Let's Go! Lit 7th-8th (2023-2024)
Class
Candace Rydell
Welcome to Let’s Go! Lit (7-8) Middle school students are hungry for deeper examination of literature selections to compare and contrast the elements that build story complexity. Discussions in class encourage students to summarize, debate, predict logically and think critically while also examine Biblical truths either glaringly absent or found in characters or story lines. This course will explore literary elements, writing composition, grammar, reading strategies, spelling, and study skills. Deeper understanding of simile, metaphor, hyperbole, and alliteration among other literary devices further the student’s reading comprehension. Students will gain experience verbalizing perceived strengths and weaknesses in literature, thereby building confidence in reading, thinking, speaking, and listening skills.
Preparation of home study assignments will provide skill building practice and will assist in gleaning the maximum Co-op experience while sharing together in class. Feedback will be offered as students participate and grow at their individual level in lieu of letter grades.
Materials needed:
Student AND instructor texts: Learning Language Arts through Literature Green, 3rd edition. Please be sure to buy 3rd edition.
ISBN-10 : 1929683480
ISBN-13 : 978-1929683482
Amazon, Christian Book Distributors, Rainbow Resource, and Common Sense Press are a few options.
Readers:
Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster
A Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich
Eric Liddell by Catherine Swift
God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew
Teacher Manual, Learning Language Arts through Literature, Gray
(Amazon and Rainbow Resource each have a complete homeschool package you may purchase.)
Materials: texts, Folder or 1" binder, notebook paper, tab dividers, index cards, Post-it notes, highlighters, colored pencils, markers, pens, pencils and erasers. Word processing access at home is helpful.
Many families use this class to fulfill a core requirement for English Composition. Feedback will be given on essays but grades will be determined by parent as teaching daily will require parental input and observation. The answer key is located within this curriculum so it will also be parent responsibility to monitor student access. Essays and book reviews will be assigned, as well as novel and play analysis. Students are expected to participate in class and complete assignments in order to ensure a rich classroom environment and maximum engagement through games, live interaction, and discussion.
Our class meets on Wednesdays from 2-2:50 pm in room 304. This course will follow the syllabus provided at Open House closely throughout the year. We're going to have a fantastic year together!
August
9. Week 1: Lesson 1: Spelling foundation
16. Week 2: Lesson 2
23. Week 3: Lesson 3
30. Week 4: Lesson 4
September
6. Week 5: Lesson 5
13. Week 6: Lesson 6: Begin Daddy Long Legs
20. Week 7: Lesson 7, Assessment 1
27. Week 8: Lesson 8
October
4. Week 9: Lesson 9
11. Week 10: Lesson 10
18. Week 11: Lesson 11
25. Week 12: Lesson 12-13
November
1. Week 13: Lesson 14-15
8. Week 14: Lesson 16, Assessment 2
15. Week 15: Lesson 17, Begin A Lantern in Her Hand
January
10. Week 16: Lesson 18
17. Week 17: Lesson 19
24. Week 18: Lesson 20
31. Week 19: Lesson 21
February
7. Week 20: Lesson 22
14. Week 21: Lesson 23
21. Week 22: Lesson 24: Write a biography
28. Week 23 Lesson 25, Assessment 3
March
6. Week 24 Lesson 26-27, Begin Eric Liddell
13-Spring Break, No class
20. Week 25: Lesson 28: Narrative Paper (Writing Units 28-32)
27. Week 26: Lesson 29: Persuasive Paper
April
3. Week 27: Lesson 30: Compare & Contrast Paper
10. Week 28: Lesson 31: Research Paper
17. Week 29: Lesson 32, Begin God's Smuggler
24. Week 30: Lesson 33-34
May
1. Week 31: Lesson 35
8. Week 32: Lesson 36, Assessment 9
15. Week 33: Last Day: Bring board games to class
Here is the class outline:
1. Week 1
Aug 9
Please complete each lesson as indicated in syllabus. Bring all work to class in notebook, as we will refer to work. Spelling section of notebook will be a working document, adding to each week. Let me know if you need help. Blessings, Candace Rydell |
2. Week 2
Aug 16
Complete Lesson 2 in workbook. Bring all work to class. Bring DADDY LONG LEGS to class next week. Submit The Good Samaritan story from Day 3 in your text. Be sure to use your pronouns correctly. |
