English Through American History

Course Description

English through American History Syllabus and Book List

Ever wish that your child’s English assignments correlated to what he or she was learning in American history? Now you can with this English course with an American history focus. This class complements Mrs. Graybill’s American History through Literature course. However, any student studying American history this year is welcome to join this English class. Writing skills, grammar, and the elements of literature will be covered in this course. Students who enroll in this English course as well as American History through Literature will receive a significant discount. Visit English with American History for details.

Course Structure

Students will have compositions, poems, literature projects, and grammar exercises assigned in Canvas with teaching during the live class first.

Course Goals

Students will

• Improve formal writing with a focus on how to revise and edit.
• Demonstrate an understanding of English grammar including: parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, and common sentence errors.
• Identify the elements of fiction through novels read as well as common techniques of literature such as irony, symbolism, flashback, and figurative language.
• Read poetry related to people, places, and events studied and write poems.

Course Assignments

• Read at least 9 books (historical fiction or biography); students enrolled in either of Mrs. Graybill’s American history course will have suggestions provided. I’m happy to share this list with those enrolled in this course as well.
• Write seven multi-paragraph essays (descriptive essay, biographical narrative, explaining a political process, cause/effect essay, compare/contrast, persuasive, & analyzing a primary source).
• Write and give an informative speech with presentation slides.
• Write a creative story.
• Write poems related to historical topics.
• Complete projects related to the elements of fiction.
• Complete grammar exercises.

Who should enroll?

This class is for 7th – 8th graders, other by permission from the instructor.

Technology Requirements

• High speed, broadband Internet
• Webcam, headset, and microphone (for live sessions)
• Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
• Microsoft Word and Power Point are extremely helpful. If using a different word processing program, the document should be saved or exported as a pdf in order to submit it on Canvas.

Evaluation and Feedback

All exercises in Canvas will be graded and averaged for a final grade. Tests will be assigned. Essays will receive detailed feedback. Projects will receive additional feedback so that improvements can be made along the way.

Communication

Parents are welcome to contact me with any questions before registering their student. Once I know a student has registered, the family will receive a welcome packet with additional information about the course. I will contact parents if there is a concern with students not keeping up with the work or frequently turning in late assignments.

Required Texts

Required books for English:

Download Syllabus/Book List

• Richbaub’s Introduction to Middle School Grammar by R. M. Gieson, 2012. ISBN: 978-1466479449

Suggested Texts for English:

It will be assumed that the student is able to write a 5-paragraph essay (with minimal instruction) for the course. If your student could use more help with this, here is a helpful yet inexpensive resource I suggest you purchase; it is available on Amazon. I will include page numbers a student could refer to on composition assignments when applicable.

• How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay Step-by-Step by Jay Matthews. Happy Frog Writing Resources, 2020. ISBN: 979-8616957269
• In class, I will use its companion, How to Edit & Revise Your Essay Step-by-Step. It’s not necessary to purchase this, but if you would like to have a copy for your student to mark, feel free to do so. Same author, ISBN: 979-8718145823

Additional Required Books (students will read these three novels for books 3, 6, and 8):

• My Brother Sam Is Dead by James and Christopher Collier
• Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
• Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of WWII by Joseph Bruchac

Suggested book titles for the other 6-7 literature books will be emailed once a family registers. Two nonfiction books for each semester project will also be needed. The three required novels, the six suggested novels, and the two nonfiction books can all be gotten from your local library, if you prefer.