Catastic Book Club: Literature Lessons for Cat Lovers Ages 6-9
What's included
1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will be much more successful in this class if they read the books ahead of time, but they are welcome to attend even if they have not read the book.Class Experience
US Grade 1 - 3
This book club will emphasize one fictional book about cats every week. In addition to teaching characters, setting and plot, I will also teach one specific literary element during each lesson. At the beginning of every class, each student will have the opportunity to share a "good thing" as the rest of the class listens respectfully. Active listening is a necessary skill in today's society. I endeavor to model and practice that skill not only at the beginning of every class, but throughout each class as well. After the class introductions, I will use a variety of teaching methods to discuss the story elements of each book: plot, characters and setting. To teach the setting of the book, I will establish the three elements of a setting: time, place, and mood. In addition, at intervals, I will also teach social and cultural context. I will read details and let students talk about similar places they have experienced. To teach the characters of the book, I will focus on descriptive words to describe appearance, actions, motivations and words; however, not every character will be developed to that extent in every class due to time constraints. To teach the plot of each book I will use simple diagrams to teach the three essential plot expectations for primary students: beginning, middle and ending. In addition, at times we will also touch upon more advanced topics such as theme and alternative endings in some classes. Young students learn best when they are given multiple opportunities to respond per minute. I will use a variety of response methods to ensure that students remain engaged in the lesson. Calling on students directly is one method, but students will also be asked to use their bodies to answer, answer chorally and quick share as a group. In addition, I will teach to all learning styles each week, and all personality types will be honored during each class. I enjoy hearing the opinions and ideas of my students, but I also emphasize sharing the talking space. Learners will be given the opportunity to make a prediction about the next book in the series before each class ends in order to inspire your young reader's desire to read. Every class will be supportive of all learners at all times, regardless of reading, communication or social abilities. The scope and sequence for this multi-day book club is as follows: Week of October 20: The Scaredy Cat - Purrmaids Series by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen Characters, Setting, Plot Exposition Week of October 27: Star Dreams - Magic Kitten Series by Sue Bentley Characters, Setting, Plot Critical thinking/Opinions Week of October 30: Perspectives - Cat Kid Comic Club Series by Dav Pilkey Characters, Setting, Plot Evaluating/Response Mood Week of November 3: Perspectives - Cat Kid Comic Club Series by Dav Pilkey Vocabulary Week of November 10 Kat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey Idioms Week of November 17 Bad Kitty Gets a Bath Frame Week of November 24 Magic Kitten Series: A Christmas Surprise by Sue Bentley Setting Relevance Week of December 1 Alone in the Night by Holly Webb Text to Self, World, Text Week of December 8 The Cat Who Came for Christmas by Cleveland Amory Symbolism Week of December 15 The Cats Breath Smells Like Dessert by Elizabeth Jain Perspectives Week of January 5 Cat Kid Comic Club on Purpose by Dav Pilkey Characters, Setting, Plot Vocabulary Week of January 12 Otis - Kitty Corner Series by Ellen Mills Characters, Setting, Plot Internal/External Conflict Week of January 19 Zoey and Sassafras "Dragons and Marshmallows" by Asia Citro Characters, Setting, Plot Types of Characters Week of January 26 The Wish Fairy "Too Many Cats!" by Lisa Ann Scott Characters, Setting, Plot Inciting incident Week of February 2 A Tail of Two Kitties - Stick Cat Series by Tom Watson Characters, Setting, Plot Point of View Week of February 9 Sky the Unwanted Kitten by Holly Webb Characters, Setting, Plot Character Traits Week of February 16 Dr. Kitty Cat - "Posy the Puppy" by Jane Clarke Characters, Setting, Plot Story Devices Week of February 23: Seasick Sea Horse - Purrmaids Series by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen Characters, Setting, Plot Setting Relevance Week of March 2 Animal Ark - "Siamese in the Sun" by Ben M. Baglio Characters, Setting, Plot Character Motivation Week of March 9 Upchuck and the Rotten Willy by Bill Wallace Characters, Setting, Plot Opinions supported through details Week of March 16 Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires Characters, Setting, Plot Symbolism Week of March 23 Daisy the Kitten - Dr. Kitty Cat series by Jane Clarke Characters, Setting, Plot Character Development Week of March 30: Classroom Chaos - Magic Kitten Series by Sue Bentley Characters, Setting, Plot Character description Week of April 6: Tabby in the Tub - Animal Ark Series By Ben M. Baglio Characters, Setting, Plot Character Comparison Week of April 13: Moonlight Mischief - Magic Kitten Series by Sue Bentley Characters, Setting, Plot Structure Week of April 20: Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murray by Nick Bruel Characters, Setting, Plot Character Motivation Week of April 27: A Big Surprise - Pet Hotel Series by Kate Finch Characters, Setting, Plot Inferring Week of May 4: Kitten Crowd - Animal Ark Pets Series by Ben M. Baglio Characters, Setting, Plot Week of May 11: The Missing Kitten by Holly Webb Characters, Setting, Plot Inferring
Learning Goals
Each book club class will take a deep dive into one aspect of literature as well as discuss the three main objectives for primary literary development: plot, setting, characters.
Students will build communication skills when they are given an opportunity to review the week's book and tell the class what they liked and disliked about it. Team-building and negotiation skills will be developed as the class must decide on a star rating for each book after everyone has had a chance to give their review.
Every class will culminate in a fun cat-inspired craft. This will enable the students to develop their communication skills even further since free talk will be an expectation during this time of the lesson
Other Details
Supply List
Students will be expected to purchase or borrow a copy of the cat book of focus for each lesson. In addition, simple art and craft items will be necessary for the cat craft; a list of items will be emailed prior to each class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Alaska Teaching Certificate in Special Education
Master's Degree in Education from University of Alaska, Fairbanks
I hold a master's degree with an emphasis in reading. I teach special education and am adept at keeping younger students focused and excited during online learning.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$21
weekly1x per week
50 min
Completed by 13 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-9
1-6 learners per class