Adventure Together | Middle School Novel Study: The Hobbit (Advanced)
In this 3-week course, we will read, analyze and discuss the classic novel The Hobbit through weekly seminar style discussions with an optional culminating project or literary analysis.
Julia V.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(2)
What's included
3 live meetings
2 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will follow our weekly reading schedules for a time commitment of 30-35 minutes per day (if they read 5 days a week). Audio books are wonderful, but students will want to take notes in their study guides.Assessment
Students are provided an optional novel study guide and weekly checkpoints (10 question, multi-choice quiz) to assess their level of understanding. Learner progress will be most evident in the class discussions; however, if a student wishes to not speak, they will have an option to write a post-discussion reflection to share their insights with me. In Week One of our course, students will be given details about an optional end of course creative project (or literary analysis) to complete by Week Four. All submitted work will receive detailed and encouraging teacher feedback.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Advanced Level
Journey with us through Middle-earth to meet a hesitant hobbit, a lovable wizard and a fierce dragon as we gain a greater understanding of the hero’s journey, loyalty and the importance of home in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. * A great class for Hobbit fans! * In this three week course, students will analyze major themes and characterization through weekly seminar style discussions. Course Schedule: 📚Week One: (Students must read Chapters 1-5 before our first meeting). Briefly discuss the background of the novel, author and historical context, meet and greet, how to prepare for discussions. Discuss chapters 1-5. 📚Week Two: How to analyze major themes within the the novel, character analysis of Bilbo Baggins, seminar style discussion (students will be encouraged to formulate and submit their own questions each week). Discuss chapters 6-11. 📚Week Three: Discuss chapters 12-19. Analysis of theme, characterization and setting. Presentations/ Celebration- in our final meeting, we will gather with our favorite comfort foods (in honor of our hobbit friend) as we share our final thoughts about the novel and present completed projects or literary analysis. Reader's Theater of key scenes. Class discussions are at the heart of our learning each week. Our class is intentionally small so that everyone will have a chance to share their thoughts and ask questions. This class is for the extroverted and introverted alike. With this in mind, I’ve created supports to prepare students for our weekly meetings, such as: ✅weekly, mini-lecture videos to watch before you read ✅recorded demonstrations of close-reading in action ✅chapter study guides to keep ideas organized with discussion questions in advance. Some of the best ideas and connections often arrive many days or months later, and that’s okay. The goal here is to create life-long, curious thinkers who can persevere through challenging texts! This is a great class for Middle School students who want to dive deep and sharpen their literary analysis skills or for anyone who enjoys reading and discussing great books. Upcoming Fall 2023 Course Offerings 📔Adventure Together | Middle School Novel Study: King Arthur (3 Weeks) 📔Adventure Together | Middle School Novel Study: The Iliad (3 weeks) 📔Adventure Together | Middle School Novel Study: Beowulf (3 weeks) 📔Adventure Together | Middle School Novel Study: Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2 week winter mini)
Learning Goals
Students will
📖 gain a greater understanding of characterization and how it contributes to the major themes found in The Hobbit
📖 learn to share their ideas with confidence and listen with a desire to understand others
📖 build reading skills to persevere through a challenging piece of classic literature
Other Details
Parental Guidance
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-hobbit
Supply List
Novel: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hello! My name is Julia. I’m an experienced and certified, middle school and high school ELA teacher with 15 years experience in brick and mortar and online in both public and private settings, serving students locally and internationally. My path in education has led me to my favorite teaching role as a homeschool mom where I love to build curriculum, specific to my childrens’ needs, and help out in my local community co-op.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education and over the years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching a wide variety of learners including English Language Learners and students at AP and honor’s level. As a homeschooling parent I’ve had the chance to see the unique challenges and opportunities of homeschooling, and this has helped me to develop a more holistic approach to teaching.
Here on Outschool, I teach literature classes at the middle and high school level (full curriculum writing classes will begin in Fall 2023). I build dynamic classes that are rigorous and engaging but can be differentiated for individual students’ needs. Each class offers a variety of optional ancillary materials for supporting students' understanding that can be tailored to your learner, but at the heart of each course is the connection students make with our novels, each other and the world around them.
My hobbies include spending time with my family in the great outdoors, learning new skills like knitting and baking bread, and hanging out with friends at coffee shops to discuss great books.
I look forward to meeting you in one of my literature classes. If you have any questions or have a special request for a class, I’d love to hear from you.Reviews
Live Group Class
$12
weekly1x per week, 3 weeks
50 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-14
2-5 learners per class
