Cultural Exploration Book Club: A Single Shard

In "Cultural Exploration Book Club: A Single Shard", students will engage in an interactive book club based on the Newbery Medal award-winning novel, "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park. 

Students will learn through a combination of independent reading, peer discussions and teacher-led activities. 

Through the use of live video meetings, printable resources and lively conversations, students will learn about the culture of Korea in the 12th century through the eyes of compelling fictional characters. 

Class time will be structured in the following way:

Week 1: Students should come to class with "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park; no reading needs to be completed before our meeting. Class expectations and schedules will be reviewed. Optional: students may complete the "About the Author" internet scavenger hunt before our first class, if they would like (found on page 2 in the attached class file); completed scavenger hunts can be shared during this class session. We will take a "book walk", previewing the text as a group; we'll also watch a trailer to introduce us to the book. In preparation for reading, we will discuss culture, locate Korea on a map, and learn about celadon pottery, a central focus of the novel. Student questions are always welcomed and encouraged. Before class ends, we will read a portion of Chapter 1 together.
-Required homework after Week 1 class concludes: read Chapters 1 - 4, stopping at Chapter 5. Important: do not read ahead--you'll risk discovering the details before your classmates! 
-Optional homework after Week 1 class concludes: define important/challenging vocabulary words from the chapters and be ready to share your answers during our next class (found on page 4 in the attached class file).

Week 2: Prior to attending Week 2, students should read Chapters 1 - 4, stopping at Chapter 5. During class, we'll share homework responses to optional activity, work together to describe characters, setting, and plot, as well as discuss important quotes from the book. While completing these activities, teacher will lead students through discussions of Chapters 1 through 4. Student questions are always welcomed and encouraged. Before class ends, we will read a portion of Chapter 5 together.
-Required homework after Week 2 class concludes: read Chapters 5 - 9, stopping at Chapter 10. Important: do not read ahead--you'll risk discovering the details before your classmates! 
-Optional homework after Week 2 class concludes: define important/challenging vocabulary words from the chapters and be ready to share your answers during our next class (found on page 5 in the attached class file).

Week 3: Prior to attending Week 3, students should read Chapters 5 - 9, stopping at Chapter 10. During class, we'll share homework responses to optional activity, work together to determine the importance of various situations in the novel, as well as discuss character traits. While completing these activities, teacher will lead students through discussions of Chapters 5 through 9. Student questions are always welcomed and encouraged. Before class ends, we will read a portion of Chapter 10 together.
-Required homework after Week 3 class concludes: read Chapters 10 - 13, completing the book in its entirety. 
-Optional homework after Week 3 class concludes: define important/challenging vocabulary words from the chapters and be ready to share your answers during our next class (found on page 6 in the attached class file); also, complete the "A Single Shard" word search (found on page 7 in the attached class file).

Week 4: Prior to attending Week 4, students should read Chapters 10 - 13, completing the book in its entirety. During class, we'll share homework responses to optional activity, work together to compare & contrast settings in the story, as well as discuss changes that characters experienced throughout the course of the book. While completing these activities, teacher will lead students through discussions of Chapters 10 through 13. Student questions are always welcomed and encouraged. We'll celebrate the completion of our book club with a variety of Korean-inspired games & activities!

Throughout the course of this 4-week class, students will enjoy a historical novel, while also learning how to organize and speak about their thoughts.