Creative, Clever Readers' Book Club (8-12): Close Reading, Writing & Crafts
Dive into modern classics/classics with friends: literature circles (vocabulary & literary analysis), Kahoot (reading comprehension), crafts (setting & characters), grammar games, creative writing (poems & short stories), research & essays.
Alaina Bell Gao
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(431)
Star Educator
What's included
1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1-2 hours per week. All participants should read the assigned chapters before our book club meeting (or listen to the audiobook.) Those who have not completed the reading may still attend but should notify their teacher of how much they read and expect spoilers. In addition to the weekly reading homework, writing homework is assigned each week. These responses are shared at the beginning of the following class. Depending on your learner's schedule and needs, these assignments may be considered essential or optional. They may also be adjusted based on your learner's needs. For example, a dysgraphic learner may make an audio recording instead of writing out the answer or use text-to-speech assistive technology. Handwritten and typed answers are welcome.Assignments
In addition to the weekly reading homework, writing homework is assigned each week but learners can select from a choice board. These assignments will vary from week to week and from book to book, but may include book reports, creative projects (for critical thinking and analysis), creative writing (poetry, character journal entries, and short stories), analytical paragraphs, research summaries, or essay writing. These responses are shared at the beginning of the following class. Depending on your learner's schedule and needs, these assignments may be considered essential or optional. They may also be adjusted based on your learner's needs. For example, a dysgraphic learner may make an audio recording instead of writing out the answer or use text-to-speech assistive technology. Handwritten and typed answers are welcome.Projects
All at-home projects and Kahoot games are optional but are beneficial for reading comprehension, vocabulary development, grammar exploration, literary analysis, and critical thinking. Due to my heavy schedule, only limited feedback is available. However, these activities may be posted in our classroom for discussion with other club members through the week.Assessment
More detailed assessments of skills may be available upon request, but I have a heavy schedule and a disability that limits my energy. Reach out as soon as possible if your learner needs an evaluation.Certificate of Completion
Each learner who has attended each week of a novel study and/or has completed the relevant activities to cover all chapters may request a certificate of completion for that novel study.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
⭐All learners are welcome! Our book club is loved by diverse learners, including students around the world, ESL learners, voracious bibliophiles, reluctant readers, neurodivergent, and so on! ⭐Read the chapters prior to our book club meeting or listen to the audiobook. ⭐This class is learner-led, so each participant will choose their writing/composing project and optional extension activities like Kahoot and crafts. I provide a list of inspiring projects. ⭐Ask about sibling, friend, and loyalty discounts! ⭐Coupon codes below! ⭐Subscriptions renew every Sunday (like all ongoing clubs.) ⭐Continue for as long as you want (and drop out when you need to.) ⭐Your encouraging messages and reviews help motivate me to continue creating new content! Our book club is conversational and interactive. I lead the learners using slideshows with thought-provoking questions, context photographs and information, and in-class activities. Our meetings are meant to be relaxed and enjoyable, so the participants may bring drinks, food, fidget toys, and comfort items to class. Bring your book (digital or paper) and a notebook and pens to take visual notes (which can include doodles and art!) The content cycles, so it builds weekly within a novel study. (Each book is divided into five-ten lessons.) There will be references to the previous chapters, including details about the characters, so learners who have not read the earlier chapters will not fully understand the current ones. However, all new learners are welcome any week. (They are encouraged to begin reading the story from the beginning.) There may also be references to previous vocabulary, allusions, or quotations, but the context will be provided for new learners. I will check in with new learners to keep them included. We constantly practice close reading, literary analysis, and writing, so this series is listed as a club rather than a course. All learners are welcome to join at any time. Participants should read or listen to the chapters (or as much as possible) before our book club meetings. If there's still time in your schedule, complete the writing/composing assignment. Each week, there is a choice board, so you can choose a creative writing, book report, or essay topic that inspires you. I added the "composing" option for learners who prefer to record their answers instead of writing them to accommodate those with dyslexia/dysgraphia and those who wish to improve