Book Club: "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" and Other Supernatural Tales
In this ongoing weekly class, students will be read a short story from the "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" collection. #academic
Bill Whitehead, M.Ed.
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(54)
Rising Star
What's included
1 live meeting
30 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
Not only is it critical students learn to read and write, but they also need to be read *to*--they need reading to be modeled out loud in order to develop an awareness of pace, tone-of-voice, volume, enunciation, and gesturing. This class offers a set time each week for students to sit back and enjoy a fun story based in the supernatural, all while absorbing what they should be doing when reading out loud. This class will read through the Alvin Schwartz series "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark". Not only is the class a means to model reading, but for kids to have fun with darker storytelling in a safe and controlled environment; we will also discuss the story after the reading. Straight from the author from the forward of his original collection... "Pioneers used to entertain themselves by telling scary stories. At night they might gather in somebody's cabin, or around a fire, and see who could scare the others the most. Some girls and boys in my town do the same thing today. They get together at somebody's house, and they turn out the lights and eat popcorn, and scare one another half to death. Telling scary stories is something people have done for thousands of years, for most of us like being scared in that way. Since there isn't any danger, we think it is fun. There are a great many scary stories to tell. There are ghost stories. There are tales of witches, devils, bogey-men, zombies, and vampires. There are tales of monstrous creatures and of other dangers. There even are stories that make us laugh at all this scariness. Some of these tales are very old, and they are told around the world. And most have the same origins. They are based on things that people saw or heard or experienced—or thought they did.[...] [...]Most scary stories are, of course, meant to be told. They are more scary that way. But how you tell them is important. [...][T]he best way is to speak softly, so that your listeners lean forward to catch your words, and to speak slowly, so that your voice sounds scary. And the best time to tell these stories is at night. In the dark and the gloom, it is easy for someone listening to imagine all sorts of strange and scary things. Princeton, New Jersey Alvin Schwartz" Schedule Week of 4/3 -- Class 1: "The Big Toe" Week of 4/10 -- Class 2: "The Walk" Week of 4/17 -- Class 3: "What Do You Come For?" Week of 4/24 -- Class 4: "Me Tie Dough-ty Walker!"
Other Details
Parental Guidance
If you are unfamiliar with the book series, please review before enrolling your learner, as the stories obviously deal with ghosts, monsters, death, creatures, and gothic horror in general (in the most traditional of ways).
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
"Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" Books 1-3 by Alvin Schwartz
Joined October, 2021
4.8
54reviews
Rising Star
Teacher expertise and credentials
Massachusetts Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Hello! My name is Bill and I offer a wide variety of courses that either reinforce the skills found in a traditional English/Humanities class such as writing and public speaking, or fall into more of the "miscellaneous" category, such as basic life skills required to be independent--like creating and maintaining a budget, basic cooking, etc. I balance out my practical courses (such as "how to interview") with fun offerings meant to reinforce traditional concepts (learning how to start your own business through "Ghostbusters"). In a nutshell, I want to encourage young people to explore and be excited by learning, not simply with the core subjects taught in school, but by everything life has to offer. Be an active participant; be curious; push yourself--and you'll see how rewarding it is to try something new.
I have my Master's degree in Education and Bachelor's degree in English Literature; I have been teaching since 2008 and have worked with kids of all ages (including my three kids at home). I believe students learn best when they are treated with respect and engage them at their age level--they shouldn't be talked "down" to and treated younger than they are, but there also needs to be expectations they must meet to demonstrate maturity in thinking and behavior; kids won't learn to be responsible if they aren't given responsibility and the chance to prove themselves. I work best by interacting in a fun & casual manner; I love to joke with the kids and am lighthearted with my approach as long as everyone is respectful and doing the work (it's pretty simple!).
I am excited to be working with new students from new places and different backgrounds--having a course where people are together across states (and even countries) helps create a sense of a truly connected world--a world where we feel a bit safer knowing we all ultimately want the same thing in life and can help each other make it happen. I also am excited to use the opportunity to learn new things right along with the kids; I love the idea of running a course where everyone, myself included, determines a new skill or hobby they want to learn, creates a plan, and then makes it happen! Young people need to see adults humble themselves and say, "hey, I don't know something, but I want to!"
I look forward to working with you and hope you're excited by the courses I will be offering--check back often for any new classes!
-If you're taking a class with me for the first time, use code WHITEQQFYN10 to receive $10 off any one of my offerings.Reviews
Live Group Class
$14
weekly1x per week
30 min
Completed by 4 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
1-18 learners per class
