure to have the homework done on time; otherwise, you will have nothing to talk about next week and you'll be totally lost, which is no fun for anyone.



SUMMIT:
Hi Everyone!

This week, you will be reading chapters 5-8 of Johnny Tremain!

Then, write at least 5 discussion questions having to do with the book. Remember that discussion questions should be questions that create discussion—that could have multiple different answers to them.

I don't want to see comprehension questions like: What does Johnny talk to Jenny about in the 3rd chapter? or How old is Johnny? or What type of car does Johnny have?

Instead, I want to see deeper questions that question the motivation of the characters or of the author, or questions about the quality of the writing. If you're struggling with ideas, think of asking questions related to your pre-test that we took in class. For example, Do you think Johnny is a round or flat character? Why do you say so? or What do you think the theme is so far?

You don't have to answer your questions on paper, just ask them :)

One last thing: be sure to have the homework done on time; otherwise, you will have nothing to talk about next week and you'll be totally lost, which is no fun for anyone.

02 The importance of literature // Due the week of Sept. 8, 2014

Hi Everyone! I have two different schools using this website, so be sure to check out the homework under each school—ignore the other! :)

BRIGHTON HOMEWORK:

1) Buy the books from the syllabus (or at least the first five)

2) Write a 1/2-1 page explanation of how reading may be important and useful.

• Consider reading's effect on:
• The world
• The reader's personality
• The reader's view of other people and the world

SUMMIT HOMEWORK:

1. Read chapters 1-4 of Johnny Tremain.
2. Write and bring 5 discussion questions to class.
1. The discussion questions should not be easy "yes" or "no" or one-word answer questions like "How old is Janie" or "Do you like the book?"
2. Instead, write questions that require some thought and discussion to answer. Some examples might be:
1. Why do you think Janie treats her sister like that?
2. Do you think Janie is a dynamic or static character? Why do you think so?
3. Do you like the book? Why or why not?
3. **Key point: In Johnny Tremain, the chapters are broken into numbered sections (at least in my version). Therefore, make sure to read 4 full chapters, not just sections, which should equal about a third of the book, around 80 pages.

01 Syllabus

Hello! In this Literature class, we will be reading great literary novels and interacting with them in several different ways. We will ask critical questions, discuss major ideas in class, write creatively, and learn relevant literary elements. The class hopes to create a love of reading, a personal connection to texts, and a deeper understanding of the art form.

I am very excited to meet you all, and if you have any questions throughout the year, feel free to come talk to or email me any time!

Three main keys of this class:

• Critical discussion about readings

• Creative connection to readings

• Understanding of literary elements relevant to reading

Grades will be calculated on a ten point scale:

90 - 100 = A

80 - 89 = B

70 -79 = C

60 - 69 = D

00 - 59 = F

If you are struggling with the homework or not understanding anything in class, come talk to me or email me—I'm always happy to help and we can certainly figure something out!

Absences:

• We complete a lot of work in-class, and as I see you only 1 day per week, this time is invaluable. Most days, class will include graded activities. If the class is missed--even for excused absences--that grade will show up as a zero. However, these grades can be made up within 2 weeks of class by completing a writing assignment of my choice that relates to the in-class work. Email me within one week of the missed class to ask what make-up assignment can be completed.

Late Homework:

• Due to the nature of this class, late homework will quite negatively affect you on a practical level. Without the work being done on time each week, there may be little for you to discuss and you will likely miss the discussion grade.
• You can still turn in homework up to one week late for ½ credit or within one day for full credit (you’ll still probably miss the in-class discussion grade).

Homework:

• Homework will be posted each week at lit-options.blogspot.com.

• If it is not posted, I may have had technical difficulties without realizing it (sometimes I will post but the internet will not actually send it through. It happens occasionally). Feel free to email me and I will repost as soon as possible.
• Every assignment should be typed up and printed out for class in the following format:

Times New Roman; 12 pt. Font; double spaced; 1/2-1” margins

Including a header at the top left that reads:

◦ Student name

◦ Teacher name

◦ Class name

◦ Date

• Including a title

• Every assignment should be saved on the computer in a folder specifically for this class. Typing and saving assignments will make revising papers much easier and will help clear up any situations of lost papers.

Bring to class:

• Pen/pencil
• Composition notebook just for this class

Book List:

Johnny Tremain – Forbes

The Sign of the Beaver – Speare

Moccasin Trail – McGraw

Mrs. Mike – Freedman

The Miracle Worker – Gibson

Across 5 Aprils

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry –Taylor

Animal Farm – Orwell

Number the Stars – Lowry

A Separate Peace

Chinese Cinderella – Mah

My Antonia – Cather Red Badge of Courage Indian Captive