After each reading students will complete a formative assessment. They will complete dictation after each reading. Dictation is when they write passages as they are being read aloud to them. This helps them memorize spelling and sentence structure. They choose a three-paragraph passage, read it, and then write it as it’s read aloud to them. Afterward, they compare their work to the original and make corrections. After writing the passage, have them read it out loud. Written narrations continue with full sentences, correct capitalization, and punctuation. Finally, they will select 11 vocabulary words from each reading. Have them write down the vocabulary word, look up and write down the definition, and then use the word to write a sentence (either from the book or a sentence they make up).

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At the end of the book students will complete a summative assessment. Summative assessments for level 11 are completed as written essays, research papers, and creative writing assignments.

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Book 101: A Brief History of Element Discovery, Synthesis, and Analysis by Glen W. Watson

​📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon

 

Essay prompt: In A Brief History of Element Discovery, Synthesis, and Analysis, Glen W. Watson discusses the significant milestones in the discovery and synthesis of chemical elements. Choose one element and explore its historical context, the key scientists involved in its discovery, and the methods used to isolate or synthesize it. How did this discovery impact the field of chemistry or society at large? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are a scientist in the midst of discovering a new element. Write a journal entry documenting your thoughts, feelings, and experiences during this groundbreaking moment.

 

Research paper prompt: The impact of the periodic table on the organization and understanding of chemical elements.

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Book 102: The Chemical History of a Candle by Michael Faraday

📕Recommended print edition: Living Book Press | Illustrated Edition

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Essay prompt: In The Chemical History of a Candle, Michael Faraday explores the science behind the burning of a candle, examining its chemical reactions and the principles of combustion. Choose a specific aspect of candle combustion that Faraday discusses, such as the role of wax, the production of heat and light, or the byproducts of burning. Explain how Faraday's analysis enhances our understanding of chemical reactions and their relevance to everyday life. Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are Michael Faraday, conducting an experiment to study the combustion of a candle. Write a journal entry documenting your observations, thoughts, and feelings during this experiment.

 

Research paper prompt: The process of combustion and its applications in everyday life, such as in engines, cooking, and heating.

 

 

Book 103: Plutarch: Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans by Plutarch

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon

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Essay prompt: In Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans, Plutarch provides biographies of key figures in ancient Greece and Rome, exploring their virtues, vices, and the historical context of their lives. Choose one of the figures Plutarch examines and analyze their character traits and actions. How did these traits influence their success or failure? What lessons can we learn from their lives that are relevant today? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are one of the historical figures featured in Plutarch's Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans. Write a journal entry from their perspective, reflecting on a significant event in their life.

 

Research paper prompt: An exploration of the historical context of the Greco-Roman world during the lives of the figures Plutarch wrote about, including social, political, and cultural factors.

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A Daughter of the Samurai by Etsuko Sugimoto

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon | Warbler Classics

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Essay Prompt: In A Daughter of the Samurai by Etsu Inagaki Sugimoto, Etsu reflects on her childhood in Japan and her experiences as an adult in America. Analyze how the cultural differences between Japan and America shaped her identity and worldview. Consider how her upbringing in Japan influenced her adaptation to American society. Use examples from the text to explore these contrasts and their impact on her perspective.

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Creative Writing Prompt: Imagine you are a storyteller sharing Etsu Inagaki Sugimoto's journey with a group of listeners. Describe her life growing up in a samurai family in Japan, her transition to life in America, and the unique cultural insights she gained from living in both worlds. Highlight key moments from her story that reveal the contrasts between Japanese and American culture.

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Research Paper Prompt: A comparative study of the roles and expectations of women in Japan and the United States during the time of A Daughter of the Samurai. Explore how societal norms, education, and family life differed for women in these two cultures. Use examples from the book to illustrate these differences and discuss their implications for women’s lives.

