Target Audience: Grades 6–8 (Lexile 750–1000)
Course Goal: Introduce students to classic literature through age-appropriate texts that build vocabulary, reading comprehension, and literary analysis skills.
Course Overview
This course helps students discover the joy and depth of traditional literature without barriers. Using free classics in the public domain, learners explore universal themes—courage, friendship, imagination, justice, and adventure—through short readings, group discussions, mini-quizzes, and creative writing prompts.
Each unit includes:
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A short introduction video or background mini-lesson
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Assigned reading excerpts (linked to full digital text or audio version)
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Vocabulary and comprehension games
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Discussion prompts for reflection and curiosity
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A creative project or reading response
Unit Breakdown
Unit 1: Friendship and Growth
Book: The Secret Garden
By: Frances Hodgson Burnett
Lexile: ~970L
Focus Skills: Theme, character development, figurative language
Activities: Journal reflection, vocabulary bloom quiz, character empathy map
Unit 2: Courage and Moral Choices
Book: Treasure Island By: Robert Louis Stevenson
Lexile: ~910L
Focus Skills: Plot structure, conflict, moral development
Activities: Treasure mapmaker game, conflict chart, comprehension quiz
Unit 3: Wonder and Imagination
Book: The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame)
Lexile: ~820L
Focus Skills: Setting, tone, symbolism
Activities: Setting design art project, group roles skit, reading races
Unit 4: Identity and Resilience
Book: Anne of Green Gables
M. Montgomery
Lexile: ~890L
Focus Skills: Point of view, character motivation, inference
Activities: Diary writing, quote analysis, creative social post (modern Anne)
Unit 5: Curiosity and Discovery
Book: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Mark Twain
Lexile: ~950L
Focus Skills: Humor, cultural context, moral reasoning
Activities: “Tom’s Challenge” quiz game, timeline builder, role-play debates
- Teacher: Pamela Benjamin Admin Teacher