A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning | Novel Study, 5th-8th Grades
Explore the darkly humorous world of The Bad Beginning in this novel study. Students will analyze themes of resilience, family, and character development while diving into the Baudelaire orphans' misadventures.
Tammy Matthews
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5.0
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New on Outschool
What's included
8 live meetings
7 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursAssignments
4+ hours per week. Students will be required to read outside of class.Assessment
7 or more throughout the classClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 7
Intermediate - Advanced Level
In this class, students will: Explore the story of the Baudelaire orphans and their adventures. Analyze the characters, especially the clever Baudelaire kids and the villainous Count Olaf. Discuss important themes like family, bravery, and dealing with tough situations. Learn how to identify the plot structure and key events in the story. Participate in fun activities that help them think critically about the book and its lessons. By the end of the class, students will have a deeper understanding of the book and how to connect it to their own lives!
Learning Goals
Determine a theme of the story from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges, and be able to summarize the text.Read and comprehend literature at the high end of their grade-level complexity band independently and proficiently.
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 2 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to the Baudelaires and Count Olaf (Chapters 1-2)
Lesson Focus: Introduction to the Baudelaire orphans and their tragic situation. Setting and atmosphere are discussed.
Vocabulary: Orphan, catastrophe, mansion, sorrow.
Writing Activity: Write a letter from one of the Baudelaire children to a friend, describing their feelings about the loss of their parents. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
The Miserable Mansion and First Encounter with Count Olaf (Chapters 3-4)
Lesson Focus: The orphans’ first meeting with Count Olaf and his sinister intentions. Focus on the first signs of trouble in the mansion.
Vocabulary: Schemes, sinister, villain, despair.
Writing Activity: Write a journal entry from the perspective of one of the Baudelaires about their first day in Count Olaf’s house. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Count Olaf’s Evil Plot Unfolds (Chapters 5-6)
Lesson Focus: The orphans start to understand Count Olaf’s plans. Discuss how the characters begin to show their strength and resourcefulness.
Vocabulary: Devious, cunning, predicament, helpless.
Writing Activity: Create a "Wanted Poster" for Count Olaf, describing his crimes and personality traits. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
The Audition and the Evil Plan (Chapters 7-8)
Lesson Focus: Count Olaf’s play and how it connects to his larger plan. The orphans’ growing realization of how dangerous Olaf is.
Vocabulary: Audition, performance, betrayal, manipulation.
Writing Activity: Write a short review of Count Olaf’s play from the perspective of one of the Baudelaire kids. 55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
While the book has dark elements, it's not a horror novel or a book designed to scare readers. It's more of a dark and unusual adventure story. Extremely sensitive children might find it unsettling.
Pre-Requisites
Must read at a 4th grade level or above.
Supply List
A copy of A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning | Novel. Preferably a physical copy but Kindle will work.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning | Novel
Joined November, 2024
5.0
1reviews
New on Outschool
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Univesity of Illinois at Chicago
Over 30 years of teaching experience.Reviews
Live Group Course
$72
weekly4x per week, 2 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
1-10 learners per class
