English Foundations 3

(3 customer reviews)

From: $85.00 / month for 8 months

Grades: 8th–9th

Live Class: Wed 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET

Dates: Aug 26, 2024–May 16, 2025

Prepaid: $599

Instructor: Bev Graybill

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Enrollment in this class is currently closed.

Course Description

English Foundations 3 SyllabusThe course is limited to 12 students.

English Foundations 3 is a comprehensive English class for 8th-9th graders covering composition, literature, grammar, and vocabulary. This class is designed for ninth graders who need additional reinforcement before more advanced high school-level English classes. (A high school credit for English will be earned for 9th graders taking this course.) Upper-middle school students who have already shown strong English abilities, particularly in writing and grammar, are also welcome.

Course Objectives are as follows:

  • Write multi-paragraph essays for the four types of writing (descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive) with teacher review to improve each composition.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of English grammar, including punctuation, mechanics, spelling, sentence structure, and parts of speech.
  • Review the basic elements of literature.
  • Identify techniques of literature such as irony, symbolism, and figures of speech.
  • Be introduced to ancient writings including the Iliad and the Odyssey, Beowulf, and the legend of King Arthur and his knights.
  • Identify the sounds and techniques used in poetry and study famous American and British poets.
  • Learn new vocabulary words in context through the novels read together and a vocabulary workbook.

Course Structure

The live class will take place on Wednesdays at 2:00 pm (EST), and further instruction and assignments will be designated through the Canvas website. Class activities include students reading mini-lessons and Reader’s Theater plays.

Class assignments are as follows:

  • Four multi-paragraph essays
  • Creative short story
  • Response paragraphs and an analytical theme based on short stories
  • Literature projects for specific elements
  • Several poems of various types
  • Poetry presentation about a famous poet and poem
  • Grammar and vocabulary exercises

Who should enroll?

8th graders with previous experience writing 5 paragraph essays or  9th graders who need additional reinforcement before high school level English classes.

Technology Requirements

  • High speed, broadband Internet
  • Web cam, sound card, and microphone (for live sessions)
  • Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures

Evaluation and Feedback

  • Essays graded according to a rubric on the effective traits of writing
  • Tests on terms and content related to writing and literature
  • Grammar and vocabulary quizzes

Writing assignments receive much feedback during the grading process using a rubric that lists the effective traits of writing. Grammar and vocabulary exercises are usually graded automatically by Canvas.  In literature, students are expected to answer comprehension questions and projects will be graded based on effort.

Instructor Bio

Bev Graybill

Bev has known since she was in elementary school she’d become a teacher, having taught her one-year-younger brother everything she knew! After attending Millersville University and earning a B.S. in Special Education, a M.S. in Elementary Education, and a Reading Certificate, she taught for several years in both public and private schools and then left the world of teaching to start her own family.  From there, she discovered the amazing world of home schooling, teaching all of her four children for at least some of their years of school and teaching for more than 20 years at several different co-ops. Contact: bgraybill[at]aimacademy.online

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