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BookWyrm Book Club- Fantastical Journeys with Classic Literature

Explore the magical worlds of "The Wizard of Oz," "The Phantom Tollbooth," and "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Join our engaging book club/literature course where ages 9-12 explore themes of friendship, bravery, and discovery.
Harrow Strickland, NBCT 2010/2020 M.Ed
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(2)
Class
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What's included

8 live meetings
7 hrs 20 mins in-class hours
Homework
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 Fantastical Journeys BookWyrm Club details the student's understanding and application of the Hero's Journey framework, highlighting their ability to identify key stages and themes in the three books. 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
What will be taught?
The Fantastical Journeys BookWyrm Club is designed to immerse students in the worlds of "The Wizard of Oz," "The Phantom Tollbooth," and "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Students will learn about the Hero's Journey, a narrative framework that will help them understand and analyze the adventures and growth of the protagonists in these stories. They will also develop skills in literary analysis, critical thinking, and expressive communication through reading and discussion.

What topics will you cover?
-Introduction to the Hero's Journey
-Detailed exploration of "The Wizard of Oz," "The Phantom Tollbooth," and "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"
-Key elements of each story, such as character development, plot structure, themes, and literary devices
-Comparison and contrast of the three books
-Responding to literature with personal reflections and critical analysis

How is your class structured?
The class is divided into eight Zoom meetings, each focusing on specific segments of the books and structured as follows:

-Introduction and Hero's Journey
-"The Wizard of Oz" (Chapters 1-12)
-"The Wizard of Oz" (Chapters 13-24)
-"The Phantom Tollbooth" (Chapters 1-10)
-"The Phantom Tollbooth" (Chapters 11-20)
-"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" (Chapters 1-6)
-"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" (Chapters 7-12)
-Comparison and final discussion

Each class will start with a brief recap of the previous session, followed by a guided discussion of the assigned reading, and ending with an introduction to the next assignment.

How will you teach?
My teaching approach is interactive and student-centered, focusing on engaging students in meaningful discussions and activities. 

Here's a breakdown of the teaching methods I will use:
Lectures: Brief overviews to introduce new concepts and provide context.
Slides: Visual aids to highlight key points and keep the sessions organized.
Video Clips when appropriate: Short, relevant videos to enhance understanding of themes and concepts.
Discussions: Interactive discussions where students share their thoughts and insights.
Sticky Note Annotations: Students will use sticky notes to mark key points in their books, which we will discuss in class.

What's your teaching style?
My teaching style is dynamic and supportive, encouraging active participation and fostering a love for reading. I aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable sharing their ideas and asking questions. I believe in balancing 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 discussion 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 Fantastical Journeys BookWyrm Club is an exciting and educational journey through three classics. By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of the Hero's Journey, improved literary analysis skills, and a newfound appreciation for classic stories. They will also build confidence in expressing their ideas and engaging in thoughtful discussions with their peers.

Learning Goals

Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Hero's Journey framework, learning to identify and analyze its stages.
Through discussions and activities, students will enhance their ability to analyze literature critically. They will learn to identify key themes, character development, and plot structures, as well as articulate their thoughts.
learning goal

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Standards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
8 Lessons
over 8 Weeks
Lesson 1:
The Hero's Journey
 Learning Targets:
Students will be able to explain the concept of the Hero's Journey and identify its stages.
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 Hero's Journey with examples from familiar stories.
Demonstration of sticky note codes
Introduce "The Wizard of Oz."
Homework: Read Chapters 1-12 of "The Wizard of Oz." 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
We're Off To See The Wizard!
 Learning Targets:
Students will identify and discuss key events and characters in the first half of "The Wizard of Oz."
Students will use sticky note codes to highlight elements of the Hero's Journey in the text.

Agenda:
Recap of previous class and homework discussion.
Group discussion on key events, characters, and themes in Chapters 1-12.
Identify stages of the Hero's Journey for Dorothy.
Share and discuss sticky note annotations.
Homework: Read Chapters 13-24 of "The Wizard of Oz." 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Lions, and Tigers, and Bears! Oh My!
 Learning Targets:
Students will analyze character development and themes in the second half of "The Wizard of Oz."
Students will discuss and identify additional stages of the Hero's Journey in the story.

Agenda:
Recap of previous class
Discussion of key events, characters, and themes in Chapters 13-24.
Identify and discuss stages of the Hero's Journey for Dorothy.
Share & discuss sticky note annotations.
Introduce "The Phantom Tollbooth."
Homework: Read Chapters 1-10 of "The Phantom Tollbooth." 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
What's a Tollbooth??
 Learning Targets:
Students will identify and discuss key events and characters in the first half of "The Phantom Tollbooth."
Students will use sticky note codes to highlight elements of the Hero's Journey in the text.

Agenda:
Recap of previous class and homework discussion.
Group discussion on key events, characters, and themes in Chapters 1-10.
Identify stages of the Hero's Journey.
Share and discuss sticky note annotations.
Homework: Read Chapters 11-20 of "The Phantom Tollbooth." 
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.
Pre-Requisites
Students should be able to read and engage in discussion.
Supply List
A copy of each title-physical or digital

"The Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum
"The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster
"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll

Sticky notes and writing utensils
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
"The Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll
Joined July, 2024
5.0
2reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Alabama Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
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 promoted critical thinking and literary appreciation. I apply this same method in my online courses.

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Live Group Course
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$20

weekly

1x per week, 8 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-12
7-9 learners per class

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