Literary Analysis and Film Making
Focus: Literature and Writing for the Older Scholar with the culminating project of a student film.
Prerequisite: Principal Mentor approval required to register
"Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man." -Francis Bacon.
In The Class we will study language through reading and writing, listening and speaking in a fun but vigorous manner to further develop communication through language skills and progress as life long learners. The scholars will learn how to interpret and evaluate various types of literature to help them respond to their reading in a way that reflects intelligent and thoughtful analysis. We will develop individual scholar writing skills through response to literature, creative writing, and connections to real-life situations and problem solving. We will also take time each week to build vocabulary skills, oral presentation skills, as well as test taking skills.
Sneak peak:
We will focus on five “units” of study: Storytelling (focusing on the impact of stories on humanity and the power of your own story in understanding and achieving personal mission), Screenwriting (seeking to learn more about plot, character, setting and other literary devices), Suspense (with an emphasis on problem solving, asking questions and study skills), Success (with an emphasis on personal development as well as presentation skills and interview skills), and Science Fiction/Fantasy (with attention to developing critical thinking skills as well as leadership qualities).
We will read three books in each six week period (that's two weeks per book!), including a classic novel and a contemporary book as a class and a personal choice book relating to the focus topic. There will also be other assigned readings and lots of writing. We will also do a fun “Super Activity” outside of class that relates to each unit. (Things like filming our screenplays complete with a red carpet gala opening night, a murder mystery party (we will write our own!), and a visit to the local space center.) We will also be hosting a Literary Masquerade Ball as a class fundraiser to support our activities.
There will be a lot of writing and reading and studying outside of class.... expect to spend about two hours per day outside of class reading and preparing your assignments. Yep... that is 10 hours per week!
We will read A LOT, we will write A LOT, and we will have A LOT of fun while doing it!