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English
Neurodiversity Book Club (April) — "Willodeen"
A book group for tweens and teens on the autism spectrum, with ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette, OCD, anxiety, and other neurowonderful ways of being in the world, and our allies. This is for the book "Willodeen."
There are no upcoming classes.
11-16
year olds
4-8
learners per class
$16
Charged upfront
Meets once
60 minute class
There are no open spots for this class.
You can request another time or scroll down to find more classes like this.
Description
Class Experience
Willodeen is about a girl who loves a stinky animal, called screechers, that her community is trying to get rid of. She sees them losing their families and their homes, and she feels awful because she lost her family a few years ago, and doesn't fit in with most people. Can she figure out how to get people to listen to her and save the screechers before they're all gone? Why join me for this book? 1. It's a story of loss and empathy for both people and the entire natural world. 2....
Learners will experience acceptance of their own unique neurotype and personality, and have the opportunity, through reading and discussion, to see the world through another's experience. This discussion may provoke some difficult questions around students' own feelings of inclusion and exclusion, however it is not intended as mental health counseling therapy for anyone. While this is a safe space to bring up questions and anxieties, we will not be delving into personal experiences or attempt to treat or provide therapy in any way.
I am neurodiverse myself, having four decades of life experience on the autism spectrum, and I am an autism coach, helping autistic and other neurodiverse kids and their families find and remove the hidden barriers to success and then build positive life experiences. I am also a certified teacher with several years of experience teaching middle and high school. I also am a graduate of the Great Books Program at St. John's College, a school where every single class, in every single subject, is taught in small group, socratic seminar discussion style, so I have extensive experience leading and participating in small group discussions on difficult, unfamiliar, and sometimes uncomfortable topics. As a high school teacher, I led my students in socratic seminar discussion regularly on a wide variety of books and topics.
Please read the entire book before the class meets. Learners may read via a paper book, e-book, listen to an audiobook, or have someone read it to them—all learning styles are welcome.
Book Title: Willodeen Author: Katherine Applegate ISBN: 9781250147400 Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/9847/9781250147400 Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TUqvH2 Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Willodeen-Audiobook/B09K83NKL4 Publisher's description of "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate: From #1 New York Times bestseller Katherine Applegate, a singular middle-grade novel about a girl who risks everything to help a handmade creature who comes to life. The earth is old and we are not, and that is all you must remember . . . Eleven-year-old Willodeen adores creatures of all kinds, but her favorites are the most unlovable beasts in the land: strange beasts known as "screechers." The villagers of Perchance call them pests, even monsters, but Willodeen believes the animals serve a vital role in the complicated web of nature. Lately, though, nature has seemed angry indeed. Perchance has been cursed with fires and mudslides, droughts and fevers, and even the annual migration of hummingbears, a source of local pride and income, has dwindled. For as long as anyone can remember, the tiny animals have overwintered in shimmering bubble nests perched atop blue willow trees, drawing tourists from far and wide. This year, however, not a single hummingbear has returned to Perchance, and no one knows why. When a handmade birthday gift brings unexpected magic to Willodeen and her new friend, Connor, she's determined to speak up for the animals she loves, and perhaps even uncover the answer to the mystery of the missing hummingbears. A timely and timeless tale about our fragile earth, and one girl's fierce determination to make a difference.
Students are invited to participate in our small group discussion to whatever extent, and in whatever way, they feel comfortable. No formal assessment is given to provide a low-pressure opportunity to engage with literature and peers.
1 hour per week in class, and maybe some time outside of class.
Willodeen has lost her family in a fire, and remembers what that was like. This may be a sensitive subject for some learners. I don't want to give away spoilers here for those who don't want it, but if you message me I will be happy to go into more detail.
Teacher
Heather CookAutism Coach and Teacher
🇺🇸
Lives in the
United States105 total reviews
82 completed classes
About Me
Hi. I’m Heather. I'm a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), licensed teacher, and I’m autistic. And I’m building a life I truly love. It wasn’t always that way. Well, I was always autistic. But the life I love part, that’s had its ups and downs....
