Book Club: Keeper of the Lost Cities—Fantasy Series (One Book a Month)
Help your learner cultivate a love for reading while developing critical reading, writing, and communication skills. We'll explore a popular modern children's fantasy series: Shannon Messenger's Keeper of Lost Cities.
What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1-2 hours per week. Independent reading (roughly one third of a book) each week, to be done between sessions. During sessions, learners will have the opportunity to craft writing pieces. Brief feedback on the writing is available upon request. Feedback and encouragement will be provided on class participation such as group activities and discussions.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
Embark on a magical journey with Shannon Messenger’s beloved Keeper of Lost Cities series in this weekly book club designed specifically for children aged 9 to 12. Through structured cycles (each cycle focuses on one book over four weeks), learners will follow the extraordinary adventures of Sophie Foster as she discovers her hidden abilities and explores enchanting hidden cities. What Your Learners Will Experience: • Interactive Lessons: Each session begins with a fun warm-up to activate prior knowledge, followed by a mini-lesson that delves into key themes, settings, and character developments. • Engaging Discussions: Thought-provoking questions and prompts encourage learners to share their thoughts, fostering a collaborative learning environment. • Creative Writing: Learners will express their understanding and creativity through diary entries, summaries, and alternative endings, enhancing their writing skills. • Collaborative Activities: Group projects and role-plays in breakout sessions promote teamwork and communication, allowing learners to explore different perspectives. Key Themes Explored: • Friendship and Loyalty: Understanding the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships. • Courage and Resilience: Learning to overcome challenges and stand up for what is right. • Discovery and Self-Awareness: Encouraging self-discovery and recognizing one’s unique strengths and abilities. • Mystery and Adventure: Engaging with intriguing plots that spark curiosity and imagination.
Learning Goals
Enhanced Reading Comprehension: Through structured reading assignments and discussions, learners will improve their ability to understand and interpret complex texts.Critical Thinking Skills: Analyzing characters’ motivations, plot developments, and thematic elements fosters analytical thinking.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The recommended reading age for this series is 9 to 12. Parental guidance is encouraged to ensure the books are suitable for your learner. For information about the series, including excerpts, please visit https://shannonmessenger.com/keeper-of-lost-cities.html.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Learners will need access to the following books of Shannon Messenger's Keeper of the Lost Cities series:
• Keeper of the Lost Cities (Volume 1)
• Exile (Volume 2)
• Everblaze (Volume 3)
• Neverseen (Volume 4)
• Lunathion (Volume 5)
Books are available in most libraries and at bookstores and digital platforms such as Amazon Kindle.
We'll read the books in order, devoting four weeks per book. The first cycles for this book club are as follows:
Cycle 1: Keeper of the Lost Cities
• Book: Keeper of the Lost Cities (Volume 1)
• Week of January 6: Introduction to Keeper of the Lost Cities
• Week of January 13: First Third
• Week of January 20: Second Third
• Week of January 27: Last Third
________________________________________
Cycle 2: Exile
• Book: Exile (Volume 2)
• Week of February 3: Introduction to Exile
• Week of February 10: First Third
• Week of February 17: Second Third
• Week of February 24: Last Third
________________________________________
Cycle 3: Everblaze
• Book: Everblaze (Volume 3)
• Week of March 3: Introduction to Everblaze
• Week of March 10: First Third
• Week of March 17: Second Third
• Week of March 24: Last Third
________________________________________
Cycle 4: Neverseen
• Book: Neverseen (Volume 4)
• Week of March 31: Introduction to Neverseen
• Week of April 7: First Third
• Week of April 14: Second Third
• Week of April 21: Last Third
________________________________________
Cycle 5: Lunathion
• Book: Lunathion (Volume 5)
• Week of April 28: Introduction to Lunathion
• Week of May 5: First Third
• Week of May 12: Second Third
• Week of May 19: Last Third
Students will not need to use any apps or websites outside of the standard Outschool-approved tools.
Joined November, 2024
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School
Bachelor's Degree in Biology/Biological Sciences from Harvard University
Hello! I’m a passionate educator and Ivy League graduate, holding degrees from Harvard (undergraduate) and Columbia Law. With over a decade of experience as an award-winning instructor, I specialize in teaching critical reading, writing, and analytical thinking to curious young minds. I currently manage a prestigious K-12 gifted education program in English Language Arts, where I guide students in unlocking their full potential.
My multidisciplinary background in biology and law gives me a unique perspective on learning and teaching. Whether it’s grammar, literary analysis, creative storytelling, or crafting persuasive arguments, I tailor my approach to inspire curiosity and confidence in every student. I’ve worked in traditional classrooms, online settings, and one-on-one environments, empowering learners to master skills like publishing, legal writing, and creative expression.
My goal is to help students not only build strong communication and critical thinking skills but also develop self-confidence and a sense of ownership over their learning journey. Together, we’ll turn challenges into opportunities and spark a lifelong love for learning!Reviews
Live Group Class
$15
weekly1x per week
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-12
4-12 learners per class
