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Animal Farm Lit Study + D&D Adventure Club

In this 5-week course, students will read and study George Orwell's Animal Farm, while also being put in the story on a Dungeons & Dragons Adventure led by Mrs. K!
Anna Kowalsky (Mrs. K), MEd
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(1)
Class

What's included

10 live meetings
15 in-class hours
Homework
1-2 hours per week. Weekly homework includes: -Reading (1-3 chapters a week) -Vocabulary worksheets to go with each chapter -2 Writing Assignments -Daily Writing Prompts (creative writing prompts each day, 1+ paragraphs) -Unit Test All homework can be turned in once for half-points back for as long as the class is active, with the exception of readings. For example, if a student gets a 70 on their first attempt at a writing assignment, but a 100 the second time, the final score will be 85.
Letter Grade
Learners are assessed by letter grade: 90-100% - A 80-89% - B 70-79% - C 60-69% - D Below 60% - F
Grading
included

Class Experience

US Grade 8 - 11
Learners will engage in a literature study combined with the social club of a Dungeons & Dragons TTRPG that puts them in the heart of the story. They'll explore what life was like under authoritarianism, how society can influence itself for good or evil, and try to overthrow a dictator to create a more fair and equitable land!

Classes will be presented in a small group of 4-7 learners. Learners will be encouraged to discuss their work and collaborate. Literature assignments are the first priority. If we are behind, we will forego gameplay to get clarification on concepts in the literature. Slides will be used to encourage learner discussion. 

The first 30-45 minutes of the lesson will be planned for literature study, and the remaining 45-60 minutes will be gameplay that lets the learners experience the story. 

Learners will complete an RPG Consent form before we begin gameplay so that the teacher and other students know which topics are off-limits (gory violence, spiders, etc.). Learners will, in addition to the practice in writing, reading, and communication skills, be doing conditional math and using logic and critical thinking as they level up their characters, and use the skills their characters have learned and weapons they've found to progress in their adventure. 

In traditional D&D games, players earn XP and level up by accomplishing things in the game (fighting an enemy, being clever in their role-playing, finding clues, etc.). In my campaigns, students gain XP by turning in assignments. I apply the points of their assigned work to their character to encourage them to keep up with their work (otherwise their character may not be up to snuff when they encounter the big bad evil guy). Since these learners are more mature, I trust them to complete their work. 

Learners who reach level 5 characters (all assignments complete with a letter grade of A or B), will receive a digital creation of their character designed by the teacher using Hero Forge, as a reward for their hard work over the semester.

Week 1 - Vocab 1-3, Read 1-3, Writing Assignment #1 (Seven Commandments)
Week 2 - Vocab 4-6, Read 4-6, Writing Assignment #2 (Persuasion)
Week 3 - Vocab 7-8, Read 7-8, Group Discussion
Week 4 - Vocab 9-10, Read 9-10, Test Review
Week 5 - Unit Test
Learning Goals
Learners will organize and create a five-paragraph persuasive essay
Learners will analyze the book's plot and form opinions about the literature
learning goal

Syllabus

10 Lessons
over 5 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Introduction
 About the teacher, ice breakers, character creation 
90 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Vocab 1-3 & Discussion, Writing Assignment #1
 Writing our own Seven Commandments for society 
90 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Vocab 4-6 & Discussion
 Discuss chapters 4-6 
90 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Writing Assignment $2
 Persuasive writing assignment 
90 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Common Sense Media rates the book Animal Farm as suitable for ages 13+ due to violence & scariness, alcohol & drug use, and lack of positive message or role models. Students will build adventuring characters and choose weapons (swords, axes, spears, etc.) and/or magic spells for their character. Animal Farm by George Orwell (audiobook, checked out from the library, or purchased paper book) is required D&D Player's Handbook is recommended but not required A set of polyhedral dice, writing utensils & notebook Mrs. K will provide a 5e Character Sheet and all worksheets to keep track of adventuring & homework.
Supply List
Animal Farm (audiobook, checked out from the library, or purchased paper book)
D&D Player's Handbook is recommended but not required
A set of polyhedral dice, writing utensils & notebook

Mrs. K will provide a 5e Character Sheet and all worksheets to keep track of adventuring & homework.
 1 file available upon enrollment
Language of Instruction
English
Joined July, 2022
5.0
1reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in Education from Western Governor's University
In addition to tutoring junior high and high school English and ELA SAT prep for more than 10 years, I love leading book clubs and reading groups with teens & tweens. Reading & writing are passions of mine and I love to see a learner engage with a text because we found the right book for them. I have a Master's degree in Instructional Design that supports creating engaging content that is developmentally appropriate for K-12 learners. 

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Live Group Course
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$20

weekly or $100 for 10 classes
2x per week, 5 weeks
90 min

Completed by 4 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-17
4-7 learners per class

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