What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1 hour per week. Be sure to read the entire book before our book club meeting. Learners can read the book on their own, listen to an audiobook, or parents can read the book out loud. Please bring your favorite quote to share with the class. This can be silly or serious. (optional, but I will ask students who have one to share it with the group) Learners can also share a favorite character, moment, or event instead of a quote. I'll make sure to have all options on the table! A printable PDF will be available in the classroom each month. In addition to a few questions for the upcoming book, the PDF may contain optional activities pertaining to the literary element for the month.Class Experience
US Grade 3 - 5
NOTE: This class will MEET MONTHLY on the second Wednesday or Thursday of the month from September through May. You will only be charged once a month for the class coming that week. The default language on Outschool says "weekly" so I know it is confusing, but you will NOT be charged weekly. **REGISTRATION FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR IS NOW FULL. SEND ME A MESSAGE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST** Let's Celebrate a Book Together! Join me in discussing a fiction book each month. Since we only meet once a month, please note the dates and book titles below! Our monthly book discussion will foster a love of books and lay the foundations for future literary analysis. Students will be encouraged to share their ideas, thoughts, and conclusions about various aspects of the book. We'll discuss topics such as plot elements, characters, themes, the author's style, and more. While our discussions will include questions about a variety of literary elements, each month we will focus on one specific literary element. Parents will receive a printable PDF before each book club containing the upcoming month's literary focus and a few discussion questions for your learner to think about ahead of time. During our meeting, I will facilitate a roundtable discussion and make sure everyone has a chance to share their ideas. I'll guide the students as they express their own opinions and listen to the opinions of others. Learning to support your ideas from literature is the foundation of literary analysis, so our book club will allow everyone to practice in a comfortable atmosphere. I will ask everyone to share their favorite quote from the book at the end of each book club. Quotes can be silly or serious. Sharing a favorite quote is optional but encouraged. Students can also share a favorite moment, character, or scene. Don't forget about the fun stuff! Our book clubs will always include an element of fun, so we will often enjoy a game, activity, or time of sharing in each meeting. Below are the book titles we will read and discuss the second week of each month as well as the literary focus for each month: Sept 11/12: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown Focus: Elements of Science Fiction and Setting October 9/10: Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead Focus: Plot Arc November 13/14: Ra The Mighty: Cat Detective by A. B. Greenfield Focus: Opening Hooks and the Elements of a Mystery December 11/12: Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott Focus: Cliffhanger January 15/16: Ferris by Kate DiCamillo Focus: Characterization February 12/13: A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park Focus: Historical Fiction March 12/13: The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat Focus: Elements of a Fantasy; World Building April 9/10: Thirst by Varsha Bajaj Focus: Figurative Lanuage May 7/8: The Lost Library by Rebecca Mass and Wendy Stead Focus: Endings Upon registration, you will receive a printable booklist and more information about our book club. I can't wait to discuss these books with your learner this year!
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Always research the content of each book before signing up your child. Common Sense Media is an excellent resource to read more details about the content of the book.
Supply List
Students will need a copy of each book (or an audiobook). Students can read the book on their own, listen to an audiobook, or parents can read the book to their child.
2 files available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Towson State University
Hi Friends! Let's Celebrate Book Together!
Hi, my name is Mary and I love all things books and book clubs. I have been organizing and leading book clubs in the homeschool community for 6 years and I can't wait to discuss books with you. My book clubs are designed to encourage and inspire students to think more deeply about what they read, to form and defend their opinions, and to engage others in conversations about books.
I believe that book clubs are a brilliant way to lay the foundation for literary analysis. Well-crafted discussions help us explore various literary and plot elements, the author's style, and book themes in a fun and relaxed environment. I know everyone is capable of sharing great insights and the questions in our book club will be designed to draw those insights out.
I am a graduate of Towson University with a BS in Elementary Education. I taught in the public school system (elementary and then middle school) for five years before staying home with my kids. We began homeschooling over 12 years ago and in that time, my own love of children's books and young adult literature was reignited. I spent two years as an employee at Brave Writer where I facilitated online book clubs and now I share my love of books online on my own website at Celebrate a Book.
I live in North Carolina with my husband, four kids, and our dog, Lafayette. Yes, the dog represents our family's absolute love for Hamilton: The Musical.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$20
weekly1x per week
45 min
Completed by 242 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-10
4-9 learners per class