English
Summer Book Club for Avid Readers
In this class we read and engage in student-led discussions about a new award-winning book each week. This class gives learners a chance to deeply discuss quality literature, make personal connections, and dive into literary elements. #academic
Martha Jackson, English Language Arts and Writing
412 total reviews for this teacher
2 reviews for this class
Completed by 11 learners
12-15
year olds
2-10
learners per class
$75
Charged upfront
$15 per class
Meets 1x per week
Over 5 weeks
50 minutes per class
Don't see a time that works for you?
Description
Class Experience
Does your learner love curling up with a good book on their bed or in a hammock in their spare time? Or are they a little more reluctant to choose reading voluntarily, and you want a way to spark that love of reading in them? Students in this class will independently read a contemporary young adult book each week, including historical fiction, nonfiction, and a graphic novel, and then come together to discuss it during class time. This is an excellent opportunity to keep your child reading...
This class is taught in English.
Students will grow in their ability to engage in quality literary discussions with peers, as well as to informally analyze literature.
I have a Bachelor of Arts in English, and held a Professional Teaching Certificate in Florida to teach English in grades 6-12. I taught middle school and high school Language Arts in public schools in Florida, and for the past several years I have taught comprehensive Middle School and High School Language Arts classes to homeschoolers. I have several years of experience teaching contemporary novels, including historical fiction, and dealing with the inherent complex issues that arise with these topics. As we discuss challenging topics in this class, we will affirm the value of all humanity, regardless of country of origin, religion, economic status, gender, etc.
The homework for each week will to read (or listen to) the novel to be discussed in the next class.
The following books will be needed for this class. You may purchase them from amazon, thrift books, abebooks, or any other retailer, or borrow them from your local library. Listening to the audiobook version is also acceptable. BOOK LIST "Words on Fire" by Jennifer A. Neilsen "The Island at the End of Everything" by Kiran Millwood Hargrave "They Called Us Enemy" by George Takei with Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by Bryan Mealer and William Kamkwamba (please note that we are reading and discussing the Young Reader's edition, not the picture book or the book geared toward adult audiences)
There is no formal assessment in this class, but students will be informally assessed during class to ensure that everyone is engaged in the discussion (either verbally or thoughtfully) and adjustments can be made as necessary.
50 minutes per week in class, and an estimated 2 - 4 hours per week outside of class.
The selections for this class are all commonly found on reading lists for learners ages 12-16. Because each family is different as to what is appropriate for their learners, please read this section. "Words on Fire" takes place during the Russian occupation of Lithuania, where Lithuanians were subject to violence and death for (among other things)reading, owning, and transporting books written in Lithuanian. There is violence in this book, although it is not graphically portrayed. A more complete summary can be found here: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/words-on-fire#:~:text=WORDS%20ON%20FIRE%20tells%20the,and%20stays%20out%20of%20town. "The Island at the End of Everything" tells of a 12 year-old girl being forcefully separated from her mother and sent to an orphange because of her mother's leprosy. "Friendships and familial bonds are all important; the fierce love between a mother and daughter is at the very heart of the novel. Themes of prejudice, difference and loss are deftly handled, and there is real emotional depth and poignancy to the story, which is at times heartbreaking but ultimately one filled with hope." https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/may/16/island-at-end-of-everything-by-kiran-millwood-hargrave-review- "They Called Us Enemies" is a graphic novel that does not shy away from the realities of Japanese Interment Camps during WW2. Read more here: https://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog/george-takei-they-called-us-enemy/1011 I will not be explicitly teaching about any of the historical events that surround these books, but am prepared to deal with any questions that arise in our student-led discussions. As we discuss these novels in class, we will affirm the value of all humanity, regardless of country of origin, religion, economic status, gender, etc. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to message me.
Teacher
Martha Jackson, English Language Arts and WritingPursuing Progress Over Perfection
412 total reviews
489 completed classes
About Me
Hi! My name is Martha Jackson. I mainly teach writing and literature, and I absolutely love it. My classes focus on breaking down complex ideas into bite-size pieces, giving students concrete tools to grow in specific areas (conducting research,...
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