What's included
10 live meetings
8 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Homework will be assigned for each class. Homework includes reading two chapters of the book each week as well as completing activities.Assessment
There will be no formal assessment. Learners are expected to complete all activities.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
"Ender's Game" is an extremely well-written, thought-provoking piece of science fiction literature. In it, a young boy named Ender Wiggen is sent to the Battle School, a training academy where children are trained to battle a formidable alien race. Ender exceeds expectations and is ultimately tasked with saving Earth from the Third Invasion of the aliens. Both "Ender's Game" and its sequel won Hugo and Nebula Awards. The novel is action-packed and exciting, while also giving deep character insights and offering moral lessons. Please see the below "parental guidance" section to make sure this book is suitable for your learner. This is a discussion-based class. Each week, students will be given homework activities to complete pertaining to two chapters of the book. In the following class time, students are encouraged to share their homework projects and ideas with the class. Most activities are from the Prestwick House teacher's guide. Discussion Schedule: Week One: Pre-reading * Students are not expected to have read any of the book yet. We will complete pre-reading activities as a class. * Outlining: Create a fictional futuristic society. * Plot and Theme: Predict text plot and themes. * Background Information: Learn relevant biographical information about Orson Scott Card. *Students will create their own journal from the perspective of Ender Wiggin. Week Two: Chapters 1-2 * For this and all following weeks, discussions will be based on the journal entries the students have completed before class. * Characterization and recognizing character traits: Learners will complete a character trait chart. * Reading for detail: Learners will answer text-based questions. * Theme: Learners will relate textual themes to their lives. * Exploring family relationships: Learners will evaluate challenges, advantages, and disadvantages of family types. Week Three: Chapters 3-4 * Research: Learners will be given research options of historical events relevant to the novel. * Journal Writing: Learners will focus on identifying and describing relationships between book characters. * Visual Project: Learners will use descriptions from the text to create a sketch/painting/art depiction of Ender's launch. Week Four: Chapters 5-6 * Figurative Language: Learners will recognize figurative language and identify how it creates meaning in the text. * Conceptual Thinking: Learners will create a drawing/visual map of a computer game that Ender plays using text evidence. Then they will compare Ender's game to a game they are familiar with in real life. Week Five: Chapters 7-8 *Research: Learners will research four key historical figures mentioned in the text. Then they will analyze the author's allusions to these figures. * Character Descriptions: Learners will identify the country of origin and character traits of key characters. * Journal Entry: Learners will write about their experiences with people from other countries using guiding questions. Week Six: Chapters 9-10 * Research: Learners will research three key historical events referenced in the text. * Research: Learners will research two key historical figures referenced in the text. * Text-to-Life Connection: Learners will relate the role of adults in their lives to the role of adults in Ender's life. Week Seven: Chapters 11-12 * Letter Writing: Learners will write a letter to Ender with advice on his current situation. * Characterization: Learners will compare recent book events to earlier book events, analyzing how the character reacts similarly to or differently than before. Letter Writing: Learners will write a letter from Ender to his superior officer. Week Eight: Chapters 13-14 * Style: Learners will analyze aspects of the author's style such as tone, imagery, and rhetorical devices. * Reading for Detail: Learners will compare the advantages and disadvantages that the aliens and humans have in their fight. * Projection: Learners will project futures for key characters in the story after the book has ended. Week Nine: Chapter 15 * Allusion: Learners will analyze the names the author chose for key characters. * Theme: Learners will revisit the futuristic society they created in our first class and discuss what they've learned and make changes. * Newspaper: Learners will write a newspaper article about Ender. * Research: Learners will each research 1-2 of the book's sequels and present a summery to the class. Week Ten: Movie! * Movie: Learners will watch the movie on their own and we will discuss the movie and book comparisons in class. The movie is available to rent for $3.99 on Amazon Prime and is available on a variety of other streaming services.
Learning Goals
Learners will gain critical literary skills to better understand and relate to the books they read.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Common Sense Media rates both the book and the movie as appropriate for ages 12+. You can find their full reviews below.
Book: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/enders-game?utm_expid=.RCp3TD4oT6qWuBfx5635Eg.0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.commonsensemedia.org%2Fsearch%2Fender%27s%2520game
Movie: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/enders-game?utm_expid=.RCp3TD4oT6qWuBfx5635Eg.0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.commonsensemedia.org%2Fsearch%2Fender%27s%2520game
Supply List
Learners will need either a printer to print worksheets (preferred) or plain paper to write their answers on (acceptable). Learners may wish to use art supplies for some projects, but they are not required.I cann
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Education from LeTourneau Univeristy
🎬📚🎮 Movies, Books, and Games: The Ultimate Edutainment Trifecta! 🎮📚🎬
Welcome to the world of edutainment! I believe that learning should be exciting, engaging, and inclusive. By harnessing the power of movies, books, and games, I help students develop essential skills while having a blast. I focus on fostering the Three C's in my students: Communication, Connection, and Critical Thinking.
🌟 About Me 🌟
With a BS degree in Early Childhood Education and over a decade of experience, I have had the privilege of teaching students from pre-K to 12th grade. My primary areas of expertise are literature, reading, and writing. In addition to traditional classroom teaching, I've successfully homeschooled my own special needs son for more than 10 years and led classes in our local homeschool co-op.
🌍 Teaching Philosophy 🌍
I firmly believe that when students are genuinely interested in and excited about what they're learning, they become unstoppable learners. I see myself as a facilitator of learning, guiding and inspiring students to explore the world of knowledge. Learning isn't a one-size-fits-all journey, and I tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of each student.
🌈 Inclusive Learning 🌈
All of my classes are designed to accommodate every type of learner. I'm committed to creating a welcoming environment where everyone can thrive. If you have specific concerns or needs, please don't hesitate to reach out. I also offer a scholarship program for a limited number of students, so feel free to inquire for more details.
🤩 Let's Play and Learn Together! 🤩
I invite you to join me on an exciting educational journey where we blend the magic of entertainment with the power of knowledge. Whether you're passionate about literature, eager to enhance your writing skills, or simply looking to explore the world through a different lens, I'm here to support and guide you.
📧 Contact Me 📧
Ready to embark on this edutainment adventure? Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or to discuss enrollment. Let's make learning an unforgettable experience for you or your child.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$150
for 10 classes1x per week, 10 weeks
50 min
Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
3-10 learners per class