Course Overview This course helps students grow as thoughtful readers and confident writers through engaging novels. Students will analyze character, theme, and point of view while developing narrative, analytical, and opinion writing skills. Emphasis is placed on using textual evidence, organizing ideas clearly, and revising writing to strengthen clarity and voice. Weeks 1–5: The Tale of Despereaux (Character & Theme) Literary Focus: Analyze character traits and motivations Identify theme and supporting evidence Writing Focus: Write descriptive paragraphs Write a character or theme paragraph Major Assignment: Character Analysis Paragraph Weeks 6–10: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Character Growth & Theme) Literary Focus: Analyze character change and emotional growth Identify theme and important story events Writing Focus: Write reflective responses Write a literary analysis essay Major Assignment: Character Change Essay Weeks 11–16: The One and Only Ivan (Point of View & Theme) Literary Focus: Analyze narrator’s point of view Examine theme and author’s message Writing Focus: Write evidence-based paragraphs Write an opinion or literary analysis essay Major Assignment: Opinion or Theme Essay Week 17: Final Writing Project Focus: Revise and improve writing Complete a polished final essay Final Outcome: Writing portfolio including narrative, opinion, and literary analysis writing

Course Overview This course develops students’ literary analysis and argumentative writing skills through historical fiction. Students will analyze theme, character development, point of view, and author’s craft, while learning to write clear analytical and argumentative essays supported by textual evidence. Emphasis is placed on organization, revision, and developing a strong academic voice. Weeks 1–6: The Book Thief (Literary Analysis & Argument Writing) Literary Focus: Analyze theme, symbolism, and narrator’s point of view Examine character development and author’s craft Writing Focus: Write analytical paragraphs using textual evidence Write a literary argument essay Weeks 7–11: Refugee (Theme & Argumentative Writing) Literary Focus: Analyze multiple perspectives and theme Examine character motivation and historical context Writing Focus: Write evidence-based responses Write an argumentative essay Weeks 12–16: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Character & Theme Analysis) Literary Focus: Analyze character growth, conflict, and theme Examine setting and author’s purpose Writing Focus: Write literary analysis paragraphs Write a theme or character analysis essay Week 17: Final Writing Project Focus: Revise and complete a polished literary analysis or argumentative essay Compile a final writing portfolio

Course Overview This course develops students’ reading, literary analysis, and writing skills through fiction and nonfiction texts. Students will learn to analyze theme, character, and author’s purpose, and write argumentative, narrative, and analytical essays using textual evidence. Emphasis is placed on clear organization, revision, and developing each student’s author’s voice. Weeks 1–6: I Am Malala Analyze nonfiction themes and author’s purpose Write an argumentative essay using textual evidence Weeks 7–11: Pax Analyze character development and theme Write a narrative or literary analysis essay Weeks 12–16: Wonder Analyze multiple perspectives and theme Write an argumentative literary analysis essay Week 17: Final Writing Project Revise and complete a polished essay Compile a final writing portfolio

Course Overview This course helps students build strong reading and writing skills through engaging novels. Students will learn to understand story elements, analyze characters and themes, and express their ideas clearly in writing. Emphasis is placed on paragraph writing, using story details as evidence, and developing confidence as readers and writers. Weeks 1–5: My Father's Dragon (Story Elements & Narrative Writing) Literary Focus: Identify characters, setting, problem, and solution Understand story structure Writing Focus: Write complete sentences and organized paragraphs Write a narrative paragraph Major Assignment: Narrative Paragraph Weeks 6–10: Morning Girl (Point of View & Theme) Literary Focus: Understand different points of view Identify theme and character feelings Writing Focus: Write descriptive and response paragraphs Use story details to support ideas Major Assignment: Reading Response Paragraph Weeks 11–16: Stone Fox (Character & Theme Analysis) Literary Focus: Analyze character traits and motivations Identify theme and author’s message Writing Focus: Write opinion paragraphs using evidence Write a character or theme paragraph Major Assignment: Opinion or Character Paragraph Week 17: Final Writing Project Focus: Revise and improve writing Complete a polished paragraph or short essay Final Outcome: Writing portfolio showing student progress in narrative, response, and opinion writing

Course Overview This course develops students’ literary analysis and writing skills through reading fiction and nonfiction texts. Students will analyze character, theme, and author’s craft while strengthening analytical, narrative, and evidence-based writing. Emphasis is placed on clear organization, textual evidence, revision, and developing each student’s unique author’s voice. Weeks 1–2: Writing Foundations Learn close reading and paragraph writing using textual evidence Write a personal narrative and practice paragraph structure Weeks 3–7: Hello, Universe Analyze character development and theme Write a character analysis essay using text evidence Weeks 8–12: The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote Analyze nonfiction structure, author’s purpose, and historical context Write an evidence-based informational or argument essay Weeks 13–16: The Phantom Tollbooth Analyze figurative language, symbolism, and author’s craft Write a literary analysis or creative writing piece inspired by the text Week 17: Final Writing Project Revise and complete a polished literary analysis or reflective essay Compile a final writing portfolio