Language Arts
Core Subjects
Welcome to MiaPrep! This program launched in August 2021 and is constantly expanding. You will find a snapshot of currently available lessons below. Additional lessons are added on a weekly basis. You won’t need to worry about running out of relevant learning materials! MiaPrep does not limit the learning opportunities of children, but instead enable every member to advance at their own pace. Students who have mastered grade-specific material can move on to more advanced studies. Similarly, members who need more time or lack fundamentals in certain subject areas are encouraged to go back and revisit lower-grade subject material without being told that they lag behind. Please note that all subject areas are optional. From your parent account, you can give or remove access to any subject based on your family’s needs.
Reading Comprehension: Level H
Recommended Grade: 7
Unit 1: Fiction
Elements of Fiction and Bud, Not Buddy
Close Reading and Chains
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Restart
Ghost
The Lightning Thief
Hello, Universe
The House on Mango Street
Bridge to Terabithia
The Night Diary
Red Fox Road
When You Trap a Tiger
Unit 2: Literary Nonfiction
Elements of Literary Nonfiction and The Diary of a Young Girl
The Boys in the Boat
The Playbook
Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge
Unit 3: Drama
Elements of Drama and A Lesson in Love
The Diary of Anne Frank
Coding for Clean Water
Mark is Missing
Unit 4: Poetry
Elements of Poetry and “The Road Not Taken”
“A Dream Within a Dream”
The Magical Imperfect
Out of the Dust
Unit 5: Nonfiction
Finding the Central Idea and “Folding Future”
Words in Context and “Harvest Heroes”
“The Terracotta Army”
“The Lungs of the Planet”
“Rebirth: The Renaissance”
“Vanished! Unraveling the Bermuda Triangle”
“A Glow Like No Other: The Northern Lights”
“Myths of Fire and Water”
“Crystal Kingdoms and Darkened Dens”
“The Adrenaline-Packed World of Parkour”
“Harbor Giants”
“Rapa Nui’s Silent Sentinels”
Reading Comprehension: Level I
Recommended Grade: 8
Unit 1: Fiction
Elements of Fiction and The Maze Runner
Close Reading and Amal Unbound
Refugee
The Outsiders
The Pearl
The Book Thief
Esperanza Rising
The Giver
Dry
A Land of Permanent Goodbyes
The Phantom Tollbooth
Number the Stars
Unit 2: Literary Nonfiction
Elements of Literary Nonfiction and Night
Soul Surfer
Unbroken
Amelia Lost
Unit 3: Drama
Elements of Drama and Pygmalion
The Reckoning
Alice in Wonderland
Miss Civilization
Unit 4: Poetry
Elements of Poetry and “Annabel Lee”
Ghost House
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
The Door of No Return
Unit 5: Nonfiction
Finding the Central Idea and “How Mascots Became Sports’ Hype Squad”
Words in Context and “From the Gold Rush to Fashion Week”
Fast Blades, Quick Minds
Beyond the Event Horizon
Art on the Streets
The Chameleon”s Chromatic Conversations
Level Up: The Saga of Video Games
How Drones Are Changing the Game
Living Large in Little Spaces
Atlantis: Mystery, Myth, or Lost Megacity?
