Black History Book Club: Stella by Starlight
Sara Gatilogo
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(126)
Journey with me to the American south in the 1930s to discover bravery and strength in the face of hate. In this four week course, students will explore Sharon M. Draper's inspiring tale through discussion and creative thinking activities.
Class experience
US Grade 5 - 7
Stella by Starlight is an inspiring book full of courage and kindness that is sure to provoke thought and discussion. In this four week class, learners will participate in meaningful discussions and engaging activities as we read Sharon M. Draper's novel together. Book clubs are an excellent way to engage reluctant readers or help enthusiastic readers dig a little deeper. Students will need their own copy of the text to complete assigned readings before attending class. We will explore the...
Students will sharpen their literacy skills and foster their love of reading, as well as engage in thought provoking discussion.
Just a little about my relevant experiences: my husband is Filipino-American. When I married him, race and combating racism became a much more prominent aspect of my life. While this is in no way the same as the experiences of segregated African Americans described in the novel, it does help me empathize and connect with them. I, like many others, am on a journey to recognize and combat my own white privilege. One way in which I do so is to consume books and other art created by people who's background and experiences are different from my own. So while I do not consider myself an expert in teaching about racism by any means, I find that honest and gracious conversations can lead to positive and productive shifts in our mindsets. Reading books like Stella By Starlight is so important and is a great way to foster such conversations with kids. Through out the class, I intend to differ to the author herself in the form of videos and interviews. I hope to fill the gaps left by my own inexperience by leaning on her perspective.
Homework Offered
Students will be required to read the assigned chapters before class, approximately 80 pages.1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Grades Offered
A copy of Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper
This novel deals with racism in the American south in the 1930s, so parents should be ready to discuss this with their student. I have included a link to Common Sense Media for your reference. Feel free to reach out to me with any specific concerns. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/stella-by-starlight
I will link several Youtube videos for students to reference throughout the course. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zaUo7NQ33s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wib8XG5RnOA&t=314s
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(126)
Hi! My name is Sara Gatilogo. I graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in Secondary English Education. I am certified in high school English, middle grades Language Arts, and special education. I've been an educator for 6...
Group Class
$48
for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
40 min
Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-13
2-8 learners per class
