Literature and Creative Writing Class
Grades 5 – 8

Who’s the teacher?

Hi, I’m Laura Booz.

Here are a few things you may want to know about me:

  • Homeschooling mother of 5 children, living in Centre Hall, PA
  • Member of Oakwood Presbyterian Church
  • Writer, (LauraBooz.com and Revive Our Hearts’ blog, TrueWoman.com)
  • B.S. in Biology, B.A. in English Literature, M.A. in English Literature
  • Taught composition classes as a Fixed Term Lecturer at Penn State University
  • Helped to start Grace Prep High School, taught English Literature classes

I’m grateful to Ellen McHenry for inviting me into her amazing educational world. On Thursday mornings, Ellen will be teaching science to elementary-aged students. I’m offering a Literature and Creative Writing Class for 5-8th graders during that time. (Then, Ellen will teach 5-8th graders in the afternoon.) Click here for more about Ellen’s science classes.

Sign up for the Literature and Creative Writing Class by emailing me laura(at)laurabooz(dot)com.  Space will be limited to approx. 10 – 12 students.  

 

Story FBI: Part 1.    September 7 to Oct. 26 (10:00- 12:00) (8 classes total)

$80/ student; half for siblings

Students: Discover the good guy, the bad guy, the scene, and the motive in every book. Learn how to have interesting discussions about books, keep your own Commonplace Book, and write a story. These life skills will put you on the trajectory of becoming a literary genius.

Parents: We’ll invest the first hour of class discussing literature. We’ll read, analyze, and discuss one major novel this quarter. The students will learn how to discover a book’s true meaning by identifying point of view, antagonists, protagonists, setting, conflict, and resolution. They’ll learn how to plan ahead for group discussions, hone listening skills, build on one another’s ideas, refer to the text for support, and learn the pleasure of a meaningful conversation about books.

During the second hour, we will work through the process of writing a story. Students will learn how to create story ideas and characters, design a setting, develop important details, write dialogue, and appeal to the reader’s heart.

Shakespeare.    Nov. 2 to Dec. 21 (10:00-12:00) (7 classes total)

$80/ student; half for siblings

Students: I think you’re going to love William Shakespeare. We’ll learn about the man and the plan of his plays. We’ll read, watch, and discuss one of his plays in such a way that you’ll understand it… and maybe even love it. (We’ll even ask a handful of Playmobil people to act it out for us.)

Parents: During these 7 weeks, students will learn biographical information about William Shakespeare, his times, and his work. They will study one of his plays in several formats so that they understand the characters, setting, language, and plot. First, they will listen to an abbreviated version of the play and re-enact it. Then, they will read along as we listen to a dramatized audio version of the play. After that, they will watch the stage play and perform scenes from the play, as it is meant to be enjoyed. Shakespeare is not just for high school students: you’ll be amazed by your student’s ability to grasp and enjoy his beloved plays.

 

Story FBI: Part 2.    Jan.11 to Mar. 1 (10:00-12:00) (8 classes total)

$80/ student; half for siblings

We’ll return to the themes and format of the first quarter, fine-tuning literary skills as we read, analyze, and discuss a second major novel.

 

The Poetry Party.   Mar. 22 to May 3 (10:00-12:00) (7 classes total)

$80/ student; half for siblings

Students: Did you know that poetry is at its best when it’s at a party? Learn how to host poetry parties – from Tea Times to Poetry Slams – with snacks, background music, and ambiance. Find and share poems that you love. Write and share poems that you compose. Read, hear, and understand poems from classmates, dead guys, and complete strangers.

Parents: Students will read, hear, memorize, and discuss a variety of landmark poems. We’ll discuss the major forms of poetry and read samples of each style. Students will compose their own poetry and share it with a classmate. Students will learn how to plan, host, attend, and enjoy a variety of literary parties at which they will read/ perform poems that they have selected.