Intro to Literature Course Description
What does it cover?
Reading for fun and reading for school often seem to be completely different activities. This year-long course aims to introduce students to literary terms, evaluation, and discussion while reading a variety of enjoyable books written for young adults. The goal of the reading list is for students to be challenged in how they process what they read, but not bogged down in the reading itself. The stories will be gripping, leaving students energized and excited for learning how to categorize, understand, and analyze literary styles, genres, and characters.
The course will explore a variety of genres including historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, adventure, mystery, poetry, drama, and more. The book list will be finalized by August 1st, but may include classics from C.S. Lewis, Mark Twain, and Robert Louis Stevenson, as well as more recent authors and numerous Newberry Award winners.
Who is it for?
This course is geared toward 7th-8th graders who enjoy reading. Each student will be encouraged to participate in class, and will be evaluated based on participation as well as other assignments including writing assignments, reading quizzes, and projects.
How does it work?
Class meets for two hours per week. Along with the reading assignments, students are provided with discussion questions to help prepare for class, and take frequent quizzes to encourage careful reading. Writing assignments are returned with teacher feedback. Students and parents can check their progress and grades online throughout the semester.
Class Time: Tuesdays, 12:30-2:30 PM Mountain Time (11:30-1:30 Pacific, 1:30-3:30 Central, 2:30-4:30 Eastern) Class begins on August 30th.
The cost for this 33-week course is $550.
Required Texts
The following titles are required for this class. You may use other editions if you have them. I have tried to link low-cost editions, but all of these titles should also be available in your local library. Several of the links below are currently eligible for a 4-for-3 promotion on Amazon.
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
- Beau Geste by P.C. Wren
- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
- The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff (recently re-released under the title The Eagle)
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- The Hawk & the Dove by Penelope Wilcock (The book is now published only in a set with its sequels. Use this link to buy a used copy of book one by itself.)
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
- The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
- Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
- The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
- Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
- The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
- Miss Mattson will provide poetry readings throughout the year