their rhetoric and speaking skills. There will be time to share your writing at the beginning of the following class, but writing can also be shared privately and/or in the classroom. (Due to my heavy schedule, my feedback will be limited but personalized.) Meanwhile, expansion projects are posted in the classroom, which include weekly vocabulary activities, grammar games, Kahoot links, context exploration, and crafts. These are optional and are done outside of class, but may be enjoyed and shared with your classmates. I encourage the learners to interact with their classmates during the week to build up a community. TRIAL CLASS Try out the class for $1 with coupon code BELLGBOOKCLUBTRIAL17. MONTHLY SPECIALS! I have had to increase my prices due to rising costs and lower enrollment. However, I am dedicated to finding a solution for all families! Contact me if your learner wants to take my class and you need a discount. (If you can pay the current fee, I thank you for your support since I work hard to provide creative, inspiring content while balancing the challenges of living with disability and chronic illness. Thank you!) Get an $8 class using BELLGDECBOOKCLUB10 in December 2024. Get an $8 class using BELLGJANBOOKCLUB10 in January 2025. Get an $8 class using BELLGFEBBOOKCLUB10 in February 2025. Get an $8 class using BELLGMARBOOKCLUB10 in March 2025. ⚠️FRIDAY SCHEDULE: *Note that the sections have different schedules and books! ➡️The Week of January 12th (Friday 1:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚 Novel Study: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown Read (or listen to) chapters 1-20 of Peter Brown's The Wild Robot, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. We will do a reader’s theatre activity to explore the imagery, figurative language, and characterization. ➡️The Week of January 19th (Friday 1:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚 Novel Study: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown Read (or listen to) chapters 21-40 of Peter Brown's The Wild Robot, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. ➡️The Week of January 26th (Friday 1:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚 Novel Study: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown Read (or listen to) chapters 41-60 of Peter Brown's The Wild Robot, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. ➡️The Week of February 2nd (Friday 1:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚 Novel Study: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown Read (or listen to) chapters 61-80 of Peter Brown's The Wild Robot, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. ➡️📺The Week of February 9th (Friday 1:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚 Film Comparison: The Wild Robot Movie Watch The Wild Robot movie, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. ➡️The Week of February 16th (Friday 1:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚 Novel Study: The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown Read (or listen to) chapters 1-19 of Peter Brown's The Wild Robot, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. ➡️The Week of February 23rd (Friday 1:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚 Novel Study: The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown Read (or listen to) chapters 20-39 of Peter Brown's The Wild Robot, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. ➡️The Week of March 2nd (Friday 1:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚 Novel Study: The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown Read (or listen to) chapters 40-57 of Peter Brown's The Wild Robot, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. ➡️The Week of March 9th (Friday 1:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚 Novel Study: The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown Read (or listen to) chapters 58-75 of Peter Brown's The Wild Robot, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. ➡️The Week of March 16th (Friday 1:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚 Novel Study: The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown Read (or listen to) chapters 76-epigraph of Peter Brown's The Wild Robot, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. ⚠️SATURDAY SCHEDULE: *Note that the sections have different schedules and books! ➡️The Week of January 19th (Saturday 7:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚 Novel Study: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser (5 Lessons) Read (or listen to) chapters 19 through 23 of Karina Yan Glaser’s The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street and complete a writing/composing activity to share during our book club. We will do a book scavenger hunt and grammar game to discover the power of syntax and discuss the ending. ➡️🧧The Week of January 26th (Saturday 7:00 Eastern Section) 📚 Novel Study: The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis Read (or listen to) chapters 1 through 7 of Christopher Paul Curtis’s The Mighty Miss Malone and complete a writing/composing activity to share during our book club. We will consider the setting and analyze the allusions. ➡️The Week of February 2nd (Saturday 7:00 Eastern Section) 📚 Novel Study: The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis