High School English—Reading and Writing Rhetorically
Thursdays from 9:00–10:50
15 weeks per semester, 30 weeks total
$400 per semester
$150 non-refundable enrollment fee ($100 of which is deducted from first-semester tuition)
Recommended Grade Level: 9th–12th, although I welcome developmentally ready rising 8th graders
Maximum of 16 students
Book List: Animal Farm, To Kill a Mockingbird
Note: We'll be reading a wide variety of texts throughout the year—these are just the stand-alone books to purchase. Others will be provided.
Class Description
This year-long high school English course will help students become more skillful readers, writers, speakers, and thinkers. We'll read, view, and discuss a wide variety of media and texts, including short stories, novels, poetry, speeches, ads, essays, nonfiction articles, and op-eds. Using a rhetorical lens, we'll learn how to become more critical readers and thinkers, covering many of the basics of AP Composition—audience, purpose, occasion, exigence, kairos, along with a variety of other literature- and rhetoric-based terms.
Throughout the year, students will create a portfolio of their work, setting individual goals and reflecting upon their learning. Class time will be a mix of instruction, writing, modeling, discussion, and group/pair work. We'll study mentor texts, discuss the writing process, and share our writing with each other so that we can learn and grow as a community of writers and thinkers.
I'll be using Google Classroom to post weekly assignments and keep us all on the same page. I like to use a mix of videos, readings, and slides to reinforce class concepts and to introduce new ones that we'll talk about in the coming week. Because we only meet once a week, it's important that students follow up with their work at home, which will require about three hours a week. Each week there will be components to work through, study, and complete. Students will then need to bring all of their weekly work to the next class.
I hold high expectations for myself and for my students, but I'm also willing to meet students where they are. Your student will be in compassionate hands, but I'll also challenge them to be accountable and work hard. Students and parents will receive written feedback at the end of each semester.
About Me
I've been teaching English for over thirty years—first in public schools, then in homeschool settings. We've also homeschooled our three children, who are now grown. I love the power of words, language arts, and working with teenagers. Please note that I'll be teaching around a few family trips this year, but work will proceed as planned to ensure we stay on track with our goals. I appreciate the chance to work with your family this year.
Registration Information
Register for this class via Google form here:
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