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Summer Reading: Edith Nesbitt's The Railway Children

Reading a book together is always more fun than reading it alone. In this 4-week class, I’ll read The Railway Children out loud and we’ll discuss it as we go along (and talk about the time period it was written in- a bit of history!).
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What's included

8 live meetings
5 hrs 20 mins in-class hours
Homework
1 hour per week. If we don't finish reading the chapter (s) we're supposed to read in class, students should read them at home on their own. However, if they are unable to read the reading assignments on their own, they can still hear what happened in the review part in the beginning of the class.

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 7
First we’ll talk about the author and the time period this book was written in. I’ll have a powerpoint presentation we’ll go through. Then we’ll dive into the book, reading one to two chapters each class. In the beginning of each class we’ll discuss what happened in the story so far and then read. Students are invited to join a discussion of what we read at the end of each class. 
Reading out loud can be challenging and sometimes it’s nice to just sit back and listen. Students should have a copy of the book so they can follow along. They can buy a copy, borrow one from the library, or download a copy for free from Project Gutenberg. We’ll try to get through each chapter or chapters in each class but if we get into discussion, whatever we don’t finish will be assigned as homework. However, if the students don’t have time to finish the reading on their won, we’ll always review the reading in class before we start reading the next chapter (s).
Learning Goals
Students will be able to discuss the book week by week and learn about the historical context the book was written in.
learning goal

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
8 Lessons
over 4 Weeks
Lesson 1:
An Introduction to The Railway Children
 We’ll first talk about Edith Nesbit and the time period this book takes place. Then we’ll read the fist chapter (The Beginning of Things). 
40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Chapters 2 and 3
 After talking about what happened so far in the book we’ll read chapters 2 (Peter’s Coal-Mine) and 3 (The Old Gentleman). 
40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Chapters 4 and 5
 We’ll discuss and review what happened so far in the book and then read chapters 4 (The Engine-Burglar) and 5 (Prisoners and Captives). 
40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Chapters 6 and 7
 We’ll review the story so far and then read chapters 6 (Saviors of The Train) and 7 (For valor). 
40 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Learning Needs
This class is great for students who have a problem understanding what they read or have dyslexia (since I read the book out loud).
Parental Guidance
We'll be talking about some hard issues from the book (like bullying) as they come up. There's also part of the book that might be suspenseful for some students (when they save the boy in the railroad tunnel in chapters 11 and 12).
Supply List
Students should have their own copy of the book The Railway Children. It's in the public domain and available at Project Gutenberg but might also be at your local library.
Joined April, 2024
New on Outschool
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in English from The Master's College
I love reading out loud and have read out loud for about 4 years to my great aunt and then to my own children. 

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Live Group Course
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$65

for 8 classes
2x per week, 4 weeks
40 min

Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
3-8 learners per class

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