Read (or listen to) chapters 8 through 13 of Christopher Paul Curtis’s The Mighty Miss Malone and complete a writing/composing activity to share during our book club. We will discuss the characters. ➡️The Week of February 9th (Saturday 7:00 Eastern Section) 📚 Novel Study: The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis Read (or listen to) chapters 14 through 21 of Christopher Paul Curtis’s The Mighty Miss Malone and complete a writing/composing activity to share during our book club. We will discuss the author’s creative choices and the rising action. ➡️The Week of February 16th (Saturday 7:00 Eastern Section) 📚 Novel Study: The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis Read (or listen to) chapters 22 through 27 of Christopher Paul Curtis’s The Mighty Miss Malone and complete a writing/composing activity to share during our book club. We will discuss how the chapters connect and build upon each other and more allusions. ➡️The Week of February 23rd (Saturday 7:00 Eastern Section) 📚 Novel Study: The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis Read (or listen to) chapters 28 through 21 of Christopher Paul Curtis’s The Mighty Miss Malone and complete a writing/composing activity to share during our book club. We will discuss the “journey to wonderful” and the ending. Why are we studying this novel? This novel is a wonderfully crafted historical fiction set during the Great Depression in the United States. It is highly acclaimed and has won the Jules Hopwood Award, Newbery Honor Award, and Coretta Scott King Award. This modern classic is featured in library displays, schools, and homeschool curriculums like Blossom & Root Year 3 and Reed. Christopher Paul Curtis is also the writer of Elijah of Buxton, another Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award novel, which is featured in Build Your Library 5. My curriculum is independent, but I mention this to explain why your learner should read this novel. I have taught it to learners in Australia, China, and Singapore, although this is my first time offering this novel study on Outschool! February is also Black History Month, so I scheduled this novel study in February. (There are also other novels by authors of colour and featuring Black characters at other times of the year.) Genres: Historical Fiction Class Format: I will lead this novel study with slideshows and it will be discussion-based. Note: Be careful not to include any information from the later chapters! No spoilers, please! Some students will be reading this novel for the very first time! ➡️The Week of March 2nd, 2025 (Saturday 7:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚Novel Study: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin Read chapters 1 through 9 of Grace Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. I will share a slideshow during our book club to guide our discussion. We will focus on the setting (place), mood, characters, Chinese folktales, and themes. ➡️The Week of March 9th, 2025 (Saturday 7:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚Novel Study: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin Read chapters 10 through 20 of Grace Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. I will share a slideshow during our book club to guide our discussion. We will focus on the setting (time), characterization, and the moon as a character. ➡️The Week of March 16th, 2025 (Saturday 7:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚Novel Study: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin Read chapters 21 through 28 of Grace Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. I will share a slideshow during our book club to guide our discussion. We will focus on an author’s inspiration, imagery, similes, personification, and anthropomorphism. ➡️The Week of March 23rd, 2025 (Saturday 7:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚Novel Study: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin Read chapters 29 through 38 of Grace Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. I will share a slideshow during our book club to guide our discussion. We will compare the characters and events. ➡️The Week of March 30th, 2025 (Saturday 7:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚Novel Study: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin Read chapters 39 through 48 of Grace Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. I will share a slideshow during our book club to guide our discussion. We will discuss the themes, symbols, and the dynamic and static characters. Why are we studying this novel? This highly acclaimed novel was selected by the American Library Association as “notable” for its significant contribution to children’s literature due to its exceptional quality, creativity, and appeal to youth. Grace Lin masterfully weaves together Chinese mythology, Chinese culture, intriguing characters, and dynamic diction, while manipulating time (the whole series is a delightful puzzle!) This novel features the original heroine: Minli, a girl on a quest. Along the way, old tales (from Chinese mythology) become new in this trilogy. This modern classic is featured in library displays, schools, and homeschool curriculums like Blossom & Root Year 2, Brave Writer Arrow, Lit House, and Reed. While