for 10 classes
Book Club on 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens
Completed by 35 learners
Ages 9-14
Live Group Course
Live video meetings
1x per week, 10 weeks
4-10 learners per class
55 min
What's included
10 live meetings
9 hrs 10 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Students will have reading homework between classes, as follows: Before lesson 2, students should read Stave One. Before lesson 3, students should read Stave Two. Before lesson 4, students should read Stave Three. Before lesson 7, students should read Stave Four. Before lesson 9, students should read Stave Five. The reading can be done with the aid of an audiobook if students wish. I recommend the unabridged Amazon Classics recording by Michael Page: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/A-Christmas-Carol-AmazonClassics-Edition-Audiobook/B07817XXYP (UK) https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Christmas-Carol-AmazonClassics-Edition-Audiobook/B07815PSGN (US) Note that many audiobook versions of the novel are abridged - these should be avoided.Assessment
Informal assessment of work will take place during the class. Students may also submit their written work at the end of each class if they wish to receive further feedback on how to improve it.Class Experience
Over the course of ten weeks, students will receive a thorough grounding in all of the major themes and key characters of the novel. They will have many opportunities to discuss their ideas and to express them in writing. Written activities will be carefully guided so that students consistently achieve success and gain confidence and fluency. All materials are provided as part of the enrollment fee, including a study guide with quiz questions and a textbook with writing exercises. Classes will be a mixture of review, aimed at embedding key facts about the novel's plot, themes, characters and context, and close study of particular passages, leading to class discussion and written exercises. The lesson schedule is as follows: 1. Overview of Stave One. Detailed Study of Stave One: Dickens Describes His Hero. 2. Overview of Characters. Detailed Study of Stave One: The Charitable Gentlemen. 3. Overview of Stave Two. Detailed Study of Stave Two: Two Very Different Employers (Fezziwig and Scrooge). 4. Overview of Themes. Detailed Study of Stave Two: Family Relations and All That Scrooge Has Lost. 5. Overview of Stave Three. Detailed Study of Stave Three: Scrooge's Penitence. 6. Overview of Setting. Detailed Study of Stave Three: Bob and Fred's Magnanimity. 7. Overview of Stave Four. Detailed Study of Stave Four: Two Scenes of Death. 8. Overview of Context. Detailed Study of Stave Four: Scrooge Begs for Time to Change. 9: Overview of Stave Five. Detailed Study of Stave Five: Scrooge Is Welcomed Back into Society. 10: Review of the Course. Detailed Study of Stave Five: Scrooge the Reformed Character.
Learning Goals
Students will gain an advanced understanding of the novel and develop confidence in writing about it using academic language.
Syllabus
10 Lessons
over 10 WeeksLesson 1:
Stave One (Part One)
Overview of Stave One. Detailed Study of Stave One: Dickens Describes His Hero.
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Stave One (Part Two)
Overview of Characters. Detailed Study of Stave One: The Charitable Gentlemen.
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Stave Two (Part One)
Overview of Stave Two. Detailed Study of Stave Two: Two Very Different Employers (Fezziwig and Scrooge).
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Stave Two (Part Two)
Overview of Themes. Detailed Study of Stave Two: Family Relations and All That Scrooge Has Lost.
55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
There are some potentially frightening scenes in the novel. Some students may find the description of Marley's Ghost disturbing. The scenes where Scrooge is shown his own dead body (covered) and his own grave could be frightening for some younger students.
Note that, as with most classic literature, this text has a religious dimension, which needs to be explained as cultural context for the novel to be understood properly. Any religious material will be included for the purpose of promoting cultural and literary appreciation of the novel, not for the purpose of proselytising.
Supply List
All materials are provided as part of the enrollment fee, including a study guide with quiz questions and a textbook which includes writing exercises. In order to do the reading homework, students can access the text of the novel for free online. For example, it can be found here: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/24022/24022-h/24022-h.htm Parents may nevertheless wish to purchase a hard copy if they prefer. If they do so, they may purchase any edition. Other than that, students simply need paper and pen or pencil.
2 files available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Students can access the text of the novel for free online. For example, it can be found here:
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/24022/24022-h/24022-h.htm
Meet the teacher
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
3 Degrees
Doctoral Degree in English from University of Leeds
Master's Degree in English from University of Leeds
Bachelor's Degree in English from Manchester University
I have three university degrees in literature - that's why I get to call myself 'Doctor' Radice. I've also taught literature for more than thirteen years in schools, to classes ranging from age nine to eighteen.
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