Guthriegabs Reads: A Long Way From Chicago Novel Book Study
Over this 3-week course, we travel with a brother and sister to visit their eccentric grandmother in rural midwest America between 1929-1942. Each chapter is a new year, with new characters and hijinks. Historic background is reviewed.
Kim Guthriegabs M. Ed
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What's included
6 live meetings
5 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Teacher handouts of vocabulary and comprehension activities. Reading a chapter before the class and completing the guided-notes.Assessment
Class discussions, student responses, and writings.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
What happens when Joey and his younger sister Mary Alice -- two city slickers from Chicago -- make their annual summer visits to Grandma Dowdel's seemingly sleepy Illinois town? Join me as we begin our story in the summer of August 1929 visiting Grandma Dowdel, and end with their final summer visit in 1942 as America enters World War II. Each class includes a social studies lesson that helps provide context to the world events that occur during that year. This book is a Newberry Award winner. This book appeals to a variety of learners for several reasons; the first is this story is told from the point of view of Joey the older brother, second, the grandmother is not your average cookie baking, afghan crocheting grandmother, and it also includes many universal themes such as; Family, Friendship, Perseverance, Competition, Lies and Deceit, Time, Poverty, Coming of Age, Contrasting Regions, and Community. We will discuss plot, point of view, historical events, setting, character analysis, and literary devices. Vocabulary will be highlighted that is unique to the time period and events. I teach using a variety of guided note handouts, visuals, and student discussions. Learners have options for outside projects to make personal connections with the story. Writing projects can be assigned weekly upon request. Class 1: chapter Prologue: pg 1 and chapter 1-1929: pgs 3-16 Class 2: chapter 2-1930: pgs 17-36 Class 3: chapter 3-1931: pgs 37-58 and chapter 4-1932: pgs 61-78 Class 4: chapter 5-1933: pgs 79-99 Class 5: chapter 6-1934: pgs 101-120 Class 6: chapter 7-1935: pgs 121-145 and chapter 8-1942: pgs 147-148 Interest level is for Grades 4 - 8 Reading level Grades 3 - 8 Lexile level is 750L Guided Reading Level V I also teach the sequel to this book, "A Year Down Yonder."
Learning Goals
Read a book with understanding and comprehension.
Key Ideas and Details:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.1
Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.3
Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
Craft and Structure:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.5
Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning and style.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.6
Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This book is historical fiction, but does bring up discussions on death, lies, and family struggles. Students in the class will be directed to stay on topic in the classroom and reminded that they can have discussions with their family about the text also. All students are asked to be respectful when discussing the different eccentric actions of the grandmother in the story. The very nature of the story leads to a discussion on making good and bad choices, as well as people's ideas of what was appropriate in the 1930s, that would not be appropriate today.
Supply List
Students should have a copy of "A Long Way From Chicago," by Richard Peck to refer to throughout the class. The teacher provided guided notes.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2020
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423reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
South Carolina Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from Southern Wesleyan
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Limestone University
I have a highly-qualified rating in history and a state teaching license for grades 6-9, as well as elementary education. I have taught in public schools for over 15 years. I was named Reading & Writing Teacher of the year twice as a classroom teacher. Reviews
Live Group Class
$70
for 6 classes2x per week, 3 weeks
50 min
Completed by 4 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-13
2-6 learners per class
