Literature for Grades 6-8 (10:00)

Please note - this class is full.
Course Name: Literature for Grades 6-8
Grade Range: 6th-8th
Instructor: Erin English
Email: erin.english.va@gmail.com
Price: $215 for 28 weeks
Course Description: 
In this class, your child will learn how to read great books with a deeper understanding. Using the Center for Lit’s Teaching the Classics curriculum as our guide, students will read and participate in literary analysis through Socratic discussions. We’ll read many short stories, poems, and picture books in class to learn about story elements and literary devices. In addition, students will read 4-5 chapter books outside of class that we will discuss in class. It’s okay if your child has read one or more of these books! They will still get tremendous value from rereading and discussing them as a group! Each semester will end with a creative extension project of the child’s choice. By the end of the year, students will be able to:
Demonstrate understanding through discussion, writing, and dramatization
Make inferences and draw conclusions from a story
Analyze major characters within a story and trace character motives through the story
Compare and contrast characters within a story
Demonstrate understanding of story structure by creating plot charts
Distinguish between genres: non-fiction, biography, fiction (sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, etc.), parody, fairytale, and historical fiction
Identify common themes from story to story 
Understand literary devices such as flashback, imagery, foreshadowing, metaphor, simile, symbolism, irony, hyperbole, imagery, and anthropomorphism
Course Prerequisites: None
Curriculum used by Instructor: Center for Lit Teaching the Classics
Books & Supplies required for purchase by families: 
The Magician’s Nephew, C.S. Lewis
Miracles on Maple Hill, Virginia Sorensen
Snow Treasure, Marie McSwigan
The Book of Three, Lloyd Alexander
(Used copies are encouraged! I want the students to feel comfortable writing in the books.)
 Blank White 3x 5 Index cards and a zippered pocket or case to hold them
 1-inch binder stocked with blank white paper and notebook paper
Pens/Pencils/Colored Pencils in a Case
Figuratively Speaking ($13 at Rainbow Resource)
Homework Requirements:  approx. 1 hour per week
Duration: 28 weeks
Grading: no
Course Credit: no
Teacher Bio: Erin English has been homeschooling for the past 14 years and has been a part of Friendly Educators for 10 years. She and her husband have three daughters (grades 12th, 10th, and 7th). Erin has a B.S. in Civil Engineering and an MBA. Before becoming a full-time Mom, Erin worked in logistics with Kraft Foods. Erin has taught several courses at Friendly Educators in the past, including PreCalculus, Physics, K-2 Science, and Public Speaking, and she served as FE’s Co-Director with Kelly Jewel for several years. Erin teaches online Latin classes to students worldwide at The Little Latin School and works part-time as a virtual assistant. 
Min/Max # of Students: min = 8 / max = 14
Method and Frequency of communication: I will send out weekly emails with a recap of the class and homework instructions.