Teen Book Study: the Fellowship of the Ring, the Lord of the Rings #1
A 12-week class where we read, discuss, and write about the first volume of The Lord of the Rings. Taught by a teacher who wrote her masters thesis on J.R.R. Tolkien.
Rebecca Baumgarten, MA
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(29)
What's included
12 live meetings
11 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. We will read 2 chapters per week. The exception is Week 1, where we will read the prologues. Be aware that number of pages will vary. Students should come to class having already read the material listed for that week. After reading, students will write a 300-500-word reading response to that week's prompt.Letter Grade
Assessment is based on reading responses. There are 12 of these, each worth 10 points, for a total of 120 points in the course. At the end of the course, students will receive a letter grade corresponding to the total number of points they have earned, as follows: A = 90-100% = 108-120 points B = 80-89% = 96-107 points C = 70-79% = 84-95 points D = 60-69% = 72-83 points F = 0-59% = 0-71 pointsClass Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
It’s hard to overstate the impact of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth writings on the fantasy genre and our cultural imagination. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are essential parts of any fantasy bookshelf. More than staples of popular culture, they are great works of literature dealing with themes such as heroism, vice and virtue, friendship, care for the natural world, and war (political and spiritual). I am thrilled to offer this novel study on the first volume of Tolkien’s epic masterpiece. Like journeying to destroy the One Ring, reading The Lord of the Rings is a quest best undertaken with companions. In this class, we’ll walk together through this pioneer of the high fantasy genre, supporting each other with discussion of events and themes. I will use PowerPoint slides to guide discussion. Topics will include but are not limited to: • Characterization • Themes • Poetry • Literary vocabulary • Style highlights • Places where the films deviate from the text Since there’s so much scope for conversation, tangents are welcome. Students of all levels of familiarity with The Lord of the Rings are welcome: anywhere from never having heard of it to having read The Silmarillion multiple times—I’m happy to have all of you. Because of this, each class will decide its policy on spoilers during the first class meeting. Each week, students will read 2 chapters. Week 1 is different because we will be reading front matter. Then they will write a reading response (300-500 words) to that week's prompt. Students must complete readings before the week they are listed. Since pagination differs by edition, I will not give page numbers. Note that in week 8, chapter numbers start over at 1. LOTR is not a trilogy, but a single novel split into 3 volumes; the first (The Fellowship of the Ring) contains Books 1 and 2. Keywords: literary analysis; poetry analysis; English; language arts; high school; book club; reading group; writing
Learning Goals
In this class, students will learn to:
• Write short answers in response to their reading
• Use textual evidence
• Understand characterization
• Analyze the purpose of poetry in a novel
• Define, analyze, and explain the purpose and techniques of metafict
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum12 Lessons
over 12 WeeksLesson 1:
Week 1: What’s Hobbitses, Precious?
Read before class:
• Concerning Hobbits
• Concerning Pipe-Weed
• On the Ordering of the Shire
• Of the Finding of the Ring
• Note on the Shire Records 55 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 2:
Week 2: My Birthday Present (Book 1 begins)
Read before class:
• Ch 1. A Long-Expected Party
• Ch 2. The Shadow of the Past 55 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 3:
Week 3: Home is Behind, the World Ahead
Read before class:
• Ch 3. Three is Company
• Ch 4. A Shortcut to Mushrooms 55 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 4:
Week 4: Farewell We Call
Read before class:
• Ch 5. A Conspiracy Unmasked
• Ch 6. The Old Forest 55 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The Lord of the Rings includes:
• Magic
• PG-13 violence: never glorified or described in graphic detail
• Character deaths and lasting grief
• Addiction: to the Ring, not to real-world substances
• Use of alcohol and tobacco
It may occasionally be necessary to touch on Tolkien’s own biography, including his linguistic and literary expertise, experience as a World War I veteran, and Catholic faith. These are not the focus of the class, though.
Supply List
Students must have a copy of the book, any edition.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2021
5.0
29reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in English from Texas A&M University
I have a bachelors and masters in English and graduate certificate in Digital Humanities from Texas A&M University. My thesis was titled "Endurance and Hope: Christian Heroism in Tolkien's Legendarium." I examined the interplay between Tolkien's fiction, his scholarship, his faith, and the old Germanic stories he loved so much. I have also written on Tolkien's work on mythology, fairytales, and medieval literature.
I am currently an adjunct professor of English composition at Collin College in north Texas. I have also worked as a graduate assistant teacher of college English classes and freelance tutor for learners from elementary through college level, and I have many years of volunteer experience working with and teaching children in extracurricular activities.Reviews
Live Group Course
$20
weekly or $240 for 12 classes1x per week, 12 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
1-6 learners per class
