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Five Books in Ten Weeks 1- Novel Study

Five books filled with magic, sorrow, moral dilemmas, love and laughter.
Jessika O'Sullivan
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(1,166)
Popular
Class

What's included

6 live meetings
5 in-class hours
Homework
2-4 hours per week. To read the books and prepare for class discussions
Certificate of Completion
The students may request a certificate of completion with a summary of the class content.

Class Experience

US Grade 6 - 9
This class meets live  6 times over ten weeks. The first class will be a meet and greet and the first book will be discussed at the second session. 

A really good book takes us on a journey across space and time and also deep inside ourselves. 

These five books have touched me with the stories they weave, their characters and their language. 

We will read and discuss the following books: 

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo 

The Spirit of Caittail County by Victoria Piontek

Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech

 

These books ask important questions about democracy, love, loss, and how our choices determine our lives. Some do it with magic and others with realism, and some with a mix of both but they all are beautiful books with a strong message. 

There will be a document with questions for each book to help the student analyze the book and we will use the questions for discussions in class.

Learning Goals

To read and discuss books
To analyze the books with the help of questions
learning goal

Syllabus

6 Lessons
over 6 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Meet and greet
 First class is a meet and greet. 
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Wolf Hollow
 Discuss the book Wolf Hollow 
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
The Brothers Lionheart
 Discuss the book The Brothers Lionheart 
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Because of Winn-Dixie
 Discuss the book Because of Winn-Dixie 
50 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Parental Guidance
These books do not shy away from painful things like death and unfairness. The books Wolf Hollow and The Brothers Lionheart can affect students strongly.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined March, 2016
4.9
1166reviews
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Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
My teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in personal experience. Growing up with dysgraphia, I encountered teachers who left me feeling uncomfortable, insecure, and inadequate. Those experiences shaped my commitment to creating an environment where every student feels welcome, confident, and supported. My goal is to build students up, ensuring they leave my classes with both knowledge and self-assurance.

As a teacher, I bring a wide array of subjects to life in my classes, ranging from creative writing and Swedish (my native language) to world religions, the Holocaust, and novel studies with a focus on folklore. Each subject reflects my passions and areas of expertise, offering students a rich and dynamic learning experience.

With a master’s degree in education and a double major in social and political science and world religions, my professional background equips me to guide students through diverse and complex topics. Having taught across various age groups in Sweden and now the USA, I also incorporate the principles of student democracy, encouraging students to take an active role in shaping their own learning journey.


On a personal note, I’ve always had a vivid imagination—perhaps a result of my Nordic upbringing. As a child in Sweden, I was fascinated yet terrified by the stories of fairies that pervade our folklore. Now, as an immigrant in the USA, I weave that sense of wonder into my own creative works, which have earned me awards for poetry and short stories.

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Live Group Course
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$13

weekly
1x per week, 6 weeks
50 min

Completed by 38 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-15
3-8 learners per class

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