Anne of Green Gables - A Novel Study
What's included
6 live meetings
4 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will be asked to read the novel outside of class as we will not have time to read it together in class. There will also be opportunities for writing or annotating if the student and their family are interested!Assessment
Students will be given the option if it is a novel study or non-semester class several formal writing assignments throughout the semester. While these are not tests, per se, they can be used as assessment pieces for homeschooling evidence, which many states and countries require. All formal writing in my class will be completed with multiple rounds of written and verbal feedback. Students will have the opportunity to work through their writing skills as a group and 1-1 with me in class!Grading
Grading - Students will have the opportunity to receive a grade in the form of their choosing.I am happy to provide a grade in the form of a percentage, letter, or both. I can also offer a formal letter for submission to state programs. I ask students throughout the semester about their needs for grading and am happy to work with parents to create a plan that meets their needs! Please note that Grading is NOT required.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Join us and read Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery! "When Anne Shirley arrives at Green Gables farm, she surprises everyone. First of all, she's a girl. Marilla Cuthbert and her brother, Matthew, had specifically asked for an orphan boy to help around the farm. And Anne (spelled with an e, of course - it makes it much more distinguished) is not just any girl. She has bright red hair and a wild imagination and can talk a mile a minute. But her sweet disposition and quick wit convince her reluctant foster parents to let her stay. "She soon finds her place, making a friend in her neighbor Diana Barry and attending the local school, where she spurns the advances of the popular and handsome Gilbert Blythe when he commits the ultimate sin of making fun of her hair. But trouble always seems to follow Anne. She manages to ruin a perfectly good cake with an unwanted ingredient, hosts a terrible tea party with fire consequences, and even ends up dyeing her hair green. Luckily, she never makes the same mistake twice. "With a temper as fiery as her hair, but a big heart, Anne changes the lives of Marilla and Matthew and just about everyone she meets". - Citation provided below! Throughout the course, students will perform a close reading of the text by reading the finer details of the novel. We will be focusing on literary analysis and reading comprehension through discussion and collaboration activities. Below is a weekly schedule for the class. While the topics and skills listed will be covered, there will be some fluidity on when the skills are covered and which skills overlap between weeks. If you have any questions, please let me know! Week One: - Introduction and Welcome! - Introduction to the Novel - Introduction to the Author - Historical Introduction (Time Period) Week Two: - Introduction to Anne, Marilla, and Matthew - Orphanages and Work Arrangements in History - Prince Edward Island, Canada - Introduction to Gender Issues - Mini-Research and Discussion Week Three: - Red Hair and Criticism (Historical and Novel Discussion) - Fashion of the Novel (Designing Your Own) - Role of Religion in History (Effect on Character) - Introduction to Diane Barry Week Four: - Daydreaming, Smarts, and Beauty - Resolving Conflicts - Definition and Examples of Patronages - Cake, Tea, and Sweets (Bring Our Own to Class) - Injuries and Medical Attention Week Five: - Fashion as a Status and a Symbol - Coming-of Age Definitions and Novel Examples - Hair Dye - Character Development (and Lack Thereof) Week Six: - Class Rankings and Educational Opportunities - Developing Fashion (Growing Up) - Women's Education (Changing Times) - Change - Good or Bad? - Character Development (And Lack Thereof) - Theme and Symbolism - The Story Continues Citation: Montgomery, L M. Anne of Green Gables. New York, Aladdin, 1908.
Learning Goals
Students wil be able to: - Perform a Close Reading of the Text
- Focus on Literary Analysis and Reading Comprehension
- Discuss and Collaborate with their Peers
- Analyze Character Development (And Lack Thereof)
- Define and Identify Theme and Symbolism
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Here is the Common Sense Media parental guide for your review. Please let me know if you have any questions!
- https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/anne-of-green-gables
In addition, there is some harmful language that can be found in the novel. The copyright owner has put out this statement:
"L.M. Montgomery Institute’s Statement on Racial Injustice
The L.M. Montgomery Institute (LMMI) supports the recent statement made by the University of Prince Edward Island and stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and those fighting against systemic racism in Canada and the United States. Montgomery’s books, short stories, poetry, essays, and life writing inspire serious scholarly work and have inspired many around the world who have been persecuted and disenfranchised. However, her work also requires us to look deeper into issues of colonialism, systemic racism, and intolerance. The LMMI is taking steps to educate ourselves, and are committed to learning from, and working with, BIPOC scholars, authors, and readers, and reflecting that active engagement in our biennial conferences, the Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies, and in our community outreach and projects".
In class, we will look deeper into these issues, discuss them together, and work together to understand them. If you have any questions or concerns, please ask and feel free to go to the L.M. Montgomery Institute's Website (found at this link) for more information: https://lmmontgomery.ca/lm-montgomery-institute%E2%80%99s-statement-racial-injustice
Supply List
Students will be asked to obtain a copy of the novel to use in class. The goal of the class is to read the novel in a deep manner and to discuss it in a Socratic Seminar. Without the book, students cannot complete this portion of the class. Here are three places that I recommend finding the book! Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anne-Green-Gables-L-Montgomery/dp/055321313X/ref=sr_1_7?crid=310ZHZ6W4OBKV&dchild=1&keywords=anne+of+green+gables+book&qid=1616446598&sprefix=anne+of+gr%2Caps%2C955&sr=8-7 Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/anne-of-green-gables-montgomery-lm/1126905818?ean=9781435162099 Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Anne-of-Green-Gables-Audiobook/B01KGL13FI
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Colorado Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
I have taught this novel many times in several different classes, although the ones that occurred most recently are listed below. I have taught in public schools and am a certified teacher in Missouri and in Colorado. I have been teaching novels like this to students on Outschool for two years now as well. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
- Classic Novel Studies: https://outschool.com/classes/classic-literature-a-novel-study-xkvxQwCz?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
- Tutoring: https://outschool.com/classes/individual-tutoring-high-school-english-7xt3oza8?usid=l0R3fRwf&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
Reviews
Live Group Class
$20
weekly or $120 for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
40 min
Completed by 7 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-14
1-6 learners per class