my curriculum is independent, what does it say that this novel is featured in many curriculums? Of course, many Canadian fourth-graders (Ontario curriculum) and American sixth-graders also learn about ancient China, so this is a fabulous companion novel. Learning about other cultures builds empathy and understanding within our communities and helps us become better global citizens. For example, do you know about China’s agricultural history and the greeting “Have you eaten?” What is the importance of China’s rivers? What about Chinese dragons–how are they regarded by Chinese? This novel study introduces some basics of Chinese culture and history, based on my ten years in China and my subsequent studies. Genres: Fantasy-Adventure; Chinese Mythology Class Format: There will be slideshows with added geographical, historical, and cultural clues to dig into the story. I will even post some personal photos from my years in China in the classroom! Note: Be careful not to include any information from the later chapters! No spoilers, please! Some students will be reading this novel for the very first time! Outschool Feedback: “Hands down! Best bookclub ever! Ms. Gao did an amazing job with literature analysis, history, culture, mythology, reading comprehension, and even sharing her experience with students in a fun way. She also provided Kahoot games for optional homework. The book itself was fun as well. My learner loved this class so much. Highly recommend!” “This is the best class! Any class by this wonderful teacher is going to be absolutely stellar. I would recommend every child on Outschool take a book club with this amazing teacher. So well prepared, so much engaging material and resources!! Such an amazing story with so many layers and Alaina brings the world into the classroom. My daughter has progressed so much under her. My daughter still points out lots that she learned from just this one class when we are shopping or taking a walk! She brought the book and it's elements to life. My daughter thinks and reads differently now. I only wish I had just one teacher like her in school to inspire and open up these worlds for me!” ➡️We will take a one-month break in April and resume the week of May 11th. 📚 Novel Study: Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin (6 Lessons) Schedule: *We will take a one-month break in April and resume the week of May 11th. The Week of May 11th, 2025 (Asian Heritage Month) = Read chapters 1 through 7 of Grace Lin’s Starry River of the Sky, and complete a literature circle activity to share during our book club. The Week of May 18th, 2025 (Asian Heritage Month) = Read chapters 8 through 14 of Grace Lin’s Starry River of the Sky, and complete a literature circle activity to share during our book club. The Week of May 25th, 2025 🐉 (Asian Heritage Month; Dragon Boat Festival) = Read chapters 15 through 22 of Grace Lin’s Starry River of the Sky, and complete a literature circle activity to share during our book club. The Week of June 1st, 2025 = Read chapters 23 through 30 of Grace Lin’s Starry River of the Sky, and complete a literature circle activity to share during our book club. The Week of June 8th, 2025 = Read chapters 31 through 38 of Grace Lin’s Starry River of the Sky, and complete a literature circle activity to share during our book club. The Week of June 15th, 2025 = Read chapters 39 through 45 of Grace Lin’s Starry River of the Sky, and complete a literature circle activity to share during our book club. Why are we studying this novel? This highly acclaimed novel was selected by the American Library Association as “notable” for its significant contribution to children’s literature due to its exceptional quality, creativity, and appeal to youth. Grace Lin masterfully weaves together Chinese mythology, Chinese culture, intriguing characters, and dynamic diction, while manipulating time (the whole series is a delightful puzzle!) This novel features a new main character: Rendi, a boy who is on the run. His adventurous journey uncovers new information about the main antagonist of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and its heroine, Minli! Along the way, old tales (from Chinese mythology) become new in this trilogy (and this one is my personal favourites!) This modern classic is featured in library displays, schools, and homeschool curriculums like Hearth and Story 6. While my curriculum is independent, what does it say that this is one of three core novels selected for their 6th-grade literary journey? Of course, many Canadian fourth-graders (Ontario curriculum) and American sixth-graders also learn about ancient China, so this is a fabulous companion novel. Learning about other cultures builds empathy and understanding within our communities and helps us become better global citizens. For example, do you know about the Dragon Boat Festival and why and how it will be observed on May 31, 2025? May is even Asian Heritage Month in Canada and the United States (although the United Kingdom focuses on Asian heritage, culture, and history in September!) Genres: Fantasy-Adventure; Chinese Mythology Class Format: Select a role from our literature circle choice board each week: writer, designer, reporter, anthropologist, magnifier, word master, theme tracker, librarian, connector, or predictor, and share your activity