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

Classic Book Club for Clever Minds: Literacy Lessons for Ages 9-12

Every lesson will focus on a well-known book or lesser-known amazing literature from bygone days to teach and inspire inquiring minds about different aspects of reading. All learners are welcome in these small group classes!
Miss Kate, M. Special Ed., TEFL
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(125)
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours per week
Homework
2-4 hours per week. Students will be expected to read each book before the class

Class Experience

US Grade 4 - 6
Intermediate Level
Learners will spend 50 minutes every-other week discussing the various literacy aspects of books, most of which were written before 1990.  The schedule is adjusted to a bi-monthly schedule to allow students time to critically read and digest each book to the fullest extent.
During each class, learners will be encouraged to read with a purpose, share points of view and discuss literary elements.  
Each lesson will begin with each learner having the opportunity to share "good things" with the rest of the class.  This helps the club members bond which then enhances class discussions later in the lesson.
Next, each lesson will discuss characterization, plot structure and setting elements.  In addition, each week will have a different literary emphasis and discussion focus.  Learners will know the topic in advance in order to help develop their critical reading skills. 
Although these book club classes will be fun and social, learners will also build real-world skills such as critical thinking, creativity  and communication during each lesson.
There are so many amazing books to be read!  I am excited to be hosting a class which focuses on rich, lively literature that may not be as familiar to students as the more recent books.  In that vein, If you have a book to suggest, I am all ears! 
 
The scope and sequence is as follows:

Week of June 16:
Rabbit Hill - Robert Lawson
Characters, Setting, Plot
Plot Development

Week of June 23:
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm - Kate Douglas Wiggin
Characters, Setting, Plot
Character Development

Week of June 30
Misty of Chincoteague - Marguerite Henry
Characters, Setting, Plot
Setting Development

Week of July 7:
Mary Poppins - PL Travers
Characters, Setting, Plot
Imagery

Week of July 21:
The Lemonade War - Jacqueline Davies
Characters, Setting, Plot
Conflict

Week of July 28
Because of Winn Dixie - Kate DiCamillo
Characters, Setting, Plot
Culture

Week of August 11
Charlotte's Web - EB White
Characters, Setting, Plot
Symbolism

Week of Aug 18
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Characters, Setting, Plot
Perspectives
Inference
Onomatopoeia

Week of Sept 1
Sideways Stories from Wayside by Louis Sachar
Main Idea
Details

Week of Sept 15
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs Frankenwiler by E. L. Konigsburg
Characters, Setting, Plot
Point of view

Week of Sept 29
Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
Characters, Setting, Plot
Tone, Mood

Week of Oct 13
The Water Horse - Dick King Smith
Characters, Setting, Plot
Simile, Metaphor

Week of Oct 27
Bridge to Terabithia - Katherine Paterson
Climax

Week of Nov 10
Hatchet - Gary Paulsen
Imagery

Week of Nov 24
The Mouse and the Motorcycle - Beverly Cleary
Theme

Week of Dec 8
Half Magic - Edward Eager
Hook, Exposition

Week of January 5
Ginger Pye - Eleanor Estes
Rising Action

Week of Jan 19
The Indian in the Cupboard - Lynn Reid Banks
Falling Action

Week of Feb 2
Nim's Island - Wendy Orr
Resolution

Week of Feb 16
A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle
Problem/Solution

Week of March 2
A Horse and His Boy - CS Lewis
Cause/Effect

Week of March 16
Arabel and Mortimer - Joan Aiken and Lizza Aiken
Personification

Week of March 30
Abel's Island - William Steig
Characters, Setting, Plot
Inference

The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
Characters, Setting, Plot
Round, flat, dynamic, static 

allusion
Learning Goals
Students will learn to read critically and to notice and apply various literary elements to whatever book they read
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
I use Canva as a presentation tool. Learners do not need to access this site.
Supply List
Learners must obtain a copy of each book to be discussed.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
  • Canva
Joined March, 2022
4.9
125reviews
Profile
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 with an emphasis in reading, and I home schooled my six now-adult children wherein we read and learned from classical books like those listed above.

Reviews

Live Group Class
Share

$21

weekly
1x per week
50 min

Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-12
1-6 learners per class

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