Pop Culture Literature ECHO 2025/2026

Mary Bernard: [email protected]

Course Description:
This course is a comprehensive literature course designed to teach literature without using “the classics”. I believe “the classics” are classics for a reason; I also believe that they are not the only books that can be used to learn about the purpose and functions of literature.
Using Popular Culture literary works, this course focuses on reading strategies, the writing process, various modes of composition, literary and grammatical concepts and their application, problem-solving and real life application.
NOTES:

• ●  This course is designed for the 9th-10th grade reading level in mind, however 11th and 12th grade students are more than welcome to enroll.
  
• ●  This course has a minimum requirement of 3 enrolled students to “make”.
  
• ●  Content of the course, its policies and its schedule are subject to change.
  Parents/guardians and students will be contacted concerning any changes made.
  Course Objectives
  
• ●  read/analyze/discuss and apply the lessons of various genres of literature
  
• ●  identify/determine/analyze: theme, plot structure, character development, author's purpose and other literary devices
  
• ●  produce writings that include: controlling thesis statements, logical thought processes, text evidence, clear supportive reasoning, decisive conclusions
  
• ●  hone proofreading and revision skills
  
• ●  determine grammatical correctness
  
• ●  evaluate and use resource materials
  Course Materials:
  Writing Materials (for note taking and in class writings.)
  
•  Required Texts
  
  • ○  “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton
    
  • ○  “The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind” by Bryan Mealer and William Kamkwamba
    
  • ○  “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’Nell
    
  • ○  Other readings will be required throughout the year (poems, short stories,
    speeches, song lyrics, etc...) these will be provided by the teacher either
    as a print out or via email
    
  • ○  NOTE: if you have already read these books, that’s okay! There’s always
    a benefit to reading the same book more than once.
    
• ●  Access to the internet / email
  
• ●  Access to a printer