in class. New learners can participate in the activities in class. Note: Be careful not to include any information from the later chapters! No spoilers, please! Some students will be reading this novel for the very first time! Outschool Feedback: “To me, I would say this is the most productive class. For my learner, it is the funniest class ever. My learner can enjoy the reading, discussion, role playing and at the same time enjoy the extra material that teacher prepare in addition. This is such a great book club that I would strong recommend to anyone who would like to improve reading skill, Asian culture learning. This is the must take! Both thumbs up!” “My 9 year old always loves Grace Lin's book, and this class really helped her learn reflective reading skills.” “It’s one skill to simply read a book for immediate pleasure, but this class teaches kids that a text has depth, that it’s worthwhile to linger over words themselves, to explore how and why a book can cause the reader to feel a variety of emotion. Learning how to analyze a text is, of course, necessary for academic achievement, but oftentimes, typical classroom work is dull. Miss Alaina, in contrast, offers an opportunity to engage with language in a manner that is exciting for the children. She makes concepts relatable. She encourages student participation and asks thoughtful questions.” 📚 Novel Study: When the Sea Turned to Silver by Grace Lin Why are we studying this novel? The American National Book Foundation selected this novel as eligible for the National Book Award, which celebrates the highest-quality American writing/composing each year, and it was a finalist in the Young People’s Literature category! Grace Lin masterfully weaves together Chinese mythology, Chinese culture, intriguing characters, and dynamic diction, while manipulating time in this finale to her trilogy. (The entire series is a delightful puzzle!) This novel features a new main character: Pinmei, a girl desperate to save her grandmother. Her adventurous journey uncovers new information about the main antagonist of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and its heroine, Minli! Along the way, old tales (from Chinese mythology) become new in this trilogy. This modern classic is featured in library displays, schools, and was a top seller. Of course, many Canadian fourth-graders (Ontario curriculum) and American sixth-graders also learn about ancient China, so this is a fabulous companion novel. Learning about other cultures builds empathy and understanding within our communities and helps us become better global citizens. For example, why are the Chinese so proud of their three millennia or so history, and where does the Great Wall fit in? Genres: Fantasy-Adventure; Chinese Mythology Class Format: Select a role from our literature circle choice board each week: writer, designer, reporter, anthropologist, magnifier, time tracker (new), theme tracker, librarian, connector, or predictor, and share your activity in class. New learners can participate in the activities in class. Note: Be careful not to include any information from the later chapters! No spoilers, please! Some students will be reading this novel for the very first time! Outschool Feedback: “Fantastic class by the Teacher. My son is a big fan of her class. A wonderful novel and the class kept him hooked on.Thank you Alaina for yet again a great lesson.” The Week of June 22nd, 2025 = Read chapters 1 through 12 of Grace Lin’s When the Sea Turned to Silver, and complete a literature circle activity to share during our book club. The Week of June 29th, 2025 = Read chapters 13 through 25 of Grace Lin’s When the Sea Turned to Silver, and complete a literature circle activity to share during our book club. The Week of July 6th, 2025 = Read chapters 26 through 38 of Grace Lin’s When the Sea Turned to Silver, and complete a literature circle activity to share during our book club. The Week of July 13th, 2025 = Read chapters 39 through 51 of Grace Lin’s When the Sea Turned to Silver, and complete a literature circle activity to share during our book club. The Week of July 20th, 2025 = Read chapters 52 through 64 of Grace Lin’s When the Sea Turned to Silver, and complete a literature circle activity to share during our book club. The Week of July 27th, 2025 = Read chapters 65 through 76 of Grace Lin’s When the Sea Turned to Silver, and complete a literature circle activity to share during our book club. The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin 📚 Future Book Selections: Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer Humbug Mountain by Sid Fleischman Mañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo Wonder by R.J. Palacio Stuart Little by E.B. White From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg The Giver by Lois Lowry Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry Messenger by Lois Lowry Son by Lois Lowry The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Insufficient Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling Good Masters, Sweet Ladies by Laura Amy Schlitz New From Here by Kelly Yang The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart Mulan: Before the Sword by Grace Lin From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks Love That Dog by Sharon Creech Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech