As with the other two lessons already in this more significant unit, there are teacher and student notes and a PowerPoint Presentation to help teach the concept. There are also two activities to enhance your student's understanding of the concept. The activity Same Picture-Four Settings has your students redraw the same picture in ways based on setting choices that they get to either choose from or pick from a bowl/hat. The second activity, Describe the Setting, allows your student to practice their writing skills and how they would describe the setting of the picture if they were an author. I've included several photos to choose from or offer variety within your home/school.

Seventh grade is a tough year.  We are getting out of the magical and cutesy young adult literature and into a more mature subject.  The difficulty in this shift is finding literature that is age appropriate.  I tried to find a balance at this level without exposing her to teen subjects we didn’t feel she was ready for.  Hopefully, I have done that well.  I am taking the time to read most of these titles while she reads them, but I also try to read some ahead of her.  I know some books on the list will be a challenge for her or make her think deeper, as with all the book lists I am creating, there are newer books, favorites, and classics from my childhood (and maybe yours too).

The Introduction to the Elements is the second unit in our Beyond Literature Series I introduced last month. This lesson helps set up the following seven lessons.  The format is similar to the first and the rest of the units in this study series.  It is also identical to what is included in each lesson her after.  A PowerPoint presentation, a set of Teachers, and a set of Student notes accompany the presentation.  I have identified five essential elements of literature for this Beyond Series Unit of study.  They include Setting, Characters, Dialogue, Conflict, and Plot.