Ancient Rays, Modern Ways: Solar Energy
Rock”s Electric Heartbeat: The Electric Guitar
Foundations in Language Arts 1 (Revised 2024)
Recommended Grade: 7
Unit 1: Navigating Narratives
Welcome to Foundations in Language Arts 1
Introduction to Unit 1: Journey Into Narrative Writing
Twists and Turns: Narrative Structure
Viewpoint Voyage: Point of View
Dynamic Characters: Characterization Techniques
Time and Terrain: Setting
Opposing Forces: Conflict in Stories
Reading the Room: Identifying Mood
Diving Deep: Theme in Stories
Bridging the Gap: Using Transition Words
Desert of Description: Adjectives and Adverbs
Painting With Words: Descriptive Language
Narrative Navigators: Writing Narratives
Unit 2: Engaging With Nonfiction
Introduction to Unit 2: Engaging With Nonfiction
Core Concepts: Central Ideas and Supporting Details
A Piece of PIE: Identifying Author’s Purpose
Cluing In: Context Clues
Reality Reads: Informative Texts
Expository Exploring: Writing Informative Texts
Knowledge Navigator: Using Sources
Intro to Influence: Reading Persuasive Texts
Textual Temperature: Identifying Tone
Persuasive Power: Writing Persuasive Texts
Speaking Directly: Passive vs. Active Voice
The Perfect Pairing: Subject-Verb Agreement
Nonfiction Workshop
Unit 3: Genre Journey
Introduction to Unit 3: Narrative Genres
Mystery and Suspense: Reading Mysteries
Science Fiction: Beyond Reality
Fantasy: Fantastical Worlds
Adventure Fiction: Thrills and Spills
Historical Fiction: Blending Fact and Fiction
Realistic Fiction: Everyday Drama
Quotation Quest: Using Dialogue in Writing
Time Travel With Tenses
Genre Reflections
Unit 4: Media Literacy: Reading Between the Lines
Introduction to Unit 4: Media Literacy
Facts and Opinions: Evaluating News Media
Pitch Perfect: Analyzing Advertisements
Navigating the Online World: Social Media
Polished Prose vs. Friendly Phrases: Formal and Informal Register
Beyond Words: Film and Visual Literacy
Picture This: Graphic Novels and Comics
Media Literacy Project
Unit 5: The Power of Poetry
Introduction to Unit 5: Poetry
Beyond the Literal: Figurative Language
Painting With Words: Imagery
Finding Connections: Metaphors and Similes
Alive in Words: Personification
Stretching the Truth: Hyperbole
All About Alliteration: Sound Devices
Poetry Foundations: Poetic Structure
Dancing With Words: Creating Structure
Tales to Tunes: Ballads
Songs of the Soul: Lyric Poetry
Wearing a Poet’s Shoes: Writing Poetry
Voices Unleashed: Spoken Word Poetry
Sharing Your Voice: Poetry Presentation
Unit 6: World Literature Exploration
Introduction to Unit 6: World Literature
African Folktales and Contemporary Literature
Latin American Voices
Asian Philosophical Texts
Indigenous Narrative and Oral Traditions
Global Narratives Project
Course Reflection
Foundations in Language Arts 2
Recommended Grade: 8
Unit 1: Home
Welcome to Foundations in Language Arts 2
Defining Home
Forced From Home
When Home is No Longer Safe
Home Is What You Make It
Home: A Place to Grow
Descriptive Writing
Unit 2: Compelling Stories
The Elements of Short Stories
Setting and Mood in “The Masque of the Red Death”
Point of View in “The Emperor’s New Clothes”
Theme in “Ruthless”
Characterization in “The Hunter’s Lodge Case”
Narrative Writing
Unit 3: Overcoming Adversity
Main Idea and Helen Keller
Author’s Purpose and Malala Yousafzai
Figurative Language and Ernest Shackleton
Tone and Stephen Hawking
Rhetorical Analysis and Nelson Mandela
Memoir Writing
Unit 4: Research
Breaking Down Bias
Red Flags of Bias
Introduction to Research
Finding Reliable Sources
All About Evidence
Research Project
Unit 5: Twelfth Night
Introduction to Shakespeare
Dramatic Structures in Twelfth Night
Symbolism in Twelfth Night
Irony in Twelfth Night
Close Reading of Twelfth Night
Universal Themes in Twelfth Night
Dramatic Writing
Unit 6: Writing for a Better World
Introduction to Argument
Blueprints for Persuasive Writing
Connect With Your Audience
Power Up With Persuasive Techniques
Steer Clear of Logical Fallacies
Share Your Vision: Final Project
English 1
Recommended Grade: 9
