Teen Book Study: the Two Towers, the Lord of the Rings #2
A 10-week class where we read and discuss the second 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
10 live meetings
9 hrs 10 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. We will read 2 chapters per week. The exception is Week 1, where we will read 3. Be aware that number of pages will vary. Students should come to class having already read the material and answered the reading response prompt for that week. The welcome message in the classroom lists all discussion questions by week. Each week, I will again post the upcoming meeting’s question. Students should post their responses (300-500 words) as replies to these weekly posts.Letter Grade
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. Assessment is based on reading responses. There are 10 of these, each worth 10 points, for a total of 100 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% = 90-100 points B = 80-89% = 80-89 points C = 70-79% = 70-79 points D = 60-69% = 60-69 points F = 0-59% = 0-59 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 warfare (both political and spiritual). I am thrilled to offer this novel study on the second 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. You do not have to have taken my class on The Fellowship of the Ring, but you do need to have read that book. 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 of the book. The exception is Week 1, when they will read 3. After reading, 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 6, chapter numbers start over at 1. LOTR is not a trilogy but a single novel split into 3 volumes; the first (The Two Towers) contains Books 3 and 4. 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 to support an argument
• Understand characterization
• Analyze the purpose of poetry in a novel
• Define, analyze, and explain the purpose and
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum10 Lessons
over 10 WeeksLesson 1:
Week 1: Through Rohan Over Fen and Field
Read before class:
• Ch 1. The Departure of Boromir
• Ch 2. The Riders of Rohan
• Ch 3. The Uruk-hai 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Week 2: The Dreams of Trees Unfold
Read before class:
• Ch 4. Treebeard
• Ch 5. The White Rider 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Week 3: Where Now the Horse and the Rider?
Read before class:
• Ch 6. The King of the Golden Hall
• Ch 7. Helm’s Deep 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Week 4: Though Isengard Be Strong and Hard
Read before class:
• Ch 8. The Road to Isengard
• Ch 9. Flotsam and Jetsam 55 mins online live lesson
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.
Pre-Requisites
Students do not need to have taken my class on the Fellowship of the Ring, but they do need to have read that book.
Supply List
Students must have a copy of the book, any edition.
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 $200 for 10 classes1x per week, 10 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
1-6 learners per class
