Between the Lines Book Club: The Tale of Despereaux
In this discussion-based novel study, students will examine the overall theme of light vs. dark. Join us for an epic tale that follows three characters stories, Despereaux the mouse, Chiaroscuro the rat, and Miggery Sow, a young girl.
Jessica Whitenight
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(63)
What's included
21 live meetings
17 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Each week learners will be required to read chapters listed before class (chapters listed above). Students also may need to finish cross-circular activities outside of class if there is not enough time in class.Assessment
Students will be assessed informally throughout the class.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Come along as we discuss these three unlikely and different characters who soon find themselves woven together in a tale of betrayal, vengeance, and impossible dreams in the "Between the Lines Book Club: The Tale of Despereaux." In this book club, students will be able to understand the novel better when they connect the story to their own personal experiences and feelings, to their general background knowledge, and to other stories they have read before through guided discussion questions. We will focus on asking questions before we read chapters, while reading them, and after reading them. Students will learn that good readers ask questions and write them down while they are reading, to become better readers. Students will be able to express themselves via multiple cross-curricular activities. Additionally, we will work on building the student's vocabulary base. In each class, we will be defining new vocabulary words and creating our own sentences with them. Throughout this novel study, we will focus on literary terms and applications, the importance of setting, themes and motifs, meaning study, and comprehension questions via engaging PowerPoint lessons. ***Note: We will not be reading the book in class.*** Our class will be discussion based. The book "The Tale of Despereaux," by Kate DiCamillo will be read outside of class. Students will have assigned chapters to read before class. "Between the Lines Book Club: The Tale of Despereaux" Schedule: Week #1: Introduction * Before Class*: Have a copy of the book. • About the Author • What is a Newbery Medal • Critic's Corner • Fairy Tale Discussion • Prereading Discussion • Vocabulary Lesson Week #2: Chapters 1-3 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 1-3 • Discussion questions • Language Arts: Figurative Language Study • Vocabulary Lesson Week #3: Read Chapters 4-6 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 4-6 • Discussion questions • Vocabulary Lesson Week #4: Chapters 7-9 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 7-9 • Discussion questions • Arts: Depict The Mouse Council • Vocabulary Lesson Week #5: Chapters 10-12 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 10-12 • Discussion questions • Language Arts: Motif Study • Vocabulary Lesson Week #6: Chapters 13-15 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 13-15 • Discussion questions • Social Studies/History: Castle/Dungeon Study • Vocabulary Lesson Week #7: Chapters 16-18 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 16-18 • Discussion questions • Science: Venn Diagram of Mice and Rats • Vocabulary Lesson Week #8: Chapters 19-21 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 19-21 • Discussion questions • Social Studies/History: About Soup • Vocabulary Lesson Week #9: Chapters 22-23 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 22-23 • Discussion questions • Language Arts: Rat Word Study & Fairness • Vocabulary Lesson Week #10: Chapters 24-27 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 24-27 • Discussion questions • Language Arts: Respect Characteristic Study & Obligations Study • Vocabulary Lesson Week #11: Chapters 28-30 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 28-30 • Discussion questions • Social Studies/History: About Royalty Study • Vocabulary Lesson Week #12: Chapters 31-33 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 31-33 • Discussion questions • Science: Ear & Hearing Study • Vocabulary Lesson Week #13: Chapters 34-36 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 34-36 • Discussion questions • Language Arts: Darkness Study • Vocabulary Lesson Week #14: Chapters 37-39 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 37-39 • Discussion questions • Language Arts: Empathy Study • Vocabulary Lesson Week #15: Chapters 40-42 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 40-42 • Discussion questions • Language Arts: A Knight in Shining Armor • Vocabulary Lesson Week #16: Chapters 43-45 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 43-45 • Discussion questions • Science/Math: A Dungeon, A Maze, A Labyrinth • Vocabulary Lesson Week #17: Chapters 46-48 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 46-48 • Discussion questions • Language Arts: Cause & Effect • Vocabulary Lesson Week #18: Chapters 49-51 * Before Class*: Read Chapters 49-45 • Discussion questions • Language Arts: Venn Diagram- Pea & Mig • Vocabulary Lesson Week #19: Chapters 52-Coda * Before Class*: Read Chapters 52-Coda • Discussion questions • Language Arts: The Light & What it Means • Vocabulary Lesson Week #20 • Conclusion • Timeline Review • Final Comprehension Questions • Character Analysis You can borrow a copy of the book from your local library or it can be purchased from: https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Despereaux-Being-Princess-Thread/dp/0763680893/ref=sr_1_1?crid=XL5MKNDRSS05&keywords=the+tale+of+despereaux+by+kate+dicamillo&qid=1664550721&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjE0IiwicXNhIjoiMS4zNSIsInFzcCI6IjEuMjYifQ%3D%3D&s=books&sprefix=The+Tale+of+Despereaux+by+%2Cstripbooks%2C105&sr=1-1
Learning Goals
• Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
• Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
• Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.
• Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
• Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.
• Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.
• Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.
• Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
• Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to the task, purpose, and audience
• Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.
• Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases by using context clues, analyzing meaningful word parts, and consulting general and specialized reference materials, as appropriate.
• Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
• Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when encountering an unknown term important to comprehension or expression.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The Tale of Despereaux tells a story from three different points of view to show that a story is never one-sided, helping children learn empathy and compassion. This story does touch on topics of abuse, abandonment, and violence. Children need to know that even though there are problems in the world, there will always be goodness and hope, too. As a certified Social Studies/History teacher in the state of Pennsylvania, I have experience approaching these topics with compassion and sensitivity.
Supply List
-Students will need the book "The Tale of Despereaux." You can borrow a copy of the book from your local library or it can be purchased from: https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Despereaux-Being-Princess-Thread/dp/0763680893/ref=sr_1_1?crid=XL5MKNDRSS05&keywords=the+tale+of+despereaux+by+kate+dicamillo&qid=1664550721&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjE0IiwicXNhIjoiMS4zNSIsInFzcCI6IjEuMjYifQ%3D%3D&s=books&sprefix=The+Tale+of+Despereaux+by+%2Cstripbooks%2C105&sr=1-1 - Students will need a notebook/writing paper for class. - Students will need a pencil for class. - Students will need markers, crayons, or colored pencils for class.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined August, 2020
5.0
63reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am a Certified Teacher in the state of Pennsylvania. I currently teach ESL & Language Arts/Reading online and have been working with children for the last 3.5 years to develop their English and Reading skills. This is where I took multiple trainings and coursework, in which I learned to expand young children’s language and reading development. I have been teaching different subjects for 9 years, all while linking language and reading to critical subjects like science and social studies. I have a bachelor's degree in Social Sciences-Education from The Pennsylvania State University. Reviews
Live Group Class
$450
for 21 classes1x per week, 21 weeks
50 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
1-4 learners per class
This class is no longer offered
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