Unit 1: Greek Mythology
Intro to Greek Mythology
Pandora’s Box
Theseus and the Minotaur
Daedalus and Icarus
Perseus and Medusa
Greek Mythology Recap
Unit 2: Poetry
Intro to Poetry
Meter and Rhyme
Figurative Language
Denotation and Connotation
Allegory and Allusion
Poetry Recap
Unit 3: Short Stories
Intro to Short Stories
A Retrieved Reformation
The Last Leaf
Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen
The Gift of the Magi
Short Stories Recap
Unit 4: Novel
Intro to Treasure Island
Treasure Island Part 2
Treasure Island Part 3
Treasure Island Part 4
Treasure Island Part 5
Treasure Island Part 6 and Recap
Unit 5: Romeo and Juliet
Intro to Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet: Act 2
Romeo and Juliet: Act 3
Romeo and Juliet: Act 4
Romeo and Juliet: Act 5
Romeo and Juliet Recap
Unit 6: The Power of Words
Intro to The Power of Words
Types of Appeals
Logical Fallacies
Rhetorical Devices
Text Structure
The Power of Words Recap
English 2
Recommended Grade: 10
Unit 1: Short Stories
Introduction to Short Stories
Irony and Characterization
“A Jury of Her Peers”
Stories of Edgar Allan Poe
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
Unit Review: Short Stories
Unit 2: Poetry
Introduction to Poetry
Comparing and Contrasting Poems
Sonnets
Point of View
Morality Poetry
Unit Review: Poetry
Unit 3: The Odyssey
Introduction to The Odyssey
Odysseus Departs Ogygia
Odysseus Tells His Story
The Journey Home
The End of the Hero’s Journey
Unit Review: The Odyssey
Unit 4: Pride and Prejudice
Introduction to Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice, Chapters 13-22
Pride and Prejudice, Chapters 23-37
Pride and Prejudice, Chapters 38-48
Pride and Prejudice, Chapters 49-61
Unit Review: Pride and Prejudice
Unit 5: Othello
Introduction to Othello
Othello, Act 1
Othello, Act 2
Othello, Act 3
Othello, Act 4
Othello, Act 5 and Unit Review
Unit 6: The Art of Argument
Introduction to The Art of Argument
The Needs of an Audience
The Rhetorical Situation
The Three Appeals
Language Deviations
Unit Review: The Art of Argument
English 3
Recommended Grade: 11
Unit 1: Pre-Colonial Period, Colonialism, and Early Nationalism
Intro to Pre-Colonial Period, Colonialism, and Early Nationalism
Colonialism
Puritanism
Enlightenment
Early Nationalism
Unit 1 Recap
Unit 2: Romanticism
Intro to Romanticism
Fireside Poets
Dark Romantics
Gothic Literature
Voices of Abolition
Unit 2 Recap
Unit 3: Transcendentalism
Intro to Transcendentalism
Henry David Thoreau
Walt Whitman
Emily Dickinson
Alcott and Fuller
Unit 3 Recap
Unit 4: Realism and Naturalism
Intro to Realism and Naturalism
Crane and London
Kate Chopin
Wharton and Cather
Masters and Sinclair
Unit 4 Recap
Unit 5: Modernism
Intro to Modernism
Faulkner and Hemingway
The Great Gatsby, Chapters 1-3
The Great Gatsby, Chapters 4-6
The Great Gatsby, Chapters 7-9
Unit 5 Recap
Unit 6: The Harlem Renaissance
Intro to The Harlem Renaissance
Langston Hughes
Zora Neale Hurston
Locke and Du Bois
Fauset and Larsen
Unit 6 Recap
High School Writing
Recommended Grade: 9 – 12
Unit 1: Introduction to High School Writing
Why Am I Taking This Course?
We’re Not in Middle School Anymore
Everything’s an Argument
Unit 2: Types of Writing
Types of Writing Overview
Let Me Explain: Expository Writing
Analyze This: The Analytical Essay
Allow Me to Persuade You: Persuasive Writing and Speaking
How To: Technical Writing
Asking All the Right Questions: Intro to Research Writing
Workin’ It: Professional Writing
Tell Me a Story: Narrative Writing
Unit 2 Assessment
Unit 3: The Structure of an Essay
The 10,000 Foot Overview: Elements of Academic Writing
The Thesis Statement, Center of The Essay’s Universe
Body Building: Overview of the Body Paragraph
Like a Detective: Using Evidence to Make a Claim
What Does it All Mean? Explaining and Analyzing Your Evidence
Now Announcing: The Introduction
The End at Last: The Conclusion Paragraph
Unit 3 Assessment
Unit 4: Evidence Deep Dive
Evidence Review: What We Already Know
What Counts as Evidence?
Direct Quote or Paraphrase?
