Middle School Literature
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INTRODUCTION & MATERIALS
What You Need To Know & Buy Before You Begin2 Steps -
Course Introduction Using "A Bargain for Frances"2 Steps
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JOHNNY TREMAINLecture - Johnny Tremain (Pt. 1)2 Steps
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Lecture - Johnny Tremain (Pt. 2)2 Steps
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The Adventures of Tom SawyerLecture - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Pt. 1)2 Steps
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Lecture - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Pt. 2)2 Steps
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Lecture - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Pt. 3)2 Steps
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Across Five AprilsLecture - Across Five Aprils (Pt. 1)2 Steps
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Lecture - Across Five Aprils (Pt.2)2 Steps
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Lecture - Across Five Aprils (Pt. 3)2 Steps
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The Hiding PlaceLecture - The Hiding Place (Pt. 1)2 Steps
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Lecture - The Hiding Place (Pt. 2)2 Steps
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Lecture - The Hiding Place (Pt. 3)2 Steps
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A Christmas CarolLecture - A Christmas Carol (Pt. 1)2 Steps
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Lecture - A Christmas Carol (Pt. 2)2 Steps
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Murder on the Orient ExpressLecture - Murder On the Orient Express2 Steps
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The Fellowship of the RingLecture - The Fellowship of the Ring (Pt. 1)2 Steps
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Lecture - The Fellowship of the Ring (Pt. 2)2 Steps
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Lecture - The Fellowship of the Ring (Pt. 3)2 Steps
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SNOW DAY HOMEWORKNo Class Meeting - assignment only1 Step
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THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGLecture - The Fellowship of the Ring (Pt. 4)2 Steps
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THE CAPTURED SHADOWLecture - The Captured Shadow2 Steps
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ShakespeareLecture - Shakespeare2 Steps
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Lecture - Shakespeare (Pt. 2)2 Steps
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Lecture - Shakespeare (Pt. 3)2 Steps
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Lecture - Shakespeare (Pt. 4)2 Steps
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Lecture - Shakespeare (Pt. 5)2 Steps
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PoetryLecture - Poetry2 Steps
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Short StoriesLecture - Thank You Ma'am2 Steps
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THESIS PAPERSFinal Lecture - Thesis Papers1 Step
Assignment Before Next Lesson
HOMEWORK
1. Finish Johnny Tremain, taking note of specific passages (please note page numbers and paragraphs to mark the location). We will be focusing our discussion on the following questions, so please write down your thoughts or answers as you go through them while you read:
- Complex character traits – things that seem to contradict each other (In what ways is this evident in Johnny? The British soldiers? The Sons of Liberty?)
- What does the protagonist (Johnny) want? Why can’t he have it? Does he overcome his obstacles to achieve his object? (You can also ask these questions about the Sons of Liberty as a group.)
- In your opinion, what is the climax of the story? (Is it circumstantial / emotional / physical or spiritual?) Were you satisfied with the resolution? If not, why not?
- How does the solution of the conflict affect each individual character?
2. Work through Writing and Rhetoric (book 9). Here is a sample schedule:
- Friday – Read pages 1-6. Doing “Talk About It” is optional, but we will answer “Narration” in class, so be prepared.
- Monday – “Memoria” is optional. Do “Go Deeper” sections 1 & 2 (pp 7-9)
- Tuesday – Finish 3 & 4 of the “Go Deeper” section (pp – 12)
3. Write a paragraph describing one character in the story. This does not have to be more than 3-4 sentences, but think about how to use vivid language and examples from the book where possible. This is a prewriting / warm up exercise for Lesson 2.
4. Look at the following pictures of Boston and comments about the historical figures used in Johnny Tremain. We will also be discussing context in class next week: who was the author, and why did she write this?
- I believe Hancock’s Wharf, were the story begins, is over to the Northeast on this map. Beacon Hill, where Hancock(and Lyte) lived, are to the northwest of the Boston Common.
- And here is an interesting article about a survivor of the Boston Tea Party. I thought you might like to compare it to what we read about in Tremain. Tara Ross puts out a lot of great stuff about our country’s history if you want to sign up for her daily emails.
- Boston at the time of the story:
- Boston now:
- Click here for a silhouette of Boston of 1775 overlaid upon Boston today
Download the complete Course Materials for Middle School Literature in one file
