**No longer available for registration.**
This Literature & Composition class is a comprehensive, yearlong course that will enable students to become skilled readers of a wide range of literature, including prose, poetry, nonfiction, speeches, and short stories from a diverse selection of authors. Students will read and respond to literature, independently, in group discussion and in writing. All aspects of language arts - listening, speaking, reading, and writing will be covered. The study of language in use – vocabulary, grammar, mechanics, sentence structure, and usage will be incorporated throughout. Students will work on annotation, logical thinking, and various modes of composition, including a persuasive essay on a banned book of their choice. Additionally, throughout the year, students will select three novels for independent study to present projects on to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of their readings.
This course will consist of weekly 1.5-hour Zoom classes and additional at-home work to be completed each week between classes. This course is appropriate for students 8th grade and up (ages 13+) who are ready for the workload, can handle mature themes in literature, and are comfortable with writing. Homework will be assigned via Google Classroom, and all student work will be submitted there for grading by designated due dates.
Class Dates & Times:
Zoom class meetings will happen from 1-2:30 on the following Tuesdays -
Start August 25th
Sept. 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
Oct. 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
Nov. 3rd, 10th, 17th
No class on Nov. 24th for Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 1st, 8th, 15th
No class on Dec. 22nd & 29th for Winter Break
Jan. 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
Feb. 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd
Mar. 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
No class on April 6th for Spring Break
Apr. 13th, 20th, 27th
May 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
Costs: Tuition is $75 per month. Tuition is paid monthly September through May, due by the 1st except for September's tuition, which will be owed at the time of registration to hold your student's place in this class. Payments can be made via PayPal to crystal.bowden@gmail.com.
Note: Parents will be responsible for the purchase of all student texts required throughout the course.
Course Texts:
To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
Brown Girl Dreaming, Jacqueline Woodson
The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros
I Can't Keep My Own Secrets: Six-Word Memoirs by Teens Famous & Obscure, Smith Magazine
I am the Darker Brother Anthology, Arnold Adoff
Time You Let Me In: 25 Poets under 25, Naomi Shihab Nye
Students will select additional novels for independent study from a curated list.
All short story & speech selections will be accessible via the internet for free.
A note on texts: Teaching student annotation & note-taking will be a focus in this course. If parents don't want students writing inside their texts, please provide them with a variety of colored sticky notes.
