BookWyrm Book Club- Courage in World War II
This book club is an epic journey through history with "Projekt 1065," "The War that Saved Me," and "The Devil's Arithmetic." We focus on pivotal moments in World War II that deepen our understanding and spark meaningful conversations.
Harrow Strickland, NBCT 2010/2020 M.Ed
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5.0
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What's included
8 live meetings
7 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Students are expected to read the assigned chapters using sticky note annotations to be prepared for each weekly meeting.Progress Report
A requested progress report for a student in the Courage WWII BookWyrm Club details the student's understanding and application of the themes of courage and resilience within the historical context of World War II, highlighting their ability to identify key elements in "Projekt 1065," "The War That Saved My Life," and "The Devil's Arithmetic." It also provides insights into their participation in class discussions, the quality of their sticky note annotations, and their overall engagement and enthusiasm for the reading material.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 6
Beginner Level
What will be taught? In the Courage WWII BookWyrm Club, students will explore three engaging novels set during World War II: "Projekt 1065" by Alan Gratz, "The War That Saved My Life" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, and "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen. Through these stories, students will learn about the themes of courage, resilience, and historical context. They will also develop critical thinking and literary analysis skills. What topics will you cover? Introduction to Courage in WWII: Understanding the importance of courage during WWII. Projekt 1065: Discussing espionage, resistance, and bravery. The War That Saved My Life: Exploring themes of overcoming adversity and personal growth. The Devil's Arithmetic: Understanding memory, history, and identity. Character Analysis: Using the Head, Heart, Hands, and Heels (Achilles heel) framework to delve into character motivations and development. Comparative Analysis: Comparing and contrasting acts of courage across the three novels. How is your class structured? The class consists of eight Zoom meetings, each focusing on specific sections of the books and thematic discussions: -Introduction to the club and theme of courage. -"Projekt 1065" Part 1 -"Projekt 1065" Part 2 -"The War That Saved My Life" Part 1 -"The War That Saved My Life" Part 2 -"The Devil's Arithmetic" Part 1 -"The Devil's Arithmetic" Part 2 -Final comparative discussion and reflections. Each class will begin with a recap of the previous session, followed by a discussion of the assigned reading, and conclude with an introduction to the next assignment. How will you teach? My teaching approach is interactive and student-centered. Here's how each session will be conducted: Lectures: Short, focused lectures to introduce new concepts. Slides and Video Clips: Visual aids to highlight key points and keep the sessions organized. Group Discussions: Interactive discussions where students share their thoughts and insights. Sticky Note Annotations: Teaching students to use sticky notes for active reading and sharing their annotations in class. What's your teaching style? My teaching style is dynamic, inclusive, and supportive. I encourage active participation and foster a love for reading by creating a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable sharing their ideas. I balance structure with flexibility, allowing for spontaneous discussions and deep dives into topics of interest. How much will learners get to interact with you? Students will have ample opportunities to interact with me and their peers throughout the course. Specific interaction points include: Lectures: Short lectures will be interspersed with interactive elements to keep students engaged. Slides and Video Clips: These will be used to provide visual and auditory stimuli, followed by discussions. Group Discussions: Each session will feature discussions where students can share their thoughts, questions, and sticky note annotations. Q&A Sessions: Dedicated time for students to ask questions and receive personalized feedback. Conclusion: The Courage WWII BookWyrm Club is designed to provide an enriching and supportive learning experience for all students. By exploring the themes of courage and resilience through engaging WWII stories, students will develop a deeper understanding of history and literature while enhancing their critical thinking and analysis skills. I look forward to guiding your child through this exciting literary journey!
Learning Goals
Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the historical context of World War II, including the key events, figures, and themes of courage and resilience as depicted in "Projekt 1065," "The War That Saved My Life," and "The Devil's Arithmetic."Through discussion students will enhance their ability to analyze literature critically, identifying key themes, character development, and plot structures using the Head, Heart, Hands, and Heels (Achilles heel) framework.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to Courage in WWII
Learning Targets:
Students will be able to explain the concept of courage and identify its importance during WWII.
Students will learn to use sticky note codes to annotate their reading effectively.
Agenda:
Icebreaker activity.
Overview of the syllabus and what to expect in upcoming meetings.
Introduction to the theme of courage with examples from history.
Demonstration of sticky note codes.
Introduction to "Projekt 1065."
