I love discussing and comparing a book and a movie! This summer, I will be offering several "Book with a Movie" Book Experience classes. This is such a great way to study and understand story elements. It is my favorite "out of the box" teaching strategy for teaching fictional texts.

Join along for some fascinating book and movie discussions. This will be a relaxed, low pressure, and encouraging class....perfect for summer as you are winding down from a busy school year.  I am looking forward to friendly discussions on these much loved stories. Literary analysis is so important for readers to grasp. This experience is a perfect tool to introduce and practice this concept. 

I will encourage learners to share and ask questions. We will respond as readers and viewers through our discussions. There are two meetings included in the class. During the first meeting, we will focus our discussion on the book. During our second meeting, we will focus on the movie while comparing and contrasting to the book. Students can bring their favorite movie snack (popcorn, candy, etc,) to enjoy during our second meeting; the discussion of the movie.

Meeting One (BOOK) - Wonder by RJ Palacio
Learners should read, have the book read to them, or listen on audio to Wonder, BEFORE our first meeting. We will open with discussing literary concepts, (plot, theme, character traits/analysis, author's purpose, etc). 
TASK: I will ask everyone to share a favorite character's quote from the book . Quotes can be serious or something that made you laugh or smile. Tasks are optional, but encouraged. 
NOTE: Learners have several options for the book prior to class. They can listen to an audiobook/on audible, have an older sibling or parent read the book aloud to them, or read it independently/with a partner or group, etc. You can find this text in audio form or in book form at your local library, amazon, thriftbooks.com, etc. My goal is for learners to experience and enjoy the story - whatever way helps them to best achieve this goal, is perfect!

Meeting Two (MOVIE) - Wonder (2017)
Learners should watch the entire movie BEFORE meeting two. Wonder currently streams on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. The discussion this week will focus on comparing and contrasting the book and the movie. We will discuss the author's approach and how it is similar or different to the movie producer's approach. TASK: I will encourage learners to share their favorite and least favorite part of the movie version of the story. 
NOTE: Please check streaming services and options from your library, as these change often, for locating the movie!

The class discussion will be an encouraging and open time. I will facilitate the discussion, making sure that we are showing one another respect and giving everyone a chance to share. My hope is that within this comfortable atmosphere, learners will be given the opportunity to form a firm foundation of literary analysis by sharing and listening to ideas and opinions, as well as discovering how to support those ideas. The meetings will include short activities in connection to the book/movie. This could be a game, trivia, creation, discussion forum, etc.

This class is perfect for a wide range of readers. Because students are assigned the reading PRIOR to our meeting, the class environment will be intentionally inclusive to all reading levels. ALL readers will feel comfortable and confident in this space!

I am so excited to adventure through these loved books and pieces of literacy with your learners!