Outschool
Open currency, time zone, and language settings
Log In

Anna From Africa (Book 1)

This is a five-day course in which students discuss the story, "Anna Hibiscus", and draw a picture related to the daily reading portion.
Elizabeth Davis
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(85)
Class

What's included

6 live meetings
4 in-class hours

Class Experience

In this class, we will discuss the characters and plot in the book "Anna Hibiscus" by Atinuke. We will also ask questions and do activities that help connect this book to our own lives. These conversations and activities will help us interact with the story and enjoy it more. At the end of class, we will test our comprehension of the book by playing a quiz game. The class will help us improve our listening and reading comprehension skills. 

Before Class:
The learners must read or have a portion of the book read to them before each of the first four classes. This includes reading the first chapter before the first class meeting begins. Here is the schedule, but I will remind you before each class.

BEFORE the:
FIRST class (March 6): Read pages 1-21
Second class (March 13) Read pages 22-53
Third class (March 20) Read pages 54-83
Fourth class (March 27) Read pages 83-111
Fifth class (April 3) review the story for the quiz game
 
During class: 
To begin each class, we will discuss the book using questions like [Did you like the book?] [Why?] [What was your favorite part?]. Then we will get more specific and ask questions regarding the plot; to demonstrate general comprehension. We will also practice predicting future events. We will also discuss how we feel about the events in the story and put ourselves into the character’s shoes. We might use questions like [Have you ever been on vacation to the beach?] [Have you ever been in trouble with your parents?]. We will discuss the book for about 15 minutes and then we will work on the day's activity/drawing. The activities are scheduled below, but I will remind you of the drawing topic and supplies you will need before each class.

Activity Schedule:
First class (March 6): 
Anna describes her home, family, and first vacation.
Activity: Describe and illustrate your home, family, or vacation you have taken

Second class (March 13): 
Anna's Aunt is visiting and Anna is worried that her aunt won't remember treasured family traditions.  
Activity: Describe and illustrate something important to our family. This can be anything from saying thank you to cleaning your room for guests.
 
Third class (March 20): 
Anna got in trouble and had to suffer some consequences.
Describe and illustrate a time that you got in trouble. This can be simple and does not have to expose anything the child does not want to discuss. 

Fourth class (March 27):
Anna loves and dreams about snow all the time. 
Activity: Describe and illustrate something that you love and wish to see or do.

Fifth class (April 3):
Play the quiz game

Quiz game:
The quiz game will test our comprehension of the story. There will be some easier questions that test direct comprehension of the story events. There will also be more challenging questions that require the learner to know and connect events in the story. Students will be encouraged to submit questions, in a private Outschool message, to include in the quiz game. (I cannot promise to include all the questions, but will definitely include some of them.).

Requirements:
The students will need to read or have the daily portion of the book read to them BEFORE CLASS. If they are unable to read or hear the book before class, they may not be able to participate well in the discussion part of the class.

Teaching Style:
The class will center around discussing the contents of the book and completing drawings and discussions that help relate the book to our personal life. I will give prompts and remind them of story events, but my classes lean heavily on student participation. The class will be about 50% discussion and 50% drawing. There may be long periods of quiet so that students can focus on their drawings. However, I will not hesitate to ask to see their progress. I will also ask them questions to assist them in staying focused and expanding their pictures.

Learning Goals

This class is focused on comprehending the story and relating it to our life. The learner will have opportunities to practice:
Listening to others
Waiting to speak
Reading comprehension skills (Predicting, plot sequence, character identification, etc.)
Applying the story to the learner's life
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
This book is about a girl that lives in Africa. It discusses some things about African culture. It also gives an example of children that are not of the same socio-economic status as the main character. These children have to work on the street to sell oranges and earn money. Such stories are used to show that despite our differences, people have many similarities. The book also teaches readers character lessons related to being kind to others. The book is a great way to expose young children to the lives of others, but at the same time showing that we have more similarities than differences. Our class focus is not to discuss the aspects of different cultures, but to practice reading comprehension, including relating story events to ourselves. If questions come up about facts not addressed in the story, the student will be encouraged to research these interests with their parents. I will also research any questions that arise. As in all my classes, each child and their perspective will be included and encouraged. In addition, I always suggest that parents approve and discuss any books that their children read.
Supply List
The learner will need to purchase the book "Anna Hibiscus" by Atinuke
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
The student will need to have access to the book, "Anna Hibiscus" by Atinuke, so that they can read it.
Joined April, 2020
5.0
85reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have a Master's degree in geography and currently have a class that teaches the physical and cultural geography regarding the regions of the U.S.A. I have also tutored reading and reading comprehension as an English as a Second Language teacher for three years. I have also tutored elementary reading for a year. I have more than ten years of experience teaching children. 

Reviews

Live Group Class
Share

$50

for 6 classes

3x per week, 2 weeks
40 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-9
1-4 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
About
Support
SafetyPrivacyCA PrivacyLearner PrivacyYour Privacy ChoicesTerms
Financial Assistance
Get The App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
© 2025 Outschool