Literature Class Offerings
PICTURE BOOK LITERATURE (K-3) - Ellie Johanek
Description:
In our picture book literature class we will be exploring a world of award winning picture books and poetry. Each week we’ll work on memorizing a poem before heading off to explore authors and illustrators who have created rich, age-appropriate stories through read alouds, discussions and craft activities.
Students will explore essential character traits like kindness, integrity, courage, and empathy. Whether your child is just beginning to read or reading independently, this class meets them where they are—inviting every student to enjoy and explore great stories in their own way.
A sample of the titles and authors we’ll be exploring:
Virgina Lee Burton
Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman
John Burningham
A.A. Milne
Barbara Cohen
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber
Goals: Foster a love of reading, strengthen comprehension, promote character development, and encourage creative expression through literature.
Materials: There will be a $15 supply fee to cover in-class materials. A list of books will be provided ahead of time for families to source from the library or a place of their choosing.
Expectations: Students enrolled in picture book literature are expected to participate respectfully and work collaboratively in the classroom. Occasional story exploration and project assignments at home will be encouraged but not required between classes.
CHAPTER BOOK LITERATURE (3RD-6TH) - Ellie Johanek
Description:
In our chapter book literature class, students will dive into the wonderful world of children’s literature, exploring stories through discussion and creative activities. Each week we’ll start our classes by memorizing a poem and then we will discuss what the students read at home. We will be exploring these amazing works of literature, build vocabulary, and explore literary elements like character, setting, and plot.
Students will have the opportunity to respond through art, discussion and building personalized lap books as they feel inspired. All titles I’ve chosen will be available in paperback or audiobook to meet your kids at whatever reading level they are at.
A sample of the titles and authors we’ll be exploring:
Little Women
Where the Red Fern Grows
Peter Pan
Heidi
Goals: Foster a love of reading, strengthen comprehension and critical thinking, and encourage creative expression through literature.
Materials: There will be a $15 supply fee to cover in-class materials. A list of books will be provided ahead of time for families to source from the library or a place of their choosing.
Expectations: Students enrolled in chapter book literature are expected to participate respectfully and work collaboratively in the classroom. To join in on classroom discussions, projects, and complete reading assignments at home.
MIDDLE SCHOOL LITERATURE (6th-8th) - Leann Belz
Goals:
Through reading high interest novels and poetry, students can grow both their imagination and their enjoyment of literature. I hope that students will find an author, genre or style they will seek out on their own and be able to recognize the themes in each work. We will create reading journals with examples of allegory, well-written passages, quotes to remember and literary devices found in the books and poems we read. Students will pick a few poems to memorize.
Expectations:
Students must complete the assigned reading and journaling at home and come to class with their book and journals. They should use their journal entries to participate in classroom discussion. Throughout the year, there will be several unannounced short quizzes on that week’s reading material. A few poems will be recited to the class.
Required Books:
The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri
Twice Freed by Patricia St. John
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
Alternative Titles if One of the Above has Been Read:
The Green Ember by S. D. Smith
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
Treasures of the Snow by Patricia St. John
The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Beowulf: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds
HIGH SCHOOL LITERATURE (9th-12th) - Leann Belz
Goals:
This year we will read novels, poetry and a play. Our purpose is to learn to be discerning readers, who can identify conflict in stories and see how it relates to our own lives. We will learn literary devices that authors use and discuss the themes, big ideas each work brings up. These ideas will be discussed through the lens of biblical truth.
Expectations:
In order to be ready to participate in class, students will be asked to take short quizzes and to keep a notebook where they will record passages they liked or disliked, quotes they want to remember, passages that demonstrate the themes in the book, and examples of literary devices. The current book and the notebook will be required in class each week. A few poems will be recited to the class.
Required materials:
Illuminating Literature: When Worlds Collide available at writingwithsharonwatson.com
Pudd’nhead Wilson by Mark Twain
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
The Friendly Persuasion by Jessamyn West
Peter Pan by Sir James Barrie
Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
I will supply:
Poetry
Macbeth by William Shakespeare