Homework: Read Pages 1-153 of "Projekt 1065." 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Spies and Secrets (Projekt 1065 Part 1)
Learning Targets:
Students will identify key events and characters in the first half of "Projekt 1065."
Students will discuss the elements of courage demonstrated by the characters.
Agenda:
Recap of previous class
Group discussion on key events, characters, and themes in pages 1-153
Essential Question: What's going on in the Head, Heart, Hands, and Heels (Achilles heel) of the main character?
Share and discuss sticky note annotations.
Homework: Read pages 154-303 of "Projekt 1065." 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Courageous Actions (Projekt 1065 Part 2)
Learning Targets:
Students will analyze character development and themes in the second half of "Projekt 1065."
Students will discuss how acts of courage influence the story’s outcome.
Agenda:
Recap
Group discussion on key events, characters, and themes in pages 153-303.
Essential Question: What's going on in the Head, Heart, Hands, and Heels (Achilles heel) of the main character?
Share and discuss sticky note annotations.
Homework: Read Chapters 1-23 of "The War That Saved My Life 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Overcoming Adversity (The War That Saved My Life Part 1)
Learning Targets:
Students will identify key events and characters in the first half of "The War That Saved My Life."
Students will discuss the elements of courage and resilience demonstrated by the characters.
Agenda:
Recap
Group discussion on key events, characters, and themes in Chapters 1-23.
EQ: What's going on in the Head, Heart, Hands, and Heels (Achilles heel) of the main character?
Share and discuss sticky note annotations.
Homework: Read Chapters 24-46 of "The War That Saved My Life 55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
Our BookWyrm club is a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where all students feel valued and supported with positive reinforcement and engaging content.
Parental Guidance
While the novels chosen for this book club are age-appropriate and valuable for understanding historical events, they do contain some content that may be upsetting or scary to some learners. Here is a brief overview of the sensitive topics covered in each book.
1. "Projekt 1065" by Alan Gratz
-Violence: The book includes scenes of war and conflict, including descriptions of physical violence, danger, and death related to espionage activities.
-Themes of War: Depictions of Nazi Germany and the harsh realities of living in a war-torn country can be intense.
-Child Spies: The protagonist, a young boy, is involved in dangerous espionage, which can be distressing due to the constant threat of discovery and violence.
2. "The War That Saved My Life" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
-Abuse: The main character, Ada, suffers from physical and emotional abuse by her mother. This includes neglect, confinement, and verbal abuse.
-War Injuries: The book includes references to war injuries and the impact of war on civilians, including sheltering during bombing raids, which might be unsettling.
-Rescue and Healing: While Ada's journey towards healing and finding a loving environment is uplifting, the initial depictions of her abuse can be difficult to read.
3. "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen
-Holocaust: The book deals with the Holocaust, including the horrific treatment of Jews in concentration camps.
-Violence and Death: There are scenes depicting violence, death, and the extreme suffering of prisoners in the camps.
-Historical Trauma: The depiction of the traumatic experiences of the Holocaust might be very intense and upsetting for young readers.
Discussion and Safety Precautions:
-Preparation: I will provide context and prepare students for sensitive content before they read those sections.
-Supportive Environment: I will create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable expressing their feelings and thoughts.
-Open Dialogue: I will encourage open dialogue and provide space for students to process their emotions and ask questions.
By handling these sensitive topics with care, I aim to provide a thoughtful and respectful exploration of these important historical events while supporting the emotional well-being of all students.
Pre-Requisites
Students should be able to read and engage in discussion.
Joined July, 2024
5.0
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Alabama Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Auburn University
Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Auburn University at Montgomery
With thirty years of classroom experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge in teaching and engaging young readers. In my classroom, I used the "Whole Novels: A Student Centered Approach" by Ariel Sacks, which allowed students to read entire novels independently before engaging in class discussions and analysis to foster a deeper connection with the text and promote critical thinking and literary appreciation. I apply this same method in my online courses.
Additionally, I have extensive training in teaching sensitive and challenging topics with care and respect. I have attended numerous workshops and seminars focused on best practices for addressing difficult historical events and themes, ensuring that these subjects are handled with the sensitivity and understanding they require. My approach emphasizes creating a safe and supportive environment where students can explore and discuss these topics thoughtfully, providing them with the necessary context and emotional support to engage with the material meaningfully.Reviews
Live Group Course
$20
weekly or $160 for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-13
10-12 learners per class
