Ancient Literature and Composition (5-6)

OVERVIEW

This year-long class is a combo 5th and 6th grade core class that covers English Language Arts Literature and Composition using Ancient History as the theme focus.  This class is for the more independent reader and writer as homework expectations require students to read every week and be able to complete writing and presentation tasks in class and at home. 

It will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00AM to 10:00AM.  Students enrolled in this course will be enrolled for the entire class time on BOTH days, BOTH semesters.  

The structure of this class will be a project-based learning approach.  Students will read historical fiction novels that align with ancient history themes, create timelines, write different types of essays, and choose from a variety of projects to help facilitate cooperative learning across all subjects.  Students will be encouraged to speak in front of others and present their projects. Learning will take place in a safe, exciting, and interactive environment where students are taught how to have a growth mindset as they work collaboratively. 

My goal with this course is to support, challenge, and encourage all students and spark a love of learning, reading, writing, and collaboration.  I am looking forward to reading our novels together and immersing ourselves in ancient history.

HOMEWORK:

Weekly homework is assigned and required to be completed to be successful in this course.  On average, you should allow for approximately 1-2 hours for these core subjects, depending upon how quickly your child completes activities and reading, on each homeschool day (M, W, F).  All students work at different paces, and some may require more time than others.  I will not be collecting or grading homework, however, it is important that homework is completed and brought to class for class discussions and activities.  Most of the homework will be composed of reading, writing, discussions, and class projects to be finished at home.

CLASSROOM SUPPLIES:

• 2 Compositions notebooks: Reading, Writing
• Mechanical pencils w/ extra lead (no pencil sharpeners please, these are super messy and distracting)
• Fine Tip Dry Erase Markers (multipack) 
• Dry Eraser (felt or an old sock, clean please, will work)
• Colored pencils (no markers please)
• Yellow and green highlighter
• Post-it notes
• Tape
• Glue stick (permanent please)
• Scissors
• Additional supplies worth having: supply box, backpack, tissue, and hand sanitizer

REQUIRED CURRICULUM:

LANGUAGE ARTS:

All students will be expected to read independently in this class.  Throughout the year, we will be reading five novels/literature books.  Each book/novel will take about six weeks to read through and study.  Chapters will be assigned to be read at home.  In class, we will discuss and study different literary elements that include the following: plot, conflict, character, setting, point of view, theme, tone/mood.  We will also be discussing the historical context of each of the time periods these novels encompass. 

A short portion of the day will be dedicated to giving mini lessons in novel vocabulary, as well as Greek and Latin roots.  Grammar and spelling instruction/curriculum will not be included in this course, so please plan accordingly.

Literature Books/Novels:

• The Bronze Bow - Elizabeth Speare
• The Golden Bull: A Mesopotamian Adventure Paperback - Marjorie Cowley
• Golden Goblet - Eloise Jarvis McGraw
• Adara - Beatrice Gormley
• The Children's Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy Paperback - Padraic Colum

Other Materials Needed:

• Ancient Timeline (optional)
• Ancient and Medieval Map optional)
• Encyclopedia of the Ancient World (optional)

Vocabulary:

• Word Roots Level 1

TUITION:

The cost of this course is $400/semester and will be paid directly to ETHOS. They will provide you with payment information and schedules.

MATERIAL FEE:

This core course tuition material fee is $20/semester.  This material fee is due prior to the first day of instruction and acts as a deposit for the class.

Please send this material fee payment to my direct (Brooke-Farlow1) or you can write a personal check. Please contact me if you need to mail the check at least two weeks prior to the first day of instruction.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Brooke Farlow
[email protected]
208-283-2924