Birmingham-Bessemer Youth Ministries
Grade 12 Afterschool Program — Advanced Literary Analysis, Critical Thinking, and College Success.
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Program Overview
Complete Curriculum
Click on each component to explore detailed curriculum, week-by-week breakdown, assignments, and assessment methods.
Literary Masterworks
Duration: 10 weeks
Learning Focus
Deep engagement with canonical and contemporary literature from Shakespeare to Morrison.
Key Texts
- Hamlet by William Shakespeare
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin
- Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Skills Developed
- Close reading and textual analysis
- Literary device identification
- Thematic interpretation
- Historical and cultural context
- Cross-textual connections
Major Assessments
- Weekly reading journals (10 × 10 pts)
- 5 analytical essays (various lengths)
- Mid-component exam (100 pts)
- End-of-component portfolio (150 pts)
Critical Essays & Research
Duration: 8 weeks
Learning Focus
Thesis-driven academic writing, research skills, peer review, and revision processes.
Essay Types Mastered
- Literary analysis essays (750-1000 words)
- Comparative analysis (1000 words)
- Research papers (2000-2500 words)
- Annotated bibliographies
- Literature reviews
Skills Developed
- Thesis statement development
- Evidence integration and citation
- Academic voice and style
- Peer review techniques
- Self-editing and revision
- Literary theory application
Major Assessments
- Literary analysis essay (100 pts)
- Annotated bibliography (50 pts)
- Comparative analysis (100 pts)
- Final research paper (200 pts)
- Research presentation (50 pts)
Exam Preparation
Duration: 6 weeks
Learning Focus
AP Literature FRQs, SAT/ACT reading strategies, and timed writing mastery.
Exam Coverage
- AP Literature: Multiple choice strategies (55 questions/60 min)
- AP Literature: Poetry analysis (FRQ #1 - 40 min)
- AP Literature: Prose analysis (FRQ #2 - 40 min)
- AP Literature: Literary argument (FRQ #3 - 40 min)
- SAT Reading comprehension
- ACT Reading strategies
Skills Developed
- Timed essay writing under pressure
- Process of elimination techniques
- Speed reading with comprehension
- Evidence-based reasoning
- Test-day stress management
Major Assessments
- Weekly MCQ practice (6 tests @ 10 pts)
- 9 timed essays @ 50 pts each
- Full-length practice AP exam (100 pts)
- 5 SAT/ACT practice sections (100 pts)
Scholarly Writing
Duration: 4 weeks
Learning Focus
MLA/APA citation, research methodology, and advanced academic writing standards.
Citation Formats
- MLA 9th edition (in-text & works cited)
- APA 7th edition (in-text & references)
- Plagiarism prevention strategies
- Proper paraphrasing techniques
Skills Developed
- Academic integrity and ethics
- Annotated bibliography creation
- Literature review writing
- Research proposal development
- Source evaluation and synthesis
- Academic presentation skills
Major Assessments
- MLA works cited (10 sources - 50 pts)
- APA reference list (10 sources - 50 pts)
- Dual-format research paper (100 pts)
- Annotated bibliography (100 pts)
- Research proposal (100 pts)
- Final scholarly portfolio (125 pts)
Cultural & Global Literacy
Duration: 6 weeks
Learning Focus
Comparative literature, African-American voices, and global perspectives.
Literary Traditions Explored
- Harlem Renaissance literature
- Civil Rights Era voices
- Contemporary Black literature
- Afrofuturism (Butler, Jemisin)
- African literature (West Africa, Nigeria)
- Caribbean voices and diaspora
- Latin American magical realism
- East Asian and South Asian perspectives
Skills Developed
- Cross-cultural analysis
- Postcolonial theory application
- Cultural competency
- Historical context research
- Comparative literature techniques
Major Assessments
- Cultural context research (50 pts)
- Comparative essay (100 pts)
- Author research presentation (100 pts)
- Global literature essay (150 pts)
- Multimedia final presentation (200 pts)
- Reflective essay (100 pts)
Capstone Project
Duration: 4 weeks
Learning Focus
Comprehensive portfolio showcasing mastery across all program components.
Portfolio Components
- Literary Analysis Portfolio (25%): 3 polished essays with reflections
- Research Paper (30%): 2500-3000 words with 10+ sources
- Creative Response (15%): Original work + artist statement
- Test Prep Portfolio (10%): Practice tests and growth documentation
- Reading Reflection (10%): 1500-2000 word reflective essay
- Professional Presentation (10%): 15-minute panel presentation
Creative Options
- Short story or poetry collection
- Video essay or podcast (8-20 minutes)
- Visual art with literary connections
- One-act play or dramatic scene
- Digital storytelling project
Outcome
Professional academic portfolio suitable for college applications and scholarship submissions.
Learning Objectives
🎓 College-Level Reading Comprehension
Engage deeply with classic and contemporary works across genres and cultures to build essential skills for higher education.
✍️ Critical Writing Skills
Produce thesis-driven essays and research papers that meet college-level standards.
🔍 Advanced Analytical Skills
Hone close reading, literary interpretation, and rhetorical analysis (AP Lit aligned).
📚 Test Readiness
Strengthen SAT/ACT reading strategies to boost speed, accuracy, and comprehension.
🌍 Cultural Engagement
Build cultural literacy and broaden perspectives with challenging, diverse texts.
💬 Academic Expression
Expand vocabulary and strengthen communication in written and spoken contexts.
Core Components
📖 Literary Masterworks
Study canonical texts (e.g., Shakespeare, Morrison, Baldwin) shaping literary discourse.
📝 Critical Essays & Research
Thesis-driven arguments, peer review, and revision cycles for strong academic writing.
🎯 Exam Preparation
AP Lit FRQs, reading analysis practice, and SAT/ACT drills.
🔬 Scholarly Writing
MLA/APA citations, annotated bibliographies, and research methodology.
🌎 Cultural & Global Literacy
Comparative literature featuring African-American voices and global perspectives.
🏆 Capstone Project
Final portfolio with analysis, research, and reflections showcasing mastery.
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