For middle schoolers, reading academic literature and writing essays can feel tedious or even intimidating. In this course, we meet students where they are, providing a diverse list of literature to pique their interest in textual study and supportive guidance to hone their skill at the academic essay. Exploring the adventures of characters like the Pevensies and Sherlock Holmes’s sister, Enola Holmes, while also journeying to the center of the earth, the edge of the galaxy, and as far as Neverland, students will discover different approaches to the primary literary form: the novel. Students will discuss the courage of characters in the face of overwhelming odds, like Annemarie Johansen in Lois Lowry’s historical Number the Stars, the unique Igiby family in Andrew Peterson’s fantastical Wingfeather series, and the brilliant Melody in Sharon Draper’s realistic fiction Out of My Mind. Literature teaches us to be curious, to face challenges, and to broaden our understanding of the world, and we’ll do this through investigating how different genres of the novel convey believable characters and relatable themes. Studying poetry, short story, and the classic comic strip in a brief “styles of literature” unit, students will be prepared for the breadth of literary style introduced in high school. With a guided approach, the academic essay will become an achievable and meaningful exercise, and students will dip their quill in paragraphs of varying structure and style to prepare them for a lifetime of writing. Foundational composition techniques will support young writers in an integrated approach, focusing on practical application of the reading and writing connection. Build courage and confidence in your reading and writing skills in a course full of discovery and determination!
English 1 Lit and Comp - Discovering Courage
Course Catalog ID:
4608
Subject Categories:
English as a Foreign Language (EFL), English Language Arts, Literature and Media, Writing and Composition
Description
Prerequisites
Grade Levels*:
7, 8
* Enrollment restricted based on Date of Birth and Grad Year (whichever is more limiting). Enrollment outside these levels requires written concurrence from TPS Support.
Readiness
• Successful completion (75% or higher) of TPS Writing 6 Exploration
━ OR ━
• Successful completion of Readiness Test
Notes and Conditions
EFL Program: If English is not your first language and you are considering this course to improve your English writing, please contact us to discuss taking this course (or a more suitable course) as part of our English as a Foreign Language program.