Unit 4 Assessment
Unit 5: Research
Research Redux
What’s Your Source?
The Trustometer: Evaluating Sources
Mix It All Together with Synthesis
The Big Idea: Forming Your Argument
The Grand Finale: Presenting Your Findings
Unit 6: Final Project
You’re on Your Own, Kid: Final Project
Creative Writing
Recommended Grade: 9 – 12
Unit 1: Becoming a Writer
Welcome to Creative Writing
Writing Habits
Writing Inspiration
Unit 2: The Writer’s Tools
Introduction to Unit 2: The Writer’s Tools
Establishing Settings
Crafting Characters
Communicating Characters
Considering Conflicts
Planning Plots
Project: Novel Plan
Unit 3: The Writer’s Techniques
Introduction to Unit 3: The Writer’s Techniques
Nuanced Narration
Wise Word Choice
Deliberate Details
Powerful Pacing
Successful Starts and Effective Endings
Project: Novel Scenes
Unit 4: The World as a Writer
Introduction to Unit 4: The World as a Writer
Personal Essays and Structure
Travel Writing and Tone
Nature Writing and Mood
Literary Journalism and Creative Ethics
Project: Creative Nonfiction Workshop
Unit 5: The Art of Writing Poetry
Introduction to Unit 5: The Art of Writing Poetry
Creative Constraints: Structured Poetry
Economy of Language: Haibun and Haiku
Between the Lines: Free Verse
Project: Poetry Portfolio
Unit 6: Multimedia Writing
Introduction to Unit 6: Multimedia Writing
From Page to Stage: Drama
From Scene to Screen: Screenplays
The Reader’s Role: Interactive Fiction
Project: Pitch Your Piece
Unit 7: Writing a Short Story
Introduction to Unit 7: Writing a Short Story
Ideating: Plan Your Story
Writing: Draft Your Story
Revising: Polish Your Story
Write On: Course Reflection
Journalism in the Digital Age
Recommended Grade: 10 – 12
Unit 1: Journalism Essentials
Welcome to Journalism in the Digital Age
Journalism’s Roles in Society
Freedom of the Press: Rights and Ethics
Unmasking Media Villains
Navigating the Media Maze
Adventures in Journalism
Unit 2: Welcome to the Newsroom
Newsworthiness and Style
The Structure of a News Story
Ensuring Accuracy in Reporting
The Art of the Interview
Headline Story: Your Newswriting Project
Unit 3: Digital Storytelling
Journalism Goes Social
A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words
Podcasting: Audio Stories Unfold
On-Air and Online: Broadcast and Video Journalism
Clicks, Likes, and Shares: Your Digital Story
Unit 4: Exploring Journalistic Genres
Portraits in Print
Voices and Views
Fascinating Features
The Art of Critique
Words of Wisdom
Specialized Storytelling
Genre Journey: Crafting Your Signature Story
Unit 5: Investigative Reporting Revealed
Truth Seekers in Action
The Inside Scoop on Human Sources
Paper Trail to the Truth
Behind the Crime Scene Tape
Reporting Within the Law
Uncover the Facts: Investigative Report
Unit 6: The Road to Publication
The Publishing Path
Crafting Visual Appeal
Picture the Facts
So You Want To Be a Journalist
Portfolio: Showcasing Your Journalism Journey
Myths and Legends
Recommended Grade: 9 – 12
Unit 1: Creation and Making Sense of Chaos
Introduction to Myths and Legends
Chaos and Ancient Greece
Balancing Chaos in Ancient China
The Sky Woman and the Haudenosaunee
Quetzalcoatl and the Nahua
Asgard and the Norsemen
Unit 2: Ancient Heroes
The Hero’s Journey and “The Ballad of Hua Mulan”
The Legends of Fionn
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Heracles and the Twelve Labors
The Hero’s Legacy
Unit 3: Love, Sacrifice, and Transformation
Orpheus, Eurydice, and the Underworld
Persephone, Hades, and Ancient Greece
Parvati, Shiva, and the Story of Annapurna
Wanjiru, the Warrior, and the Kikuyu
Isis, Osiris, and Ancient Egypt
Princess Kaguya, the Bamboo Cutter, and Ancient Japan
Love, Sacrifice, and Transformation in a Modern Myth
Unit 4: Tricksters and Mythical Creatures
Loki: The God of Mischief
Anansi the Spider
Iktómi: The Spider Fairy
Baba Yaga: The Wicked Witch?