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Book 105: The Iliad by Homer

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon | Penguin Classics

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Essay prompt: In The Iliad, Homer explores themes of honor, fate, and the human condition through the experiences of its characters during the Trojan War. Choose a character, such as Achilles, Hector, or Agamemnon, and analyze their motivations and actions throughout the epic. How do these motivations shape their destiny and the outcome of the war? What does their story reveal about the nature of heroism and the impact of personal choices on broader events? Use examples from the text to support your analysis.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are a warrior in the Trojan War, writing a journal entry during a pivotal moment in the conflict. Choose a specific event or battle to focus on.

 

Research paper prompt: An exploration of the historical and cultural context of the Trojan War and how it is depicted in The Iliad.

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Book 106: The Odyssey by Homer

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon | Penguin Classics

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Essay prompt: In The Odyssey, Homer tells the story of Odysseus’s long journey home after the Trojan War, exploring themes of adventure, loyalty, and the struggle against fate. Choose a significant episode from Odysseus’s journey, such as his encounter with the Cyclops, the Sirens, or his time with Circe. Analyze how this episode reflects Odysseus’s character and the challenges he faces. What lessons can we learn from his experiences about perseverance, cleverness, and the importance of home? Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, writing a journal entry while waiting for his return. Your entry should reflect your thoughts, feelings, and the challenges you face during his absence.

 

Research paper prompt: An analysis of the concept of hospitality (xenia) in The Odyssey and its impact on the story and characters.

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Book 107: Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon | Dover Thrift

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Essay prompt: In Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse tells the story of a young man’s journey to find enlightenment and self-discovery. Choose a key moment in Siddhartha’s journey, such as his time with the Samanas, his love for Kamala, or his experiences as a merchant. Analyze how this moment shapes his understanding of life and spirituality. What lessons does Siddhartha learn about himself and the nature of happiness? Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are Siddhartha, writing a reflection after a significant event in your journey.

 

Research paper prompt: The cultural experience of Siddhartha.

 

 

Book 108: The Arabian Nights by Andrew Lang

📕Recommended print edition: Living Book Press | Illustrated Edition

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Essay prompt: The Arabian Nights is a collection of stories featuring themes of adventure, magic, and morality. Choose one story from the collection, such as “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” or “The Fisherman and the Jinni,” and analyze the moral lessons it conveys. How do the characters' choices reflect these lessons? Discuss the importance of storytelling within the narrative and how it influences the characters’ lives and decisions. Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

 

Creative writing prompt: Choose one of the stories from the Arabian Nights and discuss how you would adapt it to a new art form, such as a play, a movie, a song, or a video game.

 

Research paper prompt: An analysis of the cultural and historical context of The Arabian Nights and how it reflects the values and beliefs of the time.

 

 

Book 109: Macbeth by William Shakespeare

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon | Dover Thrift

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Essay prompt: In Macbeth, Shakespeare explores themes of ambition, power, and guilt. Choose a key moment in the play, such as Macbeth's encounter with the witches or Lady Macbeth's descent into madness. Analyze how this moment reveals the characters' motivations and the consequences of their actions. What does it teach us about the nature of ambition and morality? Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

 

Creative writing prompt: Write a brief letter from Macbeth to Lady Macbeth after he becomes king. In your letter, express his feelings about their actions and the consequences they are facing. Consider how his ambition and guilt are affecting him.

 

Research paper prompt: Explore the historical context of the Elizabethan era and how it influenced Shakespeare's writing.

 

 

Book 110: The Aeneid by Virgil

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon | Penguin Classics

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Essay prompt: In The Aeneid, Virgil tells the story of Aeneas and his journey to find a new homeland for the Trojans. Choose a significant episode from the epic, such as Aeneas's encounter with Dido or his descent into the Underworld. Analyze how this episode reveals Aeneas’s character and the themes of duty, fate, and sacrifice. What does this tell us about the values of Roman society? Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

 

Creative writing prompt: Write a brief letter from Aeneas to his father, Anchises, after he has arrived in Italy. In your letter, describe his thoughts on the challenges he has faced, his feelings about leaving Dido, and his hopes for the future of the Trojans.

 

Research paper prompt: Greek mythology expressed in art throughout history.