Amari and the Night Brothers is a truly wonderful mix of fantasy and reality with a pinch of science fiction.  Amari is an intelligent, independent, and thoughtful young black girl who navigates prejudice and negativity with grace.  The moment I read the first chapter I knew that I HAD to teach this low reading level high interest book on Outschool.  This class is a flex class that does not have live meetings but will have interaction in my online classroom through discussion and reflection questions, video, Kahoot review, and feedback on  projects that can be completed by  writing, drawing, or filming a video.  This class is for all teens, and it is also designed to support students who find reading and writing challenging whether they have dyslexia, dysgraphia, or other learning differences. Learners are welcome to write, type, draw or create a video to share their thoughts in our classroom.  If reading is challenging, learners can listen to the audiobook version of the text or enlarge the print using and eBook. I wanted to give my students time to read the book at a comfortable pace, hence the six week flex format.

Week 1:  “Ordinary” Life

Opening question:  Share a little bit about yourself and the important people in your life, family, friends, etc.

Ms. Smith reads first three chapters to build student engagement

Kahoot! Review

Discussion Questions:  What is Amari’s “ordinary life” like?  How do you think Amari’s life will change after she receives the briefcase?

Read Ch 4-9  

Reflection questions.  Share what is:

Awesome
A bummer
Funny or surprising
Thoughts or questions you may have about the book so far.


Activity: Draw the latest and craziest in supernatural fashion.  Be sure to identify the clothing line collection that your clothes come from.



Week 2: “Welcome” to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs

Opening Question:   Describe a time that you were in an unfamiliar place.  What was challenging about that experience?  How did you adapt?

Kahoot! Review


Discussion Questions:  Would you have said yes to the invitation, knowing that it would be dangerous, but not having all the details?  Why or why not?

Read Chapters 10-15

Reflection questions.  Share what is:

Awesome
A bummer
Funny or surprising
Thoughts or questions you may have about the book so far.

Activity: Which supernatural department would you like to join? 

Write a resume or make an audition video explaining why you are interested in the role and what qualifications you have that make you a good candidate.



Week 3: The VanQuish Investigation

Opening Question: How do you approach a challenge?

Kahoot! Review

Discussion Questions:  What makes someone a hero?  Who do you think are the heroes in the story so far?  What makes them heroic?


Read Chapters 16-20

Reflection questions.  Share what is:

Awesome
A bummer
Funny or surprising
Thoughts or questions you may have about the book so far.

Activity: Write a news story or film a news report about  the exploits of Vanquish or Vanquish 2.0 (Dylan and Amari)



Week 4: Amari’s Past, Present and Future

Opening Question:  

Kahoot! Review Chapters 16-20

Discussion Questions: What gives Amari strength?  How does she persist despite so many challenges and so much prejudice?  How does she overcome her moments of doubt?

Read Chapters 21- 25

Reflection questions.  Share what is:

Awesome
A bummer
Funny or surprising
Thoughts or questions you may have about the book so far.


Activity:  Design an agent test, you can describe it by drawing a diagram, writing a description, or making a video describing the challenge.



Week 5: Final Test

Opening Question:  

Kahoot! Review Ch 21-25

Discussion Questions:  How should Amari use her illusion powers?  Are there times when she should not use them?  What would the ethical choice be?

Reflection questions.  Share what is:

Awesome
A bummer
Funny
Thoughts or questions you may have about the book so far.

Read Chapters 26-30

Activity:  Channel your inner Elsie and design a supernatural invention.  You can make a diagram, draw and write about it, or build a model and share a photo of it in our online classroom.



Week 6:  The Battle

Opening Question:  How do you think the book is going to end? Where is Moreau?  Does he have others helping him?  Who do you think they are? Will he be defeated?

Kahoot! Review Ch 26-30

Questions for discussion:  Why did Amari choose use her powers to share the illusions about her home and life in her final agent test?  What was she hoping to accomplish?

Reflection questions.  Share what is:

Awesome
A bummer
Funny
Thoughts or questions you may have about the book so far.

Read Chapters 31-33

Activity: Create a news article or story about the ending of the book.  What should the supernatural world know?  You can make a video report or write an article.  You could also publish a mock “interview” with Amari.