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Snowman, The True Story of a Champion - Horse Book study

In this 6 week book study, learners will read and discuss the amazing true story of a rescue horse turned champion
Tracey Hillquist
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(107)
Class
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What's included

6 live meetings
5 in-class hours

Class Experience

Harry Deleyer found Snowman scruffy and half starved at a horse auction in 1956. He saw the gray gelding and bought in on a whim and soon realized he had an amazing horse. 
Snowman had a sweet and kind personality and quickly became a hit for his own children as well as other children taking horse riding lessons. When he was sold to a neighboring farm, Snowman showed he was a marvelous jumper as he easily leaped the fence to come back home to Harry. 
Once Harry realized that his $80 rescue horse could easily leap tall fences, he began training for jumping competitions and quickly rose to the elite winners circle. Snowman showed that even though he was once a plow horse, he could be much more than that. 
A remarkable partnership was formed between Harry and Snowman. 
Learners will need to purchase a copy of their own book for this class. The title is Snowman, The True Story of a Champion by Catherine Hapka. Each week, learners will be assigned and read a portion of the book and come together as a class to discuss, answer questions and share stories and thoughts about our story.
As a class we will discuss portions of the book, learn concepts about show jumping, horsemanship as well as horse ownership. We'll discuss the truth of the real Snowman and talk about comparisons and differences between the real life Snowman and Harry and the story book Snowman and Harry. We will discuss vocabulary, history of this time period in the United States as well as geography and various horse terms and competitions.
Learning Goals
Students will read the Snowman book over our 5 week book study class and discuss and analyze the book. We will also learn about the true story about Harry and his famous horse Snowman. 
Class 1: Students will have read chapters 1, 2 and 3 prior to our first class. We will begin by having introductions as well as a time to get to know the others in the class. We will begin our introduction to the book as well. We meet our initial characters and discover where and when out book takes place.  Students begin learning aobut our setting and this time in history. The book begins in 1956 when Harry meets the starved and shabby looking Snowman. He was overlooked by many, but Harry felt a connection to the horse and purchased him on a whim. We will learn what connection prompted Harry to buy the horse and a bit about the history of the man, Harry DeLeyer. We also learn the location in the world and have a bit of geography as well. 
Class 2: Prior to the second class, students will have read chapters 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. We will discuss more about Harry and his life and then learn about the Knox private school where Harry helped to train horses for the school. Snowman was such a wonderful horse that he was used for lessons and children loved him. Snowman was sold and students learn and discuss the feelings and logic behind Harry selling Snowman. We also learn what determination Snowman had and the bond he had with Harry. Harry also learned that Snowman had a curious skill of escaping. How and why did he do this? Learners will begin to find out what was so very unique about Snowman. 
Harry also enters Snowman in his very first jumping competition. Find out how he did.
Class 3: Prior to this third class, learners will have read chapters 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. We will discuss these chapters during class. Snowman had begun his jumping career. He started out locally and did fine, but how would be do at larger events and with taller and more difficult jump courses? We find out during these chapters and meet several new characters in our story. We learn about the real places in our story, how the jumping world looked, sounded and felt during those times and how they are different today. 
Class 4: Prior to this fourth class, learners will have read chapters 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. We will discuss these chapters during class. Snowman had become quite the celebrity. Newspapers around the world had celebrated the success of the unlikely geldings win. We take a look at the newspaper clips, the history and the unusually impressive jumps that Snowman cleared. Was it because he truly had a connection to his humans? Was there something physically superior about Snowman? We discuss the possibilities and learn about the details in these chapters.
Class 5: Prior to this fifth class, learners will have read chapters 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23. We will wrap up our discussion of the book and the story about the Snowman and Harry. As we wrap up, we learn about the conclusion of Snowman and Harry's relationship, where they are now and what happened next. If time allows we will also play a game and/or have a fun activity.
learning goal

Other Details

Supply List
Learners will need to purchase the book "Snowman, The True Story of a Champion" by Catherine Hapka, Adapted from the book by Rutherford Montgomery.  Cost is approximately $9.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Each learner will be required to purchase the book "Snowman The True Story of a Champion" Written by Catherine Hapka, Adapted from the book by Rutherford Mongomery. Purchase price of the book is approximatly $9 ot $10 and can be purchased online or at most book stores.
Joined February, 2020
4.9
107reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
As an equestrian, I have 40+ years of experience riding, learning, teaching and enjoying horses. I have ridden in several disciplines as well as various types and breeds of horses. I have enjoyed every minute. I enjoy giving in person riding lessons as well as teaching learners online. 
I have learned lessons from each and every class I lead as well as each horse I've ridden. I'm always learning and growing and I hope that I can bring joy and passion and the love of horses to more learners with each class. 

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Live Group Class
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$45

for 6 classes
1x per week, 6 weeks
50 min

Completed by 7 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
3-8 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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