The Book Club of Prydain #5: The High King
In this 6-week online camp, we'll explore the 5th book in Lloyd Alexander's acclaimed children's high fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain with reading, writing, and interactive activities.
Rebecca Baumgarten, MA
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(29)
What's included
5 live meetings
4 hrs 35 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Students will read the chapters listed for the following week: about 50 pages). Each week, I will post important vocabulary words for them to look out for. After the first week, students will complete 1 of 4 assignments before class each week on their own for homework. They may complete the assignments in any order, but by the end of 4 weeks, they will have completed them all. The assignments are as follows: 1. Draw one place from this week’s reading. What is the overall mood of this place? What impact does this place have on the characters and the story? You can draw your picture on the computer or on paper. If you use paper, be sure to take a picture of it to turn in. Please do all of your writing on the computer. 2. Choose a character from this week’s reading who has had to give up something, whether a person, a place, or a thing. Draw that lost something and write about what it meant to that character. 3. Choose one character and explain how his or her life has led to what happens to him or her in this week’s reading. 4. What is one decision Taran makes in this week’s reading that you believe he should have made differently? Write 2 paragraphs explaining how the story would be different if he had made this different choice.Assessment
Assessment is through the assignments. Each is worth 25 points, for a total of 100 in the class.Class Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
Arawn Death Lord has stolen the ancient sword Dyrnwyn, and the prophecies of the oracular pig Hen Wen bode ominously for the land of Prydain. The free peoples of all the kingdoms must band together or else be free no more. As he rallies commot-folk to the banner of the White Pig, Taran faces great hardship, loss, and choices weightier than any he has ever made before. The Chronicles of Prydain book series is widely considered the most important work of children’s fantasy by an American author. The first installment, The Book of Three, was published in 1964, making the series an early bird in the genre that helped pioneer some of its tropes. Lloyd Alexander’s inspirations from Celtic mythology (especially the Welsh Mabinogion) and his gift for vivid characterization make these books an adventure and a delight. In this 6-week class, we’ll read through this classic novel together, discussing characters, events, and themes. I will use slides to explain key concepts and introduce in-class activities, including games like “What’s in the Cauldron?” Students do not need to have completed my book clubs on The Book of Three, The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Llyr, or Taran Wanderer to join this class. Before each meeting, students will complete readings and 1 of 5 assignments. More details are in the Homework section. The schedule is as follows: Week 1: Chapter 1 and in-class introduction Week 2: Chapters 2-6 Week 3: Chapters 7-11 Week 4: Chapters 12-16 Week 5: Chapters 17-21 Keywords: elementary school; middle school; reading group; interactive; literature; Wales; Welsh; Celtic mythology; medieval; folklore; English; language arts; art; drawing
Learning Goals
Learners will
• Describe how Alexander creates lifelike and memorable characters
• Discuss themes related to leadership, sacrifice, friendship, destiny, and bravery
• Analyze how characters grow and change over the course of a story
• Interpret symbols and allegories on the relationship between fate and free will
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The Chronicles of Prydain books contain the classic tropes of high fantasy, including magic (performed by both good and evil characters), sword-fighting, and undead warriors controlled by an evil dark lord. This particular book contains PG-level violence, character deaths, and G-level romance.
Supply List
All students must have a copy of the book in any edition. They can either purchase it or borrow it from a library. One advantage of having one's own copy is being able to highlight parts or make notes in the margins.
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 masters in English from Texas A&M University, where I wrote my thesis on J.R.R. Tolkien’s theory of Christianized Germanic heroism and its application in his Middle-earth legendarium. I am a scholar of imaginative literature in general and the Inklings in particular. My great loves are fantasy, mythology, and science fiction.
At A&M, I worked for 3 semesters as a graduate assistant teacher of courses in literature and technical writing. I also have many years of experience working with children, including freelance tutoring, volunteering as a religious education teacher’s aide, and leadership roles in 13 years as a Girl Scout.Reviews
Live Group Class
$18
weekly or $90 for 5 classes1x per week, 5 weeks
55 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
1-6 learners per class
