Course Details:

The teacher will provide all materials. Students will need to use Google Docs.

English 9: Weird Science! Literature’s Most Iconic Mad Scientists

$460.00

A Full Semester Credit of Reading, Writing, & Speech
In this comprehensive 8th-grade English course, students explore the limits of knowledge, the consequences of “playing God,” and a lot of weird science! Learners discover Dr. Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll, two of literature’s most iconic mad scientists!

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Description

A Snapshot of Each Class

To create and maintain a friendly environment, we start class by briefly getting to each other or by catching up with life. We also pray and/or read a passage from the Bible.

We move on to explicit instruction in sentence writing and how to put grammar knowledge to work. Students get feedback on their sentence writing. The instructor gives mini-lessons based on trends in student performance. Students report on their reading.

One student gives a Book Talk. Other student presentations may take place.

This is the main lesson for the day. The instructor explicitly teaches a concept or skill, which includes modeling. Students are guided to mastery through practice and teacher feedback. Sometimes students have workshop time where they write and get feedback in real time.

Students get homework, so they can independently practice new skills.

Class Description

This is a very special class! Students develop skills, make friends, and enjoy coming to class. They have a teacher that will invest in them and care about them. Our class becomes a community that is the best of the best possible online learning environments.

THEME: 

What are the limits of science? Can man create man? Can man divide his conscience and body? It is time to read, write about and discuss some weird science! First, we jump into Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a creepy exploration of whether or not a man can discover the secrets of the universe. Then students will be delighted and shocked while reading The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Both of these books are difficult reads, so we will do a large part of the reading in class as guided reading so that students actually read these novels. No Cliff’s Notes versions for us. We are serious scholars! The literature in this course is difficult, and the content and standards met in this course can also be used to fulfill a high school English semester.

SNAPSHOT OF STUDENT OUTPUT:

Students will write a full-length argumentative essay, a full-length literary analysis essay, paraphrases, responses to literature, and multiple summaries. They will will work for 26 sessions, writing sophisticated sentences that are grammatically correct but also have some style and variety. They will revise and edit their writing after getting feedback on everything, both in-class writing and what they complete for homework. Reading novels of their choice for 100 minutes each week, students read for pleasure and learn who they are as readers. They will also read classic novels, Frankenstein and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Last, they will give at least two class presentations on literature, participate in class discussions, and contribute to two Socratic Seminars. Wowza!

PRE-REQUISITES: 

The other semesters of the Middle School Language Arts series of classes are not pre-requisites, and these middle school semesters can be taken “out of order,” but students should have a solid foundation of reading and writing before taking this class. They should be able to write a five-paragraph argument essay, centered around a logical thesis statement. Semesters 5 and 6 require students to be reading at a Lexile measure of 1000 (eighth-grade level) and should be able to sustain longer periods of independent reading, not losing comprehension of a tenth grade text.

GENERAL LEARNING GOALS:

This class includes instruction and practice in all required learning standards for middle school Language Arts. This includes instruction across multiple genres of writing for various audiences. They will also learn to read for pleasure as well as how to tackle assigned reading with gusto and skill. Last, communication standards include speaking in a whole group and in front of the class. Mrs. Lemons helps students develop these skills as she builds their confidence. **A note on class size–this may seem big to you, but the size serves a few different purposes. Having a larger class brings energy to the class that is engaging and more fun. Our group conversations are diverse as many different people share their thoughts and opinions, especially as we broaden the conversation with the chatbox. We are able to do “fish-bowl” Socratic seminars with this size. Last, because this is a heavy writing class, the instructor has a lot of time devoted outside of class to communicate with students about their work. Having a larger class size helps compensate the teacher for this extra work while keeping the cost as low as possible.**

WRITING FOCUS: 

Writing content this semester will focus on narrative, expository, and opinion writing. Direct instruction in the writing process (pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, publishing) is emphasized. Students will have a lot of modeling, example papers, and explicit directions on how to write well. The live classes include intentional teaching, and students will get practice time while being guided by the instructor. Grammar is presented as a set of tools to be manipulated and crafted for function and to write something beautiful. Time is spent in class on putting grammar to work in sentence writing.  We do this work so their sentences are functional, correct, and artful.

READING FOCUS: 

This semester’s reading focus is on in-class novel studies of Frankenstein and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. These are some of the most fun novels to teach! While they are difficult reads, the instructor guides students towards mastery of reading comprehension and critical reading skills. Learners will walk away from this class better readers and better thinkers. They just have to trust the process and do the work! Students are also expected to choose a book to read and time is spent in class talking about our books and doing other activities to foster a love of reading. The goal is to turn them into lifelong readers! They will read for 100 minutes a week, and Mrs. Lemons records their page number and has discussions with them about their books. Using various genres, students learn reading strategies to understand texts that are difficult. Reading standards and objectives are integrated through various texts touching on multiple genres.

