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$21

weekly
or $168 for 8 classes
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Building ELA Confidence in Teens: Novel Study of Private Peaceful by M. Morpurgo

Completed by 2 learners
Ages 13-16
Live Group Course
We'll dive into one of my favorite novels, using it as a tool to strengthen essential English Language Arts (ELA) skills. Reading enriches our lives and I want all of our teens to enjoy great books.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(71 reviews)
Star Educator

Live video meetings
1x per week, 8 weeks
1-4 learners per class
45 min

What's included

8 live meetings
6 in-class hours
Homework
1 hour per week. Chapters will be prescribed between each lesson. Learners can read from their own novel, or listen to the audio book on youtube. Each audiobook section ranges from 15-25 minutes of homework a week.
Certificate of Completion
Please request a certificate if required

Class Experience

US Grade 7 - 10
Beginner - Intermediate Level
In this class, learners will dive into the rich narrative of Michael Morpurgo's "Private Peaceful", exploring its compelling plot, characters, and themes. Through shared reading of the text and thought-provoking discussions, learners will build essential reading comprehension skills while connecting with the historical context of World War I.

🌈 Why this class works for your teen: Private Peaceful is typically read in grades 6-8 in the UK, making it ideal for teens who might thrive with an accessible yet engaging text. The focus is on fostering a love of reading in a supportive, low-pressure environment where all students are encouraged to share their thoughts at their own pace.

📖 What to expect: Each week, we'll dive deeper into the text through group discussions, comprehension exercises, and activities designed to encourage thoughtful analysis. Students will be asked to continue reading between classes to maintain the momentum of the story, but they can also listen to the linked audiobook chapters on YouTube if that suits their learning style.

📓 Book Details: Private Peaceful is a powerful story set during World War I, told through the eyes of Private Tommo Peaceful. It beautifully captures themes of love, loyalty, and the harsh realities of war, leading to an emotionally moving conclusion. Please be aware that some students might find the story touching—I often find myself tearing up when reading it aloud!

📚 Materials: While having a personal copy of the book is recommended, we can make accommodations as needed to ensure all students can follow along. No pen or paper is required during class, and any independent work outside of reading is entirely optional.

📎 Class sizes: This class runs even with a low number of students; I’m committed to teaching whether we have one learner or a full group. If your student prefers not to proceed with one-on-one sessions, just let me know.

No surcharges for weekly payments.

Learning Goals

Enhance Reading Comprehension: Develop the ability to analyze and interpret text by examining the plot, character motivations, and themes within the story.
Connect Literature to History: Gain a greater understanding of the impact of World War I through the lens of fiction, linking historical events to personal stories.

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
8 Lessons
over 8 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Introduction
 - Welcome and Introduction!
  - Introduction to the Novel and the Author
  - Introduction to the context (World War I)

Lesson 1 homework - Independent reading of chapter 1 (audio version available on youtube) 
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Chapter 2
 - Discussion around chapter 1 
     - Shared reading of chapter 2 (volunteers with no enforced public reading)

Lesson 2 homework - Finish chapter 2 if needed. Independent reading of chapter 3 (audio version available on youtube) 
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Chapter 4
 - Discussion around chapter 3 
     - Shared reading of chapter 4 (volunteers with no enforced public reading)

Lesson 3 homework - Finish chapter 4 if needed. Independent reading of chapter 5 (audio version available on youtube) 
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Chapter 6
 - Discussion around chapter 5
     - Shared reading of chapter 6 (volunteers with no enforced public reading)

Lesson 4 homework - Finish chapter 6 if needed. Independent reading of chapter 7 (audio version available on youtube) 
45 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Learning Needs
Learners can join in however suits best. I don't mind if cameras are off (after being on for registration), and no learner will ever be asked to read out loud unless they want to. This is a teacher lead lesson.
Parental Guidance
If you are unsure about the content of Private Peaceful, please do explore it further - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1048645.Private_Peaceful The book explores themes of war.
Supply List
A copy of Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Learners will need their own copy of Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo.

Meet the teacher

Joined January, 2024
5.0
71reviews
Star Educator
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Bachelor's Degree in Education from University of Brighton
✨✨✨

👋 Hi there! I'm Ms. Riot, your certified and passionate educator with a flair for innovation and a heart for student growth. Hailing from London, England, I qualified as a teacher in 2007 with my Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) in Primary Education and certified with my Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Here in the UK, I am certified to teach from 5-18 years old.

🌏I have taught around the world, including at a not-for-profit summer camp in New York, volunteering in Kenya and India, and completing a teaching placement in Arizona.

🏫As a classroom teacher, I developed creative classrooms where students felt safe enough to fail. My passion for reading also allowed me to develop a new career as a high school librarian, supporting teens who had not discovered that a library could be a space for them. I have also taught students English up to the age of 16 at a prestigious online school.

🖼️More recently, I have worked within the learning department in a large museum, teaching at a range of online schools and designing curriculum for education resource companies. I also deliver lectures to trainee teachers, supporting them to develop their practice.

🖥️I have been teaching online for a year, for different schools and platforms.

✨✨✨Ms Riot on Outschool✨✨✨

🌈I am passionate about helping teens strengthen core skills to succeed. This can often mean applying the content and skills often covered in lower-grade levels, allowing teens to develop skills and confidence by meeting them where they are.

🌈I focus on building confidence and foundational skills in a nurturing and empowering environment. I help teens master core concepts, overcome academic challenges, and develop a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom.

🌈At the heart of my teaching philosophy lies a belief that learning should be an adventure, sprinkled with curiosity. We can be serious about learning without it always being too serious.

🌈I am a teacher who welcomes all students exactly as they are. I have a lot of experience with neurodivergent children and am a neurodivergent adult myself. Cameras can be turned off if preferred (after a quick hello with the camera on).

🌈I create quite low-demand classroom experiences. I encourage and welcome participation, but am very quick to adapt to learners who are unable or unwilling to partake in an obvious and active manner. This can mean only using the chat, or even only listening.

Reviews

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