The Wild Robot by Peter Brown The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown The Simple Art of Flying (Torchlight Level 5) Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill Front Desk by Kelly Yang The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry Pax by Sara Pennypacker A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll The Story Collector by Kristin O’Donnell Tub Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome Ronia, the Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller Watership Down by Richard Adams A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat New Kid by Jerry Craft A Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai The Nameless City The Stone Heart The Divided Earth Winnie's Great War by Josh Greenhut and Lindsay Mattick Chinese Menu by Grace Lin Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen Rules by Cynthia Lord Focused by Alyson Gerber Nowhere Boy by Catherine Marsh Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen! by Sarah Kapit Wildwood by Ellis Carson and Colin Meloy The Girl Who Stole an Elephant The Lost Rainforest The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente Redwall by Brian Jacques The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park Seesaw Girl by Linda Sue Park Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson Sweep: A Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier Goldie Vance: The Hotel Whodunit El Deafo by Cece Bell The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk Greenglass House by Kate Milford Alice's Adventure's in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett Anne of Green Gable by Lucy Maud Montgomery Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Completed: 📚 Novel Study: Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Friday & Saturday) Read (or listen to) chapters 1 through 10 of Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s Fish in a Tree, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. I will share a slideshow during our book club to guide our discussion. We will choose alternate titles as we pull out essential characterization and quotations. Along the way, we will get to know Ally, her classmates, and her family. 📚 Novel Study: Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Friday & Saturday) Read (or listen to) chapters 11 through 20 of Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s Fish in a Tree, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. I will share a slideshow during our book club to guide our discussion. We will continue to explore the characterization. 📚 Novel Study: Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Friday & Saturday) Read (or listen to) chapters 21 through 30 of Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s Fish in a Tree, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. I will share a slideshow during our book club to guide our discussion. We will discuss the developing themes. 📚 Novel Study: Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Friday & Saturday) Read (or listen to) chapters 31 through 40 of Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s Fish in a Tree, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. I will share a slideshow during our book club to guide our discussion. We will write paragraphs about the characters together. 📚 Novel Study: Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Friday & Saturday) Read (or listen to) chapters 41 through 51 of Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s Fish in a Tree, and choose one writing/composing activity to share during our book club. I will share a slideshow during our book club to guide our discussion. We will discuss the dynamic characters and how they impact each other. ➡️🎄The Week of December 22nd (Saturday 7:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚 Novel Study: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser (5 Lessons) Read (or listen to) chapters 1 through 4 of Karina Yan Glaser’s The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street and complete a writing/composing activity to share during our book club. We will discuss the characterization using the STEAL technique. ➡️🎆The Week of December 29th (Saturday 7:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚 Novel Study: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser (5 Lessons) Read (or listen to) chapters 5 through 9 of Karina Yan Glaser’s The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street and complete a writing/composing activity to share during our book club. We will consider the characterization of the house and the purpose of particular scenes. ➡️The Week of January 5th (Saturday 7:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚 Novel Study: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser (5 Lessons) Read (or listen to) chapters 10 through 14 of Karina Yan Glaser’s The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street and complete a writing/composing activity to share during our book club. We will examine the beauty and power of the figurative language and the author's choices. ➡️The Week of January 12th (Saturday 7:00 Eastern Section Only!) 