COMMUNICATION FOCUS: 

Communication skills and norms are intentionally taught. For example, the “dominator” will learn to give others a chance to speak and will even learn to involve others to help bring forth their ideas. The quieter students learn to take risks and put themselves out there because they have good ideas and important things to say. These skills are taught through various methods, including speeches, presentations, and Socratic seminars, which often become the favorite for students. Communication standards and objectives are integrated through one-on-one conversations, using the chatbox, and large-group discussions. We also talk about how an online community is established, and students are required to keep their cameras open. This helps all students feel connected to each other as a community of learners. It also helps the instructor hold students accountable for engagement. We feel closer to each other when we see each other.

EXPECTATIONS OF LEARNERS: 

Students will have two classes per week and 20-30 minutes of homework twice a week. Additionally, students will read for 20 minutes, five days a week a book of their choosing. I want them to fall in love with books! Being an active participant in our community will help learners have success! Students will give class presentations, participate in group discussions called Socratic Seminars, read aloud, and express opinions and thoughts orally, through writing assignments, and even the chatbox. Active engagement is the key to success in this class.

GRADES: 

The instructor will give specific and authentic feedback on student writing through the classroom and on Google Docs. The instructor will also give feedback verbally in class and with the chatbox. The proper use of formal grades increases learning and supports communication of learning expectations and student performance to learners and parents. All students will receive formal grades.

Course Syllabus

coming soon…

Class Introduction Video

Coming soon…

Taught From a Christian Perspective

Our mission is to equip learners’ minds and shepherd their hearts. We want them to have saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and then develop a biblical worldview. This means they view their world, themselves, and God in a way that aligns with what the Bible teaches. This brings great peace and understanding to the believer because we serve a good, sovereign God. This course is taught with these goals in mind. In class, we may pray, read scripture, and discuss how to view the content from a Christian perspective.

We have adopted The Master’s Seminary Doctrinal Statement.

Learners Need Explicit Instruction!

Explicit teaching is a method of instruction students desperately need! It is the opposite of a constructivist philosophy whereby students try to construct meaning themselves.

Well…

Instead of leaving students to magically figure out how to write an essay or read or do a geometry proof, we teach explicitly, which is backed by a large body of evidence, and it’s how Mrs. Lemons teaches her undergraduate and graduate teacher candidates in college to teach! We do it this way because it’s how kids learn.

Explicit instruction is “a structured, systematic, and effective methodology for teaching academic skills. It is called explicit because it is an unambiguous and direct approach to teaching that includes both instructional design and delivery procedures. Explicit instruction is characterized by a series of supports or scaffolds, whereby students are guided through the learning process with clear statements about the purpose and rationale for learning the new skill, clear explanations and demonstrations of the instructional target, and supported practice with feedback until independent mastery has been achieved.”
-Explicit Instruction: Effective and Efficient Teaching by Anita L. Archer and Charles A. Hughes.

Anita Archer trained Mrs. Lemons in workshops, and it changed her teaching. Read a little more about the research behind explicit teaching here and here.


To read more about your teaching and learning methods, read Mrs. Lemons’ blog.

 

The Lemons-Aid Team

Lemons-Aid teachers have a few things in common.
❤️ They love their students and value each of their unique strengths and personalities that make our classes special. Our classes can be described as fun, personal, academic, challenging, and supportive.
🤩 We work to keep learners engaged, so there is always a degree of student accountability for their attention and focus, whether that be through asking them direct questions or by using the chatbox.
💭 We know all kids can learn, but sometimes things are hard! To support students, we teach them how to develop effective thinking and learning habits that will bring them success in class and in life.
🌟 Building relationships with students so they know we care about them helps us balance the high expectations we have for them regarding their effort, work quality, and behavior. Our students are encouraged, cared for, and they achieve!

