We’re wrapping up our Hero’s Journey series with a fresh twist—this time through the lens of fantasy in eleventh-grade American Literature. Marie shares how she took a bold leap by introducing a fantasy choice novel unit, transforming student engagement and challenging traditional ideas of what counts as “American Lit.” This episode ties together our vertical alignment approach from earlier grades and emphasizes how thoughtfully crafted essential questions and genre expansion can deepen student connection and critical thinking.

We also dive into the power of student choice, sharing how Socratic seminars, rhetorical analysis, and multimedia pairings help students explore themes like escape, identity, and morality. You’ll hear our favorite supplemental texts and movies, a suggested summative assessment, and four key features to focus on throughout the unit. And if you’re a Happy Hour member, you’ll get access to this entire unit! Join us next week as we kick off another summer of Camp BNT!

Resources:

• Jib Fowles’ “Advertising’s 15 Basic Appeals”
• Legendborn, by Tracy Deonn
• House in the Cerulean Sea, by Tj Klune
• Percy Jackson, by Rick Riordan
• Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas

Related Episodes:

• Episode 63, Choice Reading 101
• Episode 96, How to Select Choice Reading + Our 20 Favorite Classroom Books
• Episode 256, Teaching the Hero’s Journey: Dos and Don’ts of Unit Design
• Episode 257, Teaching the Hero’s Journey: Studying The Hobbit for Middle School ELA
• Episode 258, Teaching the Hero’s Journey: Studying the Odyssey for 9-10 Grade ELA

SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode259

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Ready to make your summer reading program awesome? Head to bravenewteaching.com/summerreading

Support the show

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

• Join Happy Hour!
• Curriculum Rehab
• Down with the Reading Quiz
• Shop the BNT Resource Library
• Connect with us on Instagram @bravenewteaching
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel