Fantasy Fiction (Live)
In this 4-week live course, students will read four classic fantasy stories in their entirety. They will follow guided reading questions and we will discuss them using the Socratic method during class meetings.
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursAssignments
1-2 hours per week. Reading assignments will be required prior to each class meeting. Weekly optional writing assignments of around 250 words will also be offered. I will provide grading and feedback on these assignments if it is desired. In order to receive a grade for the course, students must complete at least one of these assignments. They can complete another assignment to replace a grade if they wish, for up to four completed assignments. A student who does not complete any of the assignments but attends and meaningfully participates in each live session may receive a certificate of completion for the course if they choose. Written assignments are entirely optional. The only requirement for the course is reading and participating in class discussions.Letter Grade
Letter grades will be offered as an option for students who complete at least one written assignment.Certificate of Completion
A certificate of completion will be offered as an option for students who both attend and meaningfully participate in every live session.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Course Description: In this four-week class, students will read and discuss four classic fantasy short stories. Class meetings will utilize a Socratic format where the instructor facilitates a discussion using guided questions. This enables students to interact with each other, the instructor, and the content more actively than in a traditional lecture-style course. Please note that this course will explore a variety of potentially difficult topics, ideas, and events from divergent perspectives. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to review the overview section below in order to determine if they want their child to analyze and discuss this content. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have. *****All learners will be required to have their cameras on for the duration of the live class meetings. This promotes an engaged learning environment for all students.***** Assignments and Grading Policies: Each class meeting will have an assigned reading of a short story in its entirety. Students are free to read more stories in each collection if they so choose, but the class discussion and optional written assignments will focus on the assigned story. It is important that students do the assigned readings in order to get the most out of the course. Given the difficulty of these texts, I only expect that students have made a good faith effort to understand the content before each class meeting, not that they have successfully done so. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to submit written work for feedback and grading if they so choose. In order to obtain a grade, students will have to complete one of the optional written assignments. If a student does not complete any of the assignments but attends and meaningfully participates in each live session, they are eligible to receive a certificate of completion for the course. Students may write more than one written assignment if they so choose. They may also write an additional assignment if they wish to replace a previous grade. I will grade up to four assignments for each student. The use or aid of any AI tools or large language models is prohibited for written assignments in this course. Students who do not wish to receive a grade are welcome to do as much or as little written work as they like. The only requirement for enrollment is participation in weekly Socratic discussions about the assigned readings. *****Readings and written assignments are placed on the date that they are due on the syllabus, not the date that they are assigned.*****
Learning Goals
Students will hone their critical thinking and reading comprehension skills, practice actively participating in group discussions, and gain a better cultural and analytical understanding of their world.
Students will come away having read several classic short stories in their entirety.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum4 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
The Golden Pot
Students will read ETA Hoffmann's "The Golden Pot" in its entirety. We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions.
There will also be an optional written assignment.
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Leaf by Niggle
Students will read JRR Tolkien's "Leaf by Niggle" in its entirety. We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions.
There will also be an optional written assignment.
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
The April Witch
Students will read Ray Bradbury's "The April Witch" in its entirety. We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions.
There will also be an optional written assignment.
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Sunbird
Students will read Neil Gaiman's "The Sunbird" in its entirety. We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions.
There will also be an optional written assignment.
50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Please note that this course will explore a variety of potentially difficult topics, ideas, and events from divergent perspectives. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to review the syllabus in order to determine if they wish their child to analyze and discuss this content. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.
Supply List
If your student wishes to read more than the assigned stories in each collection, or if you prefer to have a physical copy of the books themselves, below are the editions we will be using in this course:
Bradbury, Ray. The Golden Apples of the Sun and Other Stories. New York: William Morrow, 1997.
Gaiman, Neil. M Is for Magic. New York: HarperCollins, 2008.
Hoffmann, ETA. The Golden Pot and Other Tales. Translated by Ritchie Robertson. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
Tolkien, JRR. Tales from the Perilous Realm. New York: William Morrow, 2021.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Philosophy from Northern Illinois University
Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from Illinois Wesleyan University
I have a BA in Philosophy with minors in Political Science and Greek and Roman Studies, as well as an MA in Philosophy with a concentration in Ethics and Political Philosophy. I’m the head coach of a competitive high school debate team and teach the liberal arts at a classical school. I’m also a professional creative writer and journalist.
I love helping students of all ages understand and interpret difficult subjects and learn how to crystallize their thoughts in writing and oral communication. I believe studying literature is a wonderful way to facilitate this kind of growth and learning.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$25
weekly or $100 for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
50 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
1-18 learners per class