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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.
Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 6
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
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...
8 lessons//8 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1The Hero's JourneyLearning 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."Week 2Lesson 2We'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."Week 3Lesson 3Lions, 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."Week 4Lesson 4What'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."Week 5Lesson 5Rhyme & ReasonLearning Targets: Students will analyze character development and themes in the second half of "The Phantom Tollbooth." Students will discuss and identify additional stages of the Hero's Journey in the story. Agenda: Recap Group discussion on key events, characters, and themes in Chapters 11-20. Identify and discuss stages of the Hero's Journey. Share and discuss sticky note annotations. Introduce final book. Homework: Read Chapters 1-6 of "Alice's Adventures in WonderlandWeek 6Lesson 6Down the Rabbit HoleLearning Targets: Students will identify and discuss key events and characters in the first half of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." 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 1-6. Identify stages of the Hero's Journey. Share and discuss sticky note annotations. Homework: Read Chapters 7-12 of "Alice's Adventures in WondWeek 7Lesson 7Who Stole the Tarts?Learning Targets: Students will identify and discuss key events and characters in the first half of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Students will use sticky note codes to highlight elements of the Hero's Journey in the text. Recap Discussion of key events, characters, and themes in Chapters 7-12. Identify and discuss stages of the Hero's Journey. Share and discuss sticky note annotations. HW: Prepare for final discussion by thinking about how the books compare and contrast.Week 8Lesson 8The FinaleRecap and open floor for any final thoughts on the books. Discussion comparing and contrasting key elements of each book (e.g., heroes, journeys, themes). Identify commonalities and differences in the Hero's Journey in each book. Answer essential questions: What makes a hero in each story? How do the characters change through their journeys? What lessons can we learn from these adventures? Final reflections and sharing favorite moments from the club. Encourage continued reading and exploration.
- 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.
- Using sticky note annotations, students will practice active reading strategies that support comprehension and engagement.
- By participating in group discussions, activities, and projects, students will build a sense of community and develop collaborative skills.
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.
2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Homework
Frequency: 7 or more throughout the classFeedback: includedDetails: Students are expected to read the assigned chapters using sticky note annotations to be prepared for each weekly meeting.Progress Report
Frequency: includedDetails: 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.
Our BookWyrm club is a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where all students feel valued and supported with positive reinforcement and engaging content.
Students should be able to read and engage in discussion.
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
"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
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
Hello! My name is Mrs. Harrow Strickland, and I'm excited to meet new students in my online classroom! I specialize in American history and English Language Arts. In my social studies classes, I cover fascinating topics like Colonial America, the...
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Group Class
$20
weekly or $160 for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-12
7-9 learners per class
