The Elephant Whisperer: A Waldorf-Inspired Summer Book Club of Wonder & Wildlife
Join us for a heartwarming summer book club inspired by the Waldorf approach! We’ll explore themes of trust, resilience, and our deep connection with nature with engaging discussions and creative activities. Perfect for nature lovers!
What's included
8 live meetings
8 in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Reading assignmentsCertificate of Completion
includedClass Experience
Waldorf-Inspired Summer Book Club: The Elephant Whisperer Join Ms. Jodi for a thought-provoking summer book club, inspired by the Waldorf approach! In this class, we’ll explore The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony, a powerful true story of trust, resilience, and the deep connection between humans and animals. Through engaging discussions, creative drawing activities, and reflective writing, students will dive into themes of conservation, leadership, and the wisdom of elephants. Artistic expression will provide a unique way to connect with the story, bringing key moments and emotions to life. Perfect for nature lovers, deep thinkers, and students who enjoy immersive storytelling, this class offers a meaningful space to explore literature, art, and big ideas. We look forward to sharing this journey with you!
Learning Goals
Explore Themes of Connection & Conservation – Analyze the book’s themes of trust, resilience, and the human-animal bond while discussing the importance of conservation and ethical stewardship of nature.
Enhance Critical Thinking & Reflection – Engage in meaningful discussions and reflective writing/drawing, deepening comprehension and encouraging thoughtful perspectives on leadership, responsibility, and environmental impact.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Week 1: Introduction & Setting the Stage
~Chapters 1-7
~Reading, discussion, drawing
60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Week 2: Building Trust with the Herd
~Chapters 8-15
~Reading, discussion, drawing
60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Week 3: Challenges & Breakthroughs
~Chapters 16-23
~Reading, discussion, drawing
60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Week 4: Life at Thula Thula
~Chapters 24-31
~Reading, discussion, drawing
60 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The Young Readers Adaptation of The Elephant Whisperer is specifically tailored for a younger audience, with content adjustments to ensure age-appropriateness. While the original edition contains occasional strong language, the adapted version is edited to be suitable for middle and high school students. However, it still addresses themes such as poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and loss, which may be emotional for some readers. These topics are presented sensitively, providing opportunities for meaningful discussion and reflection.
Supply List
Sketchpad 9x12 Colored Pencils The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony (Adapted for Young Readers Edition)
Sources
The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony (Adadpted for Young Readers Edition)
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from University of Phoenix
Education & Experience Highlights
M.A. in Applied Linguistics | B.S. in Psychology
Yale University (Overcoming Dyslexia Certificate)
~Certified in Rapid Transformational Therapy and Vimala Cursive Coaching
~Waldorf educator with 6+ years’ experience as a school librarian and research/reading teacher for grades K-12.
~Skilled in inspiring confidence and academic growth through tailored lessons for Waldorf and other students worldwide via Zoom.
~Former Waldorf homeschooling mom, blending creative storytelling, research skills, and reading coaching to meet students’ unique learning needs.
~Published writer in LILIPOH Magazine; trained in Carl Jung’s archetypes, diversity education, and advanced language teaching methodologies.
~Lifelong passion for empowering young learners with a love of reading, writing, and critical thinking.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$50
weekly1x per week, 8 weeks
60 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
1-10 learners per class