Summer Reading Challenge: "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by CS Lewis

NOTE: This current section of this class meets 5 times over 2 1/2 weeks. We will meet twice/week for two weeks and then one final class in the third week. Please check the schedule carefully to verify that it works for you! Thanks!
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"Do not look sad. We shall meet soon again."  "Please, Aslan", said Lucy, "what do you call soon?"  "I call all times soon" said Aslan; and instantly he was vanished away."
--- C.S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

CS Lewis and his Chronicles of Narnia have delighted both children and adults for more than 50 years. Edmund and Lucy, along with their disagreeable cousin, Eustace, find themselves drawn into Narnia to help King Caspian as he sails to the end of the world to find the seven lost lords of Narnia in Book #4, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. How are they summoned back to Narnia, which old and new friends will they meet, and what adventures await them on their quest? Let's join them and see how this quest will become life-changing for each of them. 

Students will be given reading assignments, along with a reading guide and activities to complete at home. Although we will focus on various literary elements as we read, the class will be conducted in a relaxed, book-club style atmosphere, with plenty of time for student discussion about the exciting moments of the story.

Class time will be balanced between short academic studies of various literary elements and devices, creative expression activities, and relaxed student interaction in a teacher guided discussion about the plot, characters, and important themes of duty, courage, and teamwork.

First Class: 
Introduction/Review of author, CS Lewis, the Chronicles, and the characters
Description of the setting (time and place) of the book's opening 
Read chapter 1 before class, assign homework reading ch 2-5

Second Class:  
Comprehension check and discussion of Chapters 2-5
Focus on Literary Devices and Figurative Language
Assign homework reading ch 6-9

Third Class:     
Comprehension check and discussion of Chapters 6-9
Focus on Character
Assign homework reading ch 10-13

Fourth Class:   
Comprehension check and discussion of Chapters 10-13
Focus on Themes
Assign homework reading ch 14-16

Fifth Class:
Comprehension check and discussion of Chapters 14-16     
Creative art or writing representing a character or plot event
Focus: Book Analysis and Opinion

Students should read Chapter 1 before our first class.  I will provide study guide questions each week to help students prepare for class discussion. Students will be encouraged to share their thoughts and ask questions freely. Students will also complete creative activities and worksheets that will reinforce their observations about the plot, characters, and various literary devices.