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Matilda Book Club (Once a Week)

More than a regular book club, this class is for Roald Dahl enthusiasts. In addition to reading and discussing the story, we will build on the learner's overall knowledge focusing on Life Skills, STEM and Literature.

Tanya True

Average rating:

5.0

Number of reviews:

(161)

What's included

6 live meetings

5 in-class hours

Class Experience

Matilda is one of Roald Dahl's best-known stories. The story of the little girl with a big brain and mysterious magical powers. Let's join Matilda, her kind teacher Miss Honey and her formidable Headmistress Miss Trunchbull for this literary adventure.

This course is appropriate for students who have already read and enjoyed Matilda or students who are picking it up for the first time.

Lesson 1 - Overcoming challenges to make a difference
Introduction to the book. We will analyse the characters and identify ways to overcome challenges.
Homework will be a writing and art assignment focusing on the student's personal goals.

Lesson 2 - Role models
We will analyse social situations in the story including bullying and insults. We will develop empathy skills through reading.
Homework will be a role model mood board.

Lesson 3 - Moving things
This lesson will have a STEM focus, identifying and describing the main types of force, i.e. gravity, magnetic etc.
Homework for this lesson will be optional. The assignment will be to try some of the experiments that we discussed in class at home and to write up the findings. The homework will require access to a list of common household items.

Lesson 4 - Inventions
For this lesson we will use math, science and imagination to create, design and evaluate inventions based on Mr. Wormwood's car dealership.
For homework students will come up with an invention to improve people's lives.

Lesson 5 - The natural world
For this lesson we will follow Lavender's example and explore the great outdoors. We will discuss animal habitats and food.
Homework will encourage children to explore their garden or green spaces in their area and document their observations.

Lesson 6 - An extra-ordinary bookworm
In this final lesson students will use persuasive language to decide what book Matilda should read next.
For homework students should start reading their next favorite book!

The course is student lead. I like to follow the interests of the student, therefore there might be some deviation from this syllabus depending on each group.

Learning Goals

Students will learn a range of skills including the following:
reading 
writing
vocabulary
debating and persuasive discussion skills
problem solving
science and math

Other Details

Parental Guidance

Parental supervision may be required for some out of class activities. Lesson 3 has an option homework assignment to try some of the experiments that we discussed in class and to write up the findings. The homework will require access to some common household items. You can find the list of items under the Learner supply list. Only some of these items will be necessary to complete the optional homework. For lesson 5 learners will be asked to explore a garden or green place in the area. This may require parental supervision.

Supply List

Matilda by Roald Dahl is available at most book stores or libraries. You can also find it on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Scholastic or Penguin publishers. If you prefer to read the book digitally and by audio book, check the library in your device. 

In class activities and homework assignments will be available before each lesson as a PDF file. These materials can be printed, or edited directly on the device. If your learner is using the PDF editor please make sure that that function is set up before the lesson begins. Printed materials should be printed before class as well. Students should also have paper, pencil and coloring material (crayon, markers/pens, coloring pencils). 

For lesson 3 there will be an optional homework assignment that would require some of the following items:
magnets
an ice cube
a block of wood
a ping pong ball
an electric fan
a ball
a piece of paper
a balloon
play dough or plasticine
a bucket of water

1 file available upon enrollment

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Tanya True

Joined August, 2020

5.0

161reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

I have been teaching for around 15 years. I have a degree in English, a CELTA teaching certificate and an MBF certificate in child safety, bully, cyber bullying and digital dangers.