3. Week 3Complete Lesson 3 in workbook. Bring all work to class. Read DADDY LONG LEGS pp. 1-46 |
4. Week 4No class August 30. Optional: Complete Lesson 4 in workbook. Bring all work to class. |
5. Week 5Complete Lesson 5 in workbook. Bring all work to class. |
6. Week 6
Sep 13
Complete Lesson 6 in workbook. Complete reading Daddy Long Legs. Think about how the characters changed throughout the book. Organize your thoughts (on paper) and bring to class to share. |
7. Week 7
Sep 20
Work through Lessons 7-8 in workbook. MOST of lesson 8 was completed in class. Complete Assessment 1. Select one activity to do for Lesson 9 (p. 92) and bring to class to share. Plan to begin Lesson 10 on Sept. 27 (week 8) |
8. Week 8
Sep 27
Complete Lesson 10 in workbook. Bring all work to class, prepared to share writings regarding Day 4 (Matthew, The Good Samaritan), OR Imagine growing up in an orphanage. How would your life be similar and/or different that Jerusha Abbott? Write a story from your perspective if that was your life. |
9. Week 9
Oct 4
Complete Lesson 11 in workbook. Bring all work to class. |
10. Week 10
Oct 11
Complete Lesson 12 in workbook. Bring text and all work to class. Our next novel is A LANTERN IN HER HAND. Please bring to class. |
11. Week 11
Oct 18
Complete Lesson 13 in workbook. Bring all work to class. Read chapters 1-7 in A LANTERN IN HER HAND. |
12. Week 12
Oct 25
Complete Lesson 14 in workbook. Bring all work to class. Read chapters 8-14 in ALIHH. Check back here by Friday to see activities added in MYE. |
13. Week 13Complete Lesson 15 in workbook. Bring all work to class.Read chapters 15-22 in ALIHH. |
14. Week 14Complete Lesson 16 in workbook. Complete Assessment 2. Bring all work to class.Read chapters 23-29 in ALIHH. You may bring board games and/or snacks to class next week to celebrate our last class before Christmas break. |
15. Week 15
Nov 14
Complete Lesson 18 in workbook. Bring all work to class. We will complete Lesson 17 in class. Read chapters 30-36 in ALIHH. |
16. Week 16January 10-17, 2024 Complete Lesson 18 in workbook. Choose as many activities as you have time to work through this week. Complete Assessment 2. Bring all work to class. |
17. Week 17
Jan 17
Complete Lesson 19 in workbook. Bring all work to class. |
18. Week 18
Jan 24
Complete Lesson 20 in workbook. Make sure you have a copy of ERIC LIDDELL. Bring to class next week. Bring all work to class. |
19. Week 19
Jan 31
Complete Lesson 21 in workbook. Bring ERIC LIDDELL and all work to class. |
20. Week 20
Feb 7
Complete Lesson 22 in workbook. Bring novel to class and read chapters 1-6 of ERIC LIDDELL before Feb 14. Print reading guide, answer, and bring to class next week. Begin planning bottle buddy biography project, due Feb. 28. |
21. Week 21
Feb 14
Complete Lesson 23 in workbook. Bring all work to class. Read chapters 7-12 in ERIC LIDDELL. Be prepared to discuss next week. |
22. Week 22
Feb 21
Complete Lesson 24 in workbook. Choose a character from ERIC LIDDELL to depict biography bottle. Write biography. Create biography bottle. Click link behind tile to access step-by-step instructions. Bring all work to class. |
23. Week 23Complete Lesson 25 in workbook. Complete Assessment 3. Bring all work to class. |
24. Week 24
Mar 6
Spring Break March 11-15 Complete Lesson 26 & 27 in workbook. Bring all work to class. |
25. Week 25
Mar 20
Complete Lesson 28 in workbook. Submit narrative essay in MYE after proofreading and editing. Bring textbook to class. |
26. Week 26
Mar 27
Complete Lesson 29 in workbook. Complete persuasive essay and submit in MYE or bring to class. |
27. Week 27
Apr 3
Complete Lesson 34 in workbook. Bring GOD'S SMUGGLER to class. Read chapters 1-5 this week. Keep track of characters, setting, storyline, and vocabulary in your binder. |
28. Week 28
Apr 10
Complete Lesson 36 in workbook. Read chapters 6-10 in GOD'S SMUGGLER. Keep track of new vocabulary and story elements in binder. Bring all work to class. |
29. Week 29
Apr 17
Complete Assessment 4 if not completed last week. Complete Lesson 35 this week. Read GOD’S SMUGGLER, ch. 11-15. Track vocabulary. Annotate by keeping track of characters, setting, plot development. |
30. Week 30
Apr 24
Complete Lesson 30 in workbook. Complete Compare and Contrast essay. Submit in MYE or bring all work to class. Read chapters 16-21 in GOD'S SMUGGLER. Keep track of vocabulary, plot advancement, and character growth. Bring to class next week. |