American Girl BOOK CLUB
Join us for this book club for learners wanting to read the American Girl books!
Kristi Rodenbeck
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(471)
What's included
1 live meeting
30 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1-2 hours per week. Learners will be asked to have assigned reading completed before class.Certificate of Completion
includedClass Experience
We'll be reading and discussing American Girl books together! The class is comprised of teacher presentation and learner participation. Learners are assigned a reading section and each class meeting begins with a plot summary of the reading. Following this reading review, I pose guiding questions to initiate a discussion of the book and to analyze the author's use of literary elements including: characterization, setting, internal and external conflict, motivation, suspense, imagery, narration, and theme. Learners are encouraged to participate in the discussion and to offer their interpretations of the literature. Learners are available to join at any time. It's easy to catch up on the reading using the guide below. We would love to have you join! Assigned books and reading sections are listed below: ~*~*~*~Reading Schedule~*~*~*~ CURRENT BOOK: Midnight In Lonesome Hallow - A Kit Mystery (Kathleen Ernst) Ch. 1-7 - Week of 10/28 Ch. 8-14 - Week of 11/4 UPCOMING BOOKS: Meet Kaya - Ch. 1-4 - Week of 11/11 Kaya's Escape - Ch. 1-4 - Week of 11/18 Kaya's Hero - Ch. 1-4 - Week of 11/25 Kaya & The Lone Dog - Ch. 1-5 - Week of 12/2 Kaya Shows The Way - Ch. 1-4 - Week of 12/9 Changes For Kaya - Ch. 1-4 - Week of 12/16 SKIP WEEK OF CHRISTMAS Meet Samantha - Ch. 1-6 - Week of 12/30 Samantha Learns A Lesson - Ch. 1-6 - Week of 1/6 Samantha's Surprise - Ch. 1-5 - Week of 1/13 Happy Birthday Samantha - Ch. 1-5 - Week of 1/20 Samantha Saves The Day - Ch. 1-4 - Week of 1/27 Changes For Samantha - Ch. 1-5 - Week of 2/3 MORE UPCOMING BOOKS: Felicity's 6 Book Series Addy's 6 Book Series It's Showtime, Kavi Summer Get's To Work Courtney's 2 Book Series Past Books: Meet Isabel & Nicki Nanea, Spirit Of Aloha Peril At King's Creek - A Felicity Mystery Danger At The Zoo - A Kit Mystery The Puzzle Of The Paper Daughter - A Julie Mystery The Runaway Fried - A Kirsten Mystery The Hidden Gold - A Mare-Grace Mystery The Crystal Ball - A Rebecca Mystery The Ghost Wind Stallion - A Kaya Mystery The Stolen Sapphire - A Samantha Mystery The Finders-Keepers Rule - A Maryellen Mystery Smugglers Secrets - A Caroline Mystery A Spy On The Homefront - A Molly Mystery
Learning Goals
Students will learn how to recall information read in the assigned book and discuss the information.Students will be able to analyze information read in the assigned reading.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Please be advised that some of the American Girl book series present some culturally insensitive topics and terminology. As a trained anthropologist AND a licensed social studies and history teacher, I will (and always teach my students to) use correct terminology and culturally sensitive terms to be respectful to the particular people of study - even if that term is not what is used in the textbook/book.
As a licensed history teacher, I also have many PD hours dedicated to cultural sensitivity and correct teachings when it comes to historical events that present cultural insensitivities.
In all situations for each of the characters of study throughout the course, I will present all perspectives of all parties involved in the historical event that the character lives through. It is important to understand historical events from all lenses and perspectives in order to build empathy and understanding of all parties involved.
Furthermore, the topic of slavery is discussed as Addy Walker is an enslaved person during the 1860's in America. Racial injustices of the Civil War era are also discussed. The book is focused on Addy's perspective, however, I will present all perspectives of all parties involved in the historical event that the character lives through. It is important to understand historical events from all lenses and perspectives in order to build empathy and understanding of all parties involved.
In some of the American Girl book series such as Felicity, Rebecca, Caroline, Nanea, and Molly have content regarding wars. Wars present sensitive and triggering topics. In some cases, historical attacks and the aftermath are presented in the book content. For example, the Nanea book is centered around the attack on Peal Harbor. Please review the book summary on the back of the books/American Girl Publishing before your student reads the books to determine if the content is appropriate for your student to read and review.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
We will be using and referencing the assigned American Girl book.
Joined May, 2020
4.9
471reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Wisconsin Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
Hi there!
My name is Mrs. Rodenbeck and I am a middle school history teacher! I have taught 6th, 7th, and 8th, grade history for the past 6 years! Before that, I taught high school history. I absolutely LOVE learning about people from the past! I like understanding how people lived in different times in history.
I studied anthropology in college. My goal as a kid was to be Indiana Jones! Archaeology and cultural anthropology are my favorite disciplines. I like to learn about what past peoples have built and how those things impact their culture. I’ve even done work for Chicago’s Field Museum since 2007. Now I work in the education department at the Field Museum with other teachers and bringing history topics into their classrooms.
I love teaching about the American Girl books and their periods of time in history because I used to WORK at the American Girl store in Chicago. I worked there all throughout my college years. I loved American Girl when I was a kid and I loved it, even more, when I worked at the store in college!
I hope that from this course, you can take some of my passion for history and for American Girl and get a little more excited about learning about other people. There are so many fun and exciting things to learn about! I can’t wait to share them with you! Reviews
Live Group Class
$13
weekly1x per week
30 min
Completed by 9 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
1-12 learners per class