📚 Novel Study: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser (5 Lessons) Read (or listen to) chapters 15 through 19 of Karina Yan Glaser’s The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street and complete a writing/composing activity to share during our book club. We will discuss Mr. Beiderman’s life and the characters’ reactions, and then we will do a reader’s theatre activity. Why are we studying this novel? This highly acclaimed novel was a finalist for the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, Georgia Children’s Book Award, Lectio Book Award, and Nebraska Golden Sower. It also won multiple awards: New York City Book, Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Children’s Fiction, Southern Living Best Children’s Book, Nerdy Book Club, and Judy Lopez Memorial Honor Award for Children’s Literature. It has made a significant contribution to children’s literature due to its exceptional quality, creativity, and appeal to youth. Even the audiobook achieved the Booklist Editor’s Choice Top of the List for Youth Audio. As a New York bestseller that has been translated into fourteen languages and World Magazine’s Children’s Novel of the Year, it is read widely internationally. This modern classic is featured in library displays, schools, and homeschool curriculums like Torchlight Level 2, Brave Writer Arrow, and Lit House. While my curriculum is independent, what does it say that this novel is included in these curriculums? I have taught it to learners in Australia, China, and Singapore, although this is my first time offering this novel study on Outschool! This book is set around Christmas, so we start it in December. Genres: Realistic Fiction Class Format: These classes will be collaborative, so we will work together to complete some activities like a reader’s theatre dramatic reading. Please bring your books to class so we can do this activity! Note: Be careful not to include any information from the later chapters! No spoilers, please! Some students will be reading this novel for the very first time!
Learning Goals
Learners find the joy of the novels and become immersed in those worlds, so they build up their reading comprehension and gain confidence.Learners grow more attentive to a writer's craft, including characterization, figurative language, allusions, structure, diction, and syntax.
Other Details
Learning Needs
I am a creative, fun-loving, gentle, neurodivergent teacher, so my classes have activities, choice boards, passion, laughter, and slideshows with illustrations. I adapt to the learners and encourage their participation in any form.
Parental Guidance
Middle school fiction explores a variety of topics, as learners are learning about themselves and the world. I encourage you to look up reviews on a site like Common Sense Media to ensure each novel suits your learner well. Feel free to reach out to me to find out more about our current selection, especially if you have specific concerns or a sensitive reader.
While I have listed Google Docs, Google Slides, and Canva as resources used in this class, they are not required. Rather, they are options that learners may use for their projects outside of class. Additionally, I may post YouTube videos in the classroom, but these links will be embedded so learners will not be directed to other videos on YouTube. Your learner may also choose a research topic from the choice board. In this case, please supervise their research.
Supply List
Each learner will need a copy of the novel, although they are welcome to listen to an audiobook. Some activities will require a written copy. Participants are encouraged to come with a notebook and pen.
1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined January, 2020
4.9
431reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Bachelor's Degree in English from University of Windsor
Associate's Degree in English from Canadian College of Educators
Hi! My name is Alaina Bell Gao, and I am an experienced Canadian English teacher with 15+ years of professional teaching experience. I am also approved to provide part-time tutoring services under Florida's Step Up for Students scholarship program! As a dedicated, creative, gentle, and patient neurodivergent teacher, many neurodiverse learners thrive in my classes, including those with ADHD, OCD, Autism, anxiety, and dyslexia. Additionally, I have experience working with gifted and 2E learners, many of whom have thrived in my classes. Finally, I am trained and experienced in teaching English as a second and foreign language and welcome international learners!
Teaching Style:
● Share the joy of learning
● Learn with my learners
● Welcoming class culture
● Patient and cheerful nurturer/encourager
● Passionate, fun, creative, and imaginative
● Interactive and engaging (with flexible requirements and accommodations)
● Inquiry and experiential teaching
● Creative projects and enrichment activities
● Academic deep dives with critical thinking
● Multidisciplinary real-world and culture-centred lessons
● Social-emotional connections
● Literature and writing specialty
● Unique content (self-designed)
● Passionate discussion, storytelling, games, projects, and activities
In the words of Antoine de Saint-Exupery, I teach students “to long for the endless immensity of the sea" to stimulate a desire for learning in an encouraging and fun environment. To this end, I consciously model a lifestyle of endless learning.
