Contemporary African American Book Club for Middle-Schoolers
Using the novel “A Good Kind of Trouble,” students will read, reflect and write about the novel. This class combines discussion, writing and reading in a way that develops critical thinking skills. Everyone welcome; neurodiverse, ADHD, etc.
Cheryl Carter Creative Classroom
Average rating:
4.7
Number of reviews:(181)
What's included
8 live meetings
5 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Students will have weekly reading homework and journal prompts based on the weekly reading. Weekly reading is approximately 30 - 40 pages per week.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Read, Write & Reflect: Writing and Critical Thinking for Active Middle-School Students Using the middle school novel “A Good Kind of Trouble,” students will read and reflect on the characters, themes, and ideas to develop crucial writing and critical thinking skills. This course is just right for middle-school students who want to develop important literary and writing skills. It combines the writing process with the thinking process. “A Good Kind of Trouble” is a well-written book with sharp images that has won many literary awards. The class discussion will revolve around general reading comprehension and the events of the novel. This 8-week plan is designed to keep students reading at least five days a week. This class is for young people who are a bit hesitant to write but want to develop their literary analysis and creative writing skills in a fun nonthreatening environment. The Socratic method will also be used to further develop young writers thinking skills. Each live class will review the homework assignments. In this classic children’s book learners will learn a lot. The book depicting the life of a Southern black family struggling to keep their land, their dignity and their lives in the middle of the Great Depression. Discussions will revolve around the plot, themes and characters of the novel. All classes will be conducted online via the Outschool Zoom platform. All enrolled students will be required to purchase their own copy of “A Good Kind of Trouble” by Lisa Moore Ramee (approximately 7.99 per copy). Students are encouraged to get a journal for their writing prompt assignments. At the end of the class, students will also write a book report based off of discussions and questions from the course. Learning Goals: Students will learn how to organize their thoughts for writing. Students will approach writing in a systematic matter. Students will develop their creative and imaginative writing skills and abilities. Students will gain skills overcome their writing reluctance. Students will begin to overcome their writing inhibitions through fun writing activities. Students will learn how to the beginnings of literary analysis Reading Schedule: Week One: Chapters 1- 9 Week Two: Chapters 10 - 17 Week Three: Chapters 18 - 25 Week Four: Chapters 26 - 33 Week Five: Chapters 34 - 42 Week Six: Chapters 43 - 50 Week Seven: Chapters 51 - 58 Week Eight: Chapters 69 - 71 Due to class interaction a minimum number of students must be enrolled in the class.
Learning Goals
Learning Goals:
Students will learn how to organize their thoughts for writing.
Students will approach writing in a systematic matter.
Students will develop their creative and imaginative writing skills and abilities.
Students will gain skills overcome their writing reluctance.
Students will begin to overcome their writing inhibitions through fun writing activities.
Students will learn how to the beginnings of literary analysis
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parents need to know that Mildred D. Taylor's Newbery Award-winning Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a lyrical, compelling story of 9-year-old narrator, Cassie Logan, and her family in Depression-era Mississippi. The 2016, 40th anniversary edition features cover art by Caldecott Honor-winner Kadir Nelson and an introduction by Jacqueline Woodson. The story builds to a fiery climax and features violence motivated by racial prejudice. A family is threatened by a white neighbor and by fire; a mob threatens people; three men are set on fire; children are whipped by teacher and parents; a teen boy is beaten by some older men; one man is shot; and there are vague references to rape. It's a meaningful tale of one family's struggle to keep their small piece of land and maintain their dignity under extremely challenging circumstances.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
All enrolled students will be required to purchase their own copy of “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” by Mildred Taylor.( approximately 8.99 per copy-available on Amazon). Students are encouraged to get a journal for their writing prompt assignments.
Joined January, 2018
4.7
181reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Cheryl R. Carter is a busy homeschooling mother (of five), author, speaker and a college professor with a passion to help others. Besides teaching, she has written broadly on spiritual growth, education, and special needs She is the author of several books including Organize Your Life, Essential Writing Skills for the College Bound Student, Inspire the Writer in Your Child and Organize Your AD/HD Child. In addition to writing fiction and poetry in her spare time, she blogs regularly on issues of clarity in written communication, college admissions and the Christian family. She has a BA in English, a MFA in Writing and has done graduate study in Special Education and College Admission. Active in her local homeschool group, she has taught college-prep coop classes for several years. She has also written numerous literary guides and won academic awards for her writing. Her books have been translated into Japanese, Hebrew, German, Czech and Polish. Carter's curriculum and writing classes focus on equipping students with the vital skills for lifetime communication success. Her curriculum and classes are marked by a sense of depth, yet simplicity that nurture a love of writing in students. Reviews
Live Group Class
$160
for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
40 min
Completed by 7 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-13
5-18 learners per class
