What's included
7 live meetings
5 hrs 15 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Reading assignment each week (50-70 pages) and homework as allocatedClass Experience
US Grade 7 - 8
🎤🐍Welcome to "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" Book Club for Ages 12-14! In this dynamic class, tailored for students aged 12 to 14, we delve into Suzanne Collins' compelling prequel to the beloved "Hunger Games" series. Each week, we'll navigate through the enthralling tale of "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," unraveling the origins of this dystopian universe while nurturing critical thinking, literary exploration, and engaging discussions. This class will run for 7 weeks meeting live once per week. Learners will need their own copy of the novel. Weekly Objectives: 📘Week 1: Introduction and Setting the Stage Introduction to the author, book and its historical context. Unveiling the early foundations of the Capitol and the precursor to the Hunger Games. Reading Assignment : Chapters 1-5. 📙Week 2: Literary Elements and Character Development Analyzing key literary elements: plot, characters, and symbolism. Understanding character motives and their development. Reading Assignment : Chapters 6-10. 📘Week 3: Critical Thinking and Themes Exploration Reflecting on themes and their relevance in the narrative. Cultivating critical thinking skills through discussions and analysis. Reading Assignment : Chapters 11-15. 📙Week 4: Writing Workshop and Discussions Crafting responses and reflections on the book's themes. Group discussions to share insights and interpretations. Reading Assignment : Chapters 16-20. 📘Week 5: Themes and Symbolism Identifying and discussing prominent themes and symbols in the story. Relating themes to real-world issues and historical contexts. Reading Assignment : Chapters 21-25. 📙Week 6: Book vs Movie Comparison and Analysis Exploring the movie adaptation and its differences from the book. Analyzing storytelling mediums and their impact on the narrative. Reading Assignment : with Chapters 26-30. 📘Week 7: Gallery Walk Students explore a virtual gallery of images from "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" movie adaptation, responding with reflective journaling and discussions on character portrayal, symbolism, and creative visual responses inspired by the film. Join us in unraveling the mysteries and complexities of this captivating prequel while honing critical thinking, exploring themes, and fostering a deeper appreciation for the origins of the "Hunger Games" universe! **please read chapters 1-5 for the first class**
Learning Goals
1.Analysis of Literary Elements:
Enhances comprehension skills by dissecting the components of the story, aiding in the understanding of plot structures, character complexities, and symbolism commonly taught in ELA curriculum.
2.Critical Thinking Development:
Encourages students to think critically about themes, character motivations, and the author's craft, fostering analytical skills essential for interpreting and evaluating texts in ELA classes.
3.Visualization and Descriptive Skills:
Supports the development of descriptive writing and visualization abilities, an important aspect of ELA, by comparing mental imagery formed from the text with the author's descriptions.
4.Expressive Writing and Reflection:
Promotes expressive writing skills, a fundamental part of ELA, by encouraging students to articulate personal responses, opinions, and reflections on themes and scenes from the book.
5.Character Analysis and Narrative Understanding:
Facilitates the comprehension of character development, an integral part of ELA studies, enabling students to analyze character arcs, motives, and significance within the narrative.
6.Symbolism and Thematic Analysis:
Cultivates the ability to identify and interpret symbols and themes, a key component of ELA education, allowing students to explore deeper layers of meaning in literary texts.
7.Creation of Written Responses:
Strengthens writing skills by tasking students to create original written responses, fostering their ability to articulate ideas, provide textual evidence, and develop coherent and organized thoughts—a crucial aspect of ELA learning.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This class will use Nearpod, an interactive educational tool which will be accessed via a link provided during the lesson, no login/setup required.
Parental Caution for "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes": This book contains mature themes and references to intense situations, including some instances of death. It explores darker themes surrounding the 10th Hunger Games. The narrative follows a future dictator's perspective, presenting a more complex and mature tone. Parents are encouraged to review the content to ensure suitability.
Supply List
Learners will need a copy of the novel
Language of Instruction
English
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in English to Speakers of Other Languages
Bachelor's Degree in English from University of Northampton
As an educator holding Bachelor's and Master's degrees in literacy education, I'm thrilled to lead our study of "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes." With my expertise, I aim to create an engaging and personalized learning journey, guiding students through the depths of this captivating novel.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$15
weekly or $105 for 7 classes1x per week, 7 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-14
1-6 learners per class