Professional Highlights:
● Teaching English literature and history at a top-ranking national exemplary Sino-American high school in China
● Tutoring gifted students in critical thinking, close reading, literary analysis, and essay writing
● Teaching college English and launching their social and cultural anthropology course
● Teaching English language learners (English as a second/foreign language; TESL/TEFL certified)
● Guiding AP English Language and Literature, IELTS, and TOEFL learners to success
● Teaching Chinese history and culture for a Chinese cultural association and in schools
● Developing specialized programs for student needs so struggling learners could thrive
● Developing curriculum for private use and for organizations
● Writing children's historical and cultural books
● Authoring a textbook on project-based learning (Teacher's Discovery)
● Authoring a high school English textbook (Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press)
● Performing as a Department of Tourism Management voice actor and for the exam board
● Teaching beginner readers with games and activities
● Transforming reluctant readers and writers into confident ones
● Leading book clubs and literature circles
● Transforming learner perceptions of poetry and close reading
● Facilitating the yearbook and drama clubs
● Connecting with learners from around the world
As you can see, I work with learners of all ages and abilities. I have much experience supporting learners in achieving academic and personal success, whether that is entering an Ivy League university, a gifted education program, passing an IB or AP English course/exam, reading branches and early chapter books with excitement, reading a novel with comprehension, learning to love reading for the first time, gaining the confidence to express themselves, overcoming personal barriers to success, picking up a pencil to write and to write with passion, voicing their emotions and experiences powerfully, or completing a large project for the first time. I celebrate every success!
My classes are very creative and interactive, with an encouraging, caring, stimulating, and inspiring environment, which is full of thought-provoking questions, deep discussions, meaningful connections, social-emotional reflections, interdisciplinary learning, and an international worldview. For most of my classes, we take time to savour the literature and I host plenty of engaging literature circles and book clubs, with an increasing range of multicultural novel options, in addition to the classics and Newberry award winners.
My classes are an enthusiastic deep dive into literary appreciation, close reading, and literary analysis without overwhelming the learners with heavy terminology. (I still incorporate references to figurative language, as well as the reader's response, formalist, historical, socio-cultural, and archetypal lens into my lessons, but this is done in a way that the learners can grasp, even without prior training.) Annotation and research skills are a focus in many classes, too. Additionally, I often talk about the power of a learner's choices and the impact those choices will have on their audience. This is to encourage an awareness of the creative process and of themselves as writers, poets, artists, and creators.
As for social studies, I am fascinated by people and cultures, as I am by stories and histories. Although I am Canadian, I lived in China for ten years, integrated into the culture, studied the history extensively, learned Mandarin, and started an educational not-for-profit organization with my Chinese husband. I am an experienced educator and am trusted by Chinese parents, the Chinese Association of Mississauga, and local teachers to teach Chinese history and culture. I also have friends and connections within many other cultures, so building up global awareness, cultural competence, and empathy is important to me!
Additionally, I care about each learner's well-being, so learners are welcome to bring a snack, drink, or fidget spinner to class if that will help and won't be a distraction to others. Learners are also welcome to take stretching breaks. Please reach out to me for any concerns or accommodations. Also, I have recently raised my prices at Outschool's recommendation (smaller class sizes and inflation), but I want to make this work for you! Do reach out to me if you are interested in one of my classes and are in need of a coupon.
Finally, I am an experienced and passionate educator, but I also live with chronic illness and a disability, which means that I greatly appreciate your support. This is my main job and I can only do it thanks to fabulous parents like you! Thank you! So, what are you looking for? Let me know! I would be happy to accommodate you, if possible! I look forward to hearing from you soon!Reviews
Live Group Class
$18
weekly1x per week
50 min
Completed by 13 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
2-6 learners per class
