Outschool
Open currency, time zone, and language settings
Log In

Charles Dickens' a Christmas Carol: Lessons & Insights

This is a 5-part self-paced deep dive into Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"
Bill Whitehead, M.Ed.
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:
(54)
Rising Star
Class

What's included

5 pre-recorded lessons
5 weeks
of teacher support
1 year access
to the content

Class Experience

"A Christmas Carol" is known to many people, even if they haven't read the original, thanks to countless stage, radio, TV, and film adaptations.--it has stood the test of time thanks to Charles Dickens' perfectly crafted little story about a man's redemption through reflection (and some spectral help).  

This self-paced course is meant as a reading guide for students as they work their way through the text in similar fashion as being in a classroom.  I will not be reading the text in its entirety in each class, but will be reading select passages and modeling literary analysis to find deeper meaning and make outside connections.  The main focus will be examining Ebenezer Scrooge as a person and how he wasn't always miserly, but was hurt by his life's circumstances as a child and therefore "turned off" his heart as an adult.  Additionally, we will examine the ghostly elements, personification, social commentary, and more.

While this is rooted in the original novella, the analysis & lessons are still applicable to any major adaptation with which students may be familiar.  

For each class, students will view the content video and can then submit any questions via classroom messaging--while asynchronous, I will be available throughout the week to answer any questions from students or parents within a timely manner.  Since most of the videos exceed the size limit available for upload to Outschool, I am posting them on a private YouTube channel made only for my classes, and then each video will be embedded within the classroom--at no point will students leave the Outschool learning platform.

I am on Eastern Standard Time, which doesn't matter as much with this being a self-paced class, but am most available from 7:00am - 8:00pm (EST) for correspondence.

Syllabus

5 Lessons
over 5 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Stave I: Marley's Ghost
 Introduction to Victorian Era London, Dickens, and the first of five staves 
Lesson 2:
Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits
 Personification; The Ghost of Christmas Past; Youth and how our past affects us 
Lesson 3:
Stave III: The Second of the Three Spirits
 The Ghost of Christmas Present; What is Happiness?; Ignorance & Want 
Lesson 4:
Stave IV: The Last of the Spirits
 The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come; Making our own Destiny; Living in the Past, Present, and Future 

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Since most of the videos exceed the size limit available for upload to Outschool, I am posting them on a private YouTube channel made only for my classes, and then each video will be embedded within the classroom--at no point will students leave the OutSchool learning platform.
Supply List
Optional: A copy of "A Christmas Carol" for reference.  The text is also available online for free via various PDF documents.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
  • Youtube
Joined October, 2021
4.8
54reviews
Rising Star
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Massachusetts Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
My Master's Degree is in Education; I have taught high school English and various electives, including AP English: Language & Composition and The Structure & Analysis of Film since 2008.  Additionally I have worked on committees to ensure curriculum is up-to-date and meaningful, have mentored students during high school & as they prepare for college and/or the workforce, and have offered a variety of online classes since 2021.

I have been teaching "A Christmas Carol" every year in my English class--it is a staple of my course.

Reviews

Self-Paced Class
Share

$12

weekly or $60 for all content
5 pre-recorded lessons
5 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content

Completed by 2 learners
Choose your start date
Ages: 10-15

Enroll Now, Start Anytime
About
Support
SafetyPrivacyCA PrivacyLearner PrivacyManage Data PreferencesTerms
Financial Assistance
Get The App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
© 2024 Outschool