𝙆𝘼𝙍𝙀𝙉 𝙇𝙀𝙈𝙊𝙉𝙎: English Language Arts
#High-Energy #Skilled #Experienced #Relational #Fun
Karen is the Founder of Lemons-Aid. She has a bachelor’s degree in English, a minor in Education, and a master’s degree in Education Administration from Liberty University. With a teaching certificate and a principal’s license in both Washington and Colorado, she has many years of experience teaching English Language Arts and History / Social Studies at the middle school and high school levels. Additionally, she is TESOL and TEFL certified and enjoys teaching English Language Learners from all over the world. She has worked in private and public schools at every level and is currently an affiliate faculty member at Colorado Christian University, supervising teacher candidates in their undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs. She is a teacher of teachers. A homeschool mom herself, she admits that teaching other people’s kids is easier than teaching her own teenage boys! She lives in the Denver, Colorado area where she cheers on the Broncos, Avs, and the Rockies, but her favorite athletes are her own kids who play hockey and baseball!
🎥 Karen’s Intro Video

 

𝑱𝑬𝑵𝑵 𝑹𝑰𝑨𝑳𝑬: English Language Arts
#Experienced #Knowledgeable #Empowering #Patient #Rises Above the Ordinary.
As a certified English teacher, Jenn has taught in some capacity over the course of the past twenty-five years. She has taught middle school and high school English classes in both private and public school settings, tutored international ESL students online, developed and taught literature and public speaking classes for a local homeschool co-op, and homeschooled her own two children. Jenn has a bachelor’s degree in English Education. A strong believer in lifelong learning, Jenn has also taken several graduate-level courses related to teaching. Jenn enjoys spending time with her husband, Mark, and their two teenagers. She enjoys taking day trips close to where they live in upstate New York. In her spare time, Jenn enjoys singing and performing in plays. Additionally, she enjoys curling up on the sofa to read a good book. More than likely, one of her four cats will be curled up at her feet.
🎥 Jenn’s Intro Video

𝙆𝙍𝙄𝙎𝙏𝙀𝙉 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀𝙈𝘼𝙉: Elementary
#Fun #Inspiring #LoveForLearning
Kristen has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a minor in child psychology from Liberty University. For nearly a decade, she has worked in elementary school classrooms, as a private tutor, and as an online ELL teacher. While passionate about education in general, her favorite subjects to both study and teach are reading, grammar, and writing. She and her husband are actively involved in a church where she works as a Sunday School teacher and Children’s Ministry teacher to ages 4-6. No matter where she is teaching, Kristen tries to find ways to connect with her students and to create an exciting classroom that builds a passion for education. It is her desire to not only teach a subject but also to foster a love of learning which inspires students to want to learn more even once the class is completed. Kristen lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and their new baby boy! In her spare time, Kristen loves to create teaching content such as interactive lesson plans, worksheets, and more! She also enjoys doing family outings and crafting.
🎥 Kristen’s Intro Video

𝙈𝙍𝙎. 𝘼𝙇𝙄:
Elementary
#Engaging #Fun #Patient #Kind #Encouraging
Ali has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and has worked with children over the last 11 years. She taught for 6 years in public school, 2 years in Kindergarten and 4 years in First Grade. She has worked as a reading tutor and ESL teacher online for the last 4 years; she has also tutored children in-person in reading, writing, and STEM. Ali believes that every child is a natural learner; she believes that an educator’s goal is to engage each child in the way that they learn best! She is passionate about creating a safe and FUN environment that teaches the whole child. Each time she enters a classroom, whether it is in-person or online, you can find her singing, playing games, and making learning fun. Ali lives in Missouri, near St. Louis with her husband and fur-child (an 80 lb. German Shepherd who doesn’t know how big he is). In her free time she loves reading, writing, crafts, hiking, working out, and spending time with my family.
🎥 Ali’s Intro Video

𝙆𝙄𝙈𝘽𝙀𝙍𝙇𝙔 𝙋𝘼𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙄𝙎𝙄: English
#Energetic #Kind #Encouraging #Authentic #Enthusiastic #Guide
Kim loves life, loves people, and loves learning! She views each student as a team member with his or her own unique talents, skills and life experience to bring to the group. She loves helping students expand their knowledge and sharpen their skills to reach their greatest potential. Kim has a Bachelor’s degree from Cairn University in secondary Education with certification in English (NY and PA) and endorsement in music. Her classroom experience has focused on English, PE and Bible education, but she has tutored in a variety of areas including ESL, special ed, math, history, science and music (piano and voice). She lives in northeast PA with her wonderful family. She has homeschooled all of her seven children. The youngest five are still in school and ensure that every day is an adventure. Kim also coaches intramural and competitive sports throughout the year. She loves music, sports, reading and taking long walks up her dirt road admiring wildflowers, listening to birds and reflecting on what she is learning in life!
🎥 Kim’s Intro Video

Christian Teachers on Outschool

We want to serve you on Lemons-Aid! For first-time learners on Lemons-Aid, you can use the coupon code Newbie20 to get $20 off your first class.

However, if the schedule doesn’t work for you, we will happily teach you on Outschool, but we can’t talk about Jesus.

Use this referral code and get $20 off your first class on Outschool: LEMONSA2020

Christian Outschool Classes

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