Banned Books Club
Join us to read and explore novels that have appeared on banned books lists!
Dr. Sharon BC
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(126)
Rising Star
What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
We'll be reading and discussing novels that have appeared on banned books lists. The class is comprised of teacher presentation and learner participation. Learners read the featured novel of the week in advance of each class meeting. Class begins with a plot summary and history of the book including the rationale for its appearance on a banned book list. Following this plot summary & historical review, I pose guiding questions to initiate a discussion of the novel 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. The schedule follows: 9/4: Whale Talk (Crutcher) 9/11: Whale Talk (Crutcher) 9/18: Their Eyes Were Watching God (Hurston) 9/25: Their Eyes Were Watching God (Hurston) 10/9: The Chocolate War (Cormier) 10/16: The Chocolate War (Cormier)
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The books discussed in this class derive from the American & British literary canons, lists of the most significant, important, and influential books of Western literature because of the themes they communicate and the techniques the authors employ to tell their stories on a variety of topics. The philosophy behind this book club is to provide learners with the opportunity to read diverse texts from the canon that present the complexity of the real world and offer learners a healthy space in which to discuss these complexities with sensitivity and empathy.
For more information about each of the texts, please visit Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined March, 2021
5.0
126reviews
Rising Star
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Doctoral Degree in Education from George Washington University
Master's Degree in English from Old Dominion University
For over twenty-five years I have taught literature from the canon, including all of the books in this course, to learners of all ages. I hold bachelor's and master's degrees in literature and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction which qualify me to craft lessons for all-aged learners in reading, discussing, and analyzing works of literature that address a variety of sensitive topics. Reviews
Live Group Class
$30
weekly1x per week
45 min
Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
3-6 learners per class
