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A Tale of Despereaux by Kate Dicamillo - Read Aloud Book Club

In this multi-day course, we will read the text together, learn new vocabulary words, and discuss themes, characters, events of the story.
Kathy Pudil
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(40)
Class
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What's included

14 live meetings
12 hrs 50 mins in-class hours
Homework
1 hour per week. Some vocabulary activities may be intermittently assigned, but generally, our work is done in class, reading together, discussing the text, and revealing the meaning of the vocabulary words through the reading.
Assessment
Informal assessment as we read together and general checks for comprehesion and reflection. Random vocabulary activities will check student understanding of our new words.

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 8
The Tale of Despereaux is a charming story about a mouse with big ears, who desires to be a knight and save the princess from the dungeon.  He takes us as readers on his quest and faces his fears and enemies as he shows bravery and determination to save the princess from the dark and foul dungeon. Along the way, he learns some valuable lessons, makes some true friends, and finds he has courage beyond even what a glorious knight would.  
Each meeting we will aim to read 25-30 pages, or 2-3 chapters together.  Students are encouraged take a turn reading aloud, but careful listening and thoughtful response, along with vocabulary building are our weekly goals. We will evaluate the text together as we read, and examine actions of the characters, themes of the story, and author craft in writing this delightful tale. Here is the schedule we will follow:
Week 1 Chapters 1-3 and chapters 4-9
Week 2 Chapters 10-14 and chapters 15-17
Week 3 Chapters 18-22 and chapters 23-28
Week 4 Chapters 29-31 and chapters 32-35
Week 5 Chapters 36-38 and chapters 39-42
Week 6 Chapters 43-46 and chapters 47-51
Week 7 Chapters 52-ending, plus discussion, vocabulary review, and choosing our next book!
I like to be flexible in my scheduling when I can, to meet the needs of learners, so if the current posted schedule does not fit well with yours, please suggest a schedule to me, and I will try to accommodate.
Learning Goals
Students will read the story together and build rich vocabulary, while learning the value of true friendship, bravery, light versus darkness, and matters of the heart.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
This book has instances of abuse, abandonment, and violence. Miggery Sow gets clouted by her "uncle" and sold to soldiers to be taken to the castle as a servant. Despereaux is outcast from mouse society for speaking to a human. Later, he gets his tail chopped off by the cook. Additionally, there is a scary dark dungeons of rats that taunt Despereaux. Despite these challenges, Despereaux's true story is one of bravery, hope, courage, empathy, forgiveness, and friendship. Without the darkness, we could not see the light. We will focus on the positive outcomes and the growth in character that Despereaux and the others experience. We will approach the difficult moments of the story with compassion and maturity. I approach this story as an example of lessons in life, how we can overcome the difficult things that come our way, by staying hopeful, being brave, and supporting our friends and family.
Supply List
a copy of the book: A Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
paper and pen or pencil, to record new vocabulary words and meanings
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2021
5.0
40reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Missouri Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Master's Degree in Education from University of Missouri-Columbia
I have taught this text to middle school students at least three different times. It is an outstanding story of bravery, hope, and true heroes.

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Live Group Class
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$36

weekly or $250 for 14 classes
2x per week, 7 weeks
55 min

Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
1-3 learners per class

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