Maui: Hero or Trickster?
Hermes: Trickster of Ancient Greece
Unit 5: Monsters and Urban Legends
The Eternal Saga of the Vampire
The Monster of Loch Ness and Sea Serpents
Sasquatch: A North American Legend
Mothman: A 20th-Century Monster
What Monsters and Urban Legends Say About Us
The Making of an Urban Legend
Unit 6: Myths and Legends Wrap-Up
Mythological Mission Wrap-Up
Literary Analysis
Recommended Grade: 11 – 12
Unit 1: Reasoning
Intro Week
Determining Explicit and Implicit Ideas
Analogical Reasoning Part 1
Analogical Reasoning Part 2
Understanding Relationships
Unit 1 Review
Unit 2: Textual Evidence
Citing Textual Evidence
Unit 2 Review
Unit 3: Context
Analyzing Word Choice
Interpreting Words and Phrases in Context
Unit 3 Review
Unit 4: Core Ideas and Purpose
Point of View and Author’s Purpose
Determining Central Ideas and Themes
Summarizing
Unit 4 Review
Unit 5: Analyzing Arguments
Assessing Reasoning
Claims and Counterclaims
Evidence
Unit 5 Review
Unit 6: Text Structure
Analyzing Multiple Texts
Analyzing Part-Whole Relationships
Analyzing Text Structure
Unit 6 Review
Unit 7: Review
Units 1 and 2 Review
Units 3 and 4 Review
Units 5 and 6 Review
Applied Learning
A unique strength of Miaprep is that much of the learning happens in a playful way by interacting with the community. This requires that you enable Community features on our sites and allow at least some interaction with other members. The level of interaction can be set in the Learning Community section of your parent account.
Writing for the Weekly Newspaper
Our weekly site-wide newspaper provides an opportunity for students to practice their writing skills in the following categories:
Short Stories Budding authors share stories.
Chapter Books For children writing a longer/continuing story, they can post one part or chapter each week.
Poems Rhyming or not, beautiful thought pictures painted in words.
Fan Fiction Continuing the story from favorite books, movies, or shows.
Reviews Reviews of books, movies, comic books, video games, etc…
Sports and Hobbies Children share about their passion or hobbies.
Short Stories Budding authors share stories.
Chapter Books For children writing a longer/continuing story, they can post one part or chapter each week.
Poems Rhyming or not, beautiful thought pictures painted in words.
Fan Fiction Continuing the story from favorite books, movies, or shows.
Reviews Reviews of books, movies, comic books, video games, etc…
Sports and Hobbies Children share about their passion or hobbies.
Creating Artwork
The Design Studio (accessible through the “My World” page) enables children to create artwork in the categories “clothing,” “furniture,” and “art.” Our members can decorate their castles and their avatars with these creations.
Business Simulation
Marketing and Advertising Students who have the Community feature option enabled can run their own shops, filled with their creations (see above). Many want their shops to be featured as a “top shop” which requires a large number of other members to become their customers. Applied MathSetting prices Determining prices is a practical application of mathematics. Setting a price too high will make it unlikely for a product to be sold. Setting it too low, on the other hand, means forgoing profits! Members set prices for each item in their stores. The prices determine the profit that they will make with each sale, as there is also a production cost involved in each sale. In addition, through the “My Business” game, members can run sales promotions (reducing the price, but being promoted in return) as another way to adjust prices. Similarly, authors of newspaper articles can set an asking price for advertisement placement on their articles. Other members can then decide based on the quality of the article and the asking price if they want to place the article there.
Reducing cost When selling an item, members receive the difference between the price they have set and the “production cost,” i.e., the price of a blank template of the same item. Through the My Business game, they can choose to purchase different levels of machinery to reduce production cost. This, of course, only makes sense if they are selling enough items to justify the cost of the machine. The sales trend for each item can be monitored in the My Business game and children can apply math according to their abilities to evaluate for which items they want to